by Betty Bolte
“What gear do you need?” Tara aimed puzzled eyes at him. “It’s just a hike.”
He smiled if a bit grimly. Nature could turn on a hiker without warning. Best to be prepared for any occasion. But he didn’t want to cause her alarm, so he kept those thoughts to himself. “I don’t go out in the field without being prepared. You never know what we might find. Expect the unexpected, in other words, and hope you’re right that it’s just a simple hike.”
“You have doubts?” Tara regarded him with a hint of concern reflected in her eyes.
“Always.” He softened his expression to relieve her worry. “I’ll be there to take care of you, Tara. Have no doubt on that score.”
Chapter 10
She’d never played hooky from work before as the tension in her stomach proved. Tara opened the passenger door of Grant’s car and eased out of the vehicle. Grabbing the picnic backpack from the floor of the car, she hefted it onto her shoulders. The morning sunshine warmed her face as she watched wispy clouds drifting across a pale sky. Then focused on the surrounding hills covered with forest as far as she could see. Grant had said he’d take her away from town, away from the hustle and bustle of her day-to-day life, but this wilderness was more than she’d bargained for. What critters lurked among the trees? What if an escaped convict hid in those hills? She shaded her eyes with one hand, her imagination taking flight and stirring up a bevy of most likely silly scenarios as she scanned the area. Then she glanced at her companion and her stomach flipped over.
Grant had that effect on her. His presence, his evident strength, and confidence enveloped her like a bear hug even as her heart raced and her insides melted. A warm comfort, like returning home after a long trip, charming her like nobody had ever done before. The reason why she couldn’t refuse his invitation despite her reluctance. Beth’s prompting pushed her the way she wanted to go but had resisted. She must protect herself. Time with Grant could set her up for a broken heart when he left. Which she knew he fully intended to do after Thanksgiving. For now, she’d guard her heart as best she could and enjoy the day with sexy, handsome Grant. The time with him would give her more opportunity to nudge him in Beth’s direction. A grin lifted the corners of her mouth. A day with a hunky guy to persuade him to date her sister. She could do that. After all, what could it hurt to try?
She zipped her light jacket, glad she’d finally settled on a flowered pullover sweater, blue jeans, and sturdy tennis shoes. The breeze remained cool this early in the day, lifting and shifting her hair as it hung around her shoulders, a few stray strands hooking on her lip. She slipped a band from her wrist and pulled her hair into a ponytail to end the annoyance. She dropped her hands when she noticed Grant watching her, his mouth open.
“What?” Had he been staring at her chest while she’d done up her hair? Or something else? “What’s wrong?”
Slowly the dazed expression morphed into his normal easy grin. “Nothing. Might as well leave your phone in the car.” Grant gazed at her over the roof of the white car for several seconds as he adjusted his backpack on his shoulders. He dropped a hand out of sight and then waggled his phone at her before tossing it onto the seat and closing the door. “Not only won’t we need them, but there’s no service this far from town.”
“I don’t go anywhere without it.” The very idea sent a shaft of alarm into her stomach, as if she’d stepped outside naked. She fingered the device in her jeans pocket as she stared at Grant over the expanse of roof. “I can’t leave it behind.”
“Just turn it off and drop it inside. You’ll be fine without it. Trust me.” He winked at her, key fob in hand ready to lock the car after she complied with his suggestion.
The phone provided more than a means to call someone. Once, she’d only used it to make calls, but now the device enabled so many other functions. Maps and directions. Internet access to search on whatever she needed to know. Games and puzzles as a distraction. But most important, her camera. Grant waited, a quirked brow the only indication of any hint of impatience.
“Live in the moment, Tara. You don’t need your phone while we’re out wandering the woods together.”
“You just don’t want yours so that you’re not distracted from my beauty, is that it?” She grinned at him, relaxing as she enjoyed the feeling of playing hooky from work with the handsome man she couldn’t resist. He had a point about enjoying the experience without seeing it through the lens of her camera. She threw her phone on the seat and closed her door. “Fine. I’ll trust you, but you better not let me down.”
“You’ll be safe with me. Never fear.” Grant pressed the button and shoved the keys into a zipped pocket on his backpack. “Let’s go. This place promises to be amazing.”
“I’ve never been this far out in the woods before.” She fell in beside him as they crossed the parking lot and took the first steps on the trail into the forest. “How did you find it?”
“I’ve heard about the Cumberland Plateau from some coworkers for a long time and wanted to explore it but never had the chance until now.” He held a branch aside until she passed and then released it. “It has quite a history.”
“Of bootlegging and rum runners, right?” She chuckled as she trudged along, searching the underbrush and trees for movement of wildlife. “They could certainly have hidden out here for a long time with no one finding them.”
Grant huffed a laugh as he held out a hand to help her over a fallen tree on the path. She placed her fingers in his, startled by the buzz of awareness traveling up her arm straight to her heart. She inhaled sharply, detected pine and earth and his spicy cologne. Stepping over the obstacle, she stopped in front of him.
“Thanks.” She searched his expression and found a sparkle of interest in his eyes. Her fingers tingled from their prolonged contact. Her grand intentions blew away on the slight breeze. He had to touch her, didn’t he? The one act capable of demolishing her resistance.
“My pleasure.” His expression grew serious as he gazed at her. He lifted her unresisting hand to press a kiss to her palm. “I’m glad you came with me today.”
She nodded, speech not possible for several moments. “You forced me into it.”
He kept her hand in his and started walking again. The strength of his grip satisfied a longing she tried to deny but couldn’t. It felt so right she let him retain his hold on her even though she ought to stop him. Ought to pull away and say something about Beth. But she couldn’t force the action or the words. He helped her up a steep incline until the trail leveled off and followed a ridge for several hundred feet. Birds flitted through the trees, singing to each other. A rustle in the bushes startled her and Grant squeezed her hand. She peeked at him, saw him smile encouragingly at her. She squeezed his hand back and they continued on their way.
“Are you glad to leave behind whatever was bothering you yesterday to come out and experience nature at its best?”
“You had to remind me.” Not that she’d forgotten. Not by a long shot. Even the distraction of his strong fingers wrapped around hers couldn’t dislodge the gauntlet she’d picked up.
“What’s upsetting you?” Grant glanced at her and then looked ahead to navigate the leaf-littered trail.
Between the impending dessert disaster and her inability to resist Grant, how could she choose only one thing? “I’ll take care of it when we get back.” She inhaled and let the breath out slowly. “It’s something I need to handle myself.”
They walked in silence for several moments, each lost in their own thoughts. A black bird winged across the path and landed in a tree. A second followed and perched on a nearby branch. A couple of pretty big birds with dark purple, iridescent wings and a hooked bill. Could they be ravens? She shivered as mythical tales of horror and death associated with them filled her head. Their dark plumage had frequently been judged an ill omen, a very bad sign. Great. Like she needed another sign. They seemed to follow her progress down the trail, croaking to each other in short bursts of sound, before
flying away. She rolled her shoulders to ease the burning tension in them.
She flicked a glance at Grant. “Where are we going? You haven’t told me that.”
“This trail will take us to the state forest that spans the county line. I understand there are some particularly spectacular geologic sites worth seeing.” He brushed a spider’s web to one side to allow her to pass and then fell into step beside her. “Some of the cliffs date back eons, to the Pennsylvanian geologic period. I’d love to see that as well as the beautiful sandstones and shale.”
“Is that why you’ve brought a backpack of stuff?” She motioned to the bulging bag of mysterious items on his back. “To do some digging or something?”
“Not in the state forest, that’s protected land. But outside of it maybe. Basically, I don’t go hiking without being prepared for anything.”
“So what’s in it?” His voice sent goosebumps down her arms. She wanted him to keep talking.
“My tools, protein bars, bottled water, flashlight, compass, a thirty-foot rope, and of course a first-aid kit. The essentials.”
“Were you a Boy Scout?” She glanced at him in time to catch a flash of pain crossing his face. “What’s wrong?”
“I learned as a boy to never take chances.” He dropped her hand as the trail narrowed and he took the lead.
She sensed his withdrawal as he’d mentioned his childhood, felt a distance between them having nothing to do with the size of the path they traversed. Then he glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled, warming the air and closing the emotional distance at the same time. She mentally shook her head, pushing away the odd sensation. When the trail opened up again, he extended a hand and waited. She shouldn’t, but the compulsion to touch him won. She gave him her hand and they continued deeper and deeper into the forest.
“Did you know that this area is known for having the highest concentration of underground caves in the country?” Grant glanced at her and then let his gaze drift away to examine their surroundings.
“No, I didn’t.”
“It’s why the National Speleological Society moved its headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, the closest relatively large city.” Grant swept an arm to encompass the hills stretching away before them. “Beneath most of this land are countless caverns and caves just waiting for spelunkers to discover and explore. I go caving every chance I have.”
Tara chuckled at the enthusiasm in his deep voice. “Wow, you do like caves and such, don’t you?”
“Yes. They provide a glimpse into the underbelly of our planet and what it’s made of. I’m intrigued by how life exists even in the darkest recesses. You know, where light doesn’t reach from outside.”
“I hate the dark. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a cave without being able to see what was around me. Ever.” She shuddered at the thought of having no way to tell what might lurk around her, waiting to attack or press its advantage over the blind woman she’d become. Although the thought of being alone in the dark with Grant, now that was sigh worthy.
Grant lifted her hand to chest height and tugged her closer. “You needn’t fear. I’ll protect you from harm.”
“From the dark?”
“I have a flashlight with which to defend you.” He smiled at her as he lowered their joined hands. “We do not need to venture into any caves today if you’d rather not.”
“We should find a spot to enjoy lunch before long. My tummy is growling.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for one. I’m starting to get hungry as well. Let’s pick up the pace a bit.”
The trail wound through the sun-dappled trees, slanting up and up as they walked along holding hands. She tried not to feel guilty for being too weak to pull away. She drank in the beauty of the woods, the sky peeking through the leafy trees, and kept her eyes open to spot any animals they might roust as they passed. Once or twice she thought she saw the pair of ravens but dismissed such a recurrence as unlikely.
Grant uttered a sound, half gasp and half laugh, and then pulled her off the marked trail to an overlook of the valley below. “Isn’t that astounding?”
She followed his pointing finger to gaze upon the undulating hills covered in varying shades of green, gray, and brown as they marched away from beneath where they stood. She shaded her eyes to see the details more clearly. Suddenly, Grant squeezed her hand and then pulled her around to look up at him.
“Tara, would you let me kiss you?” He reached to grasp her other hand, drawing them both together as he urged her to move closer to him. His gaze flitted between her eyes and her mouth as the distance diminished. “I can’t resist you.”
All thought of anything other than the man begging her to kiss him fled her befuddled brain. The vital attraction she’d attempted to push aside claimed every shred of her being. She let him draw her in, anticipation and longing buzzing inside. She moistened her lips, Grant’s eyes zeroing in on the movement like a hawk on a scampering field mouse. Caution flew to the winds the closer he came to kissing her.
He leaned in to press his lips to hers, and she lifted her mouth to meet his; shock ricocheting through her at the sensation flooding into her core. Being the meal had its benefits. Grant devoured her, his hands releasing hers to embrace her in a bear hug unlike any she’d experienced before. After several delirious moments, he eased away, gasping for air as if he’d run uphill. She understood the need for air after being blown apart by his kiss. She opened her mouth to say something—what, she didn’t know—when the ground beneath them trembled.
She clutched hold of his hands, eyes flying open. The air shimmered around them. The birds stopped singing. She spied the pair of ravens flying overhead, seeming to look down on her and then dip their wings as if waving. Odd. Indeed all was still around them for a heartbeat. Grant grabbed her as the earth shook again and then plummeted away. Tara screamed as they fell into a hole that widened rapidly and deepened into darkness. Panic sharp and piercing filled her. She gasped and clutched but couldn’t gain purchase on the seeming slow-motion cascade of dirt and rocks. Earth and underbrush descended beneath them until they finally hit bottom with a gasp and a grunt. They tumbled to a halt after what seemed minutes of free fall.
“Grant! Where are you?” She scrambled onto her knees and reached out with both hands in the inky blackness. She had to remain calm. To think. Find Grant. Find light. Lifting her gaze to look up at where they’d fallen, she could dimly detect sunlight a very long ways above her. Lowering her gaze, she tried to see into the blackness. No shades of gray to discern. Searching the dark proved futile. Fear crawled up her throat. “Grant!”
“I’m here.”
“I’m afraid! Where are you?” Splaying her hands she swept the area in front of her, searching for him. The isolating darkness awoke the terror from her childhood. Her heart raced in her chest, her breathing fast and shallow. Memories overlaid each other in her mind of falling into a dark, damp cellar and hitting her head as she tumbled to the bottom. Awaking in the hospital, her mother frantic at her bedside. Falling and darkness combined into panic she couldn’t deny or dismiss. “Grant?”
“Calm down. Just a minute.” Grant’s movements sounded from her left, and then a light appeared. “Are you all right?”
She sighed shakily as she ran her hands over her arms and legs. “I think so.” Hearing his voice stemmed the rising tide of panic. She squinted into the welcome beam of his flashlight. “Can you point that somewhere else?”
“I’m checking you out.” The light played across her torn and dirty jacket then down to her dusty jeans. “I don’t see any blood at least.”
“Oh, I thought you meant you were checking me out.” She chuckled humorlessly as the light continued its search down her legs to her shoes.
“I’m doing that inspection as well.” His voice contained a smile as he diverted the path of the light to scan his feet and then his legs.
Tara saw only dirt and dust and thankfully no blood. She began to relax a tad. “Where are we? Wh
at happened?”
“I can’t explain it. Somehow a sinkhole appeared where there shouldn’t be one.” The beam of light shook with his movements. “We were safely standing on what seemed to be packed ground. I don’t understand.”
Oh. She had an idea of what might have happened to them.
The shimmer of the air. The unexplained tremble in the earth. Had the ravens brought yet another bad omen? Or caused the hole to develop? It shouldn’t be but there was no other explanation. But why? And by whom? Those questions she needed to find answers for. But in the meantime, one thing she knew for sure. “Magically?”
“No such thing as magic. It looks like the ceiling of a cave collapsed in for some reason. I can tell we’re in some large underground room at least.” Grant huffed, and the light bobbed away to flick around. Globs of dirt and stones tumbled down the sides of the pit, rolling to halt around them. “We can’t stay here. It’s still unstable. I can see a glimmer of light on the other side of this mound of dirt and such, which is probably where the original cave entrance was. But I can also see that there’s a tunnel or something over there.” The light aimed past her to the other side of the pit.
“Is it a way out?” She peered behind her and then glanced at the flashlight and dim outline of Grant.
“I hope so. Let’s go see what we find.” He took her hand to help her rise and they headed toward the opening. Grant continued to sweep the light from side to side as they cautiously eased into the dark tunnel. “Look.”
The light lingered on a collection of wooden crates, burlap sacks, and a pair of wooden barrels, all of which had seen better days. Tara coughed as they stirred up dust when they stopped by the pile of boxes. The sacks were labeled as corn and grain, but lay torn to pieces by some long-gone scavenging animals. She hoped they were long gone anyway.