Page 54 of Mountain Rescue
They’d found a vet near the cabin and had dropped Blue off on the way over. Bella hadn’t liked the kitten taken from her and had refused to leave the vet’s office. Dallas had had to pick her up and carry her out to the Jeep.
“Let’s walk her over to the kennels for a minute,” Jack said.
When they were out of earshot, they stopped and seemed to be having a serious conversation. Rachel wished she could hear what they were talking about. Dallas glanced at her and winked. Silly how those winks of his sent warmth streaming through her, made her heart skip a beat, and put a goofy smile on her face.
Dallas noticed Rachel watching them, and by the frown on her face, he was sure she thought they were talking about her, which they were. He winked, and her frown morphed into a smile. He liked making her smile.
“She’s doing okay,” Dallas said in answer to Jack’s question. “Better than most people would be if someone was out to kill them.”
“I’m not liking the way you look at her. You’re not messing around with her, are you?”
“Say one more word, brother, and I’ll put you on your ass.” Whatever happened between Rachel and him was their business.
“You can try.” He sighed. “Look, I wouldn’t blame you if you were interested in her. She’s pretty and smart, but you’re not in a good place for a relationship. You’ll end up hurting her, then I’ll have to hurt you.”
Dallas threw Jack’s words back at him. “You can try.” He wouldn’t know how to explain the peace he felt in his mind when he was with her, that she spoke to his heart. The touching thing didn’t make sense either, and he didn’t even try to explain that. For one thing, he hadn’t told Jack that he had a problem with touching.
“I just don’t want to see either one of you get hurt.”
“We’re just friends, okay?” And they were. He hoped that when all this was over and she returned home, they could stay in touch. He didn’t like the thought of not having her in his life somehow.
“Yeah, okay.” Jack pulled a small package out of his pocket. “Here’s your paracord.”
“Thanks.” Dallas slipped it into his pocket.
“You’re not going to put it on?”
“Nope.” He lifted his sleeve. “I have one. You should get yourself one. Never know when it will come in handy.” He saw the question in Jack’s eyes. “It’s for Rachel. She saw mine and said she wanted one.”
Before Jack could comment on that, he decided to divert the conversation to a different subject. “I talked to TG yesterday. Someone showed up at the Wyoming ranch, looking for Rachel’s grandmother.”
“I’m not liking that. Does Rachel know?”
“No, and there’s no reason to tell her. It will only worry her, and her grandmother’s safe. There’s nothing to lead anyone to my family’s ranch.”
“I’m thinking it’s time to step up our vigilance. If someone showed up in Wyoming, that means Hargrove got into her computer. He’ll have her contacts.”
“Agree, and TG said the same thing. Rachel decided that she’ll stay in her college girl disguise whenever we leave the cabin. College girl has been seen with me. For all appearances, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend, and to change her disguise would be suspicious.” Although, the first time they’d gone out, she’d been a flashy, big-chested girl, but TG was going to take care of that.
Jack glanced at her. “She does look like a college girl. If I didn’t know it was her, I really wouldn’t recognize her.”
“Same. I don’t think she should be left alone at the cabin anymore.”
“There’s something I want you to do for me, and she can go with you. Let’s walk back over there.”
The whole time they’d been talking, Bella had glued herself to his leg. Dallas reached down and scratched her head. “Let’s go see your second favorite person in the world.”
“You guys been talking about me?” Rachel said when they stopped in front of her.
“Yep.” Dallas grinned when she wrinkled her nose. “Jack has a job for us.” Hopefully it was something he was willing to do.
Jack told her his plans for Operation Warriors Center, listing the activities he wanted to offer their visitors.
“Wow, that sounds really ambitious and pretty awesome,” she said. “I love the idea of a rock-climbing wall. That’s one of my favorite downtime things to do.” She grinned. “Not to brag, but I’m considered an expert at it. What grade wall are you planning? I’m thinking maybe an average wall, something around a five point eight or so?”
Jack gave her a look she couldn’t interpret. “Maybe you can consult with us when we plan the wall. You like hiking?”
“Love hiking.” She looked around. “You have some great trails in the area. I’d map out some easy ones, some intermediate ones, and a few difficult ones. Some of those should have waterfalls included. People love seeing those.”
