Forbidden Trails: A Clearwater County Romance (The Montana Trails Series Book 2)

by Bonnie R. Paulson

  Sheared off bark was sprinkled over the soft vinyl seat and the shiny plastic fenders. The front tires were suspended off the ground by a good three feet while the back had crawled up the bark a ways. “How have you been keeping warm?” He didn’t even want to know what she was doing to get a four-wheeler stuck between trees. He couldn’t keep her out there much longer. She was lucky she was still standing. “Looks like you tried driving up the side of the pine there.”

  “I didn’t see them at first. Then I thought I could just power through.” At least she had the decency to look embarrassed. She pointed again, this time under the tires. “I piled tree boughs under there and made like a cave. The engine was running for a while and it put off some heat, but not much. I started walking back and forth from the road and back to keep warm an hour or so ago. I didn’t do too badly until then.”

  Her resourcefulness startled Jareth. “I’d think with the way you’re dressed, you wouldn’t know how to do all that.” He climbed on the four-wheeler and rocked and tried starting it. The fuel gauge showed empty. He shook his head, climbing back down.

  She set her jaw and stared at him, defiance flashing in her blue eyes. “Because I’m a girl?”

  He shook his head. As if he’d get away with a misogynist attitude with cousins like his. “Nah, sweetheart, because you’re wearing tennis shoes and a couple shirts at the end of November in northern Montana – it has nothing to do with you being a girl.”

  She scrunched her nose sheepishly. “Oh, well, like I said Sherri’s coat got wet when we followed the wolf tracks through the creek, so I gave her mine. I didn’t know how far we came. Wasn’t planning on coming out so far. I just wasn’t looking where I was going.”

  Kyle stomped through the snow-laden needles, looking around when he reached them. “It’s starting to really come down. We need to get going.” He glanced up and down at the damsel in distress. “Go get in the truck. We’ll figure this out.”

  She blinked at him like she had no idea where he came from. After a moment, she glanced back at Jareth. Holding out her hand, she said, “I’m Cyan and you are?” She pronounced it like the color – si-ann. And it perfectly matched her eyes.

  “Jareth and this is Kyle.” He shook her icy hand, engulfing her cold fingers in his. He didn’t hesitate, but reached for her other hand and shoved one toward Kyle. “Get her hands warm, Kyle.” They rubbed her hands between theirs, the friction probably painful with the chill.

  She closed her eyes, biting her lip. A tear slipped down her cheek. “They hurt.”

  “Yeah, go get in the truck.” Jareth motioned toward the tree on the right, the slimmer of the two. “But first Cyan, I don’t think you’re going to like this. We can’t get the four-wheeler out without some kind of a chainsaw. That’s actually a good thing at this point, because no one else will be able to steal it, if anyone was stupid enough to come this way in this weather. But you’re out of gas, too, so there’s nothing we can do until we can come back out here with gas and some tools and maybe a ramp to load up the four-wheeler.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Okay.”

  “Grab everything you brought with you and let’s go. We’ll drive you home.” Jareth moved toward the ditch, out from under the protection of the pine needles above them. The snow came down heavier, the white making visibility difficult and dimming the previously brightening daylight.

  She shook her head, grabbing the key from the ATV. “No, you can’t drive me home. I’m staying with my girlfriend on the reservation.”

  “Is this the same girlfriend that disappeared last night and abandoned you? With no coat?” Jareth fell into step behind Cyan as she followed Kyle to the truck. He couldn’t figure out the strong anger curdling in his stomach at the thought she might not have made it, if she’d been out there much longer. Who was this friend and why hadn’t she saved the girl? Had something happened to her?

  He offered her a hand as she crossed the ditch, wincing at her shoes disappearing into the deep snow again. He’d situate her directly under the heater. “We’ll check on your friend, Sherri, as soon as we get you warm, okay?”

  The snow muted her answer. “Thank you.” She glanced at Jareth over her shoulder as she passed – her dark blue eyes capturing more of her smile than even her lips.

  “Let’s wait ‘til a proper time to drive onto the reservation. I don’t feel like having the Blackbird squad descend upon us this early. You can come with us to Bella Acres so I can make sure you’re warm enough.” Jareth opened the door to his big brown 1979 Ford pickup and helped her in. Her fingers had lost the bite of their chill, but only enough to make them feel less like ice and more like a refrigerated item.

  Just how cold she was, he wasn’t sure. Emma and Nate would help. The poor woman had to be exhausted and hungry.

  And why hadn’t anyone come looking for her? There was more going on than Jareth could figure out and with Kyle shooting him questioning glances, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing worry in his gut.

  Chapter 2

  Cyan

  Cyan couldn’t feel her toes and not in a good way. She snuggled between the two dark auburn-haired brothers with heat blasting on her feet and legs. She tried not to fall asleep, but their voices swirled around her, creating a cocoon of comforting syllables. She couldn’t quite focus on their words as her eyes drifted open and closed.

  Until one of them mentioned wolves.

  Then her eyes snapped open. She pushed back against the bench seat, trying to see them both at the same time from her spot.

  “Kettleson’s been paying money for wolf pelts for a while, Jareth. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.” Kyle tapped the window by his head with his knuckle, staring out into the daytime blizzard. “Man, look at it coming down. Sheesh.”

  “I don’t care about hunting them. I just don’t know if it’s ethical to shoot an animal just for their hide and then to sell it. Is it even legal to hunt wolves?” Jareth turned the steering wheel, the straight slice of his nose complimenting the angle of his cheekbone from the side.

  Beside the road with her body half-frozen, Cyan hadn’t been able to really see him or how attractive he was. Sitting in such close proximity with the feeling returning to her limbs and gratitude at being rescued thawing her, she was having a hard time not noticing his rugged appeal.

  Dark reddish brown hair tendrils curled around the inner edge of his cowboy hat and cut neatly into short sideburns. Slight stubble caught golden and green lights from the dash and she couldn’t look away. Plus, he was sticking up for her wolves – in a roundabout way. Any degree of defense of those beautiful animals was worthy of admiration in her book. His little bit combined with rescuing her made it seem bigger. She’d take it at that point.

  “Ethical or not, we’re supposed to be there tomorrow night. Do you think we’ll be expected to show up with pelts and wine?” Kyle laughed, glancing at Cyan and then at Jareth. His tone sobered. “You realize she probably has hypothermia?”

  Jareth glanced at Cyan. She blinked at him, unable to look away. He smiled and looked back at the road. “Nah, she’s okay. She’s just cold. Aren’t you?” He turned the steering wheel again and then again, the movement through the blurring snow creating a dizzying effect. “We’ll fix you up, Cyan. Welcome to Bella Acres. Let’s get you inside and get you something to eat.”

  Her hunger hadn’t bothered her until that moment. Growling, her stomach opted then, in the silence directly after turning off the truck, to make itself heard. Cyan pressed her fist against her stomach and cocked her jaw. She tried to pretend she hadn’t heard anything, but the next county over could’ve heard it.

  The brothers didn’t react as they climbed from the cab. Jareth held out his hand to help Cyan climb from the high rig. “Come on.” His nod jerked the brim of his Stetson down and up, the snow swirling around him but not under its curled edges.

  Her skin tingled when it connected with his, evidence her nerves weren’t destroyed from the long exposure
to the elements. She couldn’t get warm. Even with him walking beside her. Not that she expected him to warm her insides or anything.

  A tall, willowy blonde woman guarded the entrance to the two-story Craftsman-style home and wraparound deck. “Jareth, I thought you’d be here early. Come on, breakfast is on.” She glanced beside him and lifted her fingers to her chest. “Oh, you brought someone? I never thought I’d see the day.” She held out her hand, her smile beatific and welcoming. “I’m Emma Rourke.”

  Jareth put his arm around Cyan and helped her up the stairs to stand in front of Emma. “Emma, this is Cyan. We found her on the side of the road – she got stuck in the woods with her quad. She’s been out there all night and needs to warm up.”

  Cyan shook her hand while Jareth spoke. The strength needed to grip Emma’s palm caused a spasm in Cyan’s forearm. She winced. She didn’t remember ever being so weak. When had weakness been a symptom of hypothermia? Cyan welcomed Jareth’s aid and even leaned into his side a little after shaking Emma’s hand.

  Emma gasped. “Oh, you poor thing. I’m —”

  “You bring another one of your little—” A dark haired younger woman stumbled through the front door, cutting off as she caught the glare on Jareth’s face. She pressed her lips shut and offered a tight smile to Cyan then scowled at Emma. “Kyle isn’t sleeping in my room this time.”

  Eyebrow arched high, Emma tilted her head. “Stefanie, this is Cyan. Jareth rescued her from the side of the road because she got stuck. Please, don’t be rude.” She sighed. “Kyle and Jareth will sleep in the living room. We’ll arrange the furniture. Would you mind if Cyan borrowed your room for a little while? I’d appreciate your hospitality.”

  Stefanie glanced at Cyan, then Jareth, and then back at Emma. Her smile sugar sweet, she spoke between clenched teeth. “Of course I don’t mind. I’m going to do my chores anyway.” She nodded, brushing past Cyan, she muttered. “Nice meeting you.”

  Cyan swallowed against the tightness of her throat. Everything was thawing and fatigue spread through her fast. “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you, Emma. I don’t want to put anyone out. If I could just borrow your phone?”

  “Of course, come in.” Emma motioned them through the door. “I’m so sorry. Making you stand out there in this. I’ll put some tea on for you, too.”

  Warmth enfolded Cyan, but not just heat. There was a warm, homey feeling in the brightly colored rugs spread across hardwood flooring. A large framed family picture hung beside the stairway, drawing the eye and holding it there. A dark-haired man and Emma held each other, surrounded by a number of people. The only three there Cyan recognized were Stefanie, Jareth, and Kyle.

  The smell of syrup and bacon filled the air and boots stomped down the hallway. “Emma, honey, did you happen to see my new belt? I can’t find it anywhere. I need to pack it.” The dark-haired man from the picture stepped from the stairs, glancing at Jareth. “Hey, Jay. I’m not even close to ready. Go eat something.” He looked around Jareth for Emma, his gaze landing on Cyan instead. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He glanced at Jareth then back at Cyan, lifting his eyebrows.

  Jareth motioned toward Cyan as she shifted on her aching feet. “Cyan, this is Nate, Nate, this is Cyan. We rescued her.”

  The introduction could do without the rescuing part. Embarrassment worked its way through her, helping with the thawing chill Cyan still couldn’t shake. What if Sherri wasn’t okay? “It’s nice to meet you.” As she thawed bit by bit, her mind sharpened and her emotions focused. Worry started to compound with relief that she was fine. But was Sherri? Where was she? Sherri would never have left Cyan there that long, not if she could help it.

  Cyan really could use a phone. Where had Emma disappeared to? One minute she was there and then suddenly she was gone.

  As if conjured by Cyan’s thoughts, Emma appeared by her side, her arms laden with towels. “Nate, your belt’s hanging in the closet on your belt hooks. Come on, Cyan, I’ll show you to Stefanie’s room. You can use the phone in there.” She led the way up the stairs. Cyan peered at Jareth as she followed behind Emma.

  Jareth smiled, but didn’t stop her. Maybe she was safe? She didn’t know exactly how she’d gotten to be here, after that long, lonely night of freezing while waiting for Sherri to reach Rachiah on the reservation. She’d expected the Blackbird squad to show up shortly after night had fallen.

  She followed Emma into an artfully decorated room with more rugs and simple shading done with accents of blue and brown amid cream tones. Cyan had never been in a more elegant bedroom in all her life.

  Emma stacked the towels on the end of the bed. “Go grab a shower before the Johnson brothers get back from their hunt. The water won’t be guaranteed warm after that.” She winked, reaching out and resting her hand on Cyan’s arm. “You’re probably still frozen some. You’ll warm up faster after a shower. I’ll bring you some clothes of Hannah’s. You seem to be about her size. I’ll try to get yours clean and dry before you leave. Those jeans can’t be comfortable.” She grimaced at Cyan’s legs.

  Cyan glanced down at her damp darkened pants. She’d been so cold, she hadn’t thought about the condition of her clothing. Of course, everything had gotten wet when she’d huddled on the ground under the four-wheeler. Did she stink, too? She couldn’t tell. But none of that mattered when she hadn’t heard from Sherri. She bit her lip. “Thank you. I’m really worried about my friend. She left me last night to get some help, but…”

  Emma’s eyes widened and she pointed toward the night stand. “There’s the phone. Let me know what we can do. I’ll send the men out to search for her, if she’s not there. If she’s safe, just get in the shower and come down for breakfast. If she’s not there, well, let me know. We’ll take care of it. Okay?” Her take-charge attitude comforted Cyan.

  “Okay, thank you again.” Normally, Cyan didn’t like being grateful to anyone, but with Emma it was so natural. She was so easy-going with her generosity. Somehow, it didn’t feel like charity.

  “I’m sure she’s okay.” Emma smiled. “See you in a little bit.” She left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

  Cyan settled on the edge of the bed, careful to sit on Jareth’s coat rather than place herself on the clean comforter. She picked up the hand piece and dialed one of her two best-friends’ number.

  “Hello?” Rachiah Two-Claw answered, slightly breathless.

  “Rach, it’s Cyan. Did Sherri make it last night?” Cyan pulled off her knit hat, rubbing at her damp hair with her free hand. She stared at the fuzzy rug beneath her feet.

  “Oh my gosh, Cyan!” Rachiah pulled the phone away from her mouth. Her yell compelled Cyan to pull hers away from her ear. “Sherri! Cyan’s on the phone. Oh my gosh.”

  Cyan closed her eyes in exasperation. “Are you kidding me? Sherri’s there? Where have you guys been? I’ve been waiting in the woods all this time. Freezing.” What were they thinking? Normally they were more considerate than that.

  “No, Sherri just got here. She got onto the reservation about two this morning. Some of the casino security guards were out and they thought she was sneaking around so they detained her. She finally convinced them to call us a little bit ago.” Rachiah lowered her voice. “She’s been hysterical, thinking you died or something and it was all her fault. Here she comes. Calm her down, you know how she can be.”

  The phone rustled as Sherri grabbed the phone. “Cyan? Oh, Cyan, oh hell. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry! I tried, but they wouldn’t believe me. I did everything and they wouldn’t wake anyone up. They said…” Sherri’s words trailed off as she succumbed to her sobs.

  In a break between Sherri’s cries, Cyan interjected. “It’s okay, Sherri. I’m fine. It’s okay. You’re just tired.” She glanced at the door and lowered her voice, turning toward the window and cupping her hand around the mouthpiece. “These really nice guys saved me. I’m at their place right now.” She didn’t want to repeat everything. “Put me on speaker.”

  More rus
tling, some knocking sounds, and then Rachiah’s voice sounded like she’d moved into a cave. “You’re on speaker and we’re in my room with the door closed.”

  “Alright, listen. I’m at Bella Acres, I think? These guys saved me. When we were in the truck they said something about wolves and Kettleson. I think I got my lead, you guys.” Cyan twisted the cord of the old phone, her excitement covering her persistent chills.

  “Are we coming to get you? Or are they driving you? What’s going on?” Rachiah shushed Sherri, her voice close like she leaned into the phone.

  Should she attempt to get more from the guys? She’d never had problems getting what she wanted from boys – or anyone. But part of her didn’t want to take advantage of Jareth’s hospitality when he’d gone out of his way to save her and make sure she was comfortable. He’d even welcomed her into his family’s home.

  Yet, another part of her wasn’t ready to leave just yet, either. If she was truly invested in the plights of the wolves, she’d do everything in her power to get them to agree to keep her around them, maybe give her a ride up north so she could get more information. Her professor at school had warned the class about moments like this, when they would be faced with a choice regarding their cause.

  Cyan had to choose between furthering her plan and project for her cause, or being polite and doing what is expected.

  She’d have to choose brazenness – and she’d do it for the wolves and not because the man who’d saved her had a broad chest and kind eyes. Those were just perks.

  “Cyan, are you there? Do you want us to come get you?” Sherri repeated Rachiah’s question, her voice recovering from her crying.

  Blinking hard against the growing fatigue, Cyan squeezed the phone tighter. “No, don’t come get me. I’m going to see what they know. Maybe they have some insights. Either way, they’re heading to Kettleson’s tomorrow. I’m going to see if I can catch a ride.” Cyan kicked off her wet tennis shoes, then peeled off her socks, which were stuck to her like a layer of plastic wrap.