Page 88 of Mystery in the Mountains

“Well, Asher and I were talking one night, and I asked him what it was he protected on the mountain. And he wasn’t sure. He didn’t remember anyone talking about it . . . just that they protected it because they always had.”

Bridget nodded. “That can happen sometimes, especially in situations like that. Yes, their family is the protectors of the magic that lies deep within this mountain. It’s magic we can feel, but when you’ve been doing something for generations, the reason can sometimes get lost.”

“So, you don’t know?” Esther asked.

“I’m sorry. Yer mother never shared that information with me.”

“And there’s one more thing.”

Sunny was more afraid to bring this up because everyone seemed to like him so much, but she just couldn’t shake off the feeling of those dreams and those red eyes. Something was off about Nox Whittaker—she would swear it.

“So, when we picked up Ruby from piano lessons the other day . . .”

That had Esther’s attention, and it made Sunny even more nervous.

She reminded herself that Esther was one of her best friends, and she wasn’t someone she needed to be afraid of.

“So, I told you about the dream and the red eyes I’ve seen. And here look at this,” she said, digging around the papers on the desk until she came to the picture. “Do you see anything weird about that picture?”

The women examined it.

“By the wood line,” Sunny offered.

Bridget cocked her head.

“What is that?” Julie asked.

“It’s those red eyes I’ve been seeing in my dream.”

“What does this have to do with Ruby’s piano teacher?” Esther asked impatiently.

“When I see him . . . sometimes . . . it’s like his eyes are glowing red.”

She waited for the judgment, but of course the women in this room wouldn’t judge. While none of them got visions, they all knew what it was like to not be believed.

“Do you think he’s involved?” Julie asked.

Sunny just shrugged. “I just wanted to give you guys all the information.”

“Yeah, Sunny, that’s a lot of information to drop on us,” Esther said dryly.

“I know . . . What do you guys think?”

“Well . . . It’s a lot. Nox has always been so nice. Do you really think he’s wrapped up in it?” asked Julie.

Sunny shrugged. “I’m not really sure of anything. Just letting you guys know what’s going on.”

“I’ll see if I can’t get a feel for him,” said Bridget.

“I mean, on the first day of piano lessons, I sent Ruby with cookies that would have made him sick if he had any ill will toward her and watched him eat one, so there’s that.”

“That’s why I love you, Esther,” Sunny said with a smile. “Also why I’m a little terrified of you.”

“Fair,” said Esther, without looking back to her. “Do you know how this church is involved?”

“Not really. Julie knew way more about it than I do.”

Esther looked at the little notecard for a long time. There was something there. Sunny would swear it, but she learned a long time ago not to push Esther.

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