by Robin Caroll
Hunter detected the murmur of voices. Warmth surrounded him. He swallowed, only to discover his mouth held no saliva. Something wet and coarse stroked against his cheek. Calling on every muscle to obey, he blinked open his eyes to see brown ones staring back at him from a furry face.
He groaned when the dog licked him again.
“Hey, you, welcome back.” Katie’s voice echoed across his brain as she moved into view. He turned his head slowly to look at her. His temples throbbed. Licking his dry, cracked lips, he gave a little cough. “W-What happened?”
She knelt beside him, tucking the cover over his chest. He reveled in her care and attention. Her smile cheered his soul. “You got snake venom in the open cut in your hand.” The faint, yet distinct odor of peppermints clung to her breath.
Vaguely remembering a slight stinging sensation, he tried to lift his right hand.
She pushed his arm down gently. “No worries. I have it all cleaned out and bandaged now.” She smoothed his hair from his forehead. Her touch sent his heart pounding. “I gave you the copperhead anti-venom we always stock in our kits. You should be back in top form in a couple of days. Until then, you need to take it easy.”
“I’m thirsty.”
She moved out of his line of sight, her shadow flickering over his face. He glanced at the surrounding darkness. They’d moved him inside the big tent alongside Orson, the place quickly turning into a sick bay.
Katie returned and lifted a cup to his lips, holding his head while he sipped.
The cold water reinvigorated him. He worked to sit up. Katie helped him by wrapping her arm around his back. Once he sat, she offered him another sip. He gulped heartily until she pulled the cup back. “Whoa. Take it easy. Nice and slow, or you’ll have it coming back up.”
Now that his mouth didn’t feel like the dessert during summer, Hunter licked his lips again.
“Are you hungry? We finished having some sandwiches and chips. I could make you one.” She bounced up, seemingly eager to wait on him.
He shook his head and took a quick inventory of how he felt. “I’m not hungry. My stomach feels a little out of whack. The water did the trick.”
She lowered herself to his side again. “Anything else hurt, besides your stomach and your hand?”
Shaking his head again, he shrugged. “How’d the poison move so fast?”
“I’m no doctor, but it’s my guess your adrenaline pumped it through your bloodstream quicker than normal.” Her gaze darted over her shoulder, then settled back on him. “You were steaming mad, remember?” She smiled and cocked her head.
“Yeah, I was. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“No worries. I’m glad we figured it out in time.”
“We?” He hiked up his brows.
“I questioned Jerry and guessed what had happened, but it was Carter who made me think of the venom.”
“Ah.” He nodded, but stopped when fissures of pain knocked against his temples. “Well, I thank God you were here.”
The smile dropped from her face and her eyes dimmed. “You can thank whomever you like—that’s your right.”
A piece of his heart broke off. “You don’t believe God had anything to do with saving me?”
She gave a snort of laughter. “I don’t believe God has much to do with anything.” Her eyes misted over. “Not anymore.”
“Katie…” He whipped his hand out from under the sleeping bag and laid it on hers. “What happened to your faith?”
Her exquisite eyes widened. “How do you know I ever had any?”
“Everyone has a measure of faith. God placed it in your soul when He created you.” He smiled, even though it felt crooked. “Besides, you didn’t question His existence, you commented on His lack of working. That normally indicates a loss of something you once had. A loss of faith.”
Glancing down, Katie shrugged. “I learned several years ago not to trust God. He’s proven time and again He doesn’t care.”
Hunter’s heart tightened. “He loves you, Katie. Very much.”
The coldness in her look made him shiver, even though he grew hot under the thick sleeping bag. “He hasn’t loved me in a very long time.” Snatching her hand free, Katie pushed to her feet. “And I don’t think He’s likely to start again anytime in the near future.”
Chapter 12
Katie stalked the short space to her tent, snapped her fingers and pointed for Shadow to enter, then ducked inside. She zipped the tent door, desperate to finally slip into her jeans. Emergency after crisis had prevented her from getting out of the wetsuit. She lifted jeans and found them damp, but at least they weren’t wringing wet.
Her gaze settled on Hunter’s bedroll that took up the main space of the small two-man tent. She should walk it over to him. His personal belongings were rolled up in that bag. Sucking hard on the peppermint candy, Katie wondered if she’d be as embarrassed to see his underwear as she had been when he’d seen hers. Shadow stared up at her, as if understanding her dilemma. Katie sighed. Probably.
Entering the other tent, Katie looked around before she set Hunter’s bedroll down beside him and lifted the first-aid kit. She cleared her throat, garnering everyone’s attention. “We need to build a fire. For warmth, of course, but also to keep animals away.” Her gaze settled on Hunter. “Like snakes.”
They carried out her wishes without argument. Jerry and Paul gathered what small branches they could, especially the ones that’d some protection from the rain by lying under trees and other forest litter. Carter retrieved all the discarded paper wrappings from their previous meals along with the empty candy wrappers Katie dug out from her fanny pack. Hunter searched through the supply bag and located a book of waterproof matches.
Katie secured the first-aid kit with the gun in her tent, then went about doing what she needed. At the edge of the cave, but a safe enough distance from the tents, Katie built a fire. As the flames licked the wet wood, the cave filled with hissing and popping. A steady sizzling sounded once the blaze grew.
All except Orson huddled near the fire. They’d left the main tent unzipped, allowing the emitting heat to penetrate toward the injured man. Warmth seeped into the air.
Katie stared into the bright orange and blue flickering fire, her mind wandering. What could Hunter be up to? He came across as a strong man’s man, yet talked about God in such an intimate way. The contradiction confused her. Shadow nosed under her arm. Katie pulled him next to her, relishing the close physical contact.
Jerry rose, heading out from the cave into the sheets of wind and rain.
“Where’re you going?” Hunter mumbled.
Twisting around, Jerry flashed a sardonic smile. “I’m answering the call of nature.” His brows hitched up. “Want to come?”
Even though he looked as if he’d drop where he sat, Hunter struggled to his feet. “Actually, I do, now that you mention it.” He swayed, his center of gravity off, and gripped Paul’s shoulder.
Jerry made a point of letting out a huff and cocking out his hip. “Well, come on, then.”
A burst of anger sparked in Hunter’s face before he covered it. Katie sat at the ready, in case she had to step between the men again. But Hunter, even though still unsteady, followed Jerry out into the driving rain in silence.
“Do you think they’ll argue again?” Paul’s voice edged across the dancing flames.
Shrugging, Katie said, “Who knows?” But worry stomped across her chest.
“You know, I never would have imagined those two would be at such odds.” Carter inched toward the fire. “They seem to have similar personalities.”
“Maybe they’re too much alike.” Paul kept his eyes on the fire. “Which isn’t necessarily a good thing.” He spoke softly, almost as if to himself.
“Why do you say that?” Katie resisted the urge to send Shadow outside to look after Hunter. A grown man surely could go to the bathroom by himself, even if he did just recover from the snake’s venom, as well as the draining
side effects of the anti-venom. Then again, Jerry was at the top of her suspect list. She shifted, uncomfortable with her thoughts.
Paul shrugged. “I don’t know. Sometimes … well, sometimes ….. let’s just say Jerry isn’t always the nicest person.”
His own business partner admitted Jerry could be a jerk? Katie chewed the mint and scratched behind Shadow’s ears. An icy finger traced her spine. She shook off the chills and drew to her feet. “I need to answer the call of nature myself.” Snapping for Shadow, she turned and headed out of the cave.
Away from the comfort and security of the fire, Katie’s flesh popped with goosebumps. She rubbed her hands over her arms and kept her ears perked for angry voices. Only the raging sound of the elements sounded. Jerry and Hunter must have called a truce. She turned in the opposite direction the men had gone, and headed toward a small thicket of woods.
By the time she returned, the men sat by the fire, looking no worse for wear. She moved to sit, then changed her mind. “I think I’m going to call it a night. It’s been a long day.”
Paul immediately pushed to his feet. “Can I help you do anything?”
Katie smiled at the eager man, and noticed a scowl crossed Hunter’s face, which made her want to grin wider. “Actually, Paul, you can get me Walter’s bedroll, since mine is still wet.” Paul turned to go into the main tent.
She turned to Hunter. “Sorry, but you’ll have to use your bedroll as a sleeping bag instead of a pillow.”
He arched an eyebrow.
She smiled. “Don’t worry, I didn’t open your bedroll and handle your Fruit-of-the-Looms.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Now I know for a fact you didn’t. I only wear Hanes.”
Oh, no, he wouldn’t embarrass her again. “Boxers or briefs?”
He didn’t have to reply as Paul returned with the folded sleeping bag. “Would you like me to put it in your tent?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got it.” Accepting the bag, Katie said to the men in general, “I’d suggest you gentlemen get to bed soon. We don’t know what the weather promises for tomorrow.”
Ducking, she tossed the bedroll into her tent and snapped for Shadow. She threw a final glance at the group, stepped inside, then zipped the tent flap shut. She laid out the sleeping bag, bunching the top under her head as a makeshift pillow. Not exactly the comforts of home, but at least she had dry clothes and warmth. Shadow plopped down beside her, offering even more heat.
Katie blinked as she spied the first-aid kit.
The gun. What kind of person carries a gun on a rafting trip? She wiggled, trying to get comfortable on the hard dirt under the tent’s floor. She could be wrong about Jerry. Maybe he did bring the gun for protection. Still, she couldn’t discount both Steve’s and Orson’s accusations. Katie let out a long sigh and flipped to her back.
And Hunter. What about all that God nonsense? The contradictions of the man infuriated her. He carried himself with poise and confidence. Because of who he was, or because of who he leaned on? Having seen him in action during a crisis, she no more believed him an accountant than she’d buy a sinking boat. That same train of thought reminded her of the cut raft. Katie wanted to give Jerry the benefit of the doubt, but someone had cut the raft.
Her mind tripped back to Hunter. And his religion. How had he tapped into her questions so well? He didn’t know—couldn’t understand. God had turned His back on her years ago. Left her and her brothers motherless. The grief had only been compounded when they’d lost their father eight years later.
Pinching her eyes shut, Katie willed herself to relax and go to sleep. Too bad her mind wasn’t paying attention.
Hunter shifted inside his sleeping bag. He’d had a tough moment earlier, unfurling his bedroll and stashing his things out of sight from prying eyes. He wasn’t strong enough yet to back up his explanation. Besides, he refused to fail. Success hovered within his grasp.
Orson mumbled in his sleep. Hunter had checked the man’s leg before turning in, and hadn’t noticed any signs of cutting or infection. Good, Orson needed to be kept calm and as pain-free as possible. No telling what secrets he’d blurt out if his fever spiked. Hunter couldn’t afford a slip of any kind.
Paul snored softly near the back of the tent. His pitch didn’t even come close to the fervor of Carter’s nasal orchestra. Hunter strained to stare at the dying embers of the fire, dimming into the darkness. He’d heard Jerry’s breathing level out, but wouldn’t put it past the dude to fake his sleep. Who knew what he’d pull next? Jerry was the culprit—all of Hunter’s training screamed it. Now, he needed to prove it.
Rustling from inside the other tent pulled Hunter’s gaze in that direction. Katie. The woman had her hooks in him, and she didn’t even know it. He recalled their conversation earlier and swallowed. What had been so traumatic for her that she’d turned her back on God? Now, for a much better reason, he’d have to keep his control under wraps. If she wasn’t a Christian, no hope glimmered for a possible relationship.
Whoa! Had he really said relationship? Him? He needed to just put those thoughts aside and concentrate on the task at hand.
He rolled onto his side and slipped his hand under his improvised pillow. The secure feeling of cold steel against his skin allowed him to relax and drift into the arms of slumber.
Shadow’s barking roused Katie from a deep sleep. Heart pounding in cadence with her faithful companion's warning, Katie fumbled to free her feet from the sleeping bag. She stumbled in a cloud of disorientation and unzipped the tent. The dog darted between her legs and stood at the mouth of the cave, trembling and whimpering.
Dawn had broken, but the sky, dusted an ashy-orange tint, remained void of sunlight. Katie inched to the edge of the cave. Rain, carried by the wind, pelted her face. Her stomach flipped, then crashed to her feet. The river raged dangerously close, less than two hundred feet below the cave.
“What’s the dog barking about?” Hunter yawned as he slipped out of his tent and moved to stand beside Katie.
“He’s letting me know something’s wrong.”
He let out a heavy breath. “What now?”
She pointed to the raging water below. “River’s still rising.”
He moved to the edge and looked down. The sheets of rain moved with a vengeance across the hillside, drenching his dark locks. Hunter stepped back under the overhang and shook his head. Droplets of moisture flew in every direction. “What do you suggest?”
Wiping splatters from her arm, Katie tilted her head to the sky. “We hike farther up.” She peered at the torrential downpour, shielding her eyes with her hand. “We can make it a couple more hundred feet. That should keep us out of harm’s way until this downpour stops, at least.”
Hunter joined her, looking in the direction she gazed, then back at her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Emily’s still throwing rain bands at us. Unless it stops coming down like cats and dogs, the river will continue to rise. We have to move to higher ground.” They had no choice.
He wiped his face and ducked back under the overhang. “Okay. What’s our game plan?”
“You wake up the rest of the group and have them get back into their wetsuits. We’ll need to repel all the water we can.” She chewed her bottom lip as she glanced around the cave. “We’ll need to break everything down and try to get as much as we can inside a rolled up tent or supply bag. At least that’ll keep our food and bedrolls dry.”
“Okay. I’m on it.”
Katie stared into his eyes . . . mistake. Attraction slammed hard against her chest. Even now, when facing yet another calamity. Or maybe she experienced the yearning for a connection because of the urgency. His strength drew her to him, as well as the way he’d cared for Orson so gently and the way he’d comforted her when Walter drowned. The urge to let him carry her burdens overwhelmed her, and she gasped aloud.
“Are you okay?” He took a step closer.
She held a hand out in front of her, stoppin
g his progress. She couldn’t allow him to touch her. No, if he touched her, she’d turn into a whimpering idiot and she needed to keep her control to stay in charge of her responsibility, the group. “I’m fine. We need to get busy.”
He nodded.
Katie rushed into her tent to don her wetsuit. She pulled her hair back in a braid, took down her tent and wrapped her bedroll and clothes tightly inside. Then she checked the progress of the others.
Orson sat on the dirt floor, little tufts of white hair standing out on either side of his head. Katie flexed her hands to refrain from smoothing his hair down. Jerry, already wearing his wetsuit, shoved two bedrolls into the supply bags.
Katie looked over his shoulder. “Be sure and tie those securely.”
Jerry scowled at her. “You don’t say?”
She chose to ignore his sarcasm—people dealt with stress differently. Hunter stepped out of the tent, his face still ashen. He, too, wore his wetsuit and hiking boots. Panic circled in the pit of Katie’s stomach. Images of her brothers’ faces stomped across her mind. Gabe? Christian? Were they okay? Had they realized the danger and called off Christian’s trip? Fear lodged in her throat. Were they out looking for her, in this weather? They could be in danger.
“We’ll be ready to move in a few minutes.” Hunter’s smooth words snagged her from her rambling and dangerous thoughts. He moved closer to her and lowered his voice moved. “How are we going to get Orson up the hill?”
Inching out free of the overhang, Katie pointed upward. “See that big oak up there? The one with the low branches?”
“Uh-huh.”
She stepped out of the rain. “If we can get a rope anchored there, we could pull him up.” Shaking her head, Katie freed her bangs of excess water. “We could also use the rope to make sure nobody else slips.”
“And we could pull up the supplies without having to carry them.”