Broken Trust Read Online Free PDF

filled the air. Toni’s
stomach rumbled like a starving hound. Golden lanterns lit up the yard, hanging
on tall wooden poles. The two men clicked off their flashlights.
    Comfy wicker chairs with flowered
cushions and footstools sat around waiting for guests to enjoy the stunning
view of the lake below. Memories swamped Toni of the numerous times she’d sat
with Mac and Eric in front of the cabin, planning excursions into the
mountains, Dutch oven cooking, or threading new lines on their fishing poles.
Eric had loved it here. So did she. Before they’d broken off their engagement,
Toni and Mac had planned to come here for their honeymoon.
    “That’s a beautiful deck. It’s
new.” She nodded at the spacious redwood structure extending outward from the
door of the cabin into the front yard.
    “Dad and I built it last week. It
gave me something to do while I’ve been laid up,” Mac said.
    She eyed his bandaged leg. “It
doesn’t sound like you’ve been convalescing much.”
    “That’s what I said. But he
wouldn’t quit, so I had to help him build the thing.” Hank grumbled as he
brushed past her and walked to the wood pile. He picked up several sticks of
firewood, then followed Toni toward the cabin.
    “Inez!” Hank called. “We’re home.”
    The door burst open and Inez
MacKenzie rushed out, wiping her hands on a checkered dish towel. “There you
are. I was getting worried.”
    Dressed in faded jeans and a red
flannel shirt, Inez whipped the towel over her shoulder and patted her short,
brown hair. When she saw Toni, she pulled up with surprise. “Toni! I didn’t
know you were here.”
    Toni smiled lamely. She wasn’t
quite sure of Hank and Inez’s reaction to her coming here unannounced. They’d
been more than kind at Eric’s funeral, but maybe they’d resent her. After all,
she was supposed to have been their daughter-in-law and they’d naturally feel
protective of their son. “I’m sorry. It was a last minute trip. I need to speak
with Mac.”
    Mac explained Toni’s condition.
Inez’s rosy cheeks creased with concern as she hurried over and took Toni’s
arm. “Are you okay, dear? You could have been killed.”
    Toni gave a faint smile, trying to
be brave. Her gaze constantly searched the forest for signs of an intruder. She
tried to tell herself the gunman wouldn’t be back. That this was a one-time
offense. But her fear stayed with her. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you. Could
we…could we go inside? Please!”
    “Of course, dear. You poor thing.”
Inez hugged Toni, who cringed at the pain it caused her side.
    “Not too tight, Mom,” Mac
cautioned. “I think she’s got a cracked rib.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me? Poor
dear.” Inez’s voice softened with sympathy.
    “It’s not that bad,” Toni reassured
her. Truthfully, it hurt so much that she wanted to lie down and bawl like a
baby. Instead, she grit her teeth and tried to be brave.
    Inez’s gaze swept her from head to
toe as she led her to the door. “Obviously you haven’t seen yourself, young
lady.”
    Glancing down, Toni grimaced at her
filthy, tattered clothes. Her hair hung across her face, matted with dirt and
blood. Cuts and abrasions covered her arms and legs. She winced, remembering
every detail of her fight for life. She must look a sight.
    “I wish we had a radio or some kind
of phone reception here in the mountains. The sheriff should know about this
right away.” Inez bustled Toni up the steps to the deck.
    “I’ll go into town and report
Toni’s assault to Sheriff Parsons tomorrow morning,” Mac promised.
    “Come inside and let me take a look
at that cut on your head.” Still slim and surprisingly spry for a woman her
age, Inez pushed the door open. “We’ll get you a bath and some ointment and
you’ll feel a whole lot better.”
    Toni glanced at Mac from over her
shoulder. Lantern light illuminated his rugged good looks and dark, short hair
as he hobbled along on his crutch. In spite of their