Chapter Six #2
She grabbed his arms and pulled, but he didn’t budge. She wrapped both hands in his belt and yanked hard enough that he had to plant his feet, shoving and steering him toward the water with everything she had. Before she could get him off balance he caught her by the arms and hoisted her up.
Aftyn shrieked with laughter and instinctively hooked her arms around his neck. “Don’t you dare, Cole Harrison.”
“Why not?” He carried her right to the water’s edge and dangled her over while Ollie circled them, barking. “You can ask the fish about their families.”
She tried to keep a straight face and lost, burying her face against his shoulder, legs wrapping around his waist in panic. He loosened his grip and she relaxed just enough for him to let go entirely.
She hit the water with a splash and came up sputtering, blinking it from her eyes. Cole stood on the bank, laughing.
“You are in so much trouble, Harrison.”
“I’m shaking in my boots.”
“Help me out.” She extended her hand. “And you’d better have dry clothes for me.”
“I’m sure I can find something.” He stepped to the edge and reached down. Aftyn grabbed his hand, braced her feet, and yanked with everything she had. Cole tumbled in with a satisfying splash.
She crawled onto the grass, beaming, as he surfaced and slicked water from his face.
“Truce?”
She laughed. “For now.”
Cole floated on his back. “Actually, not bad, aside from the water in my boots.” Ollie edged toward the water, looking ready to commit. “No, Ollie.” The dog sat and gave Aftyn a mournful look that made her laugh.
“Soggy ride home.”
Cole pulled himself out and dropped down beside her.
“Let’s head back and dry off. I’ll throw your clothes in the dryer.”
“Only if you don’t mind me sticking around a while.”
He smiled, his gaze dropping briefly to her lips. “I was hoping you would.”
He leaned in, slow and uncertain, then stopped when Ollie growled, hackles rising. Cole was on his feet in an instant, eyes on the tree line.
“Damn.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think he’s sees a bear.”
She shot up. “You’re kidding.”
His voice dropped, calm but urgent. “Stay still until I have the horses ready. Ollie, come.”
****
Cole stared through the mottled afternoon light and made out her form: a massive sow, russet fur bristling along her broad back, snout buried in the dirt, cubs darting at her heels.
She hadn’t scented them yet. If she did, there’d be no warning before the rush of claws and fury.
Nothing came between a mama bear and her babies.
“Come here,” he whispered.
Aftyn stepped forward and Cole could see she was terrified. He knelt beside her horse, slid his hands beneath her boot, and lifted her into the saddle. He tapped her knee gently until her eyes met his.
“Ride for the barn. Hard and fast. Don’t stop, don’t look back.”
Her breath came in quick shallow bursts. “Can she catch me?”
“I’ll draw her off. Just go.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Not if you get a good head start.”
She hesitated. “What about you?”
He smirked, jaw tight. “Once you’re clear I’ll fire the rifle. The crack will send her back into the trees.” His eyes flicked to the sow as she pawed the soil, nostrils flaring. “Go. Now.”
“Cole.” Her voice cracked.
He squeezed her knee. “Please.”
Aftyn dug her heels in and the mare bolted, hooves hammering the earth into clouds of dust, the rhythm echoing through the clearing like a runaway heartbeat. Cole glanced at Ollie. “Go, buddy.” The dog shot after her in a blur of gold.
Cole kept his eyes on the sow. The thunder of hooves reached her and she rose, coarse fur standing on end, then whirled toward him.
He dropped into the saddle, feeling his horse tense beneath him, and slowly drew the rifle from its sling, resting the barrel across his thigh. He’d fire only if she came too close.
A low guttural snort rolled through the clearing.
She lunged, shoulder blades rolling under matted fur, claws gouging divots in the turf as she angled toward him, jaws snapping.
Cole raised the rifle and fired into the ground before her.
Earth and shale exploded at her feet. She reeled, ears pinned, then turned and ran, her massive form swallowed by the shadowed tree line until only the rustling pines remained.
Cole exhaled and lowered the rifle. He nudged his mount toward the barn, its red paint dulled by years of sun and wind. Inside, the air was thick with hay and horse sweat. Aftyn sat on a golden bale, her body still shaking, Ollie pressed against her leg.
Cole dismounted and strode over. She sprang up and flung her arms around him, trembling against his chest.
“It’s over,” he said, stroking her damp hair. “She ran back into the woods.”
“Boss?” Landon’s voice echoed from the barn doors as he and Gunnar burst in, rifles cradled in their arms.
“We’re fine. Mama bear with cubs. She turned tail after a warning shot.”
Landon’s brow furrowed. “Want us to check the woods?”
“No. You guys know it’s illegal to kill a grizzly unless you’re threatened, but keep your eyes peeled on the perimeter. Those cubs are five, six months old. She’ll do anything to protect them.”
“Understood.” Landon’s gaze flicked to Aftyn. “Ma’am, you okay?”
Aftyn nodded. “Just catching my breath.”
“Landon, would you and Gunnar cool down the horses?”
“Yes, sir.” Landon gathered the reins, handed a set to Gunnar, and they led both mounts out, hooves clattering across the barn floor.
Cole kept his arm around Aftyn, feeling the tremor still moving through her. “Come on. You’ll feel better after a hot shower.”
She nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
“I did suggest it.” He guided her out of the barn, across the yard, and up onto the porch, where they peeled off sodden boots and socks.
Inside, Aftyn shivered, goosebumps rising beneath her wet shirt. Cole steered her down the hall to his bedroom, pulled open a drawer, and handed her blue sweatpants and a soft cotton T-shirt. “Big, but dry.”
Her teeth chattered. “Thank you. Do you have socks?”
“Sure.” He passed her a rolled pair of socks, then paused and held out a pair of boxer briefs. “Underwear?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
“I’ll use the hall shower. Take your time. I’ll meet you in the living room.”
“Thank you.” Aftyn said as she disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.
Cole grabbed his own dry clothes and headed down the hall. He turned the faucets and stripped off his damp jeans and shirt, stepping into the spray with a long groan as the scalding water hit his shoulders, washing away the chill and the adrenaline in one powerful rush.
****
Aftyn exhaled as warm water cascaded over her shoulders, carrying away the icy dread that had settled in her bones.
She pressed her palms against the tile, let her head fall forward, and fought back tears.
She’d never been so terrified. The bear’s hulking shoulders and bristling bulk had loomed impossibly close, and if Cole hadn’t stayed calm she didn’t dare think what might have happened.
Every second of the ride back had felt like an eternity, her knuckles white on the reins, her breath coming in short gasps at every snap of a twig or rustle in the underbrush.
When the shot finally cracked the air she’d jolted so hard she was sure the horse would throw her.
But the gelding held steady, and Aftyn had kept her eyes forward and didn’t look back.
When they reached the barn she’d slid from the saddle and sank onto a bale of hay, fingers trembling, eyes fixed on the wide barn entrance. The moment Cole rode into view, safe and unhurt, she’d scrambled to her feet and rushed into his arms without a second thought.
She sighed and lathered her hair, the scent of pine and citrus lifting some of the tension from her shoulders. She scrubbed away the dust and adrenaline and let the water run until her breathing finally slowed.
She turned off the water and stepped out, pressing a plush black towel against her damp hair before wrapping a second one around herself. She swiped a hand across the mirror. Pale cheeks, wide dark-ringed eyes. She needed a comb but didn’t want to dig through drawers.
Aftyn slipped into the bedroom. The main door was shut, and the clothes Cole left for her lay folded on the king-size bed.
She sank onto the edge of the cherry four-poster and took in the room.
Log exterior walls, beige interior, deep-blue carpet soft beneath her toes, a chest of drawers opposite the bed, a dresser beside the bathroom door, bifold doors hinting at a spacious closet.
It was beautiful and calm, a world away from what had just happened outside. Her pulse steadied just being in it.
She dressed, tying the drawstring tight and rolling up the pant legs, then padded into the hallway. The hall bathroom stood ajar and a faint trace of Cole’s aftershave drifted through the corridor.
In the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows framed a great stone hearth. Cole stood before them, shoulders relaxed, gaze fixed on the tree line outside.
“Hi,” she said softly.
He turned and offered a gentle smile that sent butterflies straight through her.
Her eyes dropped before she could stop them.
Gray sweatpants, nothing underneath, the fabric clinging to his hips and thighs, and that tight ass.
That red T-shirt doing nothing to hide his chest or arms. She swallowed and looked back up.
“I need a comb. I didn’t want to rummage through the drawers.”
He laughed and crossed toward her. “You could have. Come on.”
She followed him down the hall, her gaze drifting to the strong curve of his back and that ass. Damn, she thought. He really did have one hell of a body.