Margin of Error

by Christy Barritt

  This was trouble. Big trouble.

  “I want to kiss you right now,” he murmured.

  “You know, if you have to announce it, it usually spoils the moment a bit.” She smiled teasingly.

  Boone didn’t smile back. His intense gaze locked on hers. His fingers still trailed her hair, her neck. “You don’t understand.”

  “Then explain it to me.” She really just wanted him to kiss her.

  “I haven’t wanted to kiss anyone since . . .”

  Brynlee’s breath caught. She knew exactly what Boone was saying, even though he didn’t finish his sentence.

  Since Katherine.

  Warmth flooded her heart.

  The next thing she knew, his lips covered hers. Tugging. Curious. Almost tentative.

  But only for a minute.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck as heat surged through her. Her fingers reached up. Touched the hair at the nape of his neck. Explored the tousled curls.

  Finally, they both pulled back—though barely. They remained close enough that they could easily do that again.

  Which wasn’t a bad idea.

  “I can’t even apologize for that,” Boone murmured.

  “Me neither.”

  “But I don’t know what this means . . .”

  “The good news is that I don’t think we have to figure it out right now.”

  A smile spread across his face, and Boone pulled her toward him until Brynlee’s head hit his chest. His arms tightened around her.

  To her surprise, she felt herself relaxing in his embrace. Relishing the sound of his heartbeat against her ear. Eating up the warmth he offered.

  Romance was the last thing Brynlee had expected to find when she came here. Yet, maybe it was just what she wanted—and needed.

  37

  Boone felt the steady rise and fall of Brynlee’s breaths as she leaned against his chest. They were still in the corner with quilts over them. His arms were around her as they rested against the wall.

  Holding her felt good . . . it felt right.

  But he’d never expected this. Never expected his feelings to develop so fast. So hard.

  Brynlee had captured a place in his heart that he thought was permanently closed.

  He leaned into her now, smelling the sweet scent of her shampoo.

  Now that he held her in his arms, he never wanted to let her go.

  Despite those thoughts, his mind drifted to Katherine. To the marks on that tree.

  Was he reading too much into this?

  No, he knew he wasn’t. The only way that tally mark should be on that tree was if Katherine had left it.

  What if someone else had left it?

  But no one else knew that little space was there. The carvings were near the base of the tree, toward the back. No one else would think to look there unless they knew the marks were there.

  But he needed a moment to explore the idea of an alternate scenario that had played out that day with Kat. Everyone thought her line had broken. A few people speculated that he’d tampered with it.

  The truth, as he’d known it, was that Kat had tried to climb to the top and beat Boone there. Her line had broken, sending her falling to her death. Boone had found her after he’d crossed the Razor Back and arrived at Dead Man’s Bluff, feeling triumphant.

  Then surprised.

  He’d looked over the ledge, expecting to see Kat climbing up.

  Instead, he’d seen her dead body at the bottom.

  His lungs tightened at the memories.

  But now a new theory wanted to form. A theory where she’d reached the top. Marked her arrival. Waited for him.

  But what if someone else was already there, waiting for her to arrive?

  Still, how could that result in something malicious?

  If his theory was true, someone would have seen Kat there. Cut her line. And then shoved her off the cliff.

  Boone’s stomach clenched at the thought. He could hardly handle thinking about it.

  Yet the thought also caused anger to surge through him.

  He’d already thought her death was senseless. But if it was on purpose . . .

  But why? Why would someone want Kat dead? Had she seen something when she got to the top? Had someone targeted her? She was a physical trainer. She didn’t have any enemies that Boone could think of.

  So it just didn’t make sense.

  But he was more determined than ever to find some answers.

  As the thoughts continued to pummel him, a noise downstairs caught his ear.

  What was that? it almost sounded like . . .

  He jerked upright.

  He’d set up some cans on the windowsill. If anyone tried to open one of those windows, the cans would fall to the floor, alerting him to someone’s presence.

  He waited another moment.

  And then he clearly heard a clank as something hit the ground.

  Brynlee jerked awake as she felt movement around her. She opened her sleepy eyes—she’d been sleeping deeply—and spotted Boone beside her.

  Her cheeks warmed.

  Boone. That was right. But before she could revel in their kiss, she saw the alarm on his face. He stuck something in her hand.

  She glanced down.

  A knife.

  Her blissful moment turned into panic.

  “I heard something downstairs. I need to check it out. Get into the closet and stay there until I tell you to come out. Okay?”

  No . . . this nightmare just kept continuing. When would it end?

  She didn’t have time to argue or whine. Boone ushered her back into the closet, butcher knife in hand. He gave her one last look—a look full of concern—before shutting the door.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. Now Boone was out there again with that thing. What if he wasn’t as lucky this time? What if the beast confronted him? If there was a fight?

  All Boone had was a knife. It would be no match against that creature’s claws.

  She remembered the journal entry she’d read. Remembered the fact that her grandparents had also encountered this creature. That put all of this into a totally different light.

  What if this was a Skookum? Brynlee didn’t normally believe in things like this, but she couldn’t deny the facts in front of her.

  It seemed like the incidents with him were mostly confined to this mountain. Why was that? Was this mountain his home?

  When she had a chance, she’d look through the journal more. Maybe there were answers there.

  And she had other big choices to make. Did she fulfill her father’s wishes of trying to open a resort on Dead Man’s Bluff so others could enjoy this area? Or did she honor Boone by leaving this place with the natural beauty it had?

  The choices clashed inside her.

  She paused and listened again.

  What was happening with Boone down there? Did he see anything? Was that creature hiding, just waiting to take Boone by surprise?

  She gripped the knife in her hand.

  How could she just stay in here while Boone was out there protecting her with his life?

  She stood, even though her legs wobbled.

  She stared at the door a moment, willing herself to open it. To be brave.

  Or stupid.

  There was a fine line sometimes.

  She licked her lips, determined not to be a wimp.

  But before she could open the door, she heard footsteps again.

  Someone was outside the closet door.

  Was it Boone or the beast?

  38

  Boone jerked open the door and saw Brynlee standing there, knife raised.

  As soon as she saw him, the knife clattered from her hands and onto the floor.

  She looked terrified.

  Without a second thought, he pulled her into his arms and held her. “It’s okay.”

  “I thought . . .”

  “I know. Some of the cans fell over near a window. But I think the window was drafty and a breez
e came through. Everything is okay.”

  She leaned into him. “I’m so glad. I thought . . .”

  “I know. It’s okay, though.”

  He held her another moment. He could feel her heart racing against his chest. Feel the quiver of her limbs.

  This situation would terrify anyone.

  “I just want to get off this mountain,” she murmured into his chest.

  He felt the same way. But it was only 3:30 a.m. They needed to wait until the sun started to rise before they set out. “We’re going to get through this.”

  They’d leave at the first chance. He’d continue trying to call Luke.

  By now, certainly Luke was aware that something was wrong. Luke and Abe both had been expecting Boone to return this evening. But they’d be too discerning to send a search party out in the middle of the night.

  They had no choice but to wait this out until then.

  He had a feeling neither he nor Brynlee would be getting much more rest tonight.

  Brynlee leaned against Boone and tried to forget her worries. Dwelling on them right now would do no good anyway. They were doing everything they could to protect themselves. Staying here was the only option until daybreak.

  “So, you like being an interior designer?” Boone asked.

  They were both situated on the quilts again, trying to stay warm. They may have exchanged a few more kisses as they’d passed the time, each one sending tingles through her. But now they talked and, on occasion, popped some boiled peanuts into their mouths.

  “I do like it. There’s just something about making a place feel warm and welcoming that makes me feel good.”

  “So what would you do with my store, if you could change something?”

  Brynlee shrugged. “I’m not sure I’d change anything.”

  “What? I decorated that place myself.”

  She smiled. “And it shows your personality. I think its rustic and outdoorsy. That’s exactly what people want who come into your store. It’s authentic, and people like that.”

  “Good to know I’ve got some skills.”

  She pulled her feet beneath her. “I’m sorry to hear about your financial struggles there. I know it’s a lot of money you need to come up with.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “So what are you going to do?”

  “I have no idea. I keep hoping a solution will drop in my lap.”

  “As my dad said, luck isn’t a plan.”

  Boone let out an airy chuckle. “No, it’s not. Then I’m looking for a divine gift from God.”

  “Well, I hope you get it.” As she said the words, an idea began to form in her mind.

  Maybe she’d been looking at things from the wrong perspective this whole time. What if . . . ?

  She pressed her lips together. She couldn’t speak anything out loud right now, but her thoughts raced.

  She had a solution. For her. For Boone.

  But she had to check with the county about it.

  Excitement pulsed through her.

  “Now that you’ve spread your dad’s ashes, I guess you’ll be headed back to Pennsylvania?”

  Boone’s words caused her heart to thump inside her throat.

  That was right. She had a life waiting for her back home.

  It wasn’t the most fulfilling life. She loved her job, and she had a few friends. But her mom was gone and so was her dad. Though she’d met up with her father’s family, they weren’t like her. They were affluent and everything had been handed to them.

  Now that she’d been here in Fog lake . . . she hated to think about leaving.

  That thought was crazy, though. How could one place change her perspective so quickly?

  Or was it Boone who had changed her mind?

  Still, she needed to be careful. He hadn’t promised her anything. Nor would he. It was too soon. They were just starting to get to know each other. And even though their chemistry felt crazy, there was more to a relationship than that.

  “Brynlee?” Boone said.

  She remembered his question. I guess you’ll head back to Pennsylvania now . . .

  “That was the plan.”

  “Was?”

  She shrugged. “Is? I mean, you’re right. I came here to do what I needed.”

  He licked his lips and nodded slowly. “Of course.”

  She wanted to say that she could be swayed. But the time wasn’t right. They didn’t know each other well enough for her to say that. To do that.

  Still, she couldn’t deny the heaviness she felt at the thought.

  Boone pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her.

  She’d never felt so safe, even with the craziness going on around them.

  And that was a feeling she didn’t want to give up. But she knew she shouldn’t hold on too tightly to anything around her. Because everyone around her had always looked out for themselves and never her. How could she trust that this feeling would last?

  She couldn’t. She’d be wise to keep that in mind.

  “Did you see that trunk over there?” Boone murmured.

  “What?”

  “Look under the bed. It looks like a trunk there.”

  Brynlee’s breath caught. “It sure does.”

  “Let’s see what’s inside.” He stood and walked across the floor. She immediately missed his warmth but didn’t argue. Some space between them would be good right now.

  Boone opened the truck and let out a grunt. A moment later, he held something up.

  It was a bear skin.

  No, it wasn’t a bear skin. It was a costume.

  She glanced down and saw claws. A mask.

  The two of them exchanged a look.

  This confirmed what Brynlee had suspected all along. This wasn’t a bear. It wasn’t a Skookum. This was a person who was disguising himself in order to kill others.

  39

  Bright and early the next morning, Brynlee and Boone started back toward the trailhead with the bear costume crammed into Boone’s backpack, ready to be turned in as evidence.

  As soon as Brynlee stepped out from the cabin, she braced herself for something to reach out and grab her. To finish what he started.

  But there was nothing. Only birds singing. The wind rustling leaves. And a beautiful landscape.

  In other circumstances, this would seem idyllic. Like a perfect moment with nature.

  But Brynlee knew the danger that lurked beyond all this beauty.

  Boone reached back, offering his hand as they continued through the forest. Warmth rushed through her.

  She took his hand into hers, relishing the feel of it between her fingers. This time, he hadn’t offered it out of pure helpfulness. This time, it was because of the bond they’d formed.

  Her cheeks flushed at the thought. Flushed as she remembered their time together. As she remembered how tender Boone could be.

  “We need to remain aware of everything around us,” Boone said as he helped her over some rocks. “As soon as I get reception, I’ll call for help. Until then, we need to keep our eyes open for potential danger.”

  Another shiver rushed down Brynlee’s spine. “Sounds good.”

  “And even though luck isn’t a plan, we’re going to need a good measure of luck right now also—and a whole lot of faith.”

  “I think I like faith better than I do luck.” She glanced up at him, feeling the amusement dancing in her gaze.

  Boone glanced back and smiled. “Me too, usually. But I’m already feeling pretty lucky since I met you.”

  He paused long enough to plant a quick kiss on her lips.

  Pure pleasure warmed Brynlee’s veins. She longed for this thing developing between her and Boone to be more than just a flash-in-the-pan relationship. She could see herself being with someone like Boone . . . forever.

  The thought made her throat go dry.

  What was she going to do? Sooner or later Boone was going to find out her ulterior motives for being here. Even though Brynle
e had a new plan, the Planning Council would still need to approve it.

  And based on her previous conversations with Boone, there was no way he would be on board. No, he’d be the biggest opponent, for that matter.

  The realization clashed inside Brynlee, causing her stomach to knot.

  Just tell him.

  Yet she couldn’t bring the words to leave her mouth. She didn’t want things to change. Yet she’d dug this hole for herself. Now she had to figure a way out.

  A few steps later, Boone’s phone rang. They had reception!

  Boone exchanged a glance with Brynlee before putting the phone to his ear. “Luke. I’ve never been so glad to hear from you.”

  He muttered a few more things and gave Luke his location. A team was coming to meet them now. They weren’t far away, from what Brynlee could gather. Maybe twenty minutes, max.

  She prayed they could make it that far without any surprises. Their hike so far today had been quiet and peaceful. Was that just a façade for the danger lurking around them?

  Boone’s muscles seemed to tense at whatever Luke was telling him.

  Brynlee braced herself for more bad news. More facts about this madman terrorizing the town . . . terrorizing her.

  As Luke ended his call, he turned toward Brynlee, a new look in his eyes. Was that accusation? Her muscles tightened.

  “Brynlee, do you know a man named Stephen Royce?”

  She sucked in a deep breath at hearing his name. “Why? Did something happen?”

  “That’s the name of the man who was found dead yesterday morning. Your card was in his pocket.”

  Boone continued to process what Luke had just told him. He stared at Brynlee, watching her expression. Why did she look so regretful right now? What wasn’t she telling him?

  The answers were on the edge of his reason, but maybe he didn’t want to face the truth.

  “I can explain, Boone . . .”

  So there was more to her story. He should have known. This had never just been just about spreading her father’s ashes. There was another reason she was interested in Dead Man’s Bluff.