Every Vow She Breaks

by Jannine Gallant

  Jed waited in the Jeep with the dog panting over his shoulder while Kane hurried inside the store. When a knock sounded on the window, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Dallas stood beside the vehicle. Pushing open the door, he stepped onto the sidewalk.

  “I saw you drive by the hardware store. Is it true Preston Meyer kidnapped Claire?”

  Jed crossed his arms over his chest. “How did you find out?”

  “Hell, half the town probably knows by now. Where’d he take her?”

  He shrugged. “The police aren’t sure. They think he’s holed up in the woods somewhere, so they’re setting up a search. My brother and I are heading out to look for her as soon as he grabs something to eat.”

  Dallas tipped his head to stare down at the cracked cement. “I might know where he’s holding her.”

  “What!” Jed grabbed his arm. “Did you tell the cops?”

  “No.” Dallas shook him off. “I want to help Claire, but…”

  “But what? Jesus. That freak could be doing anything to her.”

  “Look, I saw Meyer out in the woods once. He was coming out of a shelter that was damned hard to see, and I dodged behind a tree because…”

  Jed stepped closer. “I swear to God, if you don’t—”

  Dallas raised his hands, palms out, and scowled. “I was the one messing with the equipment those pansy-assed, pseudo-scientists set up, okay. I don’t want their type here. What do you think would happen if they actually caught a Bigfoot on film?” His chest heaved. “All hell would break loose, that’s what. Officials would try to capture one and put it in a zoo or study it or some other asinine crap.” His eyes darkened. “I saw one once. I say leave them in peace since they aren’t hurting a soul. Keep the mystery alive.”

  Is everyone crazy? Jed took a breath. “I don’t give a damn about what you did to the equipment or about the ultimate fate of Bigfoot. I just want to find Claire.”

  “If you’ll keep your mouth shut, I’ll take you to the spot. I just need to get my truck.”

  “Then get it.” Jed turned away as Dallas ran down the street.

  Kane headed toward him carrying a paper sack. “Who was that?”

  “A friend of Claire’s. Good news.” He let out a whoop and slammed his hand down on the hood of the Jeep. “Dallas knows where to find her.”

  Chapter 28

  What next?

  Afternoon had settled in, warm and sunny. A rarity in the redwoods, but Claire couldn’t appreciate it. The breath squeezed from lungs that tightened painfully as she thought about the night ahead. How long would Preston be content to play the part of her good buddy? He’d certainly tried to bring normal to a situation fraught with tension. All she could do was follow his lead.

  As if I have any other choice.

  He’d made a major production of pulling a long, shiny hunting knife out of the sheath at his hip to sharpen a stick he used to toast a bagel over the camp stove flame. The dull gleam in his eyes told her he wouldn’t be afraid to use it if she did something stupid. Escape was still a possibility, but not one she’d risk unless pushed.

  “Rummy.” He slapped his hand over her discard. “You aren’t concentrating, Claire.”

  She dropped her cards. “Sorry.”

  He scooped up the rest of the deck and tapped them into a neat stack. “Maybe we need to find a new way to occupy our time.” Sliding closer, he pressed his leg against hers.

  Her heartbeat quickened. “Cards are fine. I’m tired after…everything that’s happened, but I’ll try to pay more attention.”

  “Let’s talk instead. Did you like the gifts I left for you?”

  Do I engage him in his lunacy or shut him down right now? Come on, Claire, think. Steer him in a different direction. Use your head. Don’t make him angry.

  His cheeks flushed as his gazed dropped from her eyes to her breasts beneath a thin T-shirt. She reached for the jacket she’d removed when the shelter heated beneath the midday sun.

  Or horny.

  “The cake toppers were cute. I’ve always loved dogs. What about you? Do you like animals?”

  “I had a cat for a while. She got outside one day, and the neighbor’s teenage son ran over her. The little bastard.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, I didn’t like feeling so raw and angry afterward. Like I wanted to kill that kid even though it was probably an accident like he said. I didn’t get another cat.” He pulled out his knife and rubbed it along the jean-clad length of his thigh, up and down, back and forth.

  Claire shuddered. New topic.

  “You mentioned getting your job back.”

  He returned the knife to its sheath as a sneer twisted his lips. “I didn’t tell you before, but they let me go at Nature Exposed. After all those years of loyalty, my idiot boss explained I wasn’t producing to their standards.” He snorted. “As if that rag has any standards.”

  “It was probably time for a change anyway. You’ll find something better.”

  “Damn right.” He pushed the hair off is brow. “Once I have a photo of Bigfoot, every magazine in the country will want me. You could put in a good word for me at Rugged America. We could work together again, just like old times. Except better.” He touched the hand resting on her knee. “This time we’ll be a real couple.”

  She forced herself to remain still, not to jerk her hand away. Keep him happy. “I could talk to my editor.”

  “That’d be great. Of course with a Sasquatch picture in my portfolio, your boss will snap me up in a heartbeat.”

  Curiosity eased some of her fear. “I would imagine. Have you actually seen one?”

  “I saw something a couple of days ago. So did Rutledge. He’s dead certain it was a Bigfoot. Whatever I caught a glimpse of was big and brown and moved fast. I just saw a blur as it disappeared into the trees, but if it was a bear, it was huge.”

  The spirit and enthusiasm she’d always admired in Preston were back, shining in his eyes, masking the madness. Maybe he hadn’t completely lost it. Maybe he’d listen to reason if she approached him from the right angle.

  “I don’t want to distract you from your purpose. Perhaps you should focus on getting the photograph and reestablishing your career first. Once you’re back on your feet—”

  “No.” The word snapped like a broken branch. “I’ve waited ten years for you. I won’t wait any longer.”

  His smile sent a chill through her.

  “It wouldn’t be fair to you, either. You deserve the wedding of your dreams…and a honeymoon you’ll never forget.”

  The quick trip to sanity was over. She dragged in a shuddering breath.

  “Do you want a big reception or something small and intimate? Maybe we could get married out here in the woods.” He rose to his feet then reached for her hand. Pulling her out of the shelter, he tilted his head back. “Look above you.”

  After a cautious glance at the reverence reflected in his eyes, she did as he asked. High overhead, sunlight sifted through the feathery tree branches, casting a lacy pattern of shadows on the forest floor. Birds chirped a continual chorus. The woods were a place of beauty to stir a person’s soul. Her heart ached to share the moment with Jed. Not the sad, deluded, dangerous man at her side.

  “The trees create a cathedral more spiritual than anything man could ever build. What do you think about holding the ceremony here?”

  “How far are we from town?” She turned in a slow circle. “I don’t see a path. How would our guests get here?”

  “We’re only about a half-mile front the scientist’s base camp and maybe a hundred yards from the main trail. I followed an old animal path that’s pretty grown over, but we could clear it for better access.”

  Was that narrow break in the underbrush the trail? If she could get a decent head start… “It certainly is beautiful today. Of course you never know when it’ll be foggy and cold or pouring rain this close to the coast.”

&
nbsp; “True. We’d be taking a big risk to plan an outdoor wedding, but the payoff might be worth it.” Stepping up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her back against his chest. His cheek rested on her hair. “I’ve been dreaming about this for so long.”

  Her heart thudded, and her breath came fast as the blood in her veins chilled. Surely by now Jed was looking for her. Please God, he’d find her before…before she had to take her chances against the hunting knife pressed into her side. Before the trembling urgency in the man holding her overrode the last of his restraint.

  “Let’s go back into the shelter.” His whispered words brushed her ear.

  “I don’t suppose you have a cribbage board.” Her voice squeaked, high and tight like a rubber band ready to snap. “I’m better at playing cribbage than rummy.”

  “No more cards. No more talking.” The hard ridge poking against her backside wasn’t the knife. “We’re going to practice instead.”

  She swallowed, her throat so dry she could barely speak. “Practice for what?”

  “Our honeymoon.”

  * * * *

  “Where’s this freaking shelter you saw? I thought you knew where you were going?” Frustration simmered to a boil when Dallas slowed yet again to stand with his hands on his hips, scanning the thick vegetation to the side of the path.

  “Easy, Jed.” Kane rested a hand on his shoulder. “He’s doing his best. We found where Meyer hid the van, so we know they’re close.”

  “I’m pretty sure I left the path somewhere around here. It’s hard to be certain.” Dallas squinted into the fading sunlight. “I know it was a short distance past the station the scientists had erected. I ran up the trail then dived into the bushes when that woman, Margaret, turned up and nearly caught me vandalizing their camera stand.”

  “How far off the trail did you go?” Jed drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Approximately.”

  Dallas frowned. “Maybe a hundred yards or so.”

  “If we yell, Claire might be able to hear us.”

  Kane shook his head. “If she hears us, so will Meyer. Without knowing his state of mind, we can’t risk pushing him over the edge.”

  The pulse throbbed at Jed’s temples. “No, we sure as hell don’t want to chance that. What’re you looking for?”

  Dallas straightened. “There was a break between the salmonberry bushes. I saw it and crashed through. It wasn’t much of a path, completely overgrown.”

  “Maybe Meyer covered up the entrance after he hauled Claire to his hideout.” Kane nodded toward Scoop. “What’s the dog sniffing?”

  Tail wagging, he stuck his head in a thicket of huckleberries and let out a woof. A bushy tailed squirrel scurried out the other side and ran straight up a fir tree. The dog bounded over to plant his paws against the trunk and whine.

  “Furry damned comedian. I told you he wouldn’t be much use.”

  “Maybe I ran farther than this before I left the trail. The adrenaline was pumping, so I was moving pretty fast.” Dallas turned away from the dog’s antics. “Let’s keep going.”

  Tension strung along Jed’s nerves as they walked. Claire’s need for him thrummed with each beat of his heart as an underlying urgency settled over him like the encroaching fog.

  “Wait. That might be the place.” Dallas hunched down and spread apart the bushes. “Looks like an old animal path. The ferns are bent.”

  “We can check it out.” Jed plunged into the thicket, arms outstretched to ward off tree limbs. Surely they had to be nearby.

  “What was that?”

  At his brother’s sharp question, he stopped and strained to hear. A stick snapped. Bushes rustled. “Something up ahead. Maybe Claire—”

  “Sounds bigger than a woman.” Dallas pushed up beside him and frowned. “Whatever it is isn’t on the trail. The noise is coming from somewhere ahead and off to the right. Maybe a bear.”

  “We’ll keep moving and hope we don’t surprise it.”

  Kane rested his hand on the butt of his weapon. “Will a bear attack?”

  “Black bears try to avoid confrontation.” Jed reached down to grab Scoop’s collar. “As long as the dog doesn’t go after it, we should be fine.”

  “Look at his fur stand up. Whatever it is sure as hell isn’t Claire.” Dallas gestured. “Should we let the man with the gun go first?”

  Jed rolled his eyes. “He won’t shoot me by mistake.” Arm up to protect his face, he pressed ahead.

  A scream ripped through the forest sending up a flock of starlings.

  The hair rose on Jed’s neck as panic flooded through him. “Claire. Claire!” Head down, he sprinted through the forest, praying he’d reach her in time.

  * * * *

  Wrenching against Preston’s hold on a scream of sheer rage, Claire swung out, slamming her elbow into his throat. His arms fell away as he choked and gasped for breath.

  “Bitch!”

  She raced toward the narrow gap between the trees. Branches slapped her face. Behind her, a string of vicious oaths turned to footfalls pounding the earth in long, ground-eating strides. A whimper slipped from her throat. If he caught her…

  A hand brushed her back, tangled in her hair. She jerked away and cried out as strands ripped from her scalp. “No. No. No.” Her toe caught the edge of an exposed root. Arms flailing, she stumbled forward and kept running.

  Her attacker slammed into the ground behind her with a thud and a moan. The bushes shook as a growl echoed through the forest. An unearthly wail sent a rush of goose bumps across her skin. Claire risked a single glance over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of a creature with shaggy, brown fur on the trail beside Preston. When he screamed again, she turned away. Blood pounded in her ears and roared through her brain. Rounding the trunk of a giant redwood, she smacked into something hard, and screamed and screamed and screamed…

  “Claire. Claire.”

  The voice reverberated through her mind. Warm hands gripped her arms and shook gently.

  “Claire, honey, are you okay?”

  She blinked as the face over hers swam into focus. Jed’s worried blue eyes gazed into hers. A bloody scratch ran down the side of his neck. She tried to nod, tried to force words of reassurance from her throat.

  “She’s in shock.” Another face appeared behind his with identical blue eyes, the same concerned expression. “Get her out of here while we check on Meyer.”

  Strong arms lifted her against his chest. Dallas brushed past to follow the man who had to be Jed’s brother.

  “Is she all right?”

  “I hope so. God, I hope so.”

  Claire closed her eyes for a few precious heartbeats, breathing in the scent of the man she loved, gathering strength from the arms holding her close, forcing the images burned in her brain to the far corners of her mind.

  “I’m okay.”

  He stopped and bent to kiss her, a soft brush of his lips across hers. For a moment, he rested his forehead to her brow then let out a long, haggard breath.

  “Hold tight. We’ll get the hell away from here before we talk.”

  A persistent whining drew her attention. Turning her head, her lips curved. “Scoop.”

  “The mutt’s sticking close, not that he was any use tracking you.”

  Her smile grew as her head fell back against his shoulder. “No, he wouldn’t be.”

  They’d reached the main path and were halfway to the scientist’s base camp when Claire shook off the lassitude sucking the energy from her. “I can walk. Honestly.” She clutched his shoulder. “I don’t know why I freaked out like that. Preston…” She swallowed. “Is he…”

  “Listen. Do you hear the sirens? Kane must have called for backup.”

  The tinny wail grew louder.

  “Maybe that means he’s still alive. I should have gone back to help him despite everything he did, but—”

  Scoop growled low in his throat seconds
before footsteps echoed on the path. Jed lowered her to her feet then pushed her behind him. His tense body relaxed when Dallas appeared around a bend in the trail.

  His breath huffed out. “You okay, Claire?”

  “Preston didn’t hurt me.” Her voice caught. “What happened to him?”

  “Physically, he seems to be okay except for a huge lump on his forehead from falling face first on the ground and some claw marks on his back. He’ll have scars from those. He was ranting like a loon about a Bigfoot holding him down while you ran away, but Kane thinks he’s concussed. Who the hell knows what really happened.” He shuddered. “Freaked me out just listening to him, though.”

  “The bear or…whatever…didn’t maul him?”

  “Not except for the one swipe. That’s bad enough. Kane’s keeping a close watch on him until the police get there.” His eyes darkened. “Did you see the animal that got him? Was it really a Bigfoot? The thing was gone when we reached him.”

  Claire shook her head. “I can’t say for sure. The creature was big and brown, but I only got a quick look from behind while I was running, scared out of my mind and not thinking straight. All I know is it was furry.”

  “Maybe the crazy-ass bastard was just ranting, then.” Dallas glanced toward Jed. “You remember our deal. Not a word about how I knew where to find Meyer.”

  “I won’t say anything. Neither will Kane.”

  With a nod, Dallas jogged down the path and disappeared into the trees.

  “What was that about?”

  “I’ll tell you later. The police should be at the basecamp by the time we reach it. They’ll have a lot of questions.”

  Claire sighed. “I expect it’ll be a long afternoon.”

  * * * *

  Kane stopped the Jeep in front of the house but left the engine running. Jed helped Claire out of the backseat after the dog leaped to the ground then wrapped an arm around her. When she leaned against him, his arm tightened.

  He glanced over at his brother. “You’re sure you won’t stay the night?”

  “No, I have to work in the morning.” Kane’s gaze swept from Jed to Claire and back. “Anyway, I think you two need some time alone.”