Page 2 of The Mountain Man's Girl

I tug on the rope one last time, making sure it’s strong enough to hold whatever comes walking into my trap. Even the largest bear up on this mountain couldn’t stand a chance against my knots, so it should be good to go. I pick up my tools and tuck them into my belt, then start heading down to check the next trap. My phone starts buzzing again, burning a hole in my conscience with every ring. It could be an emergency. A life-or-death situation. And how am I going to feel if I ignore the calland find out that one of my good friends has died on account of me not answering?

“Hello,” I grunt, sounding as though I haven’t used my voice in ages. Guess it has been a few days. There aren’t a whole lot of animals crossing my path to converse with, so my vocal cords don’t get stretched much.

“Took you long enough,” the old familiar voice rumbles through the line. “I was beginning to think I needed to send search and rescue up to that mountain of yours to find your corpse.”

“If I were dead, the coyotes would’ve eaten me by now. Why are you calling, Ryker?”

“Really? That’s how you’re going to greet your old friend?”

Only when I know that old friend needs something from me. If this were a friendly check-in to shoot the shit and see if I’m still kicking, he would’ve sent me a damn email. But whatever he wants to discuss can’t have a paper trail.

“You calling to ask how many buzzards I saw flying over top the mountain today?” I saw three circling this morning, which means some kind of animal met its fate. “Or are you calling to invite me to a barbecue? Sorry, but I’m a little busy this weekend and won’t be able to make it.”

“Busy doing what? Wrangling bears? Bird-watching?” He thinks I twiddle my thumbs all day long, but I’ve got plenty to occupy my time with. And believe me, after everything I went through, boredom is welcome. “It’s not a barbecue, but what do you say to having dinner with me tonight? I’ll take you out to the nicest place in town and buy you a steak. When was the last time you had a decent meal?”

He acts like I’m living off MREs up here. I grow what I can in the way of vegetables, and drive into town to stock up on dry goods, meat, and whatever supplies I need, so I never go without.

“Breakfast,” I grunt. “I had myself some deer sausage and a quail egg omelet.” And it was better than any fancy-ass meal I can get in town.

“Yeah. Well, when was the last time you ate a meal you didn’t have shoot and skin first?”

“You going to tell me why you’re so interested in feeding me?” It’s about time he gets to the real meat and potatoes because I know there’s a reason brewing behind this friendly get-together.

“Can’t say. I’m on the clock.” In other words, Uncle Sam is listening and it isn’t safe for him to talk. He’s a cop, and down at the station, you never know who’s eavesdropping on the line. The place is crawling with bugs. “But I’ll tell you this…” His voice drops and I can tell he’s covering his mouth. “I’ve got a dirty pen out on the land, and I need some help handling the rabid pigs.” Which is code for the fact that he’s dealing with some dirty cops.

This is the exact reason I moved off grid. I lost faith in people. The agents I worked with, the ones meant to serve and protect, were just as crooked as the criminals we were investigating. In fact, they were worse. There was no one I could trust. And the few I could were dropping like flies. So, I fled before they could eliminate me too. Sounds like Ryker’s now dealing with the same. Only these fuckers are carrying police badges.

“Nothing ever changes, does it?” I sigh. “Just tell me when and where and I’ll be there.” As much as I don’t want to get involved, this man took out the drug dealer who had his gun pointed right at my forehead, so I won’t turn my back on him.

“How about we say seven at the finest steakhouse in town? Means you’ll have to dust off your old suit and shave that beard of yours.”

Nah, I’m not shaving for shit. I’m not trying to impress anyone or find myself a woman. I just need to get theinformation from him and then I’ll be handling everything else from behind my computer screen.

“I’ll see you at seven.”

I cut the line and stare out at the mountain ridge, taking in a deep breath of the clean crisp air. Listening to the quiet. The calm. Feeling the cool breeze whip across my skin. It’s peaceful up here. No noise. No drama. And no fucking crooked agents breathing down my neck, wanting me to break the law for them, wanting to ensure I fall in line. I worked so damn hard, feeling proud of protecting my country, but then the truth was revealed, and I realized exactly who I was working for: criminals.

It’s just a dinner with an old pal and then I’ll be back up here breathing steady again.

3

Tarryn

It’s worse than I expected. We’ve been walking for hours. Uphill. In the mud. With these huge, heavy packs on our backs. I can’t even feel my toes anymore. Right as we started on the trail, we had to cross a creek bed, and my wet feet are numb now. Of course, the others have dry feet, which they’ve been pointing out for the last few hours.“See, your feet would be dry if you were wearing hiking boots. Now, your feet are going to stink.”

Kelsey turned to Carter and told him she feels sorry for him. I’m surprised she didn’t offer to sleep in his tent instead of with Jeff. For wanting things to happen between her and Jeff, her flirtations sure have been pointed in the wrong direction.

“Can you move any faster, babe?” Carter stops and turns, looking annoyed again. I’m trying to catch up, but he’s walking so fast. “I’d like to get up to that ridge before dark so we can watch the sunset.” He points to a spot way up the mountain, andI nearly break down in tears. That looks to be another two hours away. At least.

“I’m trying, Carter. But this pack is heavy.” And about two times too big for my frame. I should’ve taken the advice of the salesclerk and gone with the smaller one. But Carter insisted that I get something that would fit him on the off chance I never used it again.

“That’s probably because of all the heels you packed,” Kelsey mocks.

“Heels?” Carter’s brow forms a V, a sign that he’s further annoyed.

“I didn’t bring heels.” I look toward Kelsey who’s smirking at me. “But you guys gave me all the food to carry, and it isn’t light.”

“It’s freeze-dried meals, babe. I’m carrying two tents, pots and pans, and my sleeping bag. And Jeff has an entire pack of water bottles on his back.” Yeah, well good for him. They’re strong guys who are used to doing this type of thing. This is my first time. “Kelsey’s got a full pack too, and even she’s moving fast.”

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