They waited another minute before moving. Caleb led the way, hunched low. Every step was slow, deliberate. They crept along the gully’s edge, eyes peeled for movement. The path twisted behind a wall of moss-covered stone. Then they saw it.
A hollow in the earth. Natural, but worn in. At its center, nestled in a bed of leaves and dry ferns, the mountain lion lay curled, not alone. Beside it, tucked in close, were two kittens. Lisa gasped. Nina was one. The other was dark grey with tabby stripes. Must’ve been Kevin’s daughter’s kitten. Both were alive, alert, but visibly still. Not playing.