Seeking Dangerous Treasure

Chapter 1

Was someone following her?

Kelsey Ingram glanced over her shoulder. Mount Shasta stood like a sentinel in the distance. A few patches of snow could still be seen even in the summer. If only the mountain could truly watch over her. That would go a long way to helping her shake the feeling she was being watched.

She pushed the paranoia away. She'd struggled to leave behind her suspicious nature since she'd left her job as a cop in Sacramento two months ago. After what happened, Kelsey had come home to stay with her grandmother Ivy and work with her in the garden business, supplying herbs to the local grocery stores, restaurants and farmer's markets.

The next thing Kelsey knew, Ivy had died. The funeral was last week. Kelsey still couldn't believe Ivy was gone. Hiking today, she hoped to process her loss. She would miss the woman who'd raised her. Seeing the wildflowers, hearing the birds reminded her of her flower-child grandmother. And belied the uncanny sensation that someone was following her. Unable to lose that feeling of being watched, Kelsey picked up the pace. Even though she was only a mile into her hike, turning back would be safest. An eagle screeched above her, drawing her attention to the clear, bright blue sky. No smog. No honking cars.

She paused on the trail, closed her eyes and drew in the fresh mountain air. Maybe she was being unreasonable. No one was out to get her on the trail. She focused her thoughts back on Ivy's death and her own future.

If she stayed and lived in the home that, according to attorney Mr. Kildare, her grandmother had bequeathed to her, she could forget about what happened in Sacramento. She could forget about Martin's duplicity. She had thought she could love him. That experience proved she couldn't trust anyone.

Especially someone as belligerent as the man who'd called this afternoon and offered to take Ivy's property off her hands. She couldn't let go of the home where she'd been raised after her parents had died in a car accident. The home where her grandparents had lived for fifty-plus years. The paperwork, taxes and legalities were in process. Ivy had been broke so there was no significant money other than what Kelsey could earn from Ivy's herb business. She might also apply for a local law enforcement position.

All she knew was that she was never going back to the city.

A twig snapped behind her.

Before Kelsey could turn, an arm wrapped around her throat and someone dragged her off the trail. She tried to scream. As a former cop, she knew how to defend herself. But so did he. He squeezed tighter.

She couldn't breathe.

He had the advantage. She wasn't getting out of this. She kicked and together they fell, but he held tight. She tugged on his arm, her ability to scream long gone. She found a fallen tree branch.

If she didn't free herself now, she was going to die.

She slammed the branch against his head.

................................................................................................................................................................

Hey cupcakes!! this happens to be my first work here..

I would very much appreciate it if you help me with your votes

**********************

what do you think would have happened to Kesley had she not slammed that branch on his head? lemme hear all of your opinions in the comment area below