Jensen
I sucked in a deep breath,letting the cool, pine scent soothe every tired muscle in my body. It had been a long week. I’d brought Willow home on Monday—Willow,that’s what I’d named the mare with the haunted eyes. For the trees that were known to withstand the highest winds so well they would bend but never break.
She was adjusting to her new home perfectly, but I’d been spending extra time with my herd just to make sure. There was karate and family dinners and prepping lunches and work. I was exhausted, but I’d come into the Kettle extra early the past three days so I could mix extra dough to get ahead on the baking schedule and steal away for a couple of quiet hours today.
I needed this time. I had to reclaim one of my favorite places in the world. If I didn’t, it would forever have a darkness to it. And this place, as well as the meadow and forests surrounding it, should always be bathed in light.
I tightened the straps on my pack. No one could accuse me of not taking precautions now. I’d told my mom exactly where I would be. Heck, I’d even borrowed one of the satellite phones my dad kept on hand.
I would’ve asked Tuck to go with me, but I knew he was working, and he probably would’ve tried to talk me out of it. Not to mention, I was still a little pissed at him. Him and my brother. Their overprotectiveness and desire to make all my decisions for me was stifling.
I took another deep breath. This was why I needed horses. Mine and the ones who still ran free. With them, I could just be. I couldn’t explain it exactly, but they eased my soul somehow.
I began the hike up the familiar path, but this time, I rounded the ridge and headed straight for the meadow. I wasn’t quite ready to revisit the site where I’d found the fallen mare. I’d take the more popular trail.
I hiked for an hour before I saw them. Tension seeped from my muscles as I recognized the stallion. I counted at least ten mares. Four foals. Everyone was safe. They all looked healthy. I let out a long breath. My sleep had been restless for the past couple of weeks, but not for the usual reasons. Instead of being filled with Bryce, my nightmares had been filled with fallen horses.
I needed this. Had to know they were okay. And now I could tell Lee the same. I found a spot to settle in. I set down my pack and pulled out my bottle of water and a sandwich. I sat and watched and ate. I let the horses’ peaceful energy flow over me. Soaked up each precious moment as the family interacted, coaxing their young ones along, searching out grass to eat. This glimpse of life was the perfect remedy to the heartache of the lost mare.
“What are you thinking coming out here?”
I jolted at the sound of Tuck’s voice. “What are you doing here?”
He glowered at me. “I’m working a case. You know the one where you found a horse shot to death?”
My mouth fell open. Tuck was overprotective, but this felt extreme. “You think the hunter’s going to come back to the same place?” Tuck’s jaw worked, but he said nothing. Pieces began to slide into place. I shot to my feet. “You don’t think this was an accident.”
A muscle ticked in Tuck’s cheek. That flicker of movement I was so very familiar with. “I don’t have evidence either way, and there haven’t been any other incidents.”
My eyes narrowed. “But your gut’s telling you it wasn’t an accident.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter what my gut says, you shouldn’t be tromping around where a crime was committed.”
My hands fisted. “I’m not. I didn’t take that unmarked trail. I took the official, marked path. I didn’t see any signs that said it was closed. Has the Forest Service closed this trail, Tuck?”
That muscle in his cheek was dancing to a staccato beat now. “I need you to trust me to handle this.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “I do trust you to handle it. I’m not poking around, looking for evidence or anything. I just wanted some time with the mustangs. It’s been a long week, and I needed—”
“You needed to catch your breath.” Tuck’s gaze held me captive, his ice-blue eyes burning into mine.
How did he see me better than anyone? “With them, with my herd, it’s the only place I breathe easily.”
Tuck stepped closer. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t.” I gestured towards my pile of stuff. “I’ve got a stocked pack, a sat phone. I’m covered.”
Tuck pulled me against him. “It’s not enough. Please. Don’t come out here alone again. Call me.”
His body was all rigid muscle. I spoke into his pec. “Okay.”
“Promise?”
I fisted my hands in his shirt. “I promise.”
Tuck’s lips pressed against the top of my head, and I fought the urge to let my hands wander.
“Thank you.” He released me.
