Page 35 of Mountain Target

Inside the cage his arms provided, Ren’s small body shook uncontrollably. He pressed himself tighter against her. There was nothing they could do but wait, but he didn’t want her to be afraid.

“It’s going to be okay,” Beau whispered. Something wet slithered down the side of his head.

He hoped he wasn’t lying.

As quickly as the shaking had started, it stopped, the world going still around them once again. Beau held the position until Ren moved, pushing at his arms. “It’s over?” she asked, her voice hopeful.

“Looks like it,” he said.

There was a faint, metallic scent in the air. Beau touched his scalp and felt the blood beneath his fingers.

“You’re bleeding,” Ren said.

“I’m alright. Head wounds always look worse than they are. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“You mean we’re climbing down?” she asked. “I don’t know if—“

“Get on my back. I’ll carry you.”

“You’ll carry me?” she asked, looking at him like he was crazy. “We’ll die.”

“We’re not going to die.” He touched the rope around her middle. “Look. You’re tied against me. You can’t fall, Ren. We’ll take it slow.”

“What if you fall?” she asked with disarming logic.

Despite their precarious position, he couldn’t help a small smile. “I’ll make sure I don’t fall. Just don’t wrap your arms around my neck.”

She was careful to keep her arms around his shoulders. Their descent wasn’t elegant, and several times he had to scoot down on his knees and belly when he couldn’t find a proper hold, but eventually they found themselves back on the ground. Beau sighed in relief, pulling the girl off his back and into his arms as he sidestepped the loose rocks that had piled around the wall.

When he judged they were far enough from the rock, he set the girl down on the ground and untied the rope between them.

Then Valentina was on them, pulling the girl tightly into her arms. “Ren! Rennie!”

For an instant, the teenager held herself stiffly, just before she melted into her aunt’s embrace. “Aunt Val. You came for me.”

“Of course I came for you, honey. Are you okay?”

As she spoke, Valentina’s gaze connected with his over the girl’s head, mouthing two words.

Thank you.

Fat tears rolled down Ren’s face.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I left.”

“It’s okay, honey. It’s okay.”

Ren’s face contorted in a pained grimace.

“What’s wrong, Ren?”

“I dropped it … I dropped Mom’s ashes …”

“Oh, honey,” Valentina said, bringing the girl close. Her hands shook, and Beau could see just how close she was to losing it. He reached over and placed his hand on her back in what he hoped was a comforting touch.

“It’s okay,” Valentina finally said. “I think your mom was with us tonight, keeping you safe. She would have loved that you thought of bringing her ashes here.”

“You really think so?”