by Joan Hohl
Annoyance curdled her tone. “Don’t speak to me as if I were a child, Hawk.”
“I’m not,” he said, still soothingly calm. “I’m speaking to you as if you were an intelligent, mature adult. Now, please, come and sit down.”
Still stiff with outrage at the deceiving rat Tanner, she nevertheless moved into the kitchen and sat down at the table. What else could she do? Rant and rave? She could do that sitting down over coffee.
Mere moments after her bottom hit the chair seat, Hawk set a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast in front of her, followed by a steaming mug of coffee.
She sat there looking at the food, only sipping her coffee. She was way too angry to eat.
“I know you’re angry,” Hawk said, taking a seat across from her, “and I suppose you have every right to be. But not eating isn’t going to solve a thing. Tell you what—you eat a little something, and I’ll explain Tanner’s reasons for leaving without you.”
“I already know his so-called reasons. He doesn’t want me, any woman or anyone else hunting with him…the rat.” Her voice dropped to a deeper, arrogant tone, mimicking Tanner’s. “‘Like it or not, I hunt alone.’”
“Yep, that’s Tanner,” Hawk agreed, surprising her. “Well, now that we agree on that, suppose you attack your breakfast.”
Bri rolled her eyes. She drew a breath to tell him what to do with his breakfast, but in so doing got a whiff of the food, and her stomach growled. She gave in immediately.
To her surprise, Bri finished every morsel on her plate and every drop of coffee. Without being asked, Hawk refilled her mug.
“Thank you. Breakfast was delicious,” she said, taking a careful sip of the hot brew. “Now I’m ready to hear Tanner’s reasons for stranding me here.”
Hawk smiled. “First of all, Brianna, you’re not stranded. Second, he actually didn’t deceive you.”
Bri’s back went ramrod stiff. “What do you mean? He deserted me when he said he would take me with him.”
“And he did, in his way,” Hawk countered. “He took you out of Durango and brought you here.”
“That’s not funny.” She was getting steamed all over again. Suddenly her delicious breakfast lay heavy in her stomach. “He didn’t say he’d bring me here, dammit! He said he’d take me along hunting with him.”
Hawk was shaking his head. “He couldn’t, Brianna.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She glared at him. “He selected horses. Showed me the mare I was to ride. Stashed my gear next to his own by the door. And now you tell me he couldn’t take me. Why the hell not?”
Bri realized she was on the edge of losing it. She paused to breathe, calm herself down.
“He told me he could not—would not—expose you to the danger of possibly facing a killer.”
“And I told him I can take care of myself, and Tanner knows it.”
“I’m sure he does.” Hawk nodded. “But then, I’m also sure it makes no difference to him.” He gave her a gentle look. “Although I know Tanner’s feelings about hunting alone, there is more to it in this instance.”
“What?” Bri frowned. “What other reason, other than his pure, arrogant bullheadedness?”
Hawk sighed. “Your safety is important to him, Brianna. Very important.”
Bri felt a tiny flare deep inside. Could Hawk possibly mean that Tanner cared for her? Oh, she was aware of the physical attraction between them. All too aware. But could he feel something stronger than that?
The mere idea, the thought alone, caused excitement to dance along her nerve endings. Then she came to her senses, telling herself to grow up and face reality. Tanner didn’t care for her. He treated her the way he would any woman who wanted to hunt a killer.
But it was a lovely thought…for a moment.
Sighing softly, she lowered her head so Hawk couldn’t see the disappointment mirrored in her eyes.
“Okay,” he said, sliding his chair back and standing. “I’ll get these dishes cleared away and then I’ll drive you back to Durango.”
Bri snapped her head up. “I’m not going back to Durango,” she said with quiet determination.
“You want to wait here for Tanner to return?” He hurried on before she could reply. “Not that I mind, you understand, but—”
“No, Hawk, I’m going after him.”
“Alone?” Hawk stared at her. “Brianna, you should know it’s never smart or safe to hunt alone.” He shook his head. “This man is a killer.”
Bri blinked, shook her head. “No, no, I’m not going after Minnich. I’m going after Tanner.”
“It’s just as dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful,” she assured him.
“What if you get lost?”
Bri gave him a long look. “I do know how to blaze a trail, Hawk.”
“But—”
“No buts,” she said, shaking her head again. “I am going. Will you give me the use of a horse? I’ll pay you the going rate.”
“No.” Flat, final.
Nothing could have made her reveal the hurt his refusal gave her. “Okay, I’ll trek.” She moved to rise, but Hawk held up a hand.
“You don’t understand. I meant I won’t accept payment for the horse,” he explained. “You can take any one you like.”
Bri blinked against a rush of grateful tears. “Thank you, Hawk.”
“You’ll also need a pack animal.”
“No, thank you. Another animal would slow me down. I want to catch up with Tanner before he catches up to Minnich.” She started to leave the kitchen, but Hawk stopped her.
“Brianna, you’ll need supplies and food. You can’t go tracking Tanner without them.”
“I’ve got trail mix and beef jerky in my pack.” This time she did smile, keeping the chocolate to herself. “My father taught me early on to always carry some with me, just in case.”
“You’ll need more than that.” He sighed. “I’ll pack some food and water into saddlebags as soon as I finish up here.” He raised his eyebrows. “Do you have all your stuff together?”
“All but the last-minute things,” she said, once again heading out of the kitchen. “It’ll take only a few minutes to get them.”
Fully aware of the passing of time—time in which Tanner got farther away from the ranch—Bri quickly gathered her toiletries. Then she made up the bed and strode back down the hall.
Hawk wasn’t there. For a moment Bri stood still, afraid she had been abandoned again. But common sense prevailed. Boyo sat by her backpack, glancing from the door to her and back to the door, obviously waiting for his master to return. She waited with him.
A few minutes later, Hawk walked back inside. “I saddled the mare Tanner showed you last night. Okay?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “She’s a sweetie.”
“I’ll get the saddlebags ready.” He went into the kitchen.
Bri knelt down to say goodbye to the dog. “You’re a sweetie, too,” she murmured.
“I want you to take the sweetie with you,” Hawk said, helping her to rise. “And no arguments,” he went on as she opened her mouth to do just that. “As I said last night, he’ll protect you to the death. And I’ve given him Tanner’s scent.” He smiled. “Boyo will find him, and you won’t need to blaze a trail. In case he doesn’t find him, he’ll find his way home.”
Circling her arms around Hawk, Bri gave him a big hug. “Thanks for everything,” she said, stepping back to smile up at him.
Hawk’s high-boned cheeks wore a flush of pleasure and embarrassment. “No—thank you, Brianna. You’re one to ride the river with.”
Aware of the old Western saying, complimenting her grit and suitability, Bri grinned. “Anytime, Hawk. Just give me a call and I’m there.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, stepping around to open the door for her.
The mare Bri had decided to call Chocolate stood waiting, the reins draped over the rail near the porch. Hawk had fastened the saddlebags in place.
/> “That should keep you till you catch up with Tanner…or until you’re forced to give up the hunt for him and return here.”
“That’s not going to happen, Hawk. I fully intend to find Mr. Tanner Wolfe, big, bad hunter.” Circling around to the left side of the animal, Bri shoved her boot into the stirrup, grasped the saddle pommel and swung herself up and over the mare, settling into the well-worn seat. Leaning forward, she stroked the mare’s neck.
“Well, I see you know your way around horses,” Hawk drawled, grinning back at her.
“I should. I’ve been around them since I was a kid, riding, grooming and, yes, even mucking stalls.”
He laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have to do that on this trip.” Then he sobered. “Reminds me—there’s a sack of oats in the one bag, to supplement whatever grazing she can find, and food for Boyo.”
Now Bri felt her cheeks flush with chagrin. “Thank you. I should have thought of their feed.”
Hawk failed in covering a grin. “That’s okay. You were a mite upset.”
“No, I was a lot upset,” Bri said, owning up to her anger. Gathering the reins, she thanked her host again. “I appreciate both your hospitality and your help.”
“You’re welcome.” He tipped his hat. “Now time’s a-wastin’,” he chided, giving a light smack to the mare’s rump. “Go, Boyo. Find Tanner.”
The dog shot ahead of the horse to lead the way, beginning to weave back and forth, searching out Tanner’s scent.
With a final wave to Hawk, Bri set the horse at a trot, following Boyo’s lead. He quickly found the scent and settled into a lope. Keeping him in sight, Bri loped along behind him.
The day was long. Despite the bright sunshine, in the higher elevations the air was cool. It was a beautiful day to ride, but Bri wasn’t riding for pleasure. She was on the hunt for two men. With any luck at all, she’d find Tanner first. Bri still felt angry but also eager, anxious and a bit scared, as well.
She had trekked the plains and jungles, the savannas and all types of mountains. Through it all, she had never felt the deep expectation and thrill of the hunt her father and his hunting buddies savored. After a while, she’d decided that one mountain looked pretty much like another, some smaller, some higher.
But this mountain, this hunt, were different. She had never hunted alone. Not going out alone was the first tenet her father had drummed into her.
Now she was on her own, trailing a dog, her sole companion. Boyo was following the scent a small distance from a stream. Made sense; Tanner and Minnich would need water.
Having eaten a solid breakfast, Bri kept going until past midafternoon. By then, she was glad to dismount and stretch. After rubbing down Chocolate, she dropped a handful of oats near a patch of grass. Next it was Boyo’s turn. She scratched his head and under his long jaw and then put out the dried food Hawk had provided for him.
It was only then Bri took care of her needs. Digging into the backpack she had dropped to the ground, she pulled out a hand towel and headed toward the sound of the stream.
The rushing water foamed white around the bigger stones in the streambed. Clutching the limb of a pine tree, she lowered herself to her knees at the edge of the bank.
The water was as cold as the snow it had been at the higher elevations. Scooping handfuls, Bri cleaned her hands, rinsed her mouth and doused her face. The frigid splash took away her breath but refreshed her just the same. Drying her hands and face, she walked back to the animals and to what would be her makeshift camp for the night. The sun was lowering, and she had things to do before full sunset.
Entering the small clearing, Bri dragged a piece of a dead, dry log closer to the spot she had chosen for a fire. After gathering stones and placing them in a ring shape, she foraged for some kindling, which she ignited with a match. Once the twigs took flame, she fed the fire till the dry log began to burn.
Her growling stomach reminded her it was dinnertime. She searched the saddlebag to see what Hawk had packed for her and found two bottles of water, peanut butter crackers, two apples, a sleeve of cheddar cheese and another of smoked ham.
Not too shabby, Bri thought, smiling. In fact, it was all nutritious as well as appealing. Silently thanking Hawk, she dragged a short log closer to the fire and sat down to eat.
Not knowing how long the food—or the hunt—would last, Bri ate sparingly, enjoying every bite. She allowed herself three pieces of chocolate for dessert.
Because the sun was quickly sinking, the shadows lengthening, she readied her sleeping bag a short way from the fire. By the time darkness fell, the air had turned decidedly cooler, so she’d shrugged into her jacket.
Wrapping her arms around her middle, she was assailed by a sudden feeling of loneliness. Another emotion overtook her, too. A yearning for Tanner. For his kiss.
Damn him, why had a simple kiss wound her up so tightly? Maybe because it was more—much, much more—than a simple kiss, she reluctantly acknowledged. His kiss was everything, the sun, the moon, the universe.
The rustle and howl of the night creatures interrupted her thoughts, and Bri realized it was now full darkness. She needed to sleep, to restore her energy for the hunt. After pulling off her boots and jacket, she crawled fully dressed into the sleeping bag, Boyo’s impressive length stretched out beside her.
But sleep did not come. She lay awake for hours, watching the fire die down, while another fire roared inside her. The fire ignited by memories of Tanner and his kiss. She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut.
Even as sleep finally claimed her, she could taste Tanner’s lips on her mouth.
Seven
A sound woke her before dawn. Shifting up onto one elbow, Bri glance around for the cause of the sound. It was Boyo, snuffling around on the ground.
“Hungry, boy?” she asked, grabbing her jacket before tossing back the bag’s cover. Shivering, she pulled on the jacket, then retrieved Boyo’s food and the oats for Chocolate. While the animals ate, she munched on a pack of peanut butter crackers between sips of water.
Within a half hour, Bri had everything together, Chocolate saddled and was on her way, once again trailing Boyo.
She made a brief stop around noon to give the animals as well as herself a break. Less than an hour later she was back on the trail. For the first part of their trek, they were following the stream upward. But slowly during the afternoon the ground leveled onto a fairly smooth plain. She let the horse pick her way through the trees and low brush while staying within sight of Boyo.
It was rough going. Once again, Bri stopped just past midafternoon. She was stiff and achy from being in the saddle so long. It felt wonderful just moving around on two legs.
After feeding the animals, Bri noticed Boyo beginning to roam. Certain he wouldn’t go far, she visited the bushes for personal business, then strolled toward the stream to wash up.
Her foot caught on a root protruding from the grassy patch edging the low slope to the stream and she stumbled. When she regained her balance and glanced up, what she saw stopped her dead in her tracks. A man stood on the other side of the stream. He had changed his hair color and was wearing glasses, but Bri recognized him at once. Jay Minnich. In his hand he held a rifle hanging next to his thigh. And he was looking straight at her.
Even at that distance she could see the sick intent in his eyes. She took two steps back. He took three steps into the water, raising the rifle to his shoulder.
Bri froze. A lump of fear closed her throat, preventing her from crying out, although who she would have cried for she didn’t know.
Yes, she did.
For Tanner. Where was he now, miles and miles away?
Barely breathing, Bri took another careful step back. His finger curled around the trigger. Shutting her eyes tight, she steeled herself for the impact of a bullet slamming into her body.
In that instant, not a bullet but another body slammed into her, knocking the breath completely out of her and sending the two of them to the ground.
Her eyes flew open as the report from the rifle rang out and the zinging sound of a bullet whizzed overhead, a few feet above their bodies.
Tanner. She could have wept with relief, but her glance caught sight of his outstretched arm, a pistol grasped in his hand. He fired a shot, so close it sounded like a cannon blast to Bri. He gave a stern command to Boyo to stay.
Then he was up and splashing through the water. He halted about halfway across the stream to call Boyo to him. The big dog leaped into the water, crossing to the other side with Tanner. Bri could see him talk and motion to the dog, and as if in perfect understanding, Boyo sniffed the ground for a few minutes, then came to a quivering stop, head high, looking forward.
Bri knew Boyo had caught the scent of the man. Together, man and dog splashed back to her.
“He’s gone,” Tanner said, reaching a hand to her to help her stand. He lit into her the minute she was upright. “What in hell do you think you’re doing?” He didn’t give her time to reply but yelled on. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Bri wet her dust-dry lips, almost as frightened of him as she had been of Minnich. “I was trying to catch up to you.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a damn good thing Boyo found me.” He heaved a heavy exhale. “If he hadn’t…” He trailed off, shuddering at the mere thought of the possible consequences.
“I won’t say I’m sorry,” she said, angling her chin in defiance. “I mean about tracking after you.”
He sighed again. “I never expected you to.” He turned away. “Let’s go.”
She hesitated. “Go where?”
“To my camp, of course, before it gets pitch-dark.” He raised an arrogant-looking brow. “Or would you rather spend the night here?”
“No.” She shook her head and made tracks to follow him when he strode away.
As Bri hadn’t really unpacked anything but the food for the animals, very little time was required to get her gear together. She was in the saddle, trailing Tanner, as the sun slid toward the horizon.