I held up a hand. “We’re totally fine.”
As soon as he knew we were all right his face began to redden. “What the hell were you thinking coming up here with all this going on?”
Jensen stepped in front of me. “Oh, no, you don’t, brother dearest. There hasn’t been an incident in a month. And just because something bad happened up here, doesn’t mean I’m going to avoid it for the rest of my life. These horses mean the world to me.”
Walker’s face approached the shade of a tomato. “That’s, that’s—”
I gripped his shoulder. “What Jensen meant to say was, now that we’re aware of the depth of the danger, she will be staying away from Pine Meadow until this asshole is apprehended. Once he is, she’ll be back up here with her horses on the regular. Isn’t that right, Jensen?”
Jensen stuck her tongue out at me. The action seemed to take some of the wind out of Walker’s sails. “I was just worried.”
Jensen gave her brother a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“I know.” He squeezed her harder, and she winced. “What? What’s wrong?” He looked at me. “I thought you said she was fine.”
Jensen smacked at Walker to release her. “Iamfine. I just got a little banged up when Tuck threw me to the ground.” She narrowed her eyes on her brother. “You know, when he shielded me from bullets with his own body. You might say ‘thanks for trying to save my sister’s life.’”
Walker looked from Jensen to me and back again. “Why would I want to do that when you’re so damn annoying?”
Jensen gave him a shove. “Guess I’m walking home.”
Walker reached out a hand and pulled me into a half-hug, whispering in my ear. “Thank you, man.”
“I’d do anything for her.” My voice cracked on the last word, the emotion of the day finally hitting me.
Walker released me. “I know you would. Are you guys good here? I think I’m going to get her home.”
I nodded. “I’ll give you a call when we’re done and update you.”
“Appreciate it. Jensen, let’s go.”
Jensen and I stood a few feet apart. The call of her was so strong, it almost brought me to my knees. I was dying to pull her into my arms. Kiss her. Never let her go. But I couldn’t. Because that wasn’t what we were. That invisible fist clamped down around my chest. “I’ll call you later to check in.”
J nodded. “I’m going to try and convince Walker to make a stop at the equine center on the way home, but I’ll have my cell.” She glanced around the surrounding forest. “Be careful.”
“I will.” I watched until the two of them had disappeared into the forest before I turned to my team. “Anyone else coming?”
Mackey grimaced. “The boss should be here any second. He said he’d be right behind us.”
I was hoping that was a good sign. An indication that David was going to take this case more seriously. The sound of twigs snapping had me turning around, and there he was.
He pulled out a water bottle and took a swig. “Fill me in.”
I brought everyone up to speed on what had gone down.
David grimaced. “You should’ve never brought that girl off the trail. You both could’ve been killed.”
I sighed. “I know my way around here better than my own backyard. But if it eases your mind, I won’t be bringing her back until we catch this bastard.”
David nodded, somewhat appeased.
I gave Dominguez and Mackey their assignments and then turned back to David. “Have you gotten the ballistics report back on the bullet yet?”
David scowled. “Those idiots at the lab accidentally damaged the bullet during testing. All the results would be useless at this point.”
I swiped a hand through my hair. “Fuck.”
“You got that right.”
