“Trust me, girl. When they heard you were in trouble, they responded instantly. They’re already here. Hiding in plain sight, as Sheriff Cartwright mentioned. Did you honestly think I’d fail you? They’re combing the woods to see what they can find.”
Montgomery’s jaw was clenched as he listened in on the discussion.
The sound of tires crunching on the rocks drew his attention. While he was ready to reach for his weapon, I recognized Tilly’s old Bronco and placed my hand on his. “It’s okay. It’s Tilly.”
“This is ridiculous,” he gritted out.
“You really are going with him?” Bekka asked as if I was ready to change my mind.
“Apparently.”
“Okay. Don’t worry, honey. A little adventure is good for the soul.”
“Adventure? I was almost killed today.” I couldn’t believe I was saying the words out loud as if it was no big deal. There was nothing in my life that had prepared me for something of this magnitude. Nothing. It was crazy. The ache returned for my brother. To leave him in the motel room that way was unacceptable.
As tiny snowflakes began to fall, additional vehicles came up the driveway, one after the other.
“What the hell?” Montgomery was flabbergasted, shaking his head in surprise. I felt the same.
“Who did you call?” I asked as I pulled her aside while Tilly was already out of her vehicle, heading toward us as if on a mission. In her arms were several paper bags.
“As many people as I could get ahold of. Then Tilly had a phone tree. I let her do most of the legwork.”
“In less than an hour.”
“Girl,” Bekka teased. “You should know the people in this town stand up for one another. You’re one of us. And in a way so is Montgomery. He did save your life. Right?”
“This isn’t a romance novel, Bek. There is no good outcome to any of this.”
She squeezed my hand. “I know, honey. I’ve already mentioned to the sheriff that you need someone at the motel. He’ll take care of everything.”
Everything. Shoving my brother into a body bag and taking him to the morgue. What would happen from there? “I’ll need to make arrangements. A funeral.”
“Breathe,” Bekka said. “You can get through this. Lean on your friends and that hunk of a man.”
This was insane. I had no idea what to say to her.
“We need to get moving,” he encouraged again with more force in his voice.
Tilly’s steps were quick as she headed toward us. “I knew you were exactly like your father. Did I get the chance to tell you how your father saved a little girl’s life?” She wasn’t taking no for an answer, shoving the bags into my hands and bounding onto the front porch where she pulled the huge man into a bear hug.
I’d never seen him so stiff or uncertain about what to do.
“Tilly. They don’t have time. There are crazed people out to get them.” Bekka wasn’t helping my mood.
“Not with Bart, Jim, Tom, and the sheriff here.”
I wish I had Tilly’s enthusiasm.
“I’ll make it quick,” she continued. “A little girl was choking in my diner. Everybody was frozen, uncertain what to do. Your father stepped right up and took control, doing the Heimlich thing and pop, out came a huge piece of candy. You’re just like him. So strong. So powerful.”
When she squeezed his arms, I had a feeling Montgomery was ready to lose his patience.
“Tilly,” Bekka chastised.
“Oh, right. I get carried away. Anyway, inside the bags are a few things you might need on your voyage. Some flashlights and batteries. A hunting knife. Cash. I took everything from the drawer and had the customers empty their pockets. There’re also a blanket and some goodies from the diner. Muffins. Cakes.”
“Tilly,” I said, honored but feeling completely out of my element. “You didn’t need to do all this.” Just whispering the words and seeing the number of people bringing everything from clothing to cash was too much to bear. A swell of emotions threatened to crumble the flimsy armor I’d managed to place around my heart. I had no idea what to say or in truth if I could speak at all.
