Inhaling deeply, she exhaled slowly, hoping the breath took with it all those raw feelings. She needed to dig deep for strength and remember why she was doing all this. Freya needed a different story, not one full of disappointment, security men always watching and following, and hurtful secrets. Helena’s sole purpose was to protect her daughter and change her future.
She grabbed the blanket and laid down on the couch. Rain beat against the tin roof, like a lullaby. Eight hours later, she woke up feeing refreshed and relieved that for the first time in a long time the familiar nightmares hadn’t riddled her sleep.
She felt so relaxed she lay there for a long time, staring up at the shadows flickering across the ceiling from the morning light flowing in. So this was what a good night’s sleep felt like? Although her muscles were a bit achy from sleeping in one position all night, she liked her head being empty of any thoughts, and if they popped up, she’d be able to handle them.
An image of Hank came into her mind.
It was time to be honest with him.
Rolling over, she buried her face into the soft pillow and smiled.
When she’d started working for Remington Industries, her father’s company, she’d been excited to use her new business degree to learn the ropes. But then he was arrested.
How does a daughter get over something like that?
Pushing off the blanket, she got up from the couch and stretched, which did her a world of good. She wanted to get out of the cabin and run a few miles, like she would before. Maybe eventually she could do that again.
With those thoughts, she went into the kitchen, made herself coffee then took it outside on the rickety porch to listen to the chirping of the birds that seemed to be enjoying the morning. The sun was shining and she could smell the scent of a new day.
In the distance the trees glistened with dew. Pine trees lined up like rows of toy soldiers. They were so tall she had to crane her neck to see the very tips. Further in the vastness were ice capped ridges of the mountain that were contrasted by the beautiful blue sky…so blue she could imagine it was the sea.
She could see herself here, every morning, drinking her coffee with the birds overhead. That would be the life. To be as free as the white puffy clouds that rolled in above the cabin.
Stepping off the wobbly boards that functioned as steps, she breathed in the sunlight, the scent of pine and a simple morning. A wetness plopped on the top of her head and she looked up as a bird flew away and perched on a nearby branch. She touched her hair, spreading the blob of bird poo. “Well, you little shit.”
Stomping back inside, she tossed out her coffee and went to take a long, hot shower.
Eleven
Hank climbed into the saddle and clicked his tongue, sending the mare, Callie, onto the narrow trail of TripEase mountain, leaving Sheriff Conley and his deputy back at the entrance. Hank, Boone, Creed, and Wilder had divided up on horseback to help search for the assailant who’d broken into a home, robbed the family, kidnapped their teenage daughter, and stole a car. The man was seen on camera footage at a gas station fifty miles outside of Cooper’s Hawke and then again by a hiker who’d spotted a suspicious couple heading onto a mountain trail.
The hiker had suspected foul play because the man and woman didn’t have any gear with them and weren’t dressed like hikers, but let it go until he saw the news. He went straight to the sheriff’s office and Conley investigated the area, finding the robbed family’s car abandoned close to the mountain.
The mountain became treacherous at nightfall and almost impossible for anyone, even the Sheriff and his deputies, to get far on foot. That’s where the search & rescue’s skills were needed. They were trained in working in the most extreme circumstances. They each knew every trail, every rock, every cave of the mountain and the horses were just as well trained. They could get farther on horseback which could mean the difference between saving a life or someone dying.
Hank only knew the basics about the assailant. His name was Ricky Yost, and from Conley’s description he was twenty-five, practically a kid, who’d been in and out of drug rehabilitation. He’d ended up in prison for trafficking, got out on good behavior, then wound up getting back involved with the wrong crowd and started his bad habits again.
Yost lived in the same neighborhood as the Frank family and thought they’d left for vacation, but when the father came down with the flu, they had put off their plans. So when Yost walked in and found them home he’d panicked.
Obviously, Yost had broken into the house looking for money for drugs, or items to sell for money for his fix. He’d been arrested before and was considered dangerous. The Frank family said when Yost left with their daughter, he’d had a knife to her throat and warned if they tried to follow him, he’d kill her.
The quicker Kenzie were found, hopefully safe and sound, the better. Hank and the team wouldn’t stop searching until they found her. They’d made that pact when they joined the team.
The cloudy night seemed exceptionally dark and the only source of light was his flashlight, and the only sounds outside of a hoot or two of an owl or howling of a coyote, was the hollow, rhythmic thudding of Callie’s hooves against the dirt path.
Hank and his horse had been together on numerous missions and he trusted her. She’d been trained to search the trails and she could pick up a scent as well as any hound dog.
Although Hank didn’t like when someone’s life was in danger, he did enjoy the peace and quiet a man could get out on the mountain. He guessed this was like meditation for the soul.
He pulled up the collar on the sheepskin jacket to keep his neck warm and while dragging his hat lower on his ears. Hank had a feeling the search would continue for a while.
Conley had radioed Hank to tell him the hiker had made a positive identification of Yost and Kenzie Frank, but the sighting had been hours ago, while it was still light outside. Neither of them had any equipment or supplies, at least from what the hiker recalled, and the girl would slow him down, but six hours meant they could be anywhere on the mountain at this point.
And then there were a multitude of aspects that worried Hank. What if Yost had planned to meet someone? What if by sheer luck he knew his way around the mountain? What if he decided the girl weighed him down? She could be left behind, or worse. Instinct told Hank that coming up on the mountain had been a spontaneous decision on the man’s part. Anyone who knew the mountain knew how dangerous the area could be, especially without the proper gear.
His thoughts swayed toward Helena. She’d been about to reveal something to him when he’d received the call from Creed. Hell, maybe the intrusion had been a silver lining. She’d made it clear she wouldn’t be staying in Cooper’s Hawk so that meant any feelings, any chance of getting to know her better, were a dead end from the start.
Yet, what if she changed her mind?
She probably wouldn’t like what she found in him anyway.
Women liked men who came without damage, and Hank by his own right had a shitload of baggage. In his defense, he was a heck of a lot better than he was when he came home. He’d learned to manage his symptoms and when he felt a familiar feeling that told him his triggers were showing, he took immediate action by going for a run, working the ranch, or speaking to his therapist.
Hell, when he came back from across the pond life had been turned upside down, but how could he complain. He came back breathing and many of his unit hadn’t. He could deal with his marred hand and the physical scars, that didn’t bother him, but knowing he couldn’t save his unit, his brothers in arms, was a nightmare that he’d have to live with for the rest of his life. Now that could break a man down, make him drink too much, and that was where he’d ended up for a short time until he clawed his way out. Finding some answers at the bottom of a whiskey bottle never worked. He just decided that there wouldn’t be answers to every question, like how could he have missed that one dirty bomb?
Shaking off his thoughts, he reached into his pock
et and pulled out a granola bar and ripped away the paper. Helena had some heavy secrets she carried too. He didn’t need to know, but if she decided to share with him, of course he’d listen. Secrets could sometimes be like those hidden bombs that could explode when you least expected it.
Finishing his snack, he shone the light around the trail as the path tightened between a rock wall and a ravine. “Easy does it, girl.” He patted Callie’s neck, soothing her as they continued the trail that would only get more treacherous from here and the next few miles. Skilled hikers liked the mountain for its risky topography that tested their abilities and with enough rest points that gave an opportunity to gather their strength and wits before continuing further.
He slid out of the saddle at the entrance to a cave where a lot of hikers and climbers would stop to seek refuge from bad weather. Unfortunately, after a thorough investigation, he found no leads, except for a few old shoe prints in the dirt that could have been from anyone.
Climbing back onto the horse, he gave her a gentle coaxing to continue.
He’d find the girl. No one needed to die again on his watch.
*****
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Helena. Again, I’m sorry I didn’t call you first to let you know we were coming, but I didn’t think enough to ask Hank for your number.”
Helena hadn’t given Hank her burner phone number and didn’t plan to. She offered the tall, pretty woman, Mindy Hawke, a smile and a cup of coffee which she accepted while her daughter, Livvy, was sitting with Freya in front of the fireplace. They were coloring and Freya chatted and Livvy didn’t seem to mind one bit. “I appreciate you coming to pick us up. I feel like such a burden. You have enough on your hands than to bother transporting us.”
“Silly. You’re not a bother in the slightest. This is how small towns operate. We help each other out. Nic likes his car rides anyway.” She checked the baby who was fast asleep in his carrier. “He hasn’t slept this good since he was born. Lord help me I hope his teeth get on the move and pop through. Poor little guy.”
“I remember those days of teething.” Helena’s gaze naturally moved to Freya who was laughing. “Livvy seems very patient with Freya.”
“She’s the best. She’s very mature for her age and helps out a lot with the baby.”
“So you and Creed married recently?” Helena asked.
“Yes. Believe it or not, he and I married when we were kids. Not really, but he made me a promise when I was ten that he’d protect me forever. Long story short, I moved away and I didn’t think I’d ever see him again. I came back and we rekindled our romance. Livvy is my bonus daughter.”
“I thought she was yours. She seems…well, she called you Mom,” Helena said.
“I was a bit surprised when she decided to do that too. Things weren’t always so easy in the step-parent department, but I managed,” she lowered her voice. “I love her like my own.” Nic whimpered and Mindy rocked his carrier. “Anyway, Creed and the team are up in the mountain and probably will be for most of the day.”
“Do you get worried? It sounds dangerous. You said they were searching for a wanted man?”
“They’re searching for a missing girl who was kidnapped. Creed was born for this, and so was Hank and Boone and the entire team. They’re champions in the community. I’m proud of my husband for how hard he works.” She smiled. “Tell me if I’m overstepping a boundary, but is it true that you just showed up on Hank’s doorstep?”
Helena felt a little embarrassed at the story, especially if her new friend knew about the stolen sandwich and breaking into the shed, but this was the disadvantage to small towns. Everyone knew everything and Helena would be more embarrassed if she lied about the situation. Swallowing the tightness in her throat, she sipped her tea, gaining her bearings. “Freya and I had fallen into some bad luck with my car breaking down. I didn’t have much money. We were out in the weather and I had to think of Freya, so I broke into Hank’s shed for a place to stay the night.”
“Thank God Hank found you then.” She didn’t seem the least bit disgusted from Helena’s confession. “If I had a penny for every time a miracle happened in this town, I’d be a rich woman. However who needs money when I’m already rich in so many other ways. I count my blessings every day that I had decided to come back to Cooper’s Hawk. You know, there are never any situations in life that aren’t considered lessons. I don’t know what your plans are for the future and this town, but it’s a mighty good place to raise children.”
“I really haven’t decided yet.”
“Hank’s a good guy. He’ll make sure you and Freya have what you need while you’re here,” Mindy said.
“He almost seems too good to be true. Offering me a job, renting us the cabin, and allowing Freya to come to stay at work with me.”
“And you’re a woman who’s been burned and you wonder when he’s going to give you the boot? Honey, it won’t happen. He’s a good guy all the way into his soul, but…”
“But what?” Helena asked.
“The war and devastation got him,” she said quietly. “I don’t know all the details myself. I don’t even think Creed does because Hank won’t share a lot of the past. The Hank I once knew always wore a smile, happy-go-lucky, but he’s been hurt. Some scars aren’t visible.” Her smile returned. “I have an idea. Why not let Freya stay with us. Obviously, she and Livvy have hit it off and she’d love to babysit. It’d be much better than sitting around at Pelican.”
Helene hesitated. She barely knew Mindy and Livvy, and yet Helena already felt like she did. “I don’t know—”
“I know you don’t know me very well and I too would be hesitant about leaving Nic with someone. I’ll understand if you don’t feel comfortable.”
“I’ve never really left her with anyone but my best friend,” she admitted. “Freya, come here, please.”
Freya skipped to the table. “Livvy asked if I wanted to come home with her. Can I go, Mommy? She said she has horses and goats and cats and dogs. Can I please?”
Seeing the excitement on Freya’s face made it easier for Helena to agree. Her daughter needed socialization. It was a big risk to trust anyone, and it was also a big risk to punish Freya for someone else’s mistakes.
“We’d love to have her,” Mindy said Nic fussed and she picked him up, cradling him close. Her soothing instantly calmed him. Helena felt a twinge in her chest remembering Freya when she was that age.
“If you’re sure it’s okay. I won’t be finished working until late.”
“I’ll give you my cell number and you can call every hour if it makes you more comfortable,” Mindy said with a smile.
“I won’t call every hour. Maybe every few hours, but not every hour.”
Twelve
Hank heard the low stifled moans before he saw her lying in the brush almost fifty feet off the trail. His boots slipped on the muddy bank from all the rain and it took great effort to descend the terrain. Although she was covered in dirt, he recognized her from the picture Conley had showed him.
Kenzie Frank was finally found.
She wasn’t much bigger than Creed’s daughter, Livvy.
Her hair was matted to her head and random pieces clung to her rosy cheeks. Weeds and leaves were tangled in the locks. A nasty purple bruise covered most of her forehead and another on her jaw. Her lips were swollen and crusted with dried blood. Her clothes were torn, dirty and damp.
“Kenzie, wake up.” He shook her gently.
Finally, her lids fluttered and bright blue eyes stared up at him in fear. She rolled away but came to a stop against a tree.
“It’s okay. My name is Hank Hawke and I’m with the local Search and Rescue team. I’m going to help you.”
“Where is he? Where did he go?” She frantically looked around the floor of the woods. Tears filled her eyes. “He’ll be back.”
“He’s not here. Did he leave you or did you get away?”
“He left me. He told me not to ma
ke a sound.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving dirty trails in their wake. “We need to get out of here.”
“Calm down, Kenzie. I need to ask a few questions before we can do anything. You’re safe now. Do you know how long you’ve been here?
“I don’t know. It was still dark.”
“Which way did he go?” Hank asked.
“I’m not sure.” She sat up, a wild expression on her face. “I closed my eyes and prayed that he’d leave me alone.”
“Listen, I need to contact my unit to let them know you’ve been found.” He reached for his radio,
“I want to go home,” she sobbed.
“You will. You’re safe now.”
Hank radioed in that he’d found her. They were miles away from the main road, and he didn’t see any life-threatening injuries on her, so he told Conley he’d meet them at the entrance of the mountain. The team would continue in search of Yost. He gave them his location and after an examination of the surrounding area he found clues that Yost had been heading North.
“An ambulance will be waiting for you when we get you off this mountain,” he said to Kenzie. “Are you ready to get up? I’ll help you.”
“I-I’m okay. I just want to get out of here.”
“Can you walk?” he asked once she was in her feet.
“My legs are a little wobbly, but I think I can.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and practically carried her up the side of the hill. She probably didn’t weight more than ninety pounds.
Once they made it to the top of the trail, he led her to the tree where he’d hitched his horse. “This is Callie. She helped me find you.”
Kenzie petted the horse that clawed the ground as if in greeting.
“Have you ever ridden on a horse before?” Hank asked.
Cowboy Hank (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 3) Page 11