Terri Reed - Buried Mountain Secrets

The yellow-and-red-striped flag of Spain hung proudly on another wall. Off center in the wide yellow stripe was the decorative coat of arms, which reminded him of learning in grade school about Columbus and the New World.

“Alex, Alex!” Brady exclaimed. “Come sit with me.” He grabbed the remote. “It’s time for my show.”

“Can you hold off for a moment?” Alex asked. “I need to ask you some questions.”

Brady blinked at him. “Questions?”

“About what happened on the trail.”

“I already told you.” Brady aimed the remote at the television and turned on the device. An announcer’s voice filled the house as contestants ran through obstacle courses.

Maya touched Alex’s sleeve to get his attention. She gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen. Like the living room, the eating area was cozy and the counter and appliances clean.

Once they were out of earshot of Brady, Maya said, “I tried to get him to tell me what happened on the trail. But he clammed up and wouldn’t look me in the eye. I’ve never seen him do that before. Usually he’s so willing and eager to tell me every little detail of everything he does. This is unlike him. Something definitely happened, but for some reason he doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Alex wondered if the teen would open up if Maya weren’t around. Maybe Brady was afraid he’d get in trouble with his sister. Alex would try again to talk to Brady alone. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay. Other than the shoulder.” She turned away to busy herself making coffee with one hand. It shook and sent coffee grinds skittering across the counter. She was trying to appear strong and in control, but she’d suffered trauma out on the trail, too.

Unable to stop himself, he grasped her hand. “Coffee is not what either of us need right now.”

She stilled. He expected her to move away, but she didn’t. “Right. Caffeine probably isn’t a good idea.”

He gave her hand a squeeze, then released her. “How are you going to get Brady to his room?”

She frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Kaitlyn will be here soon to stay with you.”

Worry lit her eyes. “Do you think I’m in danger?”

He wasn’t sure what to think. “I’d rather be overly cautious and not risk your safety.”

Her gaze softened to tenderness and he clenched his gut. “That’s very thoughtful of you. You’re a thoughtful man.”

Her compliment arrowed straight through him. He wasn’t used to things like that being said to him. “Thanks.” For a moment, he held her gaze, then he cleared his throat. “What can I do to help until Kaitlyn arrives?”

“If you could carry Brady to his bed that would be great,” she said. “You must be beat, as well.”

He was weary, but he wouldn’t let that keep him from helping Maya and Brady. “I’ll rest once I’m sure you’re settled for the night.”

She inclined her head. “I’d appreciate that.”

They went into the living room. Brady had fallen asleep on the couch.

“Let’s not move him.” Maya turned off the television. “There’s a blanket in the trunk in the corner.”

Alex retrieved the blanket, a fuzzy version of the Spanish flag, and spread it over Brady.

An awkward silence filled the space between them as they moved back into the kitchen.

“I take it your family has ties to Spain.” As far as small talk went, it seemed like a safe subject.

“Yes. On both sides. My father’s parents moved to the United States before my father was born. Then Dad met my mom at the University of Michigan when she was there with a study-abroad program.”

“So you have relatives still in Spain?”

She nodded. “Cousins. They live in Málaga. I visited when I was a kid. Someday I’d like to go back.”

“How did your parents end up here?” He sat on the stool.

A smile played at her pretty mouth, drawing his attention. “Dad had an interview in LA so they decided to take a road trip. He was offered the job but they weren’t sure about living in Southern California. On their way back to Michigan, they stopped here and fell in love with the town and the people.”

“It’s a great place to live.” He was thankful he’d taken the job with the sheriff’s department.

“That’s what they thought. They were staying at the Bristle Hotel and heard that people had to drive to Denver or Boulder for their hardware and feed supplies.”

“Ah. They decided to fill that need.”

“Yes.” Her gaze was curious. “What about you? Do you know your heritage?”

“No. My mother was adopted by a single woman who died long before I was born. My dad’s family lived in Alabama, but he left home at eighteen and never went back.”

“You’ve never met your grandparents?”

He shook his head. “I tried looking them up when I was a teen, but I couldn’t find the right Trevinos. No one seemed to know my dad. And he wouldn’t talk about them. I decided it didn’t matter.”

A soft knock sounded at the front door. Alex peered through the peephole. Kaitlyn. He opened the door and held a finger to his lips while pointing to Brady on the couch.

Kaitlyn nodded. She held a duffel bag in her hand. “Where shall I put my things?” she whispered.

“The den.” Maya pointed to a room off the living room. “There’s a bathroom at the end of the hall.”

Kaitlyn walked away, leaving Alex to say good-night.

“I’ll come back in the morning and check on you,” he told her. “Maybe by then Brady will be ready to talk.”

Maya opened the door and smiled at him. “I’d like that. He seems to respond well to you. Good night, Alex, and again, thank you.”

It occurred to Alex he had no way to get home. “Do you mind if I use your vehicle? Kaitlyn took my truck and Truman to her place.” He still had her keys in his pocket.

“Of course you can.” She gave him a generous smile that made him want to linger. He’d always thought she was pretty and nice but he’d never considered...

How was it that he was seeing Maya in a whole new way?

He better get his head on straight. She was a victim of a crime. She might be a damsel in distress today, but soon life would go back to the way things had always been between them. Polite acquaintances.

The thought left him cold.

* * *

Maya leaned against the closed door. It had been strange yet thrilling to have Alex in her house. His concern and care were apparent and appreciated. Had it only been this morning she’d been embarrassed because she’d thought he would think she was flirting with him through the window of the store?

So much had happened since then. And despite the terror and the trauma of the day, she had to admit she was glad to have someone like Alex watching over them.

Brady’s soft snores assured her he was still sleeping.

After Kaitlyn secured the house, making sure every door and window was locked tight, she retired to the sofa bed in the den.

Instead of going upstairs to her room, Maya grabbed another blanket from the trunk and settled herself in the recliner next to the couch. She wanted to be close in case Brady awakened. He’d be scared and in need of her.

She leaned back against the worn fabric, convinced she could still smell her father’s aftershave clinging to the material. That was ridiculous, of course, but it offered her comfort at the end of a horrifying day.

She was just dozing off when a noise at the back door sent the fine hairs on her arms standing at attention.

Holding very still, she listened, trying to discern the sound over Brady’s snoring.

Kaitlyn ran out of the den with her weapon in hand and waved Maya behind her.

Maya’s heart jolted. There was definitely something or someone trying to get in through the kitchen door.