Free Bake, Battle & Roll by Leighann Dobbs Page A

ladies.
    “What is it?” Nans narrowed her eyes at the thin strip of leather with stainless steel spikes sticking out of it.
    “I think it’s a bracelet,” Ruth said.
    Lexy wrapped it around her wrist and it snapped closed with magnetic clasps on each end. Ruth was right. “Who would wear a bracelet like this?” Lexy asked.
    “Maybe one of the teenagers?” Nans said. “Their ever changing fashions always baffle me.”
    “Maybe.” Lexy put the bracelet in her pocket and started forward. “I’ll just keep it … it could be a clue.”
    The ladies nodded and followed her down the path. Like the previous day, the tall trees provided welcome shade. The birds chirped, chipmunks scurried in the leaves and the smell of the woods made the walk relaxing and pleasant. Until they came to a section that became very dense … and dark. 
    Lexy hesitated, looking at the others. “Is it getting dark out?”
    “No, it’s just the woods are really thick here.” Nans looked back behind them. “The trail narrows, but it keeps going.”
    Nans forged ahead and Lexy followed. They had to walk single file since the trail was so thin and dense forest on either side made it impossible to stray. They walked in silence, Lexy’s nerves getting more jittery with every step.
    Nans stopped abruptly and Lexy almost rammed into her.
    “There’s a clearing up ahead.” Nans pointed. Lexy craned around her to see. It looked like the path ended in a clearing with a small camp in the middle.
    “Let’s check it out,” Helen whispered.
    They scuffled up to the end of the path where they could get a better view of the small house. A picnic table sat in between the path and the camp and there was a large campfire pit in front of it. Six motorcycles were lined up next to the house. No one seemed to be there except a large Boxer dog that lay snoring on the porch.
    Nans motioned for them to crouch down behind a bush and they all obeyed.
    “I wonder who stays here?” She whispered.
    Lexy shrugged. “Do you think they take the path to the dining hall?”
    “I don’t know. Someone does.”
    The Boxer lifted its head and started sniffing. 
    Sprinkles sniffed too and wiggled around. Lexy pulled the dog tight beside her. “Shhh..”
    Lexy’s heartbeat kicked up a notch when she saw the Boxer get up from his place on the porch. He lifted his nose in the air, sniffed, then turned in their direction.
    Sprinkles started to growl.
    The Boxer started walking toward them.
    Lexy shushed Sprinkles again.
    The Boxer came even closer and Sprinkles let out a yelp, then darted out from behind the bush, yanking the leash out of Lexy’s hand and running in the direction of the Boxer. 
    Lexy jumped up, her heart jerking in her chest. 
    “Sprinkles come back!” She started off toward the dogs ready to grab Sprinkles from the clutches of the menacing Boxer. Sprinkles stopped in front of the Boxer and the two dogs calmly started sniffing each other. 
    Lexy felt her shoulders relax, then the door of the cabin exploded open and two burly guys in leather vests burst out. One of them had a shotgun and the other a knife. 
    Lexy’s heart pounded against her ribcage as the largest guy—the one with the bandana on his bald head and spider tattoo on his neck—pointed the shotgun at her.
    “Who are you?” he demanded.
    Lexy’s mouth went dry. She tried to swallow but it was like drinking sandpaper. 
    “I told you we should have brought our purses.” She heard Nans whisper from behind the shrub. 
    The big guy narrowed his eyes in the direction of the shrub. “Who’s that? Is someone behind that bush?”
    Lexy looked back over her shoulder and her heart sank as she saw Nans, Ruth and Helen all stand up, their hands held up next to their heads, palms out. 
    “We’re just some little old ladies from the resort.” Nans nodded at Lexy and Sprinkles. “I was just taking my granddaughter and her dog for a walk.”
    The two guys cut their eyes to the dogs