Paradise Peak

Book 5: New Americana Series

by Janet Dailey

Genres: Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Join America's First Lady of Romance, Janet Dailey, on a journey to the great state of Tennessee, as a community unites to save a small mountain town from a raging wildfire heading its way...
With a wildfire burning its way toward Paradise Peak, Tennessee, folks are drawing together to save the small mountain community. Times like these can make a hero out of a man--no matter what dark secrets he carries in his heart...
A desire for absolution brought ex-con Travis Alden to Paradise Peak. But when he finds honest work, along with a keen sense of belonging, he shelves his plan to unburden his guilty secret, instead working to rehabilitate a ranch--alongside the very people his transgressions hurt the most. With the chance to create a haven for wildfire refugees, Travis seizes the opportunity to do good, to earn the respect his new boss shows him. Only Travis doesn't count on his feelings for his boss' beautiful niece.
Hannah Newsome is a woman with a past as bleak as Travis'--the kind of woman he should protect, not pursue. But once the rugged loner sees her wariness turn to warmth, once he tastes the potent passion between them, all he can think about is having it all right here in Paradise Peak, with Hannah by his side...

Release date: January 26, 2021

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 368

Sample

Travis Alden could easily recognize the sights and sounds of hell: the bared teeth of predatory inmates, the sharp clicks of metal handcuffs, and the profanity-laden screams that echoed against the concrete walls of a six-by-eight cell.

But this place—whatever it was—held none of those things.

Cautiously, Travis stepped closer to the edge of the mountain overlook, his worn tennis shoes crunching on loose gravel, and looked down at the peaceful landscape. Evergreen trees and pines stood proud above the thick brown foliage that hugged their massive trunks. Distinctive outlines of leaves, trees, and bushes melded as his gaze roved further out, scanning the rugged mountain range that sprawled for miles in every direction.

The Great Smoky Mountains slumbered beneath a blue morning mist. The high peaks in the distance gradually grew clearer as the sun’s orange glow lit up the eastern Tennessee sky, its slow ascent above the mountaintops burning off the misty shroud one sleepy inch at a time.

Despite the bright warmth of the approaching sun, a thin plume continued to thrive on one distant peak. The gray plume billowed upward, obscuring the streaks of orange, pink, and purple coloring the sky, and cast a thin shadow over the mountain from which it rose.

A swift mid-February breeze pushed across the landscape, swept past Travis’s ears on a high-pitched whistle, bringing with it the pungent scent of smoke. The skin on the back of his neck prickled. The uneven terrain before Travis—a slumbering giant—seemed to breathe and stir. Almost as if it sensed his presence, that darkness within him, knowing he didn’t belong.

Travis jerked back onto the graveled path and raised his head, squinting up at the sun’s glow instead of studying the steep drop below.

“You in God’s country, son.”

A grizzled man, wearing a brown jacket and jeans, stood ten feet away by the entrance of a hiking trail. He carried a fishing rod in one hand and a large cooler in the other. The old man’s blue eyes surveyed Travis. Then he raised one arm and pointed the fishing rod in the direction of the mountain range Travis had studied. Orange sunlight glinted off the metal tip of the pole.

“That there’s the park.” The man’s gray mustache lifted with his slow smile. “But Paradise”—he swept his raised arm toward a large mountain jutting up high behind him—“is that way.” His smile widened. “Paradise Peak, that is. That what you’re looking for?”

Travis gripped the frayed straps of the backpack on his shoulders and swept his gaze over the other man’s form, searching for the bulge of a weapon in his jacket, along his waistband, or tucked beneath the hem of his jeans. The action was automatic—a distasteful, but necessary, habit Travis had formed during his twenty-year stint in prison. He’d been forced to defend himself on more than one occasion over the years.

Finding nothing suspicious on the man, Travis relaxed his hold on the bag’s straps and nodded. “Can you tell me how many miles it is into town?”

“Only seven or eight, but it’ll feel like thirty on account of the climb.” The man glanced at Travis’s shoes and frowned. “You been hitching?”

“I tried.” Travis looked down, cringing as he recalled the suspicious stares he’d glimpsed through windows of cars and trucks as drivers had sped past his raised thumb. He didn’t blame people for not trusting a nomadic stranger, and after three days with no success, he’d stopped asking for rides. “I started in Franklin ’bout three weeks ago.” He studied his mud-caked shoelaces and the loose stitching along the seams of the soles. “Mostly on foot.”

The wind picked up, gusting between them, and the man asked, “You walked two hundred miles across these mountains during the tail-end of winter?”

It sounded like a perplexed statement instead of a question.

“Two hundred and thirty-three,” Travis said.

He’d counted every one. Each night, as he’d huddled beneath canopies of trees for warmth or stretched his aching frame out on a bed of dead underbrush and stared up at the stars, he’d calculated every step, added the estimated mileage that lay ahead, and subtracted the hours of sleep and periods of rest he’d need when the climb became too painful.

The man whistled low. “What you come all that way for?”

Margaret Owens. Absolution. To save his—justifiably—damned soul. Travis hesitated as he met the man’s narrowed gaze, not wanting to lie, but unsure of how much to share with this stranger. In his experience, most people weren’t all that understanding. Or forgiving.

“To start over.”

Travis’s throat tightened and he looked away. He raised his eyes above the blur of moisture coating his lower lashes and studied the burst of color brightening the sky as the sun rose higher above the distant peaks.

The sight conjured a small measure of peace within him, stirred a soothing sensation through his veins, and made him wonder how it might feel to be a good man. Not a great one (he doubted he’d ever be one of those), but at least an honest, trustworthy one. A man who always tried to do the right thing and had no blight on his name. The kind of person he wished, with every breath he drew, he could become.

“It must’ve been hell.”

Travis shook his head and returned his attention to the man, whose scrutiny had intensified. “Not at all.”

Travis had entered hell at eighteen and had emerged from it three weeks ago when he’d been released from prison at thirty-eight. By contrast, the mountain trek he’d undertaken over the last few weeks had been full of fresh air, bright skies, and majestic heights that had lifted his head and at times, his weary spirit.

“Weather’s been clear most of the way,” Travis added, gesturing toward the sunrise. “No snow, and only one thunderstorm that dropped lightning instead of rain.”

“We’ve had a drought for a while now. Bad for us, but good for your trip it seems.”

Gravel crunched underfoot as the man stepped closer. Travis faced him again, tensing as the man lowered the large cooler to the ground, wiped his hand on his jeans, then extended it.

“Red Bartlett.” Smiling, he nudged his hand closer.

Travis stared at Red’s palm, the deep creases stained with dirt, and considered the open invitation his upturned fingers offered. Releasing the straps of his bag, he slowly placed his hand in Red’s. “Travis.”

Red squeezed, his callused fingers gripping the back of Travis’s hand as he shook it firmly. He searched Travis’s expression, perhaps waiting for more, but when Travis didn’t speak, he said, “Welcome to Paradise Peak.”

Travis smiled, his chest swelling. It was the first time in twenty years that he’d been welcomed anywhere . . . or touched without animosity.

“I expect you’re exhausted,” Red said. He released Travis’s hand and retrieved the cooler from the ground. “How’s a decent meal and good night’s rest sound to you?”

“Good, but . . .” Travis shoved his hand in his back pocket and fumbled through the bills lining it. Fifty, sixty dollars at best, remained. “How mu—?”

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed,” Red said, rolling his shoulders, “but I got a few years on me. There’s fifteen rock bass in this cooler, and there’s another cooler stocked with more bass and trout by the river at the bottom of that trail.” He raised an eyebrow. “I been out here three hours—since five in the a.m. My arms hurt, my back’s screaming, and I don’t relish the idea of stomping back down there and hauling that heavy sucker up here. I’m interested in a trade, and your muscle would be a big help.”

Travis frowned. “That’s a kind offer, but not a fair trade.”

Red threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t bow your back up, son. I didn’t mean to offend you, and this ain’t no charity, if that’s what you’re worried about. That ain’t all there is to the trading, and there ain’t no five-star hotels my way. I’m offering you a plain ol’ fried fish dinner and one night’s stay in a rickety cabin with a lumpy cot.” He grinned. “When the temperature dips back down tonight, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a slab of ice, and that’s after you spend the majority of today cleaning, filleting, and cooking those fish before you eat ’em.” Red’s tone was firm, but his lips twitched. “Damned shame I didn’t stumble upon you earlier, otherwise I’d have made you catch them, too. Save me the trouble.”

Travis smiled. Maybe it was Red’s friendly demeanor, or it could’ve been the way being called “son” sat well within his soul, but either way, Travis liked the idea of helping Red. He hadn’t been able to help anyone in a long time.

“In that case, I’d say it’s a fair trade, and I thank you for it.” Travis headed for the trail, asking over his shoulder, “Cooler’s at the bottom of the trail, you said?”

“Yep.” Red pointed toward a small clearing beyond the gravel path, where a blue truck was parked. “That’s me over there. I’ll load this up, and when you get back we’ll head out.”

Travis paused, a sense of dread seeping into his gut as he stared at the truck. He nodded, turned away, and walked down the path, his steps heavy and sluggish.

Gravel gave way to dirt and small rocks as the narrow hiking path curved along the steep incline of the mountain. Travis ducked beneath low-hanging limbs, stepped carefully around roots that protruded from the ground, and found the cooler sitting on a smooth rock by a wide river.

He drew to a stop near the river’s edge and inhaled the cool mist rising from the rippling water, savoring its refreshing caress on his sweat-slicked face and neck. The surrounding woods were thick, and though the path had led to a lower elevation, the sky was still visible and the same sense of peace he’d experienced higher up the mountain was palpable below as well.

“Paradise,” he whispered, weighing the word on his tongue.

The name was appropriate—this place sure looked like heaven. But somewhere on the next mountain, somewhere even higher in the town of Paradise Peak, Margaret Owens still grieved the loss of someone she’d loved. Someone he had taken from her.

Shame searing his skin, Travis grabbed the cooler, hoisted it into a firm grip, then hiked back up the path to the clearing.

Red stood by the lowered tailgate of the truck and smiled as Travis approached with the cooler. “Thanks, son.” He walked around to the driver’s side, motioning over his shoulder. “Toss it in the bed with the other and we’ll head out. You can dump your bag back there, too.”

Travis deposited the cooler, raised the truck’s tailgate, then climbed into the passenger seat. He removed his backpack and placed it in his lap, eyeing the loose seat belts strewn across the wide seat.

“You still holding tight to that bag of yours,” Red said. He smoothed his mustache and grinned. “What you got in there? Gold?”

“No.” Though the notebook paper, pens, thermos, and three changes of clothes were as valuable as gold to him. “All I own is in it.” Travis grabbed one seat belt strap and searched the bench seat for the other. “I prefer to keep it close.”

Red remained silent for a moment, then pointed to the slim crack between the back rest and leg rest of the bench seat. “Other half of that belt is probably stuck between the seats. Dig around a bit and you’ll find it.”

Thanking him, Travis did as Red suggested and found the matching strap. He shifted his backpack to the side, fastened the seat belt across his lap, and glanced at Red. “Thanks for the ride.”

“No worries,” Red said. “So long as you don’t mind riding in a throwback. This jalopy’s got some age on it, like me.” He patted the dash. “But I can’t bring myself to give her up.”

Travis looked at the cab’s old-fashioned interior. There was a wide dash trimmed with wood grain and blue paint and, from what he could tell, the old-school radio, glove compartment, and padding on the doors were all original.

“It’s a nice truck,” Travis said. “I’ve never seen a classic in as good shape as this.”

Red cranked the engine, an expression of pride crossing his face. “She’s a 1969 three-on-the-tree shifter. Two hundred and sixty thousand miles to her credit, and she still climbs these mountains like a dream. My niece has been hounding me to get rid of it for years, but I’d have to be dead for someone to pry it away. Even when I do get a new one, I won’t give her up.” He cocked his head to the side. “You’re welcome to drive us up the mountain if you’d like to test her out.”

Travis gripped the edge of his seat. “I don’t drive.”

Red’s brows rose. “Never?”

“Not anymore.”

Travis stared straight ahead as an unwelcome mantra whispered through his mind. He recalled Judge Manning’s voice as clearly as if he’d spoken the words yesterday rather than twenty years ago: “Neil Travis Alden possesses a reckless disregard for life, and as a result . . .”

Face burning, Travis swallowed hard. “Thank you for the offer though.”

Red studied him closer but didn’t comment further. A few moments later, he eased back in his seat and drove the truck onto the highway.

The climb was steep, and the engine’s rumble grew louder as the truck ascended the mountain. At first the thick tree line on both sides of the road loomed over the truck and obscured the view. Bare branches bowed low with the heavy push of wind, and brown underbrush rustled in the wake of the truck. But when the road curved upward on a sharp angle, a wooden sign, etched with PARADISE PEAK, emerged into sight. The passing trees dropped away, leaving the view to Travis’s right clear.

And, man, what a view it was.

Mountains sprawled across the open landscape, their high peaks touching the blue, misty sky, and with each mile the truck climbed, the sun grew stronger. Its powerful rays brushed the fog aside and poured golden warmth onto the paved highway, over the hood of the truck, and into the cab.

Paradise Peak had awakened.

Travis sat up straighter and craned his neck to take it all in.

“Thing of beauty, ain’t it?” Red asked.

Travis pulled in a small breath. “Like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“We’re ’bout to hit the top and that sun’s gonna strike you right in the eyes.” Red pointed. “Flip that visor down and you’ll get a better look.”

Travis lowered the visor, his fingertips lingering on the shiny surface of a photograph attached to it. A woman smiled back at him from the picture, her auburn hair shining beneath the sun above her, her stance relaxed against the green pasture and horses grazing in the background.

But her eyes—deep blue, and wary despite her smile—held his attention. Her gaze was direct and full of distrust. It was a look he’d seen before. One that made him cringe with shame.

“Not getting any ideas, are you?”

Travis snatched his hand back and pressed it against his thigh. “No. Not at al—”

“Relax.” Red laughed. “I’m just giving you a hard time.” He glanced at Travis. “Not much of a kidder, are you?”

“Guess not.” He couldn’t afford to be.

“That’s my niece, Hannah Newsome.” Red slowed the truck as he maneuvered a curve. “She came to live with me five years ago. Best stable manager I’ve ever come across—family or not.”

“Stable?” Travis studied the horses’ lithe muscles and shiny manes in the picture.

“Yep. I own Paradise Peak Ranch—the place we’re going to on the other side of the mountain.” Red grinned. “Well, I co-own it.”

Travis leaned closer and eyed the picture again. He took in the wide-open fields that led to high misty peaks. “How many horses do you have?”

Red’s smile fell. “Only a couple. But we’re hoping for more soon.” He gestured toward Travis’s right. “Downtown’s that way, but I don’t have time to show you around now. Gotta get these fish cleaned and stored before they spoil. That all right with you?”

Travis nodded. “Fair trade or not, thanks again for offering me a place for the night. Not many people would do that.”

Red shot him another glance as he slowed the truck down a steep incline. “Why? They got reason not to?”

Travis shifted in his seat. Clutched his bag closer. “I’m a stranger. Nowadays, it’s hard for anyone to trust a stranger.”

Red grunted. “Ain’t that the truth.” He took a left and the truck rocked over a deep rut as it traveled up a graveled track. “But this is my home, and I was raised to be good to people so . . .” He looked at Travis and shrugged. “Guess I’ll just have to trust you till you give me a reason not to. You’re welcome to do the same with me.”

Travis tried to smile, tried to reassure him, but he couldn’t. He’d learned years ago that the bad in him could sometimes override the good.

Instead, he faced the view before him and watched the gravel track widen as they reached an open field. A wooden sign, this time bearing the words PARADISE PEAK RANCH, appeared. He looked out the window as the truck passed the sign, watched as one weather-beaten cabin passed, a second cabin, then a third. He squinted past the glint of sunlight hitting the windshield and studied the three-story rustic lodge ahead on the left side of the road. It was large and might have been impressive back in the day, but now, the structure looked as outdated as the neglected cabins they’d passed.

“This is the main lodge,” Red said, turning into a small dirt parking lot and stopping the truck in front of the lodge. “That’s where I stay. I’d offer you a room here, but my co-owner is renovating the place, so I don’t have any decent ones available.” He pointed past the lodge to a large—if run-down-looking—stable. “You’ll spend the night in the cabin up that trail past the stable and on the other side of the stream. Not much to it, but there’s a good view.”

Travis’s gaze followed the narrow dirt trail winding between the stable and a wide paddock with wooden fencing. “That’ll be fine, thanks.”

Red opened his door and hopped out. “Help me unload the coolers and I’ll get you set up to clean the fish.”

Travis exited the truck, put on his backpack, and joined Red at the lowered tailgate of the truck. He unloaded both coolers and all of Red’s tackle, propping the fishing pole against the truck.

“Here.” After retrieving a large knife from a bag tucked in the corner of the truck bed, Red held it out. “This needs a good cleaning before you start. I got sloppy on my last filleting and didn’t have time to clean up after myself. There’s a fish-cleaning table across the field near the stable. Take one cooler up there and clean the knife before you get started. There’s a water hose outside the stable you can use, and some soap’s inside the cabinet next to the hose. While you’re doing that, I’ll let my niece know I’m back, then grab some ice and plastic bags and bring the other cooler to you.”

Travis stared at the knife for a moment. Its blade, though dull and caked with grime in places, glinted beneath the bright morning sunlight. His fingers trembled at the thought of handling it, however benign the intent. He took it though and held it carefully at his side, the solid weight of it unwelcome in his grip.

Red headed for the lodge, saying over his shoulder, “I’ll join you in a minute.”

Travis watched as Red walked up a short path, climbed the front steps, and entered the lodge. Sighing, Travis adjusted his grip on the knife in his hand, picked up the cooler with the other, and started walking across the open field toward the stable.

Dormant grass, brown and brittle, crunched beneath his shoes, but the air at Paradise Peak Ranch was cool and clean save for the faint scent of smoke still hovering on the breeze. Gentle slopes and hills spread across the open landscape and, from this vantage point, there was an unimpeded view of the Smoky Mountain range. The plume of smoke he’d seen on the trail earlier still rose from a distant mountaintop, looking thicker from Paradise Peak Ranch.

On the other side of a narrow dirt path, to Travis’s right, lay a spacious fenced-in field that looked serene against the tree line behind it.

His footsteps slowed as he reached the bottom of a small slope. Situated above him was a small structure comprised of thin wood planks and a shoddy roof. Seemed the worn cabins and lodge weren’t the only blemishes on the property—the stable could be added to the list as well.

There were two entrances, the doors of each open and hanging at crooked angles, and what he assumed to be a loft was situated above the entrances, tufts of hay sticking out of its opening. A hose and small wooden cabinet were on the ground beside the right entrance of the stable, and, as Red had said, a small fish-cleaning table made of wood—looking as rickety as the stable—sat . . .