Garrett nodded. “No doubt. Any word on old man Conch?”
Rachel’s stomach tightened. “No, nor Mary’s body. But I’m sure Lucie will keep looking for both of them. Maybe next week, next month, or a few years from now we’ll find old man Conch’s remains. He didn’t take well to strangers. If he confronted Paul Meadows, I’m afraid he—”
A commotion out in the hall grabbed her attention. She heard the thump of a cane, and then her office door swung wide open.
“Oh my God!” She vaulted out of her chair. “Mr. Conch! You’re alive!”
The grizzled old man with long, streaming white hair and a full silver beard grinned at her. A little unsettling, since some of his front teeth had fallen out. He swept the stained ballcap from his head and leaned on his cane with both hands.
“Thought I was dead, did ya, Ranger Crossing?”
“Please, sit down.” Cork rose to give the old man his chair.
Old man Conch settled in the wide leather chair and tucked his cane made of wood he’d whittled himself, beside his leg.
“I’m no worse for wear,” he said. “Living in that cabin of mine, I hear a lot of creatures at night. Mostly, they don’t bother me. That trickster had been skulking around for a couple weeks. Tapping on my windows or the door. Figured it was just some kids at first.” He eyed Garrett’s team, who listened to his story.
“This is Lt. Garrett Wesson and his team. They helped me catch the skinwalker. He won’t bother you anymore, but the media will be swarming the woods for a few days.”
With a deliberate, slow nod, he said, “Saw them on my way here. They won’t be around for long, that is, if Sasquatch can keep out of sight.”
She chuckled. “How long have you known?”
The old man shrugged a shoulder and grinned. “Since my first year living in the forest. Those tall, walking critters been here long before us. Bet they’ll be here long after.”
“I hope so. Mr. Conch, there’s fresh baked muffins and coffee out in the visitor centre. Why don’t you help yourself and then I’ll drive you back to the head of the trail.”
“Appreciate it, Ranger Crossing.” He pushed to his feet with a groan. After retrieving his cane, he paused. “They’re the keepers of our forests. Least that’s what Mary told me long ago. For years the media has gotten it all wrong. Called them shy, lone creatures, but they’re not. I’ve seen them grazing on berries. A whole family of them. The little ones play and chase each other. The parents keeping a wary eye on their young. They’re smart. But very territorial.”
Rachel wasn’t really surprised old man Conch had kept the secret of their existence to himself. He loved the park as much as she did, and wouldn’t want it invaded by mystery hunters. “Paul Meadows, the skinwalker, said the magic was here for the taking.”
Archibald Conch shuffled toward the door Crack held open for him, then turned. “I see the magic every morning on my rickety front porch. Meadows’ downfall was inevitable. You can’t take what isn’t given freely without consequence.” He turned his aging eyes on the men in the room. “Thank you for your service.”
The team nodded in return.
“By the way, Rachel, the reason I came by was to let you and the band know that Mary was laid to rest in the forest.”
She blinked in surprise. “By you? You found her?”
“No, not me.” He winked. “But she’s close to my cabin. I guess Sasquatch knew she meant a lot to me. She was a good woman.”
“She was.”
His cane thumped on the plank floor as he departed, and Garrett’s men followed him out, no doubt for a refill of coffee.
Garrett remained seated, shaking his head slowly. “This has been one supernatural experience.”
She laughed. “I bet.”
He leaned forward. “Not talking about creatures of legend. Talking about us.”
The moment had come for them to say good-bye. She rose and rounded her desk while Garrett stood. She didn’t want to be sad, but her heart hurt.
“Saying thank you doesn’t seem enough.” She searched his amazing blue eyes, hoping he could read hers.
“Time to extract, Lieutenant.” Tigg yelled down the hallway.
Garrett wrapped his muscled arms around her. “Do me a favor.”
She nodded. “Sure.”
“I know you love this park, but that cabin of yours isn’t going to be big enough for the both us. I saw a rancher for sale in the Cedar Estates. Check it out for us. You’d only be five minutes away if we moved there.”
“What? You were serious about leaving the Forces?”
He smiled. “Like Meadows said. There’s magic here. Old man Conch sees it in the forest. I see it in you.” He lowered his head, his kiss gentle but full of meaning.
The End
About the Author
Natasza Waters is an officer and an author, both positions of import to her. She debuted her first romance novel, “Too Grand For Words” in 2011 where the novel found its way to book clubs where women enjoy a cup of romance with a twist of steam.
After majoring in English, Natasza’s life altered course. A lifelong working relationship with the marine industry began when she became an officer with the Coast Guard. Crafting stories with pieces snipped from life’s experiences, readers will paddle through plots puddled in action and suspense, with unsung heroes and heroines aplenty.
A twenty-four hour day finds Natasza drafting her next novel, blogging, working, and reviewing for other authors. Sleep you say? Not so much!
Come follow her at Amazon so you can be notified when a new adventure is released. https://www.amazon.com/Natasza-Waters/e/B006HYRTGQ
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Reviews are always appreciated wherever you’ve purchased your book or at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6086142.Natasza_Waters
Other books by Nat
Code Name: Ghost
Code Name: Kayla’s Fire
Code Name: Nina’s Choice
Code Name: Luminous
Code Name: Forever & Ever
Code Name: Redemption
Code Name: War of Stones
Contemporary Romance
Too Grand For Words
His Perfect Imperfection
Twila’s Tempest
Committed to Chase
Sealed With a Weekend
Legend of Spiralling Cedars Page 9
