6. Hunter
Hunter
We charge into the barn yard to the ranch that we borrowed the horse’s from and I leap from the horse just like Aspen does. The rancher eyes her up, smiling.
“That was fast. I was sure you’d be gone longer than this.”
“I would have been. But I need to let the fire department know. There’s a fire up in the mountains off the south trail. At least that’s where I saw smoke.”
We both know that the smoke could have been pushed around by the strong mountain winds.
Mountain winds that are not going to be good for stopping a wildfire. Instead it’s about to whip things up into a frenzy of flames if they aren’t stopped.
He grimaces and then grabs his cell phone. He calls the fire station since he knows the chief and I listen, walking Titan around until he gets off the phone.
“He’s already been hearing about smoke from other people so now we know for sure.
He’s got a call into search and rescue to locate some missing hikers and the fire department and search and rescue and the police are going to be coordinating together to get this taken care of…
hopefully soon and hopefully without calling in the big guns. ”
I sigh and he takes Titan and Nutmeg from us. “Y’all go on home. I’ve got to have my guys start working on a break line and getting ready to hose down buildings just in case. We’ve also got to get the other animals back closer to the ranch just in case we need to move them.”
“Do you need help?” I ask. “We can stay and help you.”
But Van shakes his head. “Nope. I’ve got my boys and we know this place like the back of our hands. Just get on home safe. Stay close to home until this is over.”
I don’t argue with him. Instead, I take Aspen’s hand and lead her back to her old car. I start to get into the driver’s side but she glares at me. “I am fully capable of driving my own car, Hunter.”
I want to argue with her. Want to protect her somehow. But there’s nothing to do right now and she’s right. She can drive her own vehicle. I’m just acting like a crazy person. A controlling man who won’t let the little woman do anything.
That’s not me. I’ve never been like that. For some reason, Aspen brings it out in me. I’m starting to wonder if I have a daddy complex with this woman.
She’s not a child but I just can’t help myself. I need to do things for her. Need to help her.
I get in the car and curl my fists into my thighs to keep from reaching out to touch her. I can smell the soft fruity perfume that she wears. Like a spicy peach cobbler and my mouth waters like I’m starving to death.
And maybe I am but it’s just for her. My stomach is tied in knots right now, worried about getting off this damn mountain and back to town.
But she just smirks at me. Like she’s just out for an afternoon stroll instead of a drive down a road that might be hiding flames and smoke. “Seat belt.”
I buckle up and she starts her little car and we’re moving, heading down. My eyes are swiveling back and forth, my neck tight with fear. If anything happens to her…
But we don’t see a thing and we make it back to town. My neck finally loosens up enough that my back isn’t killing me and she parks in front of the resort. “You can let the Rousseau’s know. I’m sure it’s going to get around town very quickly.”
I nod my head, desperately wanting to ask her to come up with me. But it’s soon. And I’m still not sure…she’s so young and she has so many ties to this town. To her home.
So I nod my head and get out, watching her drive away. My heart squeezes in my chest, the pain knocking me out of the stupor I’m in…just standing there like an idiot.
“Jesus. I’m going to have a heart attack if I don’t figure out what’s going on with this woman.”
My phone rings and I sigh, picking it up, not really surprised to see Ryan’s number.
“What?” I growl.
“I can’t take this anymore. I’m coming to find you if you don’t come home.”
“Jesus, Ryan. I’m fine. I just need to get my head straight after what happened with…well, with her.”
“Still can’t say her name.”
“I don’t want to wash my own mouth out with soap. So…no.”
He chuckles. “I’m glad you can finally laugh about it. That sounds like you’re good enough to come home.”
“I honestly don’t know if Tennessee is home for me anymore.”
He hisses through his teeth. “Come on. Don’t let the bitch get you down. You’ve always loved Tennessee.”
“I loved it. But since I left I’ve found a lot more out there. And I like it.”
“So what? You’re gonna turn into some kind of traveling minstrel?”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Isn’t that what happens when I go on tour?”
“Ugh. I’m seriously regretting calling you. I’m going to have a heart attack. You’re killing me here.”
“I feel your pain. But that doesn’t mean I’m coming back there. Nashville isn’t the same for me. I feel like I need something new.”
“So you’re buying a new house? As long as you get a studio put in it shouldn’t cause too many problems.”
My shoulders sag. It’s been a long time since I sang and honestly…it doesn’t feel right anymore. But I can’t seem to get that through Ryan’s thick head.
“Hey. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Alright. But I’m not giving up on you, man. You’re too good to let any woman derail you like Tiffany.”
I shudder when he says her name. “Yeah. I’ll talk to you later.”
I hang up the phone and head into the resort. On the way through, I talk to one of the employees and find out that they already know about the fire.
Gossip runs through this little town like…well, wildfire. It’s already the talk of the town and I can see the worry on some of the faces around me.
I wish I could tell them I don’t think they need to worry. But it’s a little hard to do when my throat closes up every time I think about Aspen out there without me.
Sighing, I head for my room. I need to get cleaned up or they probably won’t let me into the restaurant.
But the whole night, my mind can’t stop following the little brunette that seems to hold my enthralled no matter where she is.
And when I lie in bed, I close my eyes and picture her ocean blue gaze and the soft curve of her pale cheeks. The scent of her, the warmth of her smile and the way my heart beats faster just thinking about her.
It takes a long time for my mind to clear enough to fall asleep. And the rest of the night is filled with dreams of her, smiling, laughing, crying and dancing through the fields around the mountains. Always here. Always tied to the mountains and her home.