Page 36 of Mystery in the Mountains

“There is something familiar about him . . . but I don’t think I know him.” Sunny shrugged.

“I’ll find out, but I don’t like this.”

The man surveying equipment looked over at them and covered his eyes to block out the sun.

Asher pulled onto the road and drove back into town—it wasn’t like they were being sneaky while driving around in a camper van with sunflowers painted all over it.

“Do you mind if we swing by the school and pick up Ruby?”

“Not at all,” Sunny said as they left.

A familiar warmth filled her as they made their way along the curvy mountain roads. She’d grown up there. She’d spent endless summer days with Asher exploring the woods, playing in the creek, while his mom gathered herbs.

Part of her yearned for those simpler days, when they would play, listen to their mother’s gossip, and talk about magic—all before their lives got so complicated.

They pulled up to the school as the kids were getting out.

Sunny had lots of memories at this school. Then she saw a kid who looked just like Esther when she was little.

“That has to be Ruby,” she said, pointing to the little girl.

“Yeah,” Asher said as he rolled down the window. “Hey, Ruby!”

The little girl looked over at him with a puzzled expression that slowly morphed into a big smile before she ran over.

“Uncle Asher! What is this?” she asked, clearly talking about the colorful camper van.

“Get in,” he said, nodding to the passenger door.

She ran around and got in, eyes widening as she took it in.

“There’s a seatbelt in the bench,” Sunny said. “But you might have to dig for it.”

“What is this?” Ruby asked, digging for the seatbelt.

“This is Sunny,” Asher said. “And this is her van.”

“This is amazing. I want one just like it when I grow up,” she said as she ran her hand along the beaded curtain.

“Thanks, I like it. Your uncle painted it for me.”

Asher’s face fell, and for the first time that day, the old hurt look was there.

And she hated it.

“You must be Ruby. I’m an old friend of your mom’s.”

“Really?”

“Are you buckled, Peanut?” Asher said as he put the car in gear.

“All set!”

Asher pulled out.

“Hey, look! There’s my piano teacher!” Ruby called as she waved to him.

“Who is that?” Sunny asked, looking at him.

---