“Almost got it.” Brian said. He lowered the star onto the top branch, but when he removed the rake, the star tumbled off the tip top and sat sideways on a lower branch.
He knocked it off the tree and tried again. But the star wouldn’t stay on top of the swaying tree.
“It’s too windy,” he said. “I wish we had an elf who could climb up there.”
“Hope the wind doesn’t blow off all the rest of the ornaments and ribbons,” Cait said. “We better hurry and take pictures.”
They took pictures of each other, and then a couple of selfies. Brian kissed Cait on the last one, and she giggled as the dogs ran merrily around the tree, barking and chasing each other.
“We should invite everyone here for Christmas,” Cait said. Even though the huge secret her parents hid from her hung like a rock over her head, she still missed them.
“To do that, we have to go into town and get a cell phone signal,” Brian reminded her. He put his arms around her and nuzzled the back of her neck. “I know you’re afraid of driving down the mountain, but if you don’t, how will you ever go home?”
Cait closed her eyes and shuddered, reliving the car crash. “I know we can’t stay up here forever. I just wish the nightmares would stop.”
“I thought you only needed me to hold you.” He looked disappointed. “You said everything would be all right if I did.”
“I did, but I can’t get it out of my mind that something bad is going to happen. What if that maniac who tried to run me off the road were to attack again?”
“The worst is over,” Brian said. “You survived the crash and you’re feeling better. Let’s get back to the cabin before the storm blows in.”
He threaded the loop behind the star over the highest branch he could reach and picked up the rake. Taking her by the hand, he led her back on the trail toward the cabin with the two dogs following.
As they climbed up the bank of the creek, Melia charged ahead, bounding toward the house and barking. Sierra emitted a low growl and stood in front of Cait and Brian.
“Must be an intruder.” Brian tucked Cait behind him. “You stay here with Sierra while I take a look.”
Cait hid herself behind a tree and peeked out as Brian trudged after Melia to the clearing where the cabin sat.
A police car was parked in the driveway, and two sheriff deputies circled the house, looking for something or someone.
Melia’s barks alerted them, and they reached for their guns.
“Hands up,” one of the deputies shouted at Brian. “Are you Brian Wonder?”
“Yes, I am.” Brian held his hands up.
“Call off your dog,” the second deputy said, pointing his gun at Melia.
“Melia,” Cait called, rushing forward. “Come back here.”
“Hands on the car,” the first deputy said to Brian.
“Wait, what’s going on?” Cait jogged toward the officers. “What did Brian do?”
The first deputy cuffed Brian and the second one said to Cait, “He’s under arrest for attempted murder and kidnapping. I suggest you call a lawyer.”
“Those are some serious charges,” Cait said. “Brian wouldn’t kidnap or kill anyone.”
“I’d watch my back if I were you,” the arresting officer said. “He tampered with your brake lines and that’s why you crashed. As for the kidnapping, he’s been sending messages to Thornton’s son, and now the kid is missing. We suspect he has him stashed away somewhere out here.”
“You’re welcome to search the cabin,” Cait said. “There’s no one here but us.”
Of course, she hadn’t been to the woodshed or up in the attic to know for sure, but surely, if Glen was around, the dogs would have acted differently.
“Don’t worry,” the second officer said. “We have search warrants, and if this kid is anywhere on the property or in the vicinity, we’ll find him.”
