by Robin Caroll
He clenched his jaw to avoid snapping—at Paul, who gaped at her with clear adoration—at Orson, who received her gentle hands on his wounds, and—at her, for not even giving him a fighting chance. Without even saying as much as goodnight in his direction, she pushed by and hobbled to the tent.
Now Ariel spoke to Christian in hushed tones, their heads bent close together. Hunter eased himself to the doorway of the lean-to. Once Ariel kissed Christian on the cheek, she snagged a bottle of water and one of the small lamps, then headed toward the tent. Hunter grabbed her arm and pulled her around to the side of the shanty, opposite the tent.
“What?” she whispered.
He lowered his head so his mouth hovered right beside her ear. “I don’t trust Jerry. Keep your piece handy tonight.”
“I know. What about you?”
Shaking his head, Hunter watched the last rays of the sun disappear behind the trees in the distance. “I can’t risk having mine at the ready. I’ve got it in my sleeping bag, but that’s not where I normally like to keep it.”
She laughed, but kept her voice down. “Not many people use a Beretta as a teddy bear.”
He ran a hand over his hair, pulling the longer bangs from his eyes. “Just be alert.”
“Okay.” Ariel laid a hand on his arm and took a step. His grip on her elbow tightened and she peered up at him, a questioning look in her eyes.
“About Katie…”
She plopped her hands on her hips and tilted her head. “Yeah?”
“She, uh, thinks there’s something physical going on between you and me.”
Ariel snorted, only to have him shush her. “Between us? Is that why I’ve been getting the drop-dead-please glares?”
“It appears she overheard one of our conversations.”
Instantly, Ariel’s stance stiffened. “Which one? Does she know?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think she understands. Right now, she has the wrong idea about us. She thinks we’re a set of players, and that you’re leading her brother on for some odd reason, and that I’m doing the same with her.”
“So, the job is still intact?”
“Yeah, seems that way.”
“But?”
Hunter lowered his brow. “But what?”
“The tone of your voice implied a but coming up.”
He smiled. Ariel knew him too well. For five years they’d worked side by side, growing attuned with one another. He let out a long breath. “I almost told her.”
Ariel’s jaw dropped. “But … you can’t do that. You don’t have authorization to make that kind of decision.”
Tilting his head back, he stared at the dark, starless sky. The wind had died with the disappearance of the rain, but a soft breeze kissed his face.
“Hunter!” The harsh whisper held a note of accusation.
His eyes locked with Ariel’s. “I know, I know. But, it’s just…”
“You’re falling for her, aren’t you?”
Staring at the ground, Hunter pressed his lips together. He lifted his head and slowly nodded. Sometimes he considered having a partner who knew him so well a bad thing. This could be one of those times.
She let out a loud sigh. “You know better, Hunter. We’ve been through this time and again.”
Hunter’s defenses kicked in and he snorted. “Don’t tell me you’re only playing the part with her brother.” He hitched up his eyebrow.
Even in the dark, he could see the color spreading across her face before she glanced down. “It’s a job. We’ll be out of here in the morning. You’d do well to remember that, Hunter. We’re gone tomorrow.”
“I know, but I can’t help it, Ariel. I didn’t plan it.” He fisted his hand in the back of his hair and pulled. He welcomed the stinging pain to his scalp. He needed to feel something right now, anything besides his heart splintering apart.
She sighed again and patted his chest. “You’ll get over it. Let’s do our job and get out of here, okay?”
He nodded, pushing the knowledge of his departure as far from his mind as he could.
“We’ll concentrate on getting the job done, right, partner?” Her voice carried the sound of needed assurance. “We can’t slip-up, Hunter. We’ve already had casualties, and the boss isn’t going to be too happy about that.”
He smiled and placed a kiss on her temple. “Yeah, I know.”
“Night, Hunter.” She gave his arm a final squeeze, then moved toward the tent.
“Be safe, Ariel.”
Katie stepped back from the tent’s flap, using the darkness for cover as she moved to her sleeping bag. Why had she watched them, silhouetted by the swaying lamp, making them look like a Hallmark romance card?
How had she become such a sucker for punishment? Even though she couldn’t hear their conversation, she couldn’t mistake their intimate touching: hands on shoulders, arms, chests. And he kissed her. The slight kiss he’d planted on Ariel’s temple spoke volumes to Katie’s heart—told her he cared deeply for Ariel.
That knowledge alone drowned out the hope in Katie’s soul.
She unwrapped her ankle, inspected her injury by touch, then lifted the bandage to wrap it again. Katie winced as she pulled the Coban material tight.
Ariel slipped inside the tent. She set the lamp on the floor and sat on her sleeping bag, across from Katie, watching her.
Even in the dimness, and without looking up, Katie felt Ariel’s eyes on her. She sighed as she secured the bandage. “What?”
“How’s your ankle?”
“Better.” Katie stretched out on her sleeping bag, wiggling the toes of her foot to ensure the bandage wouldn’t cut off her circulation.
“Good. At least it stopped raining.”
Irritation coiled around Katie’s mind like a worn-out spring. She released an exasperated sigh. “What’s on your mind, Ariel? This small-talk is boring me.”
“Getting right to the point, aren’t you?”
“No sense in just chewing the fat. We both know there’s no love lost between us. Personally, I’d rather go to sleep.” She reached behind her head and released her braid, running her fingers through the wet and stringy strands. “But it seems you have a bee in your bonnet about something, so spit it out.”
Ariel fixed her stare on Katie and lowered her voice. “Hunter tells me you suspect there’s something going on between him and m— ”
“I really don’t care, Ariel. Except that you’re leading my brother on, and I can’t allow that to continue.” She exhaled slowly, pushing back her own feelings of jealousy. How Christian, or Hunter for that matter, could be attracted to such a high-maintenance woman like Ariel went beyond her level of comprehension.
“But that’s just it, there’s nothing between me and Hunter. I mean, well…”
“Right.” Katie crossed her arms over her chest. “Look, it doesn’t matter to me, you two can play whatever sick game you enjoy, but you leave me and Christian out of it.” She curled her hands into fists, tightening her arm muscles so much her arms shook. Her shoulders tensed. “Understand?” Her rage swarmed the more she thought things through.
“What’s between me and Christian is— ”
“Over.” Katie spoke louder than she’d intended. The woman made her so mad, Katie wanted to slap her pretty face. Punch her perfect nose. Pound her tiny figure into the ground. The mental image made Katie smile, despite her anger and envy. Right on the heels of righteous anger for her brother’s sake, followed her misery over allowing herself to care for a womanizer.
She let out a huff. “Tomorrow, when we get back to the lodge, I’m going to tell Christian everything about your little schemes. You’ll regret that you and Mr. Malone decided to tangle with the Gallaghers.”
“Really?” Through the heavy air in the tent, the smile behind the words came shining through. “I think you’re in for a big surprise.”
She didn’t like the sound of Ariel’s baiting tone. “Don’t push me, Ariel. I’m not in the
mood for your cockiness. I’m tired and not inclined to stomp you into the ground like you so deserve.” She flexed her fingers. “But, I will if you insist.”
Ariel chuckled, the sarcasm penetrating the tension between the women. “I don’t think so.”
Katie sat straight and shifted to face the opposing side of the tent. “Oh, I do. Even on the worst day of my life, and you on your best day, I could still take you. So, don’t tempt me.”
Ariel didn’t have time to respond as Shadow jumped up from his place on the foot of Katie’s sleeping bag. He growled from deep in his chest and throat.
The hairs on Katie’s arms stood at attention, then goosebumps prickled her skin.
Shadow pushed to the tent’s flap. He lowered his head, growled again, before letting out a distinctively warning bark.
Katie shifted toward the tent door. Ariel shuffled around on her sleeping bag and put out the lamp. Katie slapped her shoulder and whispered, “Shh!”
Rustling in the bushes shattered the frogs’ songs from the trees. The noise of sluggish movement on wet ground sounded close to the tent.
In the darkness, Ariel moved to Katie’s side. The two stood still and listened. Whoever—whatever lurked out there, sounded like it moved closer.
Shadow barked twice, his alert bark.
Every nerve ending stood at attention as Katie moved her hands to snap for the dog to get to her side. Too late . . . Shadow snarled once more before shooting out of the tent, barking his head off.
Chapter 18
The clamor of rushing blood pounded against Katie’s ears. Hearing Shadow’s warning barks, followed by his deep growls, wrenched her free from her fear-induced paralysis. The adrenaline pumped through her veins at class-five speeds as she pushed back the tent flap and rushed into the blanket of night, ignoring the pain in her ankle.
Ariel placed her hand on Katie’s shoulder. Katie glanced at the other woman, determined to shove her aside, and recognized the flash of steel in Ariel’s hand.
A gun!
Why did Ariel, of all people, have a gun?
Like a frame-by-frame projector, Katie’s mind clicked through her memory bank. No way Ariel could’ve known about the gun she’d taken from Paul, much less known where she’d hidden it. And the gun still lay tucked inside her bedroll, which laid somewhere in the Gauley River, lost in the mudslide. So this gun had to be Ariel’s.The notion clipped in Katie’s mind, numbing her with questions.
Ariel lifted the handgun, keeping it close to her body. She nudged Katie’s shoulder with hers. “Hunter’s sleeping right inside the shanty door. Go get him. Tell him to come armed,” she whispered.
Katie willed her legs to move, but her feet refused to budge, as if they were rooted deep into the ground.
Shadow barked, this time with a high-pitched tone. A thundering growl responded. No way could that be a dog.
Ignoring Ariel’s tugs, Katie pushed herself forward, rushing toward the sound of Shadow. She rounded the side of the tent. What she saw sent icicles of dread into the pit of her gut.
A fully mature black bear stood on his hind legs. His teeth glaring as he swatted at Shadow, who darted in, out, and around the bear’s legs.
“Shadow!” Katie’s voice came out merely as a hoarse whisper. The dog didn’t turn his head to acknowledge her presence. Snapping her fingers twice, Katie called him again. Shadow continued to torment the bear.
Ariel appeared at Katie’s elbow. She spread her legs and lifted her gun. Its muzzle pointed at the bear.
Katie laid a hand over Ariel’s extended arms. “No!”
Ariel glanced at Katie, but didn’t lower her weapon.
“The shot will only enrage the bear—it can’t bring it down.” Katie squatted. “Shadow, come!” She pulled a stern tone into her command.
Shadow turned to look at her. In that moment, the bear’s massive paw arced to his side, then descended, gaining momentum.
Her heart jumping, Katie screamed. “Shadow!”
The bear’s claw made contact with the canine’s side. The Blue Heeler yelped a fraction of a second before he bounced across the way, striking the ground with a sickening thud.
Resisting the almost overpowering urge to run to her beloved dog, Katie rose and gripped Ariel’s arm tightly. “We need to back away, slowly.”
Still keeping the gun aimed at the bear, Ariel took a step backward.
The bear dropped to all fours and pawed the ground. Mud sloshed up, scattering mucky droplets about five feet in surrounding directions. Opening its mouth wide, the bear let out a long, chest-quivering roar.
Katie took a step backward, ignoring the pain from the weight she put on her injured ankle. She jerked Ariel back with her.
The bear growled and slapped the ground once more before taking a lunging stance.
Recognizing the bear’s position, Katie pulled Ariel harder. Her balance tilted. She let go and fell flat on her behind.
Ariel hunkered beside her, placed a hand under her elbow, and tugged her arm.
The bear roared, then charged.
Katie opened her mouth and pulled a scream from the bottom of her lungs. Her shout split the night’s silence.
Hunter bolted upright. Without taking the time to process the shriek that yanked him from a restless sleep, he reached into the bottom of his sleeping bag and retrieved his Beretta. Shoving himself free of the thick bag, Hunter rose, then raced out the door.
Weapon in hand, he sped past the open tent, intent on finding Katie. Her scream, and he knew deep inside his gut it’d been Katie who shrieked, tore his insides apart.
Please, God, keep her safe.
He rounded the tent. His heart stopped beating for a moment, then raced. A big bear rushed. Katie sprawled on the ground, Ariel crouching beside her.
Hunter planted his feet in the saturated earth, lifted his gun, took aim, and fired.
In his peripheral vision, he saw Ariel stand, take a targeting position, and open fire alongside him.
Bullets dug into the bear’s flesh. It yowled and stopped. Rearing up on its hind legs, the big bear opened its mouth and roared. A row of sharp, white teeth glistened in the moon’s soft light.
Hunter continued to fire his weapon until he’d discharged all bullets. Two more shots thumped into the bear from Ariel’s gun.
The massive bear swayed, leaning heavily to the right, only to swing toward the left. Time stood still as the animal bellowed and clawed at the air, then turned and lumbered off, leaving behind a trail of blood in the mud.
Hunter shoved his Beretta into the waistband of his jeans, then scooped Katie into his arms. “Let’s get out of here,” he told Ariel before stomping back into the lean-to.
Katie’s fists pummeled his chest. “No! Put me down. Shadow’s out there. He’s hurt.” Her words came out in a rush, tumbling atop each other. The wounded, vulnerable tone in her voice gave him pause.
He set her down inside the threshold, then turned to Ariel. “Where’s the dog?”
Ariel’s trembling hand pointed toward a clump of trees. “The bear tossed him over there somewhere.” Her voice hiccupped. He hesitated. He’d never seen anything rattle Ariel. Not in the past five years. Hunter tweaked her nose. “You okay?”
She nodded.
“Reload in case that bear comes back.” He gave his partner a wink.
“Move out of my way!” Katie shoved against him. “I have to get my dog.”
“I’ll get him.” Hunter turned in the direction Ariel indicated. He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. His eyes latched onto Katie’s. “You stay inside.”
“He’s my dog,” she replied while crossing the doorway.
He gripped her shoulder tightly. “You’re hurt. I’ll get him. Stop being so stubborn and stay put.” She opened her mouth, and he met her with a kiss.
He crushed her lips, and his hands framed her face. He felt her soften under his embrace, and backed away.
She blinked several times.
Turning, Hunter stalked into the darkness to find the dog. He shook his head. Even when obviously scared spitless, the woman had to argue with him. The only effective way he’d found to stop her bickering was to kiss her thoroughly. Hunter smiled. Then again, her kisses left him senseless as well.
Whimpering drew Hunter toward the largest tree in the small thicket. Treading softly, he crept along. “Shadow? Boy?” He scanned the ground around the area. Nothing caught his eye.
He turned and took two paces into the trees. A weak whine erupted to his right. He crouched lower as he moved toward the sound. “Shadow? Where are you, boy?”
A slight movement snared his attention. A hump shivered, barely noticeable in the thick black of darkness. He dropped to his knees beside the dog.
“Hey, boy. You okay?” Hunter fought to keep his voice calm as he laid his hand on the trembling fur. Rubbing his fingers together, he gauged the moistness. Shadow had to be hurt badly from the amount of blood congealing on his fur.
Hunter slipped a hand under the dog’s limp body.
Shadow growled, then followed immediately with a whimper.
“I know, boy. I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m taking you to Katie.”
As if the dog understood his words, he remained still and quiet while Hunter lifted him. Standing, Hunter kept the Blue Heeler clutched close to his chest. He tried to walk steady and slow, jarring the animal as little as possible.
Once he got within five feet of the lean-to, Katie rushed out to meet him. Tears streaked her face and continued to fall as she held out her arms to take the canine. She buried her face next to the dog’s muzzle and crooned.
Hunter transferred the now whining dog into his mistress’ waiting arms, then wrapped his arm around Katie and guided her into the shanty. The rest of the men huddled around the table, with the lamp relit, whispering to one another.
Katie moved toward the first sleeping bag. Hunter assisted her as she lowered the dog to his bedroll. Her hands ran over the dog’s body. “The first-aid kit is in the tent. Grab it, will you?”