Page 95 of Mountain Refuge

Ryan stepped onto the porch and pointed to the unattached garage. Shaking his head, he returned to the house. “That vehicle would be a dead giveaway.”

“And those two yahoos are going to be the ones protecting you?” She glanced down the road. “Sheriff is coming. Guess he’s our ride. Finish packing, Tracy.”

“I did last night.” She sat on the sofa, her arms around Betty’s neck.

“Then, I’ll grab our bags.” She cast Ryan a look, wanting to tell him—beg him—to come with them. Instead, she sighed and headed for the bedroom leaving all she wanted to say unsaid.

A backpack in one hand and another bag slung over her shoulder, she gripped a used suitcase they’d picked up in town, then she retrieved her rifle from the front room. “We’re ready.”

“In a minute.” Ryan took all the bags and set them near the door. “I’d like to speak with you for a minute.”

She nodded, her gaze locked on his.

He led her to the kitchen. “You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?”

Shaking her head, she swallowed against the boulder in her throat. “Of course not.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “I don’t know when we’ll see each other again. It might not be until this is over.”

How would she bear it?

“Seeing you first thing in the morning, last thing before going to bed—these have been the best days of my life.” His voice broke. “Promise me you’ll stay safe. Don’t be a hero.”

She choked off a laugh. “But, I am a hero.”

He cupped her face and claimed her gaze again. “Promise me.”

“Okay. I promise not to do anything that doesn’t absolutely need doing.”

He chuckled. “I’ll take it.” He lowered his head and landed a kiss on her, so full of longing and fear that her knees weakened.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and reciprocated with all the promise she could put in a kiss.

“I don’t mean to break up the lovefest,” the sheriff said from the doorway. “But, the sun is rising. We don’t want any more folks to see me dropping the two of you off than necessary.”

“Okay.” Taya stepped back. She caressed Ryan’s cheek with the palm of her hand, then followed the sheriff, retrieving their meager belongings on the way.

As they pulled away from the house, she glanced back in time to see the front door close on what she hoped wasn’t the final one. It had been a long time since she’d found a man she wanted to share a future with.

“He’ll be okay.” Tracy took her hand. “Ryan is the smartest person I know.”

“I’m counting on that.” She gave her niece’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“What about us? We’re going to be in town, surrounded by people, and we’ll still have nothing to do.”

“Maybe I can have someone pick you up some new books from the library.”

Tracy sighed. “I’m getting tired of reading.”

“What? I didn’t think that was possible.” She chuckled and gave her a one-armed hug.

“The safe house isn’t completely ready.” Sheriff Westbrook glanced in his rearview mirror. “It should be by tomorrow. The owner would rather take her child and let you two stay there alone. It has a safe room where you can lock yourself in if trouble comes.”

Taya met his gaze. “Where then?”

He smiled. “You’ll be staying with June Mayfield tonight. I guarantee neither of you will be bored.”

“Aren’t you putting the woman in danger?”