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Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and she bit the inside of her bottom lip before responding. “My dad said I needed someone to go up there with me the first time. Since his heart isn’t healthy right now, I don’t want to upset him and promised to come back for help.”
Nodding, he grinned. “Okay. I’m happy to go up there with you.”
“I’m sorry to bother you. But since you all thought it was best this way, I came back here rather than go to the sheriff.”
“No worries.” He turned toward Henry and pointed up the mountain. Henry nodded and continued walking around the perimeter. “Shall we go? We can take my truck.”
“I don’t mind driving up there.”
He filled his lungs with air. “I know you don’t mind, but how about we take my truck this time? They’re used to seeing it up there and it might make things easier. Once you’ve been up there, you can take your own vehicle should you find the need to go on up again.”
Her shoulders dropped slightly, but she nodded. “Okay. I’ll just get my papers.”
He stepped back as she opened the door to her Jeep and pulled out a folio that was about an inch thick. She slung a little black purse over her shoulder and turned to face him. “I’m ready.”
Nodding, he held his hand out toward his truck, and they walked silently to it. He opened her door, which made her lips form a straight line, but she stepped on the running boards and hopped in without a word. After he closed the door, he shook his head, more to clear it than anything else, as he moved around his truck and climbed in.
He pulled from the parking area and turned them toward the black road that would take them up the mountain. “How much has your father told you about recent events here?”
“Not much. He’s been sick, mostly. Lara told me about Kent, though.”
“You know Lara?”
Kenna laughed. “I know practically everyone who’s lived here for over five years.”
Grinning, he nodded. “Makes sense.” He turned them up the road. “What else did Lara tell you?”
Kenna watched the road as they traveled. Her eyes scanned the area around them as they ascended the hill. “Not much. Tate saved her from Kent’s wrath. I heard about Lara’s dad and mom. But she seems to be happy.”
“Tate’s a good man. I’ve known him most of my life. Our parents all worked together. He’s in love with Lara. It was apparent from the start.”
“I’m glad. She’s good and deserves someone who will treat her right.”
The road turned and twisted, but he kept the pace steady. He slowed when they reached the area where they’d normally be stopped, but no one jumped out from the woods to stop them. “Hmm.” He hadn’t meant for her to hear, but she did.
“Hmm, what?”
He shrugged his shoulder. “Normally, someone would jump out right about here and stop us to ask questions, and we’d have to walk the rest of the way up. Which will not be easy in your heels.”
“I have worn heels on terrain that would make you weak.”
He laughed. “Okay. Someday I’ll take you up on the challenge. I’ve been on some pretty tough terrain.”
She grinned, but he said nothing further. He navigated another corner and there they were. Two men he’d never seen before, blocking the road with four-wheelers.
4
She swallowed a large dry lump when she saw the two men. They wore dirty jeans and flannel shirts that looked too big for their bodies. Their expressions were less than friendly, and then Spencer exited the truck.
She kept her eyes on him as he moved toward the front of the truck, then paused. She couldn’t hear what was being said, so she opened her door and stepped down. Immediately, she was sorry she’d done that when the two men leered at her.
Spencer introduced her. “This is Kenna Lawrence, and she has some papers for Craig.”
“What kind of papers?” one man spat.
“The none-of-your-business kind.” Spencer responded.
The man closest to Spencer took a step toward him, but to his credit, Spencer didn’t move. He stood like a statue, and she had to admire his bravery.
