by Robin Caroll
A gloating sensation rose inside Katie. Elation that she’d made Ariel so uncomfortable the woman needed to look away. Then, without warning, the feeling sank to the depth from which it came. Disgusted with her petty jealousy, Katie shoved from the floor and grabbed the empty bowl from Shadow. She limped and hopped toward the table.
Hunter rose and met her before she’d made much progress. He took the bowl from her and set it on the wooden counter.
Katie stiffened. Could she have misread the situation? Could Hunter have only been being polite? Was she blowing everything out of proportion? Maybe. She relaxed and offered him a demure smile. His return grin, wide and reaching his eyes, made her heart ping. He couldn’t have kissed her moments before and then flirted with another woman. No, Hunter wasn’t like that.
He moved beside her, snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her against his side. His touch burst through the dam holding back her attraction. He held her tighter, closer to him, and she relished the warmth of his body heat.
Her emotions spiraled, spinning like a hydraulic in the Gauley.
His gaze drilled into her, igniting the rekindled attraction sparking in the pit of her stomach.
Another hand lighted on her shoulder. She jumped and turned.
Christian’s eyes darkened as they peered at her. “Katie-cat, what’s up?”
Not a sound came out. No words, not even a soft creak. She pressed her lips together. Tears welled in her eyes. Katie blinked them back, letting the sting propel her anger. She hated to cry, especially in front of other people. It crawled all over to know Hunter witnessed her loss of control.
Katie jerked away from Hunter’s side, hopping as she laid a hand on the table. She brushed away the few tears that found their way down her cheeks. “I’m fine. Just tired and overwhelmed.” Katie hauled in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly. Her heartbeat slowed to its normal rhythm.
“Are you sure?” Christian turned her to look at him.
“Yeah.” She sniffled, refusing to give into the emotional tidal wave threatening to consume her. “I just need to rest.” Katie straightened her shoulders. She was, after all, the older sibling here. “I’ll be right as rain after a sleep.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and get settled in the tent?” Christian dropped his hand and smiled. “I’ll have Ariel bring in some sleeping bags for you both.”
Katie froze, frigid blasts of uneasiness settling against her spine. Ariel. She’d thrown dagger-stares at the woman over something so silly, and she felt bad. She’d have to apologize.
She limped away, shrugging off both Hunter’s and Christian’s offers of help. She needed to do this alone—be alone. Maybe a couple of hours away from the strain of responsibility and leadership, as well as free from Hunter’s in-depth stares, would right her world back on its axis.
Hunter decided to take the bowls out to wash them, but Christian’s slight brush against his arm stopped him. He shot the young man a quizzical look. “You have something to say to me?”
“Yeah, I do.” Christian nodded toward the door.
Holding the dirty bowls, Hunter moved outside. “What’s on your mind?” He held the dishes out, letting the rain rinse them clean.
“My sister.”
Hunter met Christian’s stare. He held it, forcing his breathing to remain normal. “Well, that’s really none of your business.”
“I think it is.” Christian folded his arms over his chest, acting oblivious to the rain sheeting over his face. “Katie’s not the type of woman you can toy with. She doesn’t play well with others.”
Arching a brow, Hunter slipped the bowls inside the doorway. He straightened, then turned back to Katie’s brother. “I’m not toying with Katie.” His voice lowered and became unintentionally rough.
“I think you are. You’re playing games, and I won’t have you playing them with Katie’s feelings.”
“Again, it’s none of your business.”
Christian’s eyes narrowed. “She’s my sister, so I’m making it my business. She’s been hurt badly before—I don’t think she could take such heartache again.”
Silence filled the space between the two men as they faced off.
Hunter let out a long sigh. “I’m trying to do the right thing, Christian. I really am.”
“You haven’t told her who you are, or why you’re really here, have you?”
Clenching his jaw, Hunter shook his head.
“So, you aren’t being honest with her.” Christian ran a hand over his hair. “Katie’s real big on honesty. And trust. When she finds out you’re really…”
Hunter held up his hand. “I’ll tell her when the time is right.”
Christian gave a curt nod. “Have it your way, but I’m telling you, she’s going to get hurt. And when Katie gets hurt, hold on to your hat because she gets beyond ticked off.”
“I’ll take your advice under consideration.” Hunter walked back into the lean-to.
Christian grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
Hunter stared at Christian’s hand, then glared at him.
Christian dropped his hand to his side. “Don’t hurt her more than you have to. I love her and don’t want her heart broken.”
Torment and guilt gnawed at Hunter’s chest. He met Christian’s stare once more, then nodded. He wished there were another way to get his job done, but there wasn’t. Not that he could see. And his job had to come first. No matter what, it had to get done. But God forgive him for the pain he knew he would undeniably cause Katie.
Ariel unzipped the tent slowly. Katie lay still on the sleeping bag. Where was Ariel going?
The other woman had been sweet and helpful in setting up the sleeping bags. Katie had apologized to Ariel for her ugly looks and attitude, explaining that she’d been exhausted. All had been well when they’d lain down for their nap. That had been less than an hour ago.
So where was Ariel going now?
Katie crawled to the opening, pressing her ear against the mesh netting. Muffled voices drifted over the rain. Who would be whispering with Ariel in the rain? Christian?
At least the wind had died down some. Katie shifted and squatted with her weight on one leg. She strained to hear the conversation.
Hunter’s unmistakable baritone reached her ears. “Are you really okay? I mean, if you’ve got doubts, I can call it all off and get you out of here.”
Ariel laughed, sounding throaty and flirtatious. “I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Katie’s stomach knotted.
“Me? Why on earth would you worry about me?” Hunter sounded closer—his words were clipped and clear to Katie’s hearing.
Once more, Ariel let loose that seductive laugh of hers. “Don’t play stupid with me, partner. I’ve seen the way you’re acting toward her. You’re not fooling me.”
“What about the way you’re playing with Christian, huh?”
They were both playing games! Katie’s hands trembled. She balled them into fists and pressed one against her mouth.
“Maybe I’m not playing with him, sweetheart.” Ariel’s voice held a lilt of teasing. Katie wanted to punch her square in the mouth.
“Hmm. If you say so.” A long pause thudded Hunter spoke again. This time, his voice lower. Katie strained to hear. “You be careful, babe.”
“You too.” Ariel said. “Watch out for Katie . . . I think she’s wary of me.”
Katie almost missed Hunter’s next sentence. Almost, but not quite. “I’ll handle Katie Gallagher. You just be ready to move on a moment’s notice.”
“Just make sure you handle her, and she doesn’t handle you, partner.”
Slushy footsteps made their way to the tent.
Katie awkwardly scrambled back to her sleeping bag. She plopped down and pinched her eyes closed. Her muscles tensed when the zipper sounded. Katie wanted to watch, but didn’t dare move a muscle.
Katie squinted an eye. Ariel slipped back into her sle
eping bag, let out a long sigh, then flipped to her back. She groaned loudly, following with a big, fake yawn.
Heart pounding, Katie fluttered her eyes open, as if just awakening. She blinked a couple of times before allowing her gaze to settle on Ariel.
Lifting her arms over her head, Ariel gave an exaggerated stretch. She dropped her hands and smiled across the dimly lit tent. “Did you have a nice nap? I sure did.”
Katie ground her teeth. She hated to lie—detested falsity in any size, shape or form—had endured enough of it to last a lifetime. Apparently, the same ideals didn’t matter to Ariel.
Working to keep the anger from her tone, she opted to simply avoid answering Ariel’s question. Wasn’t Gabe’s favorite mantra that the best defense was a good offense? “Did you sleep okay out here in the tent? Were you warm enough?”
“Oh, fine.” Ariel stood and offered her hand to Katie. “Let’s go see what all the guys are up to.”
Although it galled Katie to the core, she took Ariel’s hand and stood. As soon as she got her balance, she dropped the physical contact with the woman who had an ulterior motive. Katie’s ankle wasn’t as sore as before and it looked as if the swelling had gone down. She put her weight on it, testing it, and fiery pain jabbed into her thigh. Definitely improved, but still injured. Limping, she moved toward the front of the tent, leaving Ariel to her own devices.
Once inside the lean-to, the enticing smell of something delicious wafted to her nostrils. Katie’s stomach rumbled. Having not finished her stew earlier, she was famished now. She made her way to Paul, who leaned over the fire-pit, stirring something in the cast iron pot.
“Something smells wonderful, Paul.” She leaned over the pot, inhaling the aromatic steam.
The man straightened. Afternoon light flooded through the window and doorway, casting a shine on his bald spot. He smiled as he set the spoon on the table. “We’re having venison jerky stew.”
She had to return the man’s smile. “Well, it smells mahhh-velous.”
Paul laughed at her horrid impression, then turned back to the bubbling stew.
Hunter stomped inside, his arms heavy with small branches and limbs. He carried the wood to the hearth beside the fire-pit and dumped it there. Hunter spread the pieces out as close to the fire as was safe.
Paul joined Katie at the table. He leaned close, nearly whispering in her ear. “How’s your ankle?”
She flashed a weak grin. “It’s better, I think.” Her smile dropped as Hunter’s dark eyes settled on her. Her heart lurched at the attraction nestled into the chocolate-looking orbs. Then she recalled his secret conversation with Ariel. She spoke to Paul, but kept her eyes glued to Hunter’s. “I think resting did it some good.”
“We probably ought to wrap it with a bandage or something.” Paul’s statement jerked her attention back to him. His face lit with adoration.
Instead of flattering her, it annoyed Katie. She frowned. “I might wrap it before I go to bed tonight.”
Paul’s face fell. Katie felt like a heel, but wanted him to understand she wasn’t interested. She didn’t want to lead him on. Not like some other women did. He hurried past her, out of the shanty.
“Where’s Ariel? Still resting?”
Katie turned at the sound of Hunter’s voice. They were alone in the shanty. She shrugged. “I don’t know where she went. She got up when I did.” She leaned her hip against the table. “Do you know where Christian is?”
Hunter nodded toward the door. “He went out to get some more wood. We need to have plenty for the night and it’ll need to dry out as much as possible.”
Katie wrinkled her nose. “Then I assume that’s where Ariel went.” Her gaze drifted over the room. “What about Jerry, Carter and Orson?”
“Jerry and Carter are helping Orson answer the call of nature.”
Her eyes locked with Hunter’s. Could he see she thought it a horrible decision? “How long have they been gone?”
Hunter’s eyes widened, then he glanced at his watch. His Adam apple bobbed. “About thirty minutes.”
Katie’s pulse raced. Thirty minutes. How long did it take two men to help an injured person use the bathroom? She pushed off from the table and hobbled toward the door. And ran smack into her brother.
Christian dropped his armload of wood.
A log hit Katie’s thigh—another jarred against her hurt ankle. Pain tore through her leg. She let out a yelp, followed by a sharp cry. All balance gone, Katie crumbled to the ground.
Shadow, who’d followed Christian, licked her face.
Tears burned her eyes. She didn’t bother trying to blink them back as the pain in her ankle intensified.
Christian dropped to his knees. “Oh, Katie-cat, I’m so sorry.”
Ariel stood behind Christian, her face writhed in sympathy.
Katie bit her bottom lip, choking back the burning pain.
“I didn’t see you coming out.” Her brother pushed her bangs from her face. “Are you okay?”
Katie groaned. The words wouldn’t form in her throat. Shadow danced beside her, whimpering.
“Let me get you up.”
Katie turned to glare at Hunter, but he bent over and swept her into his strong arms. He cradled her against his chest while crossing to the table. The odor of wet wood and laundry detergent clung to his flannel shirt. The buttons pressed into the side of her face. He sat her on top of the rough wood with care and consideration. His eyes dropped to her injured ankle and he untied the laces of her hiking boots. “Let me look at it.”
She flinched. Shadow growled, but remained sitting. He stared at her, his puppy dog gaze stuck to her face.
“Does this hurt?” Hunter’s warm fingers gently probed her ankle, not allowing her to follow a train of thought to the station.
How could she tell him she didn’t want him to touch her—couldn’t take the intimacy? Not while uncertain of his involvement with Ariel. She dug her nails into her palms, jerking her foot free of his grasp. “It’s fine.”
Hunter shrank back as if she’d smacked him. The vise on her heart tightened.
A scream echoed across the late afternoon air, tromping over the wail of the wind and rain.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. Goosebumps popped up over her arms.
Another scream, this one louder and bloodcurdling, ripped through the forced silence in the shanty.
Everyone moved at once.
Hunter and Christian raced from the room. Ariel followed behind them. Katie hopped down from the table, then hobbled to the door, Shadow at her side.
A keening wail bypassed a cry, right into a full-fledged scream. The sound tore over the sheets of rain, long and piercing. Then it suddenly stopped, as if cut off.
Chapter 16
Hunter ran with the speed of a cheetah, his mind racing as fast as his feet over soggy ground. He sprinted around the back of the shack. He ducked low-lying tree limbs. Hunter’s right hand tightened. His weapon! He needed his Beretta.
He stopped running, stood still, his ears trained to pick up any sound.
Christian and Ariel came to a halt beside him. Ariel bent at the waist, propping her hands on her knees and breathing in puffs.
Hunter heard muffled sounds from the thicket of trees. Shooting into motion, he raced in that direction. His legs brushed against soaked bushes as he ran, wetting the side of his jeans. The clamoring from behind let him know Ariel and Christian were right on his heels.
Reaching a clearing, Hunter stopped. He caught his breath, listening for any sounds of movement. Nothing, save for Christian’s and Ariel’s feet pounding and their heavy breathing.
“What is that?” Christian’s face glimmered red and sweat beaded on his upper lip.
Hunter held up a hand for silence.
Ariel spun, her eyes surveying the area. She pointed toward a thicket of trees just as a rustling sound drifted over the wind.
Pushing himself into motion, Hunter ran full speed ahe
ad. His gut wrenched. He’d been around the block enough times to understand what could have stifled the scream he’d heard. Forcing his legs to pump faster, Hunter plunged into the shadows of the trees. At least the leafy canopy provided some shelter from the torrential downpour.
He stopped when trees blocked his path. Spinning around, Hunter blinked to focus. Lord, show me.
Ariel touched his shoulder. He turned. She inclined her head to the right. Hunter inched closer to where she indicated.
Muffled sounds reached Hunter’s ears. Snapping and popping noises, like limbs being moved. He hauled in a deep breath and burst through the dense line of trees.
Jerry held Orson’s shoulder. Carter lay on the ground, blood oozing from his temple.
“What happened?” Hunter dropped to his knees beside Carter’s lifeless body. He laid two fingers against the man’s neck—just as he’d feared, no pulse. Hunter pressed harder. Still nothing. He tilted Carter’s head back and bent to administer CPR.
Ariel dropped to her knees and helped. Three minutes passed. Five. Eight. Twelve. Finally, she stilled Hunter’s hand. “It’s no use. He’s gone.”
Why, God? Why couldn’t I save him? He looked at Jerry. “Somebody want to tell me what happened?”
His eyes cold as the stinging wind, Jerry peered at him. “I don’t know. I was helping Orson in those bushes,” he nodded toward the area Hunter had only moments before burst through, “and I heard Carter whimpering and mumbling. I sat Orson down, then ran here as quick as I could.”
“We heard screams,” Ariel said.
Jerry stared at her, then lowered Orson to the ground. “Yeah. I couldn’t find him until I heard the screams.” He straightened and shook his head. “By then, he was already there, like that.”
Hunter stood, looming over the dead body of Carter James. He fisted his hands on his hips. “There were three screams. I found you in that time, and I was back at the lean-to. Why couldn’t you get to him?”
“I guess I’m not as attuned as you are, radar-boy.” Jerry’s snarl made him look like a rabid dog ready to take a bite out of someone. “When I found him dead, I went back for Orson.” He narrowed his eyes and glared at Hunter. “Didn’t want two bodies out here.”