Mountain Refuge (Mountain Mutineers #1)

Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

Elijah

W e barely made it through Corbin’s cabin door before the snowstorm came in full force. When Corbin had met us at Tommy’s, he’d told me that Belle had begged to come with him. I was so thankful that he was able to resist the power of her Bambi eyes and told her ‘no’. Corbin had no issue spoiling my daughter and letting her have her way in everything—except when it came to her safety. He knew these mountains and these winters better than I did and I was grateful he’d trusted his instincts over her desire to tag along.

Brooke and Trenton had a shorter ride than Corbin and me. As soon as we were through the door, Gertie informed us that Brooke had radioed to say she and Trenton were safe inside her cabin. I knew that Brooke was capable, but I still felt a sense of relief at the knowledge she was safe from the storm.

Trenton had woken up part way up the mountain to Tommy’s. Owen and Josie explained to him where they were and what was going on. He apparently did not handle painkillers well; they tended to make him loopy and drowsy. This was unfortunate for him because that meant he couldn’t take another until after he was at Brooke’s. Even so, Brooke had strapped Trenton to her to ensure he didn’t fall off if he passed out again.

Tommy had grumbled and groaned about us meeting up on his land. Even through his cursing, though, I saw the appreciation in his eyes when Owen and I brought more firewood onto his porch for him and Brooke checked over his stores and supplies while we were waiting for Corbin and Walter to arrive.

After giving a quick kiss and hug to each of my kids, I ran over to the radio to inform Jack and Brooke that Corbin and I had arrived safely.

Unfortunately, Walter never checked in. He and Josie should have arrived at his cabin about two hours after Corbin and I did. Even with the heavy snowfall, Corbin did not seem concerned. Walter knew how to shelter in place to wait out the storm if needed. There was also a high possibility that he wasn’t able to get a signal out due to the storm.

I was on edge the next two days, thinking up all of the worst case scenarios as to why Walter was not answering the radio. What if we’d been followed up the mountain? What if the ride made Josie’s injuries worse and she was hurt more but there was no medical assistance? What if they had run out of gas and were stuck with no way up or down?

Corbin tried to calm my fears, but damn I did not like not knowing where Josie and Walter were.

Finally, Walter hailed through. He said they did not make it to his cabin the first night and had sheltered from the storm. Then they were able to journey the rest of the way on foot. Per Walter, the snowmobile was buried too deep to have dug it out by hand.

Walter also reported that Josie was grouchy and was being very vocal about ‘insane mountain men’.

Later that afternoon, Brooke called over that Trenton wanted to speak with Belle. I hadn’t had a chance to say much to Trenton the day we brought them up the mountain but understood that Belle was his priority.

Belle used the HAM radio often and knew how to work it as well as any child did their parent’s cellphone. She was also careful about what she said over the transmission. Generally, she used it to talk to Super Jack or to Gertie if we were spending a few days at Brooke’s.

Sitting on her knees in Corbin’s chair, she leaned over to key the microphone. “This is Omega-Delta-Four-Six-Two-Two-Tango calling Foxtrot-Niner-Niner-Charlie-Eight-Seven. Over.”

“Lyd—Belle! Hi, sweetie. How are you?”

“You’re supposed to say ‘over’, TT,” Belle informed her brother with a giggle, using his nickname from when she’d been learning to talk. She had a hard time saying ‘Trenton’ and had ended up with a version of Tat , which had eventually been shortened to ‘TT’. “Brooke, did you teach him nothing ? Over.”

Brooke’s laughter came over the speaker, which was like music to my ears. “I’m sorry, Belle. He was so excited to talk to you that I didn’t get a chance. Over.”

Belle preened like a damn peacock at those words. She smiled over her shoulder at her adoring audience of her grammy, uncle, father, and brother—though the latter wasn’t actually paying attention to her. Lucas was babbling to himself as he doodled at the coffee table. I had a placemat down so the crayon wax didn’t ruin Corbin’s custom built table, but Corbin always waved it off whenever the subject of ‘child damage’ came up.

Belle turned back to the microphone. “TT, are you okay? Daddy says you got hurt and that I have to be careful hugging you when I finally see you again. Over.”

“I’m fine, sweet girl. Or I will be. I’ll look a bit scary for a little while, but I promise I’m still me.” There was a pause before Trenton added, “Over.”

“I’m glad you’re okay. You’re going to love it up here. I climb trees and hang out with Uncle Corbin in his shop. I even help him paint! I am learning about different plants and Grammy is teaching me to cook. My birthday’s coming up! Last year, she made me a spaghetti cake. This year, I think I want a mashed potato cake with gravy icing. Over.”

I looked at Gertie, who just shrugged. By Belle’s birthday, we would be living at Brooke’s, but that didn’t mean we would not be celebrating with Gertie and Corbin too. I had no doubt that Belle would get her cake.

“That sounds… Um, delicious, ” Trenton stumbled. I could hear Brooke’s muffled laughter in the background. “I am looking forward to meeting your uncle and grammy. Will you tell me about them? Over.”

Trenton had briefly met Corbin the day he’d arrived in Whitefish and was likely trying to make conversation with his eight-year-old sister.

“Uncle Corbin is huge! He’s the biggest giant there ever was! And Grammy is his mom but she’s little. She helps me with my studies when Daddy’s busy kissing Brooke.”—I had just taken a sip of my coffee when Belle spoke and ended up choking on hot liquid and spurting some out my nose. It burned as I tried to catch my breath but Belle continued talking without even noticing.—“Uncle Corbin is teaching me to hunt too. I’m really good with a bow and arrow. He says I’m a natural. Over.”

“That’s great to hear, sweetheart. What about Lucas? How’s he doing? Over.” I could hear the humor in Trenton’s voice too.

“He’s getting big! He’s able to run now and I’m helping to teach him his ABCs and his numbers. He doesn’t really get it, but Daddy says he will. Do you want to say ‘hi’ to him? Over.”

“I would love to. Over. ”

Belle hopped off the chair. She walked to Lucas and picked him up around his waist. He giggled and squirmed, but she held on. After helping Lucas onto the chair, she keyed the microphone again. “TT, say ‘hi’ to Lucas. Over.”

“Hi, Lucas. Over.”

Belle encouraged my son to talk into the microphone. Lucas put his mouth right up to the pop shield and said, “Hi!”

Belle was still holding the microphone key down as she said, “Lucas, you’re talking to TT. He’s our brother. Say ‘hi, TT’.”

Lucas spoke again, “Hi, TT!”

“Over,” Belle added.

“It’s so great to hear your voice, Lucas. I can’t wait to meet you. Over.”

Lucas nodded and said in the adorable way he does, “Yeah!” Then he scooted down and waggled his way back over to the coffee table.

Belle retook her seat. “He left. He’s coloring. Over.”

“Thank you for helping him, Belle. You’re a great big sister. Over.”

Belle puffed out her chest and said confidently, “I know,” before continuing her conversation.