Mountain Secrets by Elizabeth Goddard (good books to read for teens txt) 📕

shifting and changing with the glacier, melting off, blocks of ice tumbling.

Despite being enraptured with the natural beauty of their surroundings, Colin never let Jewel out of his sight, albeit peripheral vision at moments. He remained near and stood between her and Buck at all times. Had his weapon ready to use if needed.

Jewel paused to rest on a boulder, and Colin waited with her while the others continued exploring deeper inside the cave.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

Colin was surprised at her agility, especially after her injuries. But she’d spent the past twenty years hiking the wilderness and exploring on a regular basis. He supposed it shouldn’t surprise him she would bounce back so easily.

She rubbed her leg while glancing intermittently at Jenkins, Buck and Meral, who had entered another tunnel.

Jenkins hung back. “You guys coming? We need to stay together.”

Jewel nodded. “We’ll be right there.”

He didn’t look convinced, but disappeared into the tunnel, his voice echoing with Buck’s and Meral’s.

“This trip seemed like a good idea,” she whispered. “A way for me to be safely away from Mountain Cove, but we’re not safe, Colin.”

She looked up at him, her hazel eyes looking blustery and taking on the crystal blues of the cave. He thought they’d already agreed on that last night when she’d answered the door holding a Glock.

“When I told you to get away, this wasn’t what I meant,” he said. “Jewel, I know you want to spend time with Meral, but maybe we should let them continue the cruise without us. You and I will get off right here and now. We’ll go back to the visitor center and say our goodbyes.” He almost held his breath waiting for her answer, hoping she’d agree.

She hung her head. “It seems ridiculous. We’re like two couples on a romantic cruise, but you’re my bodyguard. Anyway it doesn’t matter. I can’t do this anymore. So, yes, let’s stop this charade. Me pretending I’m enjoying myself, that I’m not worried about my safety. I don’t know about you, but I got next to no sleep last night. I’m sure you didn’t either. But... Colin...let me be the one to break it to Meral, okay?”

“Okay.” Colin was interested to see how Buck would react. “How are you going to explain it to her?” He’d like to hear that answer from Jewel. He prided himself in his ability to ask the hard questions, but he hadn’t yet pushed Jewel for answers the way he should. It was long past time he did. “Why do you believe you’re in danger on this venture with your sister and her husband, with me, the police chief, as your bodyguard?”

Footfalls crunched. Jewel watched the tunnel and shook her head. The timing was no good.

Jenkins approached and gave Jewel a concerned look. “We need to get moving. You think you can make it?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

He led them down the tunnel to join Buck and Meral and then through a tight space, where they brushed against an ice wall and had to move single file. Colin looked up at the cracks in the ice, the icicles, frozen spears, hanging above. This wasn’t safe, but he could almost understand why people risked so much to come here in spite of the dangers. It was a sight one couldn’t see anywhere else.

“Meral,” Jewel whispered.

Meral slowed and let distance grow between her and Buck.

“Meral, listen, I’m not going to stay on the yacht. I thought I could do this, but I can’t.”

Buck stopped and turned. “What’s that?”

Colin tensed. He would have waited until they were back at the visitor center, had their gear in hand, and could stand on the dock and wave goodbye. He’d assumed she would wait to break the news.

Meral appeared hurt and shocked. She grabbed Jewel’s arm.

Colin took a step toward them. Instinct. Reflex to put himself in position to intervene, if necessary.

“What do you mean, Jewel? This trip is for you to keep you safe. To get away. Please, no, you have to stay with us. I’m worried about you.”

“Maybe Jewel’s injuries are too much for her to enjoy all of this.” Buck had joined the conversation now.

Was that all part of his plan? Bring her out here and wear her down? But why? What was he after? This wasn’t unfolding the way Colin would have wanted or expected. Was he even any help at all?

“Is that it, Jewel? Is this too much? I’m sorry for pressuring you,” Meral said.

“Well, then, let’s make it through the cave and we can just rest on the yacht. We have it for ten days, and in that time we don’t have to do any more strenuous activities,” Buck said.

He sounded like he was a man who cared, but Colin wasn’t fully convinced—and Jewel didn’t seem to be either. It was clear to Colin that she didn’t trust her brother-in-law. What was less clear was why.

Maybe it all went back to what she knew and refused to tell Colin. He’d been a fool not to press her until he got answers. He must be in much deeper than he could admit. The mayor’s words about Colin’s feelings for Jewel—that she could see it so easily—should have been warning enough that his feelings were impacting his judgment.

He tried to shove his emotions aside, but it was too late. He was already there with Jewel.

Jewel opened her mouth to speak, but Colin cut her off. “That’ll work. You guys can do the hard stuff. Jewel and I will just relax on the yacht.”

She glanced at him. That wasn’t what she’d intended. Please, just let it be. Read it in my gaze, Jewel. They could announce their plans to leave the cruise, leave Meral and Buck, once they were back.

“Do you think you can make it through the cave?” Meral asked. “Or should we go back now?”

“Going back or forward makes no difference from this point,” Jenkins said. “The distance is about the same since we’re going to circle around anyway. Might