Chapter 43 #2
Sounds of life reach my ears, letting me know we’re almost back, when Bear bends his head down and sniffs.
“What now?” I ask exasperated, not in the mood for another critter visitor.
With his nose to the ground, Bear walks back and forth, side to side, and in circles. I’m about ready to pick him up and go straight to Levi to demand a checkup when Bear stops, turns his head to me, and lets out a single bark.
Not one of alarm or warning.
More like trying to tell me something.
Hesitantly, I take measured steps toward him. Shadow keeps pace with me. “What did you find, boy?”
He yips one more time and uses his nose to point to four small twigs.
No.
Not twigs.
Cigarette butts, still smoldering.
Was…Was Walker out here? Was he following me? What the hell? Is this his idea of a joke?
Crouching down, I search the snow. Footprints much larger than mine litter the area. My hands ball into fists.
That fucker better pray he can get into WITSEC because I am coming for him.
Rational thought and I are not compatible right now.
Swiping the evidence from the snow, I march the rest of the way. My fury doesn’t diminish even a fraction.
Hammering and whirring of tools causes a throb to stir in my head.
Stepping off the trail, Falling Sky comes back into view. Javier, Santiago, Levi, and Walker all hang on the fencing of the corral where I first spoke to Javier earlier. Their arms hang over the top as they watch Jack work his magic with another horse.
They must feel the raging storm that is my energy because all five heads swing to me.
But the ferocity in my eyes is only meant for one.
Walker Maddox.
He furrows his brows and advances to meet me.
Dead man walking.
Shadow and Bear scamper off together. I’m not sure where, and at this moment, I can’t say I care.
When Walker gets within arms length, I thrust my hands forward and shove with all my might.
But he doesn’t budge, which angers me more.
I try again.
And again.
No result.
The snarl that rumbles from my chest is purely feral.
Walker, done with being my punching bag, captures my wrists and pulls me close. “What’s wrong?”
“You.” I attempt to slam my fist into his gut, but Walker is stronger than me. Always has been and probably always will be.
I hate that a part of me loves that right now.
Walker shakes his head. “You’re not making sense.”
“Were you following me?” I shout.
Walker’s brows squish together. “Why would I follow you?”
“You tell me.” I rip my hands out of his grasp. I know the only reason I’m successful is because he let me.
Instead of yelling again, I throw the cigarette butts at him. They hit his chest and fall to the ground. He bends and picks one up.
He holds it between us. “What is this? Are you trying to tell me that you’re smoking?”
“Those are yours, you prick. I know you were trying to spook me. Probably trying to teach me a lesson for going on a walk without a buddy.” My hands tighten into fists at my sides.
“I don’t smoke clove cigarettes.” Walker raises a brow.
The dread from earlier returns with a vengeance. “If…if those aren’t…”
Walker turns his head and lets out a piercing whistle, gaining the attention of everyone in the immediate area. “Hey! Does anyone here smoke clove cigarettes?”
Santiago and Levi make a face expressing their disgust. Javier and Jack shake their heads in denial.
The rush of my increasing pulse makes it feel like I’m underwater, muffling voices and noises.
“Santi, check with the crew,” Walker directs, descending into sheriff mode.
My vision is on the verge of going black when large, calloused hands frame my face. “Baby Girl, look at me and breathe.”
Blinking, I try to force Walker’s face to come into focus. “What?”
He bends, bringing our noses closer. “Baby Girl, I need you to talk to me.”
The contact grounds me back to this moment with Walker.
Swallowing, I nod, gathering my thoughts and words.
Santiago and Levi join us, flanking me on either side. Their presence brings an added sense of safety.
“Start from the beginning.”
I do.
I tell them about Javier asking me to walk Shadow. About the trail. About Shadow stopping and Bear growling. How the snapping of twigs and branches turned out to be a deer. The cigarette butts. The footprints. The feeling that someone had been there the entire time, watching me.
Throughout my story, no one interrupts me.
The only sounds are hammers striking lumber at the new barn and the distant whinny of a horse.
Walker rubs a hand over his mouth. Levi’s jaw is so tight I’m surprised he doesn’t crack a tooth. Santiago stares toward the tree line where I’d just come from, his expression unreadable.
Walker crouches down and picks up the rest of the butts, pulling an evidence bag from his coat and placing the evidence inside.
He must always carry those around.
“Nobody touches the trail,” Walker commands. “And nobody leaves until they’ve been questioned, including the ranch hands and the construction crew.”
“Walk—” Santiago starts.
“I’m not asking,” Walker snaps.
My phone buzzes in my pants pocket. Tapping on the text, a prickling sensation shoots up my spine. My pulse roars in my throat.
Wordlessly, I hand my phone over to Walker. His eyes narrow, not understanding why I’m giving him my cell. When he reads the message on the screen, a livid spasm crosses his face.
“Fuck.”
Unknown: Nice day for a walk.