Page 30 of Canyon of Deceit
“Well said. And yes, my respect for nature mirrors my love of family. Thank goodness rocks and trees don’t talk.”
“Imagine the stories they’d use to blackmail us.”
I stopped and pointed to a bull elk making his procession through the underbrush. His kingly stance gave him a regal look, and his rack served as his crown. “If I were alone, I’d be snapping pics.”
“Something we have in common. I’d be taking photos to paint later.”
I faced him. “Really? What medium?”
“Oil.”
We continued to hike. “How did you develop an interest in painting?”
“Ah, she probes deeper.” A few seconds passed. “I see my painting, specifically of landscapes and animals, as an expression of a longing in my soul. A means of putting emotions into words.”
This new insight into Blane stirred up the attraction I’d fought to suppress. Not at all what I’d expected. “Do you sell your work?”
“At times. Why do you take pics?”
I struggled with transparency, then braved forward. “Photography is not my sweet spot. It merely serves to jog my memory about places I’ve visited and treasured. The wild is a worshipful experience, and I want to capture a snippet of God’s creativity.”
“If you pick out a favorite photo, I’d be glad to paint it.” His sincerity infused every word.
“We can come back another time,” I said. “Right now, our lives are bombarded by evil men.”
“We’ll have to steal away, then. In my world, every day is filled with bad guys.”
FIFTEEN
Six miles into Dog Canyon, and Blane and I hiked at a steady pace. The smell of the high desert filled my nostrils, and the distinct tapping of a woodpecker made me smile. Normally, I’d be listening and whistling back to the various birds, the magnificent, blue and black Steller’s jay with its rather harsh five quickshook,shook,shook,shook,shook. Sometimes the bird had a harsher call, and at times it mimicked a red-tailed hawk. A male rusty-sided spotted towhee with its chorus of high-pitched trills offered his song.
A chorus of others serenaded us, but I kept my attention on any indication of humans trekking the same path. In my world, I enjoyed the beauty unfolding around us, yet my troubled emotions for Alina stopped any appreciation today.
We veered off the trail, then backtracked. I wanted to believe we were getting closer, but enthusiasm no longer powered my steps. Nothing pointed to Chandler’s trail. Every moment weighed against a little girl’s life. Of course not. Why should it? We were waging a war of wits.
I concentrated on Tom Chandler’s habits and characteristics. He would have headed to the most desolate area in Dog Canyon. He’d hike in obscure places and push whoever was with him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d strapped Alina to his back. He’d move from onerock to another. How would Blane handle the rough terrain? What if one of us got sick? Or hurt? What if Alina had gotten sick or hurt and been abandoned to die?
Chandler paralyzed my confidence, more like a huge boulder of angst casting doubt on my abilities to track him. He’d repeatedly evaded law enforcement. Tales were told of him chasing away mountain cats and eating a rattler raw. With a reputation like that and my own near-death experience with him, the sound of his name terrorized me.
The more notions attacking me, the more frightening the outcome. Those fears originated from the evil one, not God, and I prayed hard for wisdom and insight into what lay ahead. Preparedness ranked as a priority, and there I’d stay—and do my best to stay on mission.
Shaking my head to rid myself of the unwelcome thoughts, I turned to view Blane over my shoulder. “Talk to me.”
“What do you want to hear? I can’t sing.”
“I thought all cowboys sang.”
“I’m a Ranger and we don’t all have music encoded in our DNA.”
“What do you see as your life purpose?”
“Is this a trick question?” Blane said. “Or is conversation a means to ease the stress?”
“Knowing each other better strengthens trust.”
“I agree one hundred percent. No argument there. My life purpose is unfolding. I have career goals to teach other Rangers negotiation skills. I believe training and prep helps build confidence in trials.”
“Outstanding. Where does your risk factor come from?”
