Christmas In Delaney Mountain

by Mary Alford

  “Of course he’ll find us. Santa can find us anywhere we go.” Kara glanced in the rearview mirror and assured her daughter with a smile. She was happy to see Maya grinning, but prayed she hadn’t just lied to her.

  “Why do you guys move around a lot?” David asked curiously and Kara stiffened at the question. She hated hearing it almost as much as she did answering it.

  She kept her focus on the road ahead. “Work, mostly,” she said and was grateful when he didn’t ask any further questions.

  His Jeep was parked in front of the closed grocery store and she pulled in next to it.

  “Thanks for the lift,” he said with another smile.

  “You’re welcome, David. I enjoyed spending time with you today.” And she had. It had been a long time since she’d spent any time with someone close to her own age.

  Something darkened his expression. “I did as well,” he said sincerely. After a moment, his gaze released hers and she let go of a soft breath.

  “Maya, take care of your mother,” he said as he peeked in the backseat.

  Maya giggled.

  David faced her again. “I’ll see you tomorrow at work, unless this storm continues. Don’t try to come to the ranch if the weather worsens. It’s not worth it. We can get caught up another time.”

  With the uncertainties facing her at home, suddenly she didn’t want to deal with them alone. “David…” she said.

  He turned in his seat.

  “If you’d like, I could make us some coffee. Amy made an extra buttermilk pie for us because Maya loves it so much. It would go good with the coffee and…” she stopped when she ran out of breath.

  He covered her hand with his, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes. “That sounds nice. And buttermilk is my favorite. Looks as though Maya and I have something in common.”

  Relieved, Kara smiled at him, while guilt tugged at her conscience. What if he was there? Would she be leading David into danger? “I do have one stop to make before….”

  She couldn’t go home to that empty house and wonder if he was in there somewhere hiding.

  “But why don’t I follow you to your house and you and Maya can change into some warm clothes, then we’ll head out together.”

  Relief swept through her. “That sounds nice.” She managed a smile as he got out of the SUV and opened the Jeep’s door.

  Even with David so close, it was hard not to give into the panic as she drove to her house. She stopped out front. Nothing appeared out of place. Still, she couldn’t stop shaking. What if he was in there, waiting for them to return?

  David would be wondering why she’d stopped in the middle of her road. Slowly, Kara pulled into her drive. She punched the garage door opener and the cavernous expanse appeared. She turned on her lights even though it was still light out. Nothing appeared out of place. She breathed out a deep sigh of relief, waited until David had parked behind her, and got out.

  He came into the garage.

  She closed the door and they all went inside together.

  With her heart pounding in her chest, she glanced around the kitchen and great room. He wasn’t here. Thank You, God. She turned to David. Didn’t miss the questions in his eyes. “Come in and have a seat. Maya and I will just go and change. We’ll only be a minute.”

  He strolled into the great room. “Take your time.”

  “Come on, baby.” She took Maya’s hand as they climbed the stairs to the Maya’s room. “Wait here a second, honey,” Kara told her daughter, because she couldn’t let go of her fears. She slipped into her daughter’s room and searched it carefully.

  Once Kara had changed into something comfortable, they went back downstairs.

  “Ready?” David asked as his gaze swept over her and something unnamed made an appearance in his eyes.

  “Yes, we’re ready,” she said a little breathlessly. She felt like a teenager going out on a date for the first time. It was silly, really. David was simply being nice.

  Once they’d transferred Maya’s car seat to the Jeep and she was securely buckled in, David reached for the passenger door handle at the same time as Kara. Their hands touched.

  An awareness she hadn’t felt before shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back as if burned. He held the door open for her without commenting on her reaction. What was wrong with her? She barely knew him. And up until recently, she’d done her best to keep her distance. It was just because of what happened at the church. It had set her nerves on edge. Her emotions were heightened. She sucked in a breath and tried to claim some calm.

  David put the Jeep in reverse, pulled out onto her quiet street then headed north of town.

  Kara glanced sideways at him. “Where exactly are we going?” She didn’t quite pull off casual.

  “Relax,” he said and then grinned at her as if he’d anticipated her question. “We’re getting you and Maya a Christmas tree.”

  “Yippee,” Maya shouted from the backseat.

  Kara stared at him in shock before her old, don’t-trust-anyone’s-motive returned. “That’s not necessary, David. We can pick one up at the hardware store next week.”

  He didn’t even slow down. “It may not be necessary, but we just happen to have some of the best Ponderosa pines on the ranch, and they make the perfect Christmas tree. I thought we could pick one out together. Besides, I was looking through a bunch of old boxes I moved to the house the other day, and I found tons of Christmas ornaments. I’m pretty sure I won’t need all of them. I thought you and Maya could use some of them.”

  She was grateful. The pitiful few ornaments that had survived their multiple moves wouldn’t add much cheer to a tree. “Thank you,” she said genuinely touched.

  His expression sobered as he stared briefly at her.

  He was so handsome. Living proof that one could survive the past no matter how ugly it was. Would she be that blessed?

  “You are welcome.” He pulled into the long drive leading to his house.

  Maya was staring wide-eyed at the beauty around her.

  Kara couldn’t help but chuckle. “Pretty nice, huh, sweetie?”

  Maya nodded, but kept her focus on the breathtaking scenery surrounding them.

  “That’s exactly how I felt the first time I saw the place,” Kara told David.

  He grinned. “Me, too. When Kyle and I first looked at this piece of land, I think I lost my heart to it right away. I could see living here. Putting down roots. Still, at times, I can’t believe I’m this blessed.”

  

  David stopped the Jeep in front of the house. “I’ll just grab an axe and then we can head up. The Jeep should be able to handle the terrain.” He glanced back at the little girl. “You ready to find the perfect Christmas tree, Maya?”

  Maya nodded eagerly then giggled. She was so cute. He’d never really been around children all that much. He was looking forward to spoiling Kyle and Grace’s child once it arrived. Spending time with Kara and Maya was good practice.

  David opened the garage, dug through tools until he found the axe and some rope to tie the tree on top of the Jeep, then got back into the vehicle. “There’s a grove of Ponderosas not too far from here. If I remember correctly, there’s some nice sizes that would make great Christmas trees.” David put the Jeep in four wheel drive, then eased up the snow-covered slope to the right of the house. He sneaked a quick look at Kara. For the first time since they’d left the church, she appeared relaxed. Something had happened there. He couldn’t imagine what.

  “Mommy, look!” Maya exclaimed and pointed out the window. “Christmas trees.”

  David chuckled. “This is the spot. Good eye, Maya.” He parked the Jeep and they all got out.

  Kara took Maya’s hand.

  “So, which one do you want, Maya?” David asked.

  The little girl pointed to a six-foot tree that was perfect in shape and height.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Kara said in a worried tone. “It’s awfully big.”


  “No, it’s perfect. It will look nice in the great room by the windows.” He turned to Kara and waited for her to get on board.

  She looked at the tree, back at him, and then smiled. “You’re right, it would. Thank you, David.”

  He came over to her and squeezed her shoulder. “You are welcome.”

  Their gazes met. Something shifted in hers. A certain awareness of him as more than her boss darkened them. She wore the weight of the world on her shoulders, but she was beautiful to him.

  It was hard to tear his gaze from hers, but he didn’t want to scare her away. He wanted to get to know her better. Maybe, just maybe…

  David took the axe and went over to the tree in question. It took ten swings to fell the tree, but it felt good to work with his hands again. He’d help to build the house and the ranch, but over the past year the day to day running of the ranch had taken him away from hard work.

  With Kara’s help, they got the tree onto the Jeep and he tied it down.

  “Let’s stop by the house and pick up those decorations and then get started decorating this baby.”

  Once they’d retrieved the decorations and got the tree set up in Kara’s great room, David brought in the decorations. Memories of Christmases past jumped out at him. He picked up the gold star tree topper. He’d loved to put it atop the tree each year when his mom was still alive and his father was on the wagon. The good times hadn’t lasted past his mother’s death. He shoved those ugly memoires aside and faced Kara. She’d seen something. Maybe she knew about his past, but there was kindness and compassion written on her face. He had a feeling she was a caring person once she allowed people to get to know her.

  “Why don’t we save this for last,” he told her.

  One hour later, the tree was completely decorated.

  “Maya, when I was a kid, my parents always let me place the star on top of the tree. Maybe that’s a tradition you and your mom can start?” He looked to Kara who nodded.

  “That’s a good idea.”

  David smiled and then handed Maya the star. “Are you ready?”

  The little girl nodded.

  He lifted her up, and she placed the star on top with his help.

  Once the tree lights were turned on, they all sat back and enjoyed their handiwork.

  “It really is beautiful,” Kara said with a satisfied smile.

  David chuckled and sat down next to her. “It is.” He could feel her tension from the opposite side of the couch. Was it because she wasn’t used to being around people or was it just him?

  Maya hopped up on the sofa between them and Kara tugged her closer.

  “Mommy, can we have some pie now?” Maya asked.

  “Oh, I completely forgot about the pie. I’ll put coffee on and bring it out.”

  Maya stared up at the tree seemingly captivated by the twinkling lights.

  “Here, let me help you.” David followed her to the kitchen.

  “You really don’t have to, David.”

  “I know, but I want to” He smiled at her, hoping he looked harmless. She didn’t respond, but began making the coffee.

  “Where are the cups and plates?”

  She pointed to one of the cabinets.

  Once the coffee brewed, he poured, while she sliced the pie and sat it at the table.

  “I’ll go get Maya.” David went to the great room only to find the little girl had fallen asleep. He smiled at the sight and went back to the kitchen. “It’s just us. Maya fell asleep.”

  “Oh, poor baby. She’s pooped.” Kara pulled out a chair.

  He debated how to ask the question that rankled, and took a bite of pie to contemplate the best way to get her to open up. In the end, he decided the best way was to just come out with it. David sat his fork down.

  She looked up, and she must have caught something in his expression. She set down her fork, and reached for her cup of coffee, but didn’t take a drink. Instead, her fingers played about the handle of the mug, a nervous gesture she probably wasn’t aware of.

  David waited until she met his gaze. “So, what are you running away from, Kara? Who’s coming after you?”

  6

  His expression only held sympathy and concern. There was no judgment, or any other negative emotion that Kara could see, but she so didn’t want to have this conversation. And she so needed to. She drew in a breath. “His name is Eli Redford. He said he was a friend of my husband’s. They served together in Afghanistan. He showed up at my home in Dallas not too long after Bryce was killed. I was pregnant with Maya.”

  After spending these past few months with David as her boss, and then this day together, she really believed he was a good man. She’d seen his interactions with people from all walks of life, from wealthy ranchers looking at his herds, to the cowboys he hired, and even the young teen from the diner who occasionally delivered food to them at the ranch office. She could trust him with her ugly secret. But what if she was right about the man she’d seen at the church? What if he’d found her? Would she be bringing her troubles to David’s door?

  “At first he was nice…but then he became possessive, almost as if he thought we were a couple or something. I tried to keep my distance, but he’d show up everywhere. Even at my work. Then one day, he broke into my home and kidnapped me.”

  David was watching her and a single muscle worked in his jaw as anger simmered in his eyes.

  “David, I almost lost the baby. I-I thought he would kill me,” she murmured.

  He reached for her hand and held it.

  “He was arrested. Sentenced, but managed to escape while being transported to prison. He’s been at large ever since.”

  “Is that why you’ve moved around so much? He finds you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. He’s managed to stay under the radar for a while. Each time we move I hope…well, I hope that somehow this time he won’t find me.”

  “Did something happen today?”

  He’d seen the change in her. This man was more astute than she’d thought. She hesitated. She wasn’t sure about what she’d seen, it’d just been a glimpse. “When we were in the annex, I glanced out the window, and I could have sworn I saw him, David.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “That’s just it, I’m not. I only got a glimpse, but…”

  “We need to call the sheriff’s office. Let them know that this Redford guy might be in Delaney Mountain.”

  “But what if I’m wrong?”

  David took out his phone. “Then you’re wrong. It doesn’t matter. I know Sheriff Hendrix. He’s a good man. I’ll have him stop by and talk. Do you have a picture of this guy?”

  Kara shuddered. “Only the one branded in my head forever.”

  David smiled and squeezed her hand. “If he’s wanted, they can pull a photo of him. I’ll be right back. I take it cell phone reception probably isn’t good around here, and I’ll get a better signal outside. I’ll just call Frank.”

  She nodded and blew out a relieved sigh as he stepped outside. She wasn’t alone. Someone else knew about the terrible things she’d endured. She had a friend. She felt almost lighthearted. Thank you, God. Was it possible she didn’t have to do this alone anymore?

  “He’s on his way,” David said when he joined her again. “So how much does Maya know about what happened?”

  “Nothing. I can’t bring myself to tell her the truth. She thinks we have to move around so much because of my work.”

  “I think it’s best to spare her the details. When Frank gets here, I’ll show him in here. With any luck, we won’t even have to wake Maya.”

  Her head was spinning. She couldn’t believe she’d told David about Eli and he was doing something about it.

  The police car arrived and David introduced her to Sheriff Hendrix.

  Kara explained the nightmare she’d endured for years.

  “But you’re not positive it was him?” the sheriff asked.

  “No, I just got a glimpse. But then on Friday mor
ning, I thought I saw footsteps coming from the woods to my house. It looked as if whoever it was took a look around my place.”

  “No point in taking any chances. I’ll have one of my deputies drive by regularly. Keep your doors locked, and I’ll get his picture out to all the law enforcement agencies around. If he’s in the area, we’ll be looking for him.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff,” Kara said with true gratitude.

  “No problem. You have my number. Call whenever you want. Also, it would be good if you had someone stay with you.”

  David didn’t hesitate. “I can do that. In fact, we can work right from here, Kara. Most of the things we do are on the computer anyway.”

  She didn’t want to make life more difficult for him, or anyone else. “I don’t know. I’d hate for you to have to uproot your life.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “You aren’t uprooting anything. I want to help, Kara. Let me.”

  As she looked into his eyes, she saw something that made her have hope. Was it possible to have a life beyond this nightmare she’d been living for so long? She hoped so. “OK,” she said at last. “Thank you.” The tender expression in his eyes sent her pulse into overdrive.

  “Well, good, that’s settled. I feel better with you having a trained military sniper at your side,” Sheriff Hendrix joked.

  Kara’s shot a startled gaze to David. “You were a sniper? My husband was as well.”

  “Maybe we knew each other.”

  “It’s possible,” she admitted.

  “I’ll head out now, folks,” the sheriff interrupted. “Call me if anything seems out of the ordinary. And I’ll get this guy’s photo out to the different law enforcement agencies around.”

  “Thanks, Frank,” David told him. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Kara peeked into the living room. Maya still slept peacefully. She grabbed a throw blanket and gently placed it over her daughter. She brushed a hand over Maya’s hair and then stared at the brightly lit Christmas tree. Would the terrible fear that had happened at Eli’s hands years ago be finished right here in Delaney Mountain, once and for all?