Crash! She sat up straight. What was that? A bear?
“Ian?” she whispered before thinking twice about it. Nothing. He was facing away from her. “Ian!” she repeated louder. Still, nothing. “Ian!” she finally yelled.
With a jerk, he sat up, blinking his eyes. “What?” he asked, his voice sounding garbled.
“What was that?”
“What was what?” He stilled, listening carefully. The creek rushed; the horses stomped; and the tree branches scratched on the canvas.
“That noise.”
He watched her for a second, then got out of the sleeping bag and ducked down. He pulled out his duffel bag, grabbing something from it and handing it to her. Then, with a yawn, he rubbed at his eyes. “Thought these might come in handy.”
She took them and glanced down. An iPod and earphones? “Just put the music on low and it will drown out all the night sounds. I know the horses can get loud.”
“Are you sure it’s not a bear?”
“I’m sure it’s just loud horses. For both our sakes, just put those on.”
She scrunched her face up, looking confused. “You brought this along just for me?”
He kicked his bag back under the cot and crawled back into the sleeping bag. His butt was in the air for a moment right in front of her. How did she fail to notice how firm and tight it was? She shifted her gaze away. Lord, she was obsessing. It had to be because of the traumatic Drew episode. Besides, Ian was most likely gay, which was why stripping down in front of her didn’t seem to faze him in the least. “Yeah. I thought the night sounds might get to you.”
She studied him as he shuffled around, trying to get comfortable. “Thank you,” she said softly.
He mumbled a groggy, “You’re welcome.” But she still sat up and listened. When she finally felt safe enough to lie back down, she put the earphones in and set the music on low. She stared at the ceiling. Why did he remember to bring all kinds of things for her? Things she never even thought about? He brought earphones in case she got scared, which was almost ridiculously thoughtful. And taking her to pee. Remembering her toilet paper. Building fires to keep her warm, and setting up the beds. The music blocked it all out. Her thoughts kept spinning, but finally, her utter exhaustion subdued them.
****
Ian started a fire early the next morning before taking the earphones gently from Kailynn’s ears and turning the iPod off, hoping the battery would last the rest of the trip. She shuffled in her sleep a little, and her long hair spread all around her, while her arms stayed tucked snugly under the sleeping bag. He wanted to reach down and touch her cheeks, which were rosy from the cold air. The outside thermometer said twenty-eight degrees. He jumped back into bed while the fire worked its magic.
Ian really liked this. He cherished being out there, doing his favorite damn thing, with her. Kailynn wasn’t into him, and he knew that. But he sure as shit was into her. He didn’t quite know how to change her mind about him. Or divert her interest away from his brother. He was pretty sure she’d come on this trip primarily to seduce his brother. Now he was glad to have her to himself… and what? What could it accomplish? Probably shit for him. Still… he had hope. Shane wasn’t there, all big, and menacing, and bad-ass, to draw her eye. Maybe she could finally see him now.
He rolled over and got up. Sure. That was likely to happen. From biker to rancher: a lifestyle she detested and mocked. He pulled his jeans up as goose bumps broke out over his skin. Quickly donning the sweatshirt and wool-lined Carhartt, he jammed a hat on his head and shoved his feet into his boots. He rubbed his hands near the warm fire and added more wood to keep Kailynn comfortable. Then he tended the horses and camp. He finished the enclosure so he could let the horses off their leads to graze in the small fenced-in area. He made coffee and started cooking breakfast. It took him several hours to get the rest of the camp set up decently. Suddenly, the tent flap burst open and Kailynn appeared. She passed by him in a blur of puffy coat and sloppy boots, since they were his, while rushing towards the spot he’d taken her the previous night. Her pajama pants were stuck into his boots and she clomped her way up the trail. Ian politely turned to stare at the fire when she returned, so she didn’t get all weird again. But was anything cuter than seeing her wearing his clothes? Probably not. She didn’t come out of the tent for another ten minutes. When she finally reemerged, she was clad in the snow pants, his other coat, and gloves. Her breath blew like smoke as she neared the fire and stretched her hands out towards it. It was barely thirty degrees.
She glanced around. The sun was just skimming the tops and ridges of the steep peaks above camp. They speared into the blue sky like granite arrows. “Okay, thank you. I would be shivering like hell right now if you hadn’t packed these for me.”
“Worth me seeing your underwear?”
Her lips quirked up. “Definitely worth seeing my underwear.”
“It was only fair, after all, you’ve seen mine,” he said with a knowing smile. He was obviously referring more to her observance of him last night, than to her laundry chores. The bright redness in her cheeks could have been from the cold air, but he suspected it was more because of her strange aversion to mentioning undergarments.
He handed her a cup of warm coffee, which she took into her hands with a grateful smile. She glanced around, visibly approving of what she saw. Her smile was genuine and her eyes became kind of dewy and soft. “This is really incredible.”
“You like it?”
“I love it. I’m really glad we came.”
“Despite the initial awkwardness?”
Her eyebrows dipped as if she were trying to figure out a puzzle. Was he the puzzle she could not figure out? She didn’t seem to know if he was referring to her privacy issues, or because she was acting so weird around him. “Yes. Despite the initial awkwardness.”
He started making her breakfast, while dismissing her offers to help. She spent her life serving others, and it was nice to see her being served for a change. Besides, he didn’t mind taking responsibility. She attacked the food with the same vigor he had. The bacon, eggs and biscuits were all cooked over the fire, using cast iron pots and a frying pan. She was delighted as she watched everything he did. He was pretty sure he’d never managed to confine her attention on him before at any point in their twenty-year history of knowing each other. She insisted on doing the dishes and he only agreed if they switched off. He didn’t need her there to do all the “female” chores. He was just glad she was there. She walked around the camp and explored the short distance down to the creek. He walked her down to the spot where the little creek dumped into the big creek, creating a large, deep pool. Fallen, moss-covered logs provided natural bridges to cross it, and a huge, smooth boulder served as a giant island, splitting the creek in two. The underbrush was mostly turning yellow for fall. When she whipped out a camera and started taking pictures, Ian was rather surprised. She even snapped a few of him as he moved around the camp, or tended the horses. She took pictures of everything, from the camp set-up to the food cooking on the fire. It seemed to be like some kind of marvel to her.
Midday, they saddled up and took the horses to another lush field so they could graze. There wasn’t enough available for them in the small enclosure, which they already had eaten, leaving only bare roots. She eyed up the horse, and Ian could see her reluctance as she slowly bent over in a weird, stiff manner. Still, she didn’t balk about it or complain. She never whined, or had even one snarky, snappish comment for him. Kinda new to have Kailynn being so nice to him for once.
The ride up to the meadow was only about twenty minutes, but it was nearly straight up the mountain and made all the horses break out in sweat. Kailynn was more than a little stressed by it. Still, the magnificent views of craggy mountains at nearly the same elevation as they, kept Kailynn’s head turning. He was pretty sure she wasn’t faking the big-eyed interest in what she kept looking around at. He stopped at the bottom of a meadow. They unsaddled and Ian got
the hobbles out and started with his own horse.
“What are those?” Her voice came up behind him when he bent down to clip on the rings around his horse’s two front legs. “Handcuffs? Won’t they fall and break their legs or something? Those look like torture devices.”
He finished and sat back on his haunches. Glancing up, he found her nearly scowling at him. Chuckling, he sprang to his feet to unhook the lead rope, releasing his horse, “free” for the first time in almost two days. “No. They’re hobbles. They aren’t torture devices. And yes, they are kind of like handcuffs, meant to inhibit the horse’s stride. They can’t run with these on, but merely hobble around. Hence the name. Trust me, we want them wearing them. You really don’t want to go on a twelve-mile hike in search of your horse.”
Her eyes stayed on him as he knelt down by her horse. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, one time, Jack and I were stranded up here after all four of our horses broke through our fence at camp, and returned to the trailhead. Meanwhile, we were up here hiking around, and it made for a really long day.”
She clasped a hand to her mouth. “I can’t picture a more sinking feeling than discovering your horse is gone.”
“Yeah. Not so good. So we hobble them now, and always keep at least one tied to the high line back at camp. At least, we have something to ride then, and most horses will stick together. They don’t go off alone, as a general rule.”
She watched him finish and started giggling as the four horses kind of hopped off like bunnies before grazing. Roxy was a pro at it and just shuffled her front feet. Samson, however, could never quite seem to get the hang of it and displayed a strange, three-legged, skipping gait. It was rather amusing to watch them. Hearing her laugh, however, was even better for Ian. Kailynn wasn’t a typically outgoing, bright, fun kind of girl. She rarely erupted in laughter, at least, around him. She was usually quiet and subdued when at the ranch, or working. She showed a little more personality when serving patrons at the café. But this? Her smile was bright and energetic as she pointed before downright giggling at the jumping, shuffling, hobbled horses before her. Ian threw his saddle blanket down and sat on it, leaning back against a tree. She finally quit laughing and perched delicately on the edge of her own blanket.
“So…”
He was starting to doze off when she spoke. Quiet seemed to descend upon them as she marveled at the grazing horses. He cracked his eyes open at her in response.
“Do you think it’s okay if I hiked around a bit? I’d really like to look around some more.”
He fully opened his eyes. “Why would you need to ask me?”
She shrugged. “Just, so, you know… the bears. Do you think it’s safe?”
He slid his butt out, and propped the saddle behind his head for a pillow with his knees in the air. “I think you’ll be fine.”
“Right. Because the horses are so loud with the clanging of their hobbles. No wildlife would stick around for that… right?” It sounded like a sad, timid, but hopeful inquiry.
“I’d assume so. But I can’t say for sure. Do you want to take my gun?”
She shook her head enthusiastically no. “Yuck. I can’t handle one of those.”
He nodded towards his horn bag. “There’s a can of bear spray in there. You can use if it you’re not on a horse. It’s like mace for bears.”
She got up and shuffled through some stuff. When she found it, she looked at him eagerly. “I didn’t know you brought this. Thank you.”
“Sure. Have fun.” She nodded as she jumped to her feet. Still a little stiff, her walk looked kind of weird and the way she held her feet. But off she went, walking beside the field that edged the next patch of firs. He saw her silhouetted at the rocky outcrop above them a good half hour later. Her camera kept flashing like a dry lightning storm. If she were faking how much fun she was having, she was a damn fine actress.
Three hours drifted by while Ian napped. Every once in a while, he saw flashes of her clothes and knew she was still kicking around up there. Finally, she returned, flopping onto the ground beside him, a smile of delight still stretching her lips wide.
“You won’t believe the pictures I got. We must be the only ones up here for miles around.”
“You like it then?”
“Breathtaking. I can’t even believe we’re only hours away from my trailer.” Her eyes were staring up at the mountain peaks reaching for the sky. Somehow, Ian knew the trailer represented everything she hated about her life.
He slowly rose to his feet and started grabbing stuff. “Tomorrow, want to go for a ride? I thought you needed a good rest today. There’s a spot you’d probably like to see up that way.” He pointed towards the start of the valley. A small pond was nestled between the edges of the nearest mountain. Hunter’s Creek originated there, but it wasn’t visible from anywhere else until you were almost up on top of it. Ian only knew about it because his dad once showed it to him when he was a kid. That was during one of their annual treks, when his dad took Jack and him along. He hadn’t been back there, however, since his dad died. It was too painful for him to return before. But it was a really unusual spot, and one that a new nature-photographer, such as Kailynn, would surely appreciate. Ian explained they had to take the four horses each day to graze somewhere new, and Kailynn grew excited, anticipating new things to explore and see. Ian never really saw her anticipating much before. She was a totally different girl up there.
“I can’t wait. Of course.”
“Can your sore saddle butt take the ride?”
She dropped her gaze toward the ground. “You noticed that? Yes. It can take it. I’d rather be sore than miss any of this.”
He gathered up the horses, and removed their hobbles before resaddling them. They got back to camp just as evening brought in the cooler air. They settled the horses and cooked dinner. Tonight, it was a roast with vegetables and spices that Ian boiled for hours over the campfire. They fell into silence as they both let the fire’s heat warm them while its flames entranced them. It was pleasant and relaxing there with her. They were quietly tired, but truly satisfied. It had been a long time since he enjoyed such a day, or anyone’s company for that matter, so much. The ease reminded him of being up there when it was only Jack and he.
Tonight, she had gone to bed before dark and was sound asleep by the time he came to bed.
The next morning began the same, but they left the camp much earlier and headed up towards the lake. The lake didn’t have a name, or none that Ian was aware of. There was no trail to it but Ian knew they had to keep moving up and veering toward the right side of the valley. In several spots, they had to turn around. They were tromping through un-groomed forests and avalanche shoots. In some spots, Kailynn had to get off and walk her horse. Ian, meanwhile, was still dragging along Roxy and Samson behind him. He eventually let go of them off, figuring they’d stay close to the other horses. It became just too awkward in some of the tight spots they had to lead them through. The horses merrily frolicked all around them, running ahead and behind them, and crossing their paths, like two children suddenly set free.
Finally, the rocky ledge that hid the lake came into view. They finally made it. Ian was more than a little bit impressed she had ridden there without a word of anxiety or trepidation. Her eyes still shone with excitement and fear. He knew she was always scanning for the bears she felt sure would pop out and snag her.
****
The day grew warmer after the chill of morning mountain air. The horses trudged up the nonexistent trail that Ian seemed to blaze as they went. It was terrifying and thrilling. Detouring here to avoid a newly fallen tree, and stopping there to cut through several branches, they climbed up and up and up, or so it seemed. The trail ended at a wall of rock that loomed before her. There was no water in sight. Where were they going?
“It’s just over that last rise.”
She glanced up to where Ian nodded his head. Up that? A sheer rock wall? How? Mountain-climbi
ng gear? Was he crazy? He had to be. They were on horses. How could a four-legged horse climb up that slippery, gray rock?
She tried to swallow the sudden lump that lodged in her throat. She felt barely adequate in the saddle. He had to be kidding.
“There’s nothing there.”
He flashed a smile, something he so rarely did, before grinning, as if he had a secret joke he was keeping from her, and asked, “Don’t you trust me?”
“Not particularly.” Was he nuts? They had no special relationship. Why should she trust him in something that was clearly a death trap?
“Don’t you want to see what’s up there?”
“I think I should just walk up to it. Let the horse fall to its death without me.”
He shook his head. “How often do you think horses fall to their deaths? In the wild, they go up and down all kinds of terrain without falling. Tommy won’t fall. I promise you that. Just hold on and you’ll get up. Unless you don’t think you can do that. Can you hold on?”
He was baiting her and she knew it. Still, she thought about taking it. “I can hold on.” Could she? She really didn’t know for sure.
He suddenly reined in the horse, and turned in his saddle with a gleam in his eye. He said, “I wouldn’t take you anyplace you weren’t ready for. I’ve watched you ride for three days. You’re definitely ready for this.”
His complete confidence in her pricked her ego and her own self-confidence kicked in and instantly fortified her. “Really? Can I shut my eyes and just hold on?”
River's Escape (River's End Series, #2) Page 11