Closer to You (A Haven, Montana Novel)

by Jill Sanders

  “You thinking what I am?” Trey said.

  “Yeah.” He turned to go, but then turned back around. “Just in case.” He stood at the mouth of the cave and screamed Kristen’s name. The sound echoed, and they stood silently as they listened for a response. After almost a full minute, they turned back toward the trail.

  “I’ll take the cave on the left,” Trey said when they hit the split in the pathway.

  Tyler hit the right pathway at a sprint. He was out of breath and his body had just begun to heat when he tripped. He went down hard and felt his skin split open on a rock. Wasting no time, he picked himself up and cursed the delay. It seemed to take forever to reach the mouth of the cave. The sun was just coming up, lighting the sky in a slightly brighter blue. It was still too dark to see, though, and he knew the cave would be pitch-black no matter what time of day it was.

  He slowed down inside the cave and flashed the light on the floor. The mouth of the cave was solid rock, but a few feet in, it turned to dirt.

  He saw footprints.

  He followed them, calling out Kristen’s name constantly until he reached a solid wall of wood planks secured with a padlock. The padlock was new and it took him several minutes to break it open with a heavy rock, as he held the flashlight under his chin. He’d just broken it when Trey rushed in.

  “Anything?” his brother asked.

  “Just broke this damn thing,” Tyler said, tossing the lock to the ground. He’d wished his brother had been there a moment ago, to help or hold the light. They pulled the thick door open, the hinges groaning.

  “This must have been a smuggler’s hold,” Trey suggested.

  “A what?” he asked as he cast his light around the small space.

  “Never mind,” Trey said.

  “What’s that?” Both of their lights shone in the back corner to a dark mound.

  He moved forward, holding his breath. It was too small and dirty to be Kristen.

  He knelt and his hands shook as he reached out. The material was cold. Too cold. He felt something solid underneath and his breath hitched as he pulled the light sleeping bag away.

  She was pale. Too pale. He felt for a pulse. When he found a soft beat, he cried out in relief. “She’s alive!” Instantly, he was up, removing his jacket and covering her body. Pulling her as close as he could to his warmth.

  “I’m calling everyone.” Tyler could hear the concern and fear in his brother’s voice.

  He picked her up gently, keeping the sleeping bag wrapped around the rest of her as he carried her out of the cave in the dark. His brother’s light led the way as he spoke on his cell phone.

  It took half the time to get down the mountain, and they were met by Trent and several of the police and park service employees. Kristen was wrapped in more materials to keep her warm the rest of the way down the hill. He refused to give her up and carried her the entire way.

  When they reached the parking area, he wasn’t surprised to see an ambulance waiting. Instead of laying her down on the gurney, he stepped in the back door with her and sat down on the bench, still holding her against his chest.

  “Body warmth,” he murmured as his eyes ran over her pale face. She hadn’t even batted an eye.

  “Sir, we can’t move until she’s strapped in. We’ll want to start getting fluids into her,” one of the EMTs said.

  Tyler said a few choice words and the kid backed down.

  “Son, she needs medical help,” someone said and when he looked up, he realized it was Mike who had spoken.

  He gently laid her down on the gurney and sat back as the EMTs got to work on her. They bumped down the road out of the park.

  He didn’t even know who else was in the back of the ambulance with him. His eyes never left Kristen’s face. He was dimly aware of the men giving her an IV line and checking her vitals.

  When they reached the ER at the clinic, he got out and helped them pull out the gurney and held onto the rail as she was wheeled back into the ER.

  At one point, he was shoved aside and directed into the waiting room. Less than a minute later, his mother’s arms wrapped around him, followed by his brother’s and more arms than he knew.

  He closed his eyes and let the fear flow from him. His knees collapsed, but because of the arms holding him up, he didn’t fall flat on his face.

  Instead, he was moved into a private room and pushed into a chair. He buried his face into his hands until a cup of coffee was placed in front of him.

  “Warm up, you’re freezing,” someone said.

  When he looked up, he had to blink a few times until Kristen’s mother’s face finally came into focus. Trisha—he remembered Kristen saying her name was Trisha. That seemed like a lifetime ago.

  “Drink all of it. Your mother went to get you something to eat.” Trisha sat next to him as he took the hot coffee from her.

  The warm liquid was soothing and by the time it was completely gone, he felt his body heated.

  “She was so cold,” he said.

  “She’ll be okay.” Trisha took his hand. “Thanks to you. She’s strong,” she reassured him. He watched tears slide down her cheek and reached over to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “You love her.”

  It wasn’t a question. She looked up at him with Kristen’s green eyes and smiled.

  “More than I ever believed was possible,” he said.

  She laughed, shocking him.

  “What’s so funny?” He frowned down at her, suddenly concerned that the woman was going into shock.

  She sniffled and shook her head. “I was just thinking that I’m glad I didn’t sign another year lease on my place.”

  His frown and worry doubled. “Why?”

  She smiled up at him. “Because it looks like I’ll be moving to Montana to be close to my daughter.”

  Her meaning finally hit his foggy mind and he smiled down at her, then his smile fell away. “I promise you if I’m lucky enough to convince her to move across the country that I’ll never let something like this happen again.”

  Trisha shook her head and took his face in her hands. “This is not your fault.”

  He started to open his mouth, but she shushed him.

  “I know you’re a good man. You come from an amazing family.” Her eyes moved past him and he knew that his mother or brothers were standing behind him. “My daughter was lucky to find you.”

  “We’re the lucky ones,” his mother said from the doorway. When he turned, she walked in with a to-go container from the diner.

  “We brought enough for everyone,” she said, setting the container down on his lap. Then she leaned down and placed a kiss on his lips. “You did well.” He watched as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m so proud of you boys.”

  She straightened and then took a deep breath. “Now eat before I have to berate you so soon after praising you.”

  He nodded, then opened the container. There was a hot breakfast sandwich, which he downed quickly.

  Less than half an hour later, the nurse found them.

  “Ms. Howell was suffering from an extreme case of hypothermia and dehydration. We’ve put her on an IV and are slowly warming her up. It will take some time, but if she doesn’t show any signs of a fever, she should make a full recovery in a few days.”

  “Is she awake?” Tyler asked.

  “She’s in and out of consciousness. We’re keeping a close eye on her and expect that she can have visitors by later this evening.”

  When she left, he glanced around the room and realized how many people were crammed into the small space.

  Rea sat in the corner, next to several other people from the office and even some of his crew, including John. Even Marg from the hotel was leaning against the wall of the small room.

  At one point, his family tried to convince him to go home and shower and get some rest, but instead, he informed a nurse that he was taking a shower in one of the empty rooms.

  When he came out, his brother walked in and toss
ed him some clean clothes.

  “Sorry, I grabbed the first things I found that were clean,” Trent said, nodding down at the sweater and jeans he’d picked out.

  “Any word yet?” Tyler asked, throwing the sweater over his head.

  “No, nothing has changed. You should try to get some rest.” His brother nodded to the empty bed. “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”

  “I’ll wait.” He shoved on his shoes just as the door to the room opened.

  “Mr. McGowan.” The nurse poked her head in.

  “Yeah,” both turned and spoke at the same time. Trent chuckled and shook his head.

  “Ms. Howell is asking for you.” She smiled at him.

  The shivers were back, along with the dullness in her head. She murmured Tyler’s name, almost like a prayer. Slowly, she started to feel every ache, every scratch on her body. When she shifted, she cried out in pain, only to be hushed and soothed by warm hands. Hands she’d dreamed about.

  Then, a warm body was next to hers and the shaking stopped as arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer. She snuggled against Tyler’s chest and sighed.

  “You’re safe now.” His voice sounded so real, so close.

  She fought back tears but they seeped out because she knew he wasn’t real. She was dreaming about him again. She’d dreamed that he’d hold her just like this. That he’d whisper comfort to her, telling her that he loved her. Just like he was doing now.

  She faded into her nightmares again and next time she woke, the shivers and cold were gone completely. When she opened her eyes, she had to blink a few times from the brightness.

  “She’s coming to,” someone said close to her. She could have sworn it was her mother’s voice.

  When her eyes adjusted, she saw her mother standing next to her. Kristen cried in relief and happiness.

  Her mother gently grabbed her up and hugged her as they both cried. The tubes running out of Kristen’s left arm pulled painfully, but she didn’t care. She shut her eyes and just took in the smell of her mother’s hair in her face, the feeling of her arms wrapped around her.

  She could have held onto that moment for the rest of her life if she hadn’t heard another sniffle in the room. Glancing around, she realized there were four other people crowded into the small space.

  She gently embraced each one, ending with Tyler, who sat down gingerly next to her. He kept her hand in his and his other arm wrapped around her shoulders as she settled back against his chest.

  “How did you find me?” she asked once everyone settled down.

  Every eye in the room turned to Tyler.

  “It’s a long story.” He sighed. “I’ll tell you later. Now, we’ll want to get some food in you.” He nodded to his brother, who left the room. No doubt to find a nurse.

  “Was it Dennis?” she asked, looking around.

  “Did he hurt you?” Tyler sat up a little.

  “No, I mean, other than the initial blow that knocked me out.” She reached up and touched the bump on her head and realized her hair was still sticky and dirty. She had a sudden and desperate urge to shower.

  “He’s claiming he had nothing to do with your disappearance,” Trent said.

  “Did you actually see him?” Tyler asked.

  “No.” She started to shake her head but stopped when the room spun. “No, I never saw who it was.”

  “Why do you think it was Dennis?” Trent asked.

  “It was something . . .” She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. “I remembered the unpaid invoices that I’d found before I left . . .” A wave of weariness hit her, and she leaned back onto Tyler’s strong shoulder.

  “She’s tired,” her mother said. “We should let her get some more rest.”

  “I lost my bracelet.” Her voice hitched as she looked down at her bare arm. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes moved to her mother.

  “Oh, honey.” Her mother moved back over to her and took her hand. “I can make another one.” She smiled down at her daughter and Tyler saw the love between them.

  Just then a nurse walked in carrying a large tray. “I brought you some soup. We’ll start slow.” She set the tray down on the table and looked around. “I think it’s time everyone allowed Ms. Howell to get some rest.”

  “We were just leaving,” Gail said, pushing her two younger sons out of the room.

  Kristen’s mother followed, leaving Tyler and her alone.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  “Here.” He moved the table toward her as she shifted and pulled it closer to her.

  Just smelling the soup had her stomach growling. She was extremely happy to see that there was a small roll next to the bowl and some Jell-O as well.

  Tyler sat beside her on the bed as she downed the soup. “Slowly,” he said, touching her arm.

  “My god, this is so good.” She sighed as the warmth spread throughout her system.

  “Here’s some hot tea.” He pulled the lid off the cup. “Sugar?”

  She nodded, then took the cup from him after he dropped the sugar into the cup. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the tea.

  “You doing okay?” he asked.

  She smiled. “I never thought how wonderful simple hot tea could taste.”

  When she was done eating, she leaned back and pushed the tray away.

  “What’s going to happen now?” she asked as Tyler moved back over and sat next to her.

  “Now?” He sighed and pulled her close. “You get some rest and when you’re feeling better, we go home.”

  “I mean with Dennis.” She glanced up at him. She was a little groggy and his words didn’t hit her until after she’d spoken. When they finally dawned on her, she smiled. “We’ll go home?” she questioned.

  “Well, Dennis is being held and will be shipped to the county courthouse so he can go before a judge later tomorrow.” He smiled down at her. “And yes, home. That is if it’s okay with you if I move your stuff out to my place?”

  She nodded and leaned against his shoulder. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Mike said. “If you have a few minutes, we need to ask Kristen some questions.”

  Tyler sat with her and held her hand as she answered a barrage of questions from Mike. She couldn’t tell him much and felt bad that she hadn’t seen who had delivered the food or water to her. He seemed interested in the water bottles. He even took her fingerprints so they could eliminate them from any others they found on the bottles.

  When Mike finally left, she leaned back against Tyler, then remembered how filthy she must be and sat back up.

  “I’d kill for a shower.” She glanced down at her arms and groaned at the dried blood and mud on her skin.

  “They cleaned you up as much as they could. I can ask a nurse if it’s allowed.” He got up and walked to the doorway and disappeared.

  By the time he came back, she was standing next to the bed, holding onto the chair as she untangled the IV lines coming out of her arm.

  “What are you doing?” He rushed to her side and took her arm gently.

  “Going to the bathroom.” She smiled as he tried to get her to sit back down. “Tyler, I think I can at least walk to the restroom.”

  He glanced between her and the door less than five feet away, then took her arm and grabbed the stand that was holding the bags of fluid that were draining into her arm.

  “Do you need help . . .” He stopped talking midsentence when she looked at him. “Okay, if you need anything.” He started to shut the door behind him. “Oh, the nurses said you could shower. They’ll be in to take care of your IV and bring in a new gown.” He glanced down at the nasty blue one she was currently wearing.

  She wondered what had happened to her clothes, but realized it didn’t matter. They had been ruined and she doubted she wanted to see them ever again.

  Just using the bathroom in a clean environment felt amazing. When she was finished, a nurse bustled in and efficiently covered her IV site with a
washcloth and plastic wrap.

  She turned the water on and gave the nurse repeated assurances that she’d be fine on her own. After showing her the emergency button, the nurse left.

  Peeling off the gown, she chanced a look at herself in the mirror and frowned at her image. Bruises, cuts, and grime covered her entire body.

  She stepped under the spray, felt her knees go weak. Thankfully there was a bench in the shower and she wasted no time sitting down and tucking her knees up to her chest.

  Everything that had happened to her in the last few days surfaced, causing her to shake. Her eyes closed as tears mixed with the water.

  She hadn’t heard Tyler come in, but soon he stood over her, under the spray, completely naked. He took her hands and pulled her up until she stood wrapped in his arms.

  “I figured I could use another shower too.” He kissed the top of her head. “And the thought of you slipping in here scared me.” He kissed her head again and held onto her as long as he could.

  When she pulled away, he helped her shampoo her hair, since the tubes hanging from her arm gave her some mobility issues.

  “Does this hurt?” he asked, rubbing a finger over the bump on her head.

  “Yeah.” She groaned as he gently washed her hair around the bump.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled and moved on to cleaning her shoulders and her arms. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his hands on her. She rested against him, then sat when he nudged her to do so. He took each foot and cleaned around the sores on each one gently.

  When she felt clean again, he shut the water off and wrapped a towel around her.

  Her head felt dull and suddenly she was exhausted. Tyler dressed her in the new hospital gown, carried her into the other room, and laid her gently on the bed.

  “Stay,” she said, reaching for him.

  “Of course.” He pulled on his jeans and stretched out next to her, wrapping his arms around her. She shifted and laid her head down on his chest.

  “This is where I belong.” She sighed and quickly fell asleep, happy for the first time in weeks.