Tainted Mountain by Shannon Baker Page A

too long.
    â€œBarrett,” she repeated, looking into his eyes.

Thirteen
    The Legend. Barrett McCreary here at Kachina Ski. What was he doing with that Native American girl? She was the one at the courthouse with Alex the Knife Guy. Should Nora run from her or slap her? Either way, she wanted the girl off her property.
    Barrett put a hand on the girl’s back and brought her forward. “I’d like to introduce my daughter, Heather.”
    Daughter? She was more the age of a granddaughter and clearly not of his European background.
    Barrett shot a pointed look at the girl and she glared back. The standoff felt as familiar to Nora as an old movie. Although Barrett and this girl didn’t look at all like Nora and Abigail, the body language was their same tango from fifteen years ago.
    Finally the girl turned her attention to Nora. “I’m here to apologize for my part at the courthouse. I’m sorry.”
    Maybe the girl lost the silent battle with her father, but she didn’t shirk her duty. She impressively held Nora’s gaze and her voice sounded strong.
    What do I do with that? she wondered. Maybe Heather hadn’t actually harmed Nora, but she’d been with a very dangerous man. Her friend had pulled knives, strangled Nora, probably killed Scott. “You’re hanging out with bad people,” Nora said.
    Barrett nodded in satisfaction, apparently approving Nora’s firm stand.
    â€œNora!” Abigail sounded as though Nora scalped the poor girl. “Heather came to your home and humbled herself. She deserves your gracious forgiveness.”
    Abigail didn’t need facts; she made them up for herself.
    Barrett shook his head. “Nora’s right. An apology isn’t sufficient.”
    Heather inhaled. “I know there’s nothing I can do to change what happened. But I would like to make restitution by working for you the rest of the summer.”
    No way. “That won’t be necessary.”
    â€œActually, it is,” Barrett said. “If you’ll agree to Heather working here it will probably save her from time in juvenile detention.”
    Maybe locking her up would teach her a lesson.
    â€œWhile she might deserve that treatment,” Barrett said, as though he could hear her thoughts. “I believe in rehabilitation.”
    And I get to have the murderer’s apprentice on my property? Hell no.
    Barrett continued his sales pitch. “She’s a good worker.”
    Heather obviously fought to keep her dignity in the face of what amounted to a slave auction. Abigail in all her evil glory couldn’t have been any worse.
    Abigail focused her feminine attention on Barrett. “What a caring father you are. Raising children isn’t easy.” She probably didn’t know Barrett McCreary steered the course of one of the largest energy companies in the country, but Abigail certainly had the ability to smell money, even in the fresh mountain air. It was a valuable skill, her version of Nora’s MBA.
    Charlie crushed his can, put it in a pocket, and stood. Surprising bitterness crisped his voice. “You’d have to look far and wide to find a more caring father than Barrett McCreary.”
    If Nora could harness the frosty look her mother shot Charlie she wouldn’t need snow-making equipment.
    Barrett chose to address Abigail. “I think Nora is an inspiration to young women.”
    Abigail beamed. “Well, growing up she gave me some challenges, but she turned out well.”
    Just like that Nora felt like the prize pig at a stock show. In the newly revised History According to Abigail, the only reason she’d achieved anything was due to Abigail’s steady parenting. What credit would her mother accept for the financial ruin of Kachina Ski? Nora couldn’t help feeling a connection with the sullen teenager. While Barrett and Abigail focused on each other, Heather and Nora made eye contact.
    Charlie