Solar Storm by Marcus Richardson

Author:Marcus Richardson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Freeholder Press, LLC

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kate shifted in the driver’s seat. The delivery van was definitely not as comfortable for a multi-hour drive as the Tahoe. She squinted at the headlights, lancing through dense trees and snow lining the narrow access road. She’d never been to Mac’s retreat before—none of them had—so all she could do was trust Jay’s directions.

At last, the pink ribbon of light through the trees ahead of them signaled the coming of dawn. The darkness that had enveloped them since leaving Grover Creek was about to yield to the light of day once more. She glanced in the mirror at Leah, sleeping with her head against the window.

Jay could hope Mac might help them, but Kate, though she voiced agreement with Jay, had her doubts. First, as competent and capable as Mac was, he was also old and retired. He might not have the strength or energy to help them—he might not even still be alive.

“I’m just guessing here,” Jay muttered, “but I think the turn north has to be coming soon.” He pointed out Kate’s window. “If we are where I think we are, the lake should be over that way.” They bounced and rumbled down the barely-paved road in silence for a few moments. “Can he help?” Kate whispered, unable to keep her fears to herself any longer.

Jay was silent a long moment as they drove through the sleeping forest. “I don’t know,” he mumbled. “But if anyone can, it’s Mac.”

Kate turned that over in her mind for a moment. “What if he’s not there? What if…?”

“He’s there,” Jay said, without hesitation.

“There’s the turn,” Kate announced, slowing them as the road curved north around the southeast corner of Mac’s lake.

“Here we go,” Jay said, sitting up in his seat. “Kids, wake up.”

“What?” asked Leah. “Are we there?” she muttered, rubbing her puffy, red-rimmed eyes.

“Almost,” Jay said. “We don’t know what we’re going to find, so everyone needs to be alert.”

Kate glanced at her husband. “Distance?”

“He said it was maybe a mile from the turn. Should be a gravel driveway on your left. He warned me it was well-hidden. Look for a line of pine trees…”

“There’s nothing but pine trees,” muttered Kate.

“Is that a road?” asked Leah.

Kate slowed them down. “I think that’s it. Look how all those trees line up there…”

“They look like they were planted there,” confirmed Jay. “I think you’re right. Let’s try it.”

“Here we go,” Kate said, turning the wheel.

“That’s funny,” Meri said.

Kate hit the brakes, and the van rocked to a stop. “What?” she asked. “What’s funny?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Meri blurted. “I just saw a tree where the bark had been stripped…likely enough a bear, it was.”

Kate felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck rise. “Where?”

“Well, right there,” Meri said, gesturing at the right side of the van.

Kate shifted into reverse and crunched over gravel until she drew abreast of the tree Meri indicated. She stared at the exposed trunk in the twilight. A smile spread across her face. “That sneaky son of a bitch…”

“Uh…what?” asked Jay.

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