by Robin Caroll
“A body chain.”
“A what?”
“A body chain.” He nodded as he spoke. “We have the guys up there spread out between here and the top. They secure themselves to trees and lend helping hands as we pass up beside them.”
She shook her head. “Kind of risky, isn’t it?” Images of the slit in the raft danced before her eyes.
“Do you have any other ideas? If so, I’m eager to hear them.” His stare planted her to the spot.
Orson groaned. “No, Hunter. Don’t trust them.”
Hunter lowered his head beside the hurting man, whispering.
Katie snaked closer.
“Okay,” Hunter said as he straightened, “we use the human chain, but don’t count on Jerry.”
“What?” She widened her eyes.
“Orson claims Jerry tripped him, making him fall.”
“How awful.” She laid her hand on Orson’s arm. “Are you sure?”
The older man nodded. “I know what it feels like to be tripped, and I was tripped.” He moaned and grimaced. “And, I think he pushed Walter into the river.”
Katie gasped. The concept that someone would harm another made her skin crawl. Still … first Steve, Walter, and now Orson. What could Jerry’s agenda be?
Hunter laid his hand on her shoulder. “We can’t prove that. We don’t know.”
“But … but …” She shook her head. “But Steve accused Jerry of pushing him into the river.”
“All we have are accusations, nothing to back them up.”
Her hands balled into fists. “But that’s enough in my book! Jerry is dangerous. We have to do something.”
Hunter crossed his arms over his chest as rain showered his face. “And what do you suggest we do?”
“I-I-I don’t know.” She lost herself in thought. Her mind wrapped around possibilities, but quickly dismissed each one. They were stranded, for pity’s sake. What could they do against someone out to harm them?
Fight back.
She lifted her eyes to the men stomping the ground above them. Katie cleared her throat. “Paul! Paul!”
The man moved to see her. “Yeah?”
“Can you toss down my bedroll?”
“Huh?”
She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Throw down my bedroll.”
“Oh. Okay.” Paul moved from her line of sight, then returned quickly. “Here ya go—catch!”
The light sleeping bag bounced down the hill, gaining force and speed as it went far left of where Katie stood braced beside Hunter and Orson.
She moved about ten feet to intercept. Planting her legs far apart, she crouched.
The bedroll shifted. Katie stepped to the right, keeping herself as a bulls-eye for the target. It bounced, then hit her square in the chest. Its driving force knocked her backward. Clutching the bag to her body, Katie flipped and rolled. Her body careened downhill. Rocks jabbed into her back and side, her legs and arms. She twisted. Saplings snapped. She lodged her feet against the ground, slowing.
“Katie! Katie!” Hunter cried.
Shadow’s frantic barking was distinct.
She lifted her arm and waved, not yet able to turn around. “I’m okay,” she yelled. Under her breath she added, “I think.”
“Are you sure?”
The concern in his voice filled her chest with elation. Katie flexed her leg muscles. No shooting pains ripped through her, no bones cracked. She twisted her upper body and looked back up the hill. “I’m fine.” Narrowing her eyes, she calculated the distance between her and Hunter. Not too bad—maybe a couple hundred feet. It’d just felt like a lot more when she’d been slipping and sliding.
“Can you make it back?”
She rolled onto her belly, keeping a strong hold on the sleeping bag. Taking inventory of the trees, saplings, and rocks along the way, she let out a sigh. “Yeah. Give me a minute.”
As she kicked behind her for a foothold, a ruckus above her erupted. She lifted her head and squinted.
Shadow ran/slid down the hill, straight for her.
“No, boy. Stay!”
Either the dog didn’t hear, or for the first time since his training, he disobeyed her commands. Within minutes, the Blue Heeler passed Hunter and Orson, still heading for her.
Katie held her breath. If something happened to Shadow…
He lunged for her, pressing his wet and trembling body against her shoulder.
Laughter of relief bubbled from her chest. She wrapped her free arm over the dog’s shoulders and buried her face in his thick, drenched fur, soaking in the comfort he provided.
“You okay?” Hunter called down to her.
“We’re fine. Coming up now.” She grabbed onto Shadow’s collar, careful not to pull. “Come on, boy, help me up,” she whispered as she rose to her knees.
Shadow stood firm, his muscles quivering.
She gained her footing and balance, then let go of Shadow. “Good boy. Let’s help Hunter with Orson now.” She slipped her bedroll over her shoulder and picked her next point of leverage.
Hunter kept his hand on Orson’s shoulder for comfort, but watched Katie and her dog make their way slowly to him. His heart had plummeted to his feet when the sleeping bag sent her reeling. Even now, his pulse raced as he sent up a silent prayer.
Katie and Shadow finally crouched by his side. Hunter gripped an end of the sleeping bag and unfurled it across Orson. “We should put him in the bag.” His eyes locked with Katie’s shimmering ones. “At least he wouldn’t fall off our make-do shift.”
She broke their connection and stood, leaning against the tree Orson had broken his leg on. She cupped her strong hands around her mouth. “Guys, we need a human chain. Space out at regular intervals toward us. Use a tree or something to brace yourself. We’re going to need help to hoist up Orson.”
Hunter finished unrolling the bag as Katie yelled out instructions. Tucked neatly inside were two complete changes of clothes. Heat encircled his neck as he stared at her lacy undergarments. His mouth felt stuffed with cotton as he touched the satiny material, now dark as rain saturated them. He closed his eyes.
Katie gave a gasp. He blinked his eyes open as she snatched the panties from him and shoved them into the pocket of a pair of jeans. Her face bloomed a bright red as she rolled the shirt into the jeans and shoved them into the bottom of the sleeping bag. He lowered his gaze, not wanting to embarrass her further.
“We can use this.”
Her statement brought his head up. She held the dog’s harness in her hand.
“Uh, Katie, how’s that going to help?”
She pulled on the part that would lay against the dog’s back. A snapping sound echoed. She pulled out a lead.
“How long is that?” Excitement at her find pumped through him.
“Eight feet. Not long, but better than nothing.” Her smile sent his heartbeat careening throughout his body. Her voice came out velvety smooth. “How do you want to use it?”
Hunter unzipped the bag all the way down the side, but left the bottom securely closed. “Let’s get Orson inside, zip him up, then put the harness on Shadow.”
Her hands stilled.
He glanced at her. Apprehension cloaked her expression. “What?”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Her eyes rested on her dog. “Shadow’s not strong enough to hold Orson.”
“I didn’t mean for him to pull Orson. Just to use as a backup in case one of us slips.” A strangling phenomenon wrapped around his throat as he stared at her chewing her bottom lip.
Hunter diverted his gaze to Orson.
“Okay. But let’s try not to put too much on Shadow.”
He nodded and rolled/pushed Orson into the open bag.
Orson groaned. His body trembled. Hunter laid a hand on Orson’s shoulder—his temperature had dropped.
“We need to hurry.” Hunter let his eyes lock with Katie’s.
She nodded, and together they secured the old man.
Once set, Hunter hauled in a deep breath. “You ready?”
Katie set her jaw. They stood as one.
It felt good to standing with her—to work side by side on something of worth. Determination pressed into the small lines as she shoved one of those mint things into her mouth. When this adventure drew to a close, when the truth was brought to light, would she still be willing to stand beside him?
Chapter 10
The rain fought against their progress. Doing her best to keep hold of her corner of the sleeping bag, Katie’s fingers constricted. The wet fabric made it slippery. More than once already she’d loosened her grip, and Orson fell to the ground with moans and cries. Shadow, who never ceased to amaze her, took up the slack when she or Hunter had trouble. The dog’s strength kept Orson from tobogganing back down the hill.
Katie’s arms ached, her legs cramped, but she trudged forward, pulling Orson. They reached the first man on the human chain as the burning in her thighs threatened to lock up her muscles. Carter’s gnarled hand reached to grasp Hunter’s.
Hunter crouched at Carter’s feet, allowing the older man to hold the bag while Hunter scooted to the center of their makeshift stretcher. He tugged the bag until Orson’s head laid in his lap. Hunter’s eyes bored into Katie. “Sit down for a second and catch your breath. Carter and I have him. Let your muscles relax for a minute.”
Too tired to argue, Katie slumped to the ground. Shadow licked her face.
Orson moaned and his eyes rolled.
“Is he going to be okay?” Carter’s face scrunched.
“He’ll be okay.” Hunter wiped the rain from his forehead. “His shin is shattered, which is more painful than a regular broken leg.”
Katie pushed off the ground and took hold of the corner of the bag. “We need to get moving. It’ll be dark soon, and we need to be in a secure area by then.” She had a duty to get the men to safety.
Careful of Orson’s head, Hunter slipped from beneath the bag. “Carter, once we start moving, grab the bottom of the sleeping bag and help us keep as much of Orson’s weight as possible off the ground. Each bounce has to be agony for him.”
Carter mumbled something about not being strong enough, but moved to Orson’s feet. Hunter nodded at Katie. The two of them hefted the top of the bag and began the next leg of their climb.
Keeping her attention focused on the ground, Katie gritted her teeth and lugged upward. Who would’ve thought Orson could be so heavy? Dead weight. A sliver of fear shot through her spine at her own phrase. Orson had come uncomfortably close to being just that—dead weight.
She dug her toe into a mound of earth, pulling and jostling Orson, who gasped. She glanced at his face, the top of the sleeping bag partially covering his features. He’d murmured, but wasn’t conscious. Probably passed out from the pain. Katie sighed and pushed her muscles further.
What would happen next? The whole trip was jinxed. First Steve, then the raft, then Walter dying. Katie sucked in her breath and blinked back hot tears, now Orson. She’d be responsible for this group, and so far, she’d failed miserably in her job.
They reached the next link in their chain: Jerry. Katie eyed him cautiously as Hunter dropped to the ground again. Hunter inched Orson’s head to his lap while Katie hunkered down beside him. Carter sat at Orson’s feet, staring at the unconscious man face.
Shadow kept close to Katie, almost in her lap. She looped her arm around the dog’s shoulders, pulling him next to her. The canine’s closeness warmed Katie.
This time as they caught their breath, Hunter didn’t let go of the bag. Chewing on her bottom lip, Katie’s gaze darted to Jerry, who squatted beside Hunter and studied Orson. Could he be worried that the guy he’d pushed didn’t die this time? Or, instead, did he admire the results of his despicable actions? Trying to discern what lurked beneath his surface, Katie stared openly at Jerry.
Jerry glanced up and met her stare. His cold and ruthless look made her shiver. Katie recognized a flash of evil in his eyes. He blinked, and the flash disappeared.
She swallowed and pushed to her feet once more. “Let’s go,” she murmured to Hunter, her voice hiccupping.
Hunter shot her a confused look, then followed her gaze. Jerry masked his face in innocence. She gave herself a mental shake. Had she imagined it? Her mind could be playing tricks on her.
“When we make it past you, help Carter with the bottom,” Hunter ordered Jerry.
It looked as if Jerry might argue the point—his face turned red, all the way to the tips of his ears. Then, in the space of a heartbeat, he broke into a congenial smile. “Sure, man. Whatever you say.”
The tone of his voice sounded light, yet Katie doubted his sincerity. He may appear to be helpful, but the sneaky little voice in her head warned her to be wary. Very wary.
Hunter hefted his side of the bag and looked to her. She hoisted her corner higher, and they made their way up the hill. The rain bands increased as they reached their next point, their destination. Paul stood anxiously, helping drag Orson up the last few steps.
Katie slumped to the ground, almost sliding, and hugged a tree. Paul knelt beside her, taking hold of her edge of the sleeping bag. “Are you okay? You look beat.”
She brushed wet strands of hair from her eyes. “I’m fine,” she snapped.
He looked at her as if she’d slapped him. Her heart clenched with guilt over her snippy response. She needed to stop jumping to quick conclusions that all of them were guilty. “I’m sorry. Just a little tired.” She tossed him a weak smile.
“It’s okay. I understand.” He laid his hand on her shivering shoulder.
Katie couldn’t allow her ideas about the situation to override the facts—each person on this trip fell under her responsibility. Directly or indirectly, it didn’t matter. She already dreaded calling the authorities when she got home to report Walter’s drowning. Acidic bile churned in her stomach. She wanted to retch as she visualized Gabe’s face when he heard the news.
Hunter coughed, then cleared his throat. “Okay, Katie, we’re back to where we started.” He glanced toward the top of the mountain. “Now what?”
Letting out a long breath, Katie’s mind raced. Going straight up would take them until the wee hours of night—not a desirable option. Orson’s slipping in and out of consciousness couldn’t be a good sign, either. They needed to get somewhere to set the tents, provide them with some cover, and settle in for the night.
The cave.
She stiffened and glanced around quickly. Almost certain someone had whispered in her ear, Katie shook off the sensation. A renewed burst of energy sparked her on, and she pulled to her feet. “There’s a cave not too far from here. Not really big, but large enough for us to have some shelter.”
“Sounds like the best deal I’ve heard all evening.” Hunter lumbered to his feet. “Lead the way, madam.”
Hunter tried to pull more of Orson’s weight toward him, giving Katie a lighter load. Paul offered to take her place, but Katie refused. The dedication and responsibility she accepted as a guide warmed his spirit. Considering the rapid drop in temperature as dusk settled over the mountain, he welcomed the sensation.
Katie came across as an odd woman, anyone could see as much. Sure, she tried to act as tough as nails, but her softness and concern snuck out when she let her guard down. She lived in the middle of nowhere, with two brothers on-site, and had gone into a profession not at all encouraging to women. Yet, she forged through and stood head-and-shoulders above the rest. At least in Hunter’s eyes. How many more layers hid beneath her surface, not yet revealed?
At a plateau-type surface, Katie tilted her head to the left. “The cave’s this way.” Her dog rushed forward.
That she could even make out directions impressed Hunter. Amidst all the driving rain and battering winds, he had no clue where they were. He’d have to trust Katie. Trust—now there was the key word. How long had it been since he’d trusted anybody but God?
He tug
ged along, hoping the cave wouldn’t be much farther. No daily workout at the gym could prepare his calf and thigh muscles for the blazing pain shooting up his legs with each step. Orson had regained consciousness of sorts, and whimpered. His cries echoed against Hunter’s heart, filling him with desperation and devastation.
Katie picked up speed. “There. Just ahead.” Her breathing came in pants. The dog returned to her side, pawing the ground.
Hunter squinted against the pelting rain. There. A dark hole in the side of the mountain.
She called that a cave?
His mental image conjured up a much larger, more concealing place. The reality hit him between the eyes as they drew nearer—the cave measured about twelve by twelve, with only a small overhang of protection. He gave a sigh and increased his efforts. Anything had to be better than tromping through the slushy ground of a steep incline in this weather.
Katie led them the final steps to the flatter embankment. The rocky overhang looming out from the mountain stuck out about five feet. It’s once grassy knoll now dripped water, like a rainfall over a ledge. The cave, so she called it, dug into the hillside by about ten feet. At least they’d have approximately fifteen feet of protection over their heads.
He kicked the ground with his toe as he pulled Orson to the flattest area and set down the edge of the sleeping bag as gently as he could. The others soon stood at his side. Biting back his natural tendency to shout orders, he looked to Katie. “What do you want us to do now?”
She bended at the waist, her hands planted on her bent knees as she worked to catch her breath. “We need to get the tents set up inside first.”
Paul, the recent eager-beaver, jumped to Katie’s side. Did Hunter detect a bit of hero-worship in Paul’s eyes as he gazed at Katie, or merely physical attraction? Once more, the ugly talons of jealous ripped across Hunter’s chest.
“Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” Paul looked more eager to do Katie’s bidding than her dog.
“Thanks, you’re sweet to offer.” Katie’s smile widened.