“Hey, man, what took you so long?” Jacob asked, offering Carter his hand and hauling him to his feet.
“Funny.” Carter stood up and accepted a drink of water. “I’m good to go when you are. It’s been a while since I had a chance to catch up with Wyatt.”
“Too busy at that brewery of yours.” Jacob slung his pack over his shoulder, and they carefully replaced the stretcher into Carter’s pack.
“I could drink a nice cold beer right now.” Carter smacked his lips together. “I have the best job in the world.”
“Oh, I don’t know, being up here most days does it for me,” Jacob said. “Although I’m not sure I’d live like Wyatt. It’s a lonely life.”
“Does Wyatt live up here all the time?” Beverly asked. “I’ve seen him in the store a couple of times, but that’s all.” They followed a sure-footed Jacob along the trail toward the wooded mountainside.
“He thinks he’s cursed,” Jacob said. His serious tone stopped her from bursting out laughing.
“Cursed?” Liam asked. “Why?”
Jacob shrugged. “He’s not big on sharing, it took two years and a passing comment for him to reveal that much to me. He cares about the mountain. So, he lives up here.”
“There’s no such thing as a curse. It’s all in his head,” Beverly said firmly.
“He’s not crazy, if that’s what you mean.” Jacob led them deep into the trees, winding his way along game trails until they broke out in a small clearing, where a small cabin stood, completely blending in with its surroundings.
“Nice,” Liam whispered.
“The kind of place people come to when they want to hide,” Beverly replied quietly.
“He’s not a fugitive from the law either,” Jacob stated.
“The law isn’t the only thing people want to hide from,” Liam said.
“He really believes he’s cursed, doesn’t he?” Beverly asked.
Jacob nodded. “Come on.”
Jacob broke out of the trees and into the clearing. Whether he had an early warning system of some kind, Beverly wasn’t sure, but Wyatt was out of his house and standing on the porch, scrutinizing them in seconds.
“Jacob, good to see you. How’s that mate of yours?” Wyatt strode over to them, his hand outstretched. “Carter. Got any beer?”
“No, but next time,” Carter promised.
“And this is Liam and Beverly. They are the newest members of the mountain rescue team. I thought we’d come and introduce them. Just in case they ever need your help.”
“You didn’t say there was an ulterior motive for us coming here,” Beverly chastised Jacob, and shook hands with Wyatt. “Good to meet you.”
“You too, Beverly.” He leaned in closer, his gray eyes scanning her. There was no doubt, this guy wasn’t senile: his eyes glittered with a sharpness that belonged to a person who saw the world through a focused lens. It was the same expression her high school science teacher had worn as he tried to infuse his class with enthusiasm.
“Hi, Wyatt.” Liam shook Wyatt's hand, and the two men studied each other for a moment before Liam asked, “Did you build this cabin yourself?”
“I did. I wanted to be off-grid.” Wyatt walked toward the cabin. “Coffee.”
“Dandelion coffee?” Jacob asked.
“How did you guess?” Wyatt gave them a quick smile and went inside the cabin. “I’ll make coffee and then we need to talk, Jacob.”
“That sounds ominous,” Jacob called.
When Wyatt reappeared with five tin mugs filled with coffee, he said, “I was up on the ridge yesterday. There were a couple of guys taking a little too much notice of the eagles nesting up there. I think she’s about to lay.”
“Crap. You think they are egg thieves, or simply birdwatchers?”
“Hard to tell for sure. But I’ve seen enough to make a good guess, and I’d say they weren’t there to look.” Wyatt sipped his coffee, and Beverly eyed the dark liquid in her cup with suspicion.
“Dandelion coffee is a good substitute for the real thing,” Liam told her quietly. “Try it.”
Beverly lifted the cup to her lips and inhaled the scent. Not too bad. She took a sip. “I like that.”
“Good.” Wyatt smiled broadly. “I thought, being the store owner’s daughter, you’d only like the shop-bought stuff.”
Jacob chuckled. “Don’t listen to him, Beverly. Wyatt would have us all living off the land and off-grid if he could.”
“If there was enough land to go around,” Wyatt said. “As it is, you can all stick to your towns, and I’ll live up here in the peaceful solitude of the mountain.”
“So, these men,” Jacob said, steering the conversation back to the birds. “You see where they went?”
“I sure did.” Wyatt glanced up at Beverly before raising his eyebrows at Jacob, who shook his head. “Well, it seems a bear chased them down the mountain.”
“Isn’t that what happened to your brother?” Beverly asked Liam innocently.
“Something like that,” Liam replied and concentrated on his coffee.
“That’s where I recognize you from,” Wyatt said. “You’re the brother of that drug dealer.”
“Guilty as charged.” Liam put his hands up.
“Ah, you look all right. And I believe a man has to have the chance to prove his own worth.”
“I think we’re all agreed on that.” Jacob drained his coffee cup. “We should get moving. Thanks for the coffee, and thanks for the warning.” He pulled out a notepad from his pack. “If you can give me a brief description, I’ll let Brad know.”
“Two fellas. Both tall. About six feet. One had reddish hair and a beard. The other was short, dark hair, and a tattoo on his forearm. They wore camouflage gear and big backpacks. Almost military.”
“Almost?” Carter asked.
“Yeah, you know, as if they were wannabes.” Wyatt thought for a moment. “Dark-haired one had a scar on his cheek.” Wyatt pointed to his left cheek. “That’s about it.”
“Thanks, Wyatt. And next time I pass this way, I’ll bring you some beer, and some coffee.” They all said goodbyes and then set off back down the mountain.
When the truck came into view, relief surged through Beverly. Her muscles ached from the climb up the rock face, and she couldn’t wait to sink into a nice warm bath. As they climbed into the truck, she longed to put her head on Liam’s shoulder and close her eyes. Fresh air and exercise relaxed her, and she sure would like to get relaxed with Liam.
Chapter Six – Liam
Beverly leaned into Liam, the heat of her body seeping through her clothes to excite him. He longed to slip an arm around her shoulders and pull her closer. To kiss her neck and whisper sweet words in her ear.
“So what do you think of these egg hunters?” Jacob’s words tugged him back to the reality of the truck as it bounced along the trail leading back to the road.
“We should report it to Brad, he’ll circulate the description to all the local towns. There’s no way to know if they are staying in Bear Creek, or one of the other towns. Or just passing through. The bear might have been enough to frighten them off.”
“If we’re lucky. I sure wish those eagles would nest somewhere higher on the mountain.” Jacob sighed. “I’ll hike up there tomorrow and check it out.”
“I can go if you want,” Liam offered. He could go for an early morning flight over the mountain. It would do him good to stretch his wings.
“I’ll come with you,” Beverly offered.
Carter grinned at Liam. “Looks as if you two have a date.”
Liam wanted to peck Carter’s nose, hard. Instead, Beverly dug Carter in the ribs with her elbow. “Stop it.”
“Sorry. Just giving you a nudge in the right direction,” Carter explained.
“We don’t need nudging,” Beverly told him hotly.
“You already have a date lined up?” Carter pushed it just a little bit further.
“We’ve talked about it.” Liam
stepped in to deflect Carter’s teasing from his mate.
“Good.” Carter looked satisfied and turned to stare out of the window at the tall pine trees.
“I can check the nest on my own,” Liam said. “I was going to get up early and go before work.”
“I can get up early too.” Beverly put her hand in her pocket. “I’ll set an alarm on my phone to remind me. What time?”
“Six. There should be enough light… Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I must have dropped my phone. Damn it.” Beverly patted all her pockets and then checked her backpack, which was resting on her shapely thighs.
“Where did you have it last?” Liam asked, seeing her concern and needing to ease it.
“On top of the cliff. It must have dropped out when we got up to leave.” She shook her head. “I use it as a diary for keeping track of the work roster and deliveries.”
“It’s too late to go back now,” Jacob said, reading her mind.
“Are you sure?” Beverly asked.
“Absolutely.” Jacob looked out of the window. “There’s no rain forecast, so it can wait. I’ll hike up there tomorrow and check in on Wyatt again, then go and retrieve it.”
“Thanks, Jacob.” Beverly smiled with gratitude. “I guess I’ll have find a clock to set my alarm for the morning.”
“I can manage. Really.” Liam insisted. Although an early morning walk with his mate sounded like the perfect start to the day.
“OK. I guess you’ll be quicker on your own.” He’d unintentionally hurt her feelings.
“It’s not that.”
Yes, it is, his eagle replied, torn between spending time with his mate and flying free over the mountains.
Carter came to his rescue. “You work hard at the store, Beverly, and Liam can probably guess that by tomorrow your upper body is going to be aching from today’s exercise. We were all impressed with the way you handled yourself on that rock face.”
“You were?” Beverly sounded mollified.
“Sure. Brad said you’ll fit right in.”
“Which reminds me, I have to take these descriptions to Brad. Shall I take the stretcher too?” Jacob asked, parking the truck on the side of the road.
“Yes. Thanks.” They all got out of the truck, and Carter took off the rescue team’s backpack and handed it to Jacob. “Caroline will be wondering where I am.”
“Does she keep you on a short leash?” Beverly purred, igniting the jealousy Liam fought to control every time she flirted with someone. She was one creature he wanted to tame.
“No, I’m free to do whatever I want,” Carter insisted.
“If Caroline gives him the OK,” Jacob added, earning himself a hard stare from Carter.
“And Avery lets you do whatever you want?” Carter asked with an edge to his voice.
“OK, fellas.” Liam held his hands up as if to part the two men. “It’s been fun. Beverly, can I walk you home?”
“I’m just across the street there.” Beverly pointed to the grocery store. “I need to go and tell my dad I’ve lost my phone and piece together the information I need for the roster and deliveries.”
“I’ll look for your phone tomorrow.” Jacob was already walking down the street to the sheriff’s office, and Carter was getting in his car.
“Make a new date,” Carter reminded Beverly and Liam. “You kids look good together.”
Beverly looked away, and Liam raised his hand. “Thanks.” He might look young, but Liam was no kid.
“You two belong together.” Liam rolled his eyes as Carter got into his car with a cheery wave.
“I’ll walk you across the street,” Liam offered Beverly, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible. Eternity wouldn’t be enough, not now that he’d found her.
“You don’t have to.” Beverly smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I realize we were thrust together for the whole rescue thing. You don’t have to pretend you want to date me.”
“Where did that come from?” Liam asked, troubled by her words.
“I get it.” She backed away from him.
“No, you don’t.” Liam shook his head, strode after her, then reached out and placed his hands on her upper arms. “I want to take you to the movies and out to dinner. And if you really want to get up early in the morning and come with me up the mountain, then I’d like that.”
“You would?” Beverly asked shyly.
“Yes, but Carter is right, you might want to give yourself some time to get over today.”
“I’m fine. I’ll be fine, and I won’t slow you down.” She had something she needed to prove, if not to him, then to herself. Or was she scared Liam would get snapped up by another woman, just as she thought all the men did?
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked her across the road. “Six?”
“I’ll be there.” She stood and watched as he walked away.
“Come around the back, I’ll be waiting.” He walked backward, watching her watching him. Damn, how he would love to rush back to her and kiss her on the lips, in front of her daddy’s store.
She waved, and then walked into the store, taking his heart with him. Liam swung around and headed to his own store: he was later than planned, and Leona needed to leave. When Leona first started working at the store they had agreed flexible working hours that she could fit around her kid’s lives. So far, it had worked out well.
“Sorry, I’m running late.” Liam entered the store and took his pack off his back.
“I wondered if you’d gotten swept off your feet.” Leona went to fetch her coat and purse from the back of the store.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” He frowned, but when he caught sight of her expression, he understood. “Who blabbed?”
“Jacob called Avery, who called me.” Leona kissed him on the cheek as she headed for the door. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Liam looked bashful.
“I’m really pleased for you, Liam.” She stood back. “You belong here. I hope this makes you see that. You fit in.”
“I want to.”
Leona’s eyes narrowed. “One day you’ll have to tell me who you were in your old life.”
He looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”
“Well, Jacob also mentioned that your skills on the mountain were phenomenal.”
“Phenomenal?” He went around the counter and checked for messages. “I think Jacob is massaging my ego.”
“Have it your way, Liam Jackson, man of mystery.” Leona waved as she walked out of the store. “See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.”
“Have a good evening, Leona. Say hi to the family.”
“I will.” Leona closed the door behind her and gave him one last cheesy smile as she walked past the window, and then he was alone.
We need a cover story, his eagle said quietly.
I know. A good one. Although I can’t see us ever going back to that old life. Maybe we should come clean. His eagle ruffled his feathers and then began to preen them.
But coming clean might put people in danger. And he didn’t want that.
What he needed was time to think. Time away from the store. He strolled around to the doorway and went outside, looking up and down the street. It was quiet, as it always was at this time of day. He glanced up, there were about two hours of daylight left. Time to get up to the Western Plateau and back before dark.
Liam went back inside and put a closed sign on the door. He could catch up on his other tasks later; for now, he needed the freedom of the open skies.
Taking a chance, he went out into the backyard of the store, and after checking that no one could see him, he shifted into his eagle. He was big, conspicuous. But skilled at keeping himself hidden.
Flying between houses, using them for cover, he headed out of town. When he reached the open countryside, he swooped low, skimming the hedgerows as he headed toward the mountains. Once, this kind of flight would have given him a thrill, trying not to be seen
by whoever might be out there watching. Flight had been his way out of some sticky situations. Situations that might have ended with a bullet in the head if his eagle hadn’t gotten them out of there.
The lower slopes of the mountains loomed, and he risked rising up into the sky. Eagles belonged here, they were part of the ecosystem. He no longer had to hide.
With long, hard wing strokes, he rose up toward the sun, catching the downdrafts and gliding along calling out to the world he was here, king of the skies. The stillness of the late afternoon eased his worries and cleared his head.
Meeting Beverly had never been part of his plan when he’d come to Bear Creek. She complicated everything, forcing him to make decisions he was not ready to make. The store, which had been almost bankrupt thanks to his asshole brother, was now worth more than the money his mom had invested. His original idea, to build up the business and then sell it, returning the money invested, was now mired in a desire to stay here in town.
Things had gotten complicated real fast.
His eagle’s mind took over, and he flapped his powerful wings, driving higher, rising up toward the sky as the sun began its descent behind the mountain. Higher, he reached the rock face where only hours ago he’d worked alongside his mate to rescue Jacob. So what if it was fake, it reminded Liam of the principles he’d built his life around.
Could he be happy here in Bear Creek as a small-town store owner?
Circling, he drew closer to the ground, his eagle-eyes looking for Beverly’s phone. There. He saw a glint of light on glass and tucked his wings in to dive down and retrieve it. Using his senses, he checked the area for any sign of life, both human and animal. All he picked up were small mammals and birds, who soon scurried off when they sensed the killer bird of prey approaching.
He shifted into his human form and retrieved the phone, then stood for some time reliving the scene where Beverly lay on her back staring up at the sky. He’d watched her, mesmerized by the rise and fall of her breasts, and longing to pull her close to him and kiss her full lips.
What he wouldn’t give to have her here with him now. To strip her clothes from her body and make love to her under the setting sun.
Undercover Eagle Page 4