Chapter 80: Mountain Haven

Cole leaned on his left elbow to peer out the window of the 737, grimacing at the twinge in his shoulder that reminded him that two months later, he was still healing from a gunshot wound.

Below, the city of Missoula, Montana grew as the plane descended toward the small international airport. Dark mountains in the distance provided a backdrop to the suburban sprawl.

Touchdown was uneventful, and once the seatbelt sign was turned off, Cole reached beneath the seat in front of him to retrieve a small backpack. Opening the overhead compartment, he removed his own brown leather duffel and a black rolling bag for the older woman who’d been seated beside him.