Page 114 of Mystery in the Mountains

“Well, it would appear that the warlocks and witch hunters are also working with the coal company,” Bridget said.

“Of course they are, the perfect trifecta of evil. Is everyone okay?” asked Julie.

Esther nodded. “Yes?—”

“Don’t say yes! We don’t know anything,” Sunny blurted.

All three women looked at her, wide eyed.

“We saw Asher. He’ll be alright, lass.”

“What I saw,” spat Sunny, “was Asher chained, naked, and bleeding! And we are just going with ‘Everyone is okay?’”

Julie gasped.

“Sunny, I saw him, too, and, yes, he’s okay,” Esther said calmly as she moved to comfort Sunny.

But Sunny brushed off her hand and stepped out of her reach. She was not in the mood to be comforted, and she wouldn’t be until Asher was here.

“Come inside,” said Julie. “I’ll make us some tea.”

“No, you guys go in. I’m waiting here,” Sunny said.

“I’ll wait with you,” Esther said.

“No. Please go in.”

While Sunny was usually the light to Esther’s dark, darkness was all Sunny felt.

Esther’s piercing blue eyes gaze held hers. It was pointless to fight her, so she just sat on the front stoop.

Bridget and Julie went inside while Esther sat next to her.

She sat there waiting for what felt like forever.

A stream of light fell over the porch as the door opened. Julie walked out and placed a blanket around Sunny’s shoulders before heading back inside.

Sunny pulled the blanket around herself as she looked out into the woods and waited for Asher and Abe. He was okay. Everyone had said so, and she believed it, but she needed to see him and feel him to settle herself down.

The image of the forest holding those two terrible men captive, along with it seeming to pull them and suit from the coal company into its depth, was also playing over and over in her mind. She knew this mountain was magic.

That scene and the one of Asher naked, bloody and bound, were just a constant slideshow in her head she could not get away from.

“He’ll be here soon. He and Abe are just making sure everything’s finished,” Esther said.

Sunny nodded.

She knew that, but it didn’t do a damn thing to comfort her. But as much as she hated to admit it, having Esther by her side did help. Everything had gotten so messed up.

She wiped a tear from her eye.

There was a rustle of leaves and a breaking twig coming from the woods. She stood and peered into the forest.

The first person in view was Abe. A breath caught in her throat as she watched Asher move out from the tree line after him.

Before she even knew what her feet were doing, they were carrying her to him.

“Asher!” She threw himself into her arms.

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