Margin of Error

by Christy Barritt

  Brynlee glanced around.

  Maybe she’d been hoping for the cavalry.

  There was no one.

  Just a wonderful view . . . a view that would be her death. She turned toward her captor. He’d dressed in his bear skin. Covered his face in black paint. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his claws.

  And then he hissed. It was like an animal had taken over his very being.

  And she knew she didn’t have much time left.

  Boone neared the top of the cliff. He couldn’t take the chance that anyone nearby would hear him coming. No, he needed to take whoever was up there by surprise—if there was anyone up there.

  If Brynlee wasn’t there, Boone didn’t know where he’d look for her next.

  As he pulled himself onto the rock at the top, he froze.

  Brynlee was there. A man stood behind her. No, a bear.

  No, definitely a man dressed as a bear.

  He held his claws at her throat. A look of pure terror stretched across her face.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Boone said.

  “Yes, I do.”

  Did he recognize that voice? He wasn’t sure. It sounded vaguely familiar. The man was covered in bear skin. His face was covered in black paint.

  “Why?” Boone asked.

  “It’s my duty.”

  “Let the law work these things out. Don’t be a vigilante.”

  “The law has always failed my people.”

  So, he was a Native American or had Native American heritage. Many people in the area fit the bill. Who could it be?

  “You killed my wife,” Boone said, staring at the man.

  “She wasn’t supposed to see me.”

  “That’s why you killed her? Because she saw you?”

  “She came up when I was getting ready for my ceremony to Mother Earth. She saw my face.”

  Boone’s heart lodged in his throat. “She was innocent.”

  “Everyone thinks they’re innocent. But you should have seen the way she looked at me. It was with disgust.”

  “You should have given her a chance.” Regret pressed on his chest. It had been such a senseless act. Kat should be here still. “Don’t make the same mistake with Brynlee. She’s innocent. She’s done nothing.”

  “She wants to destroy this place.”

  “She filed a permit. That doesn’t mean she’ll destroy anything.”

  “Her family . . . they kicked my family off this land.”

  Kicked his family off this land? Who did Boone know with family roots that went that far back?

  “No more talking,” the man said. “I need to end this.”

  “Don’t do this,” Brynlee said, a flash of courage in her gaze.

  Boone froze, unsure where she was planning to go with this. He only hoped her words didn’t provoke him. Because one wrong move would mean certain death.

  “The Skookum didn’t kill your father, did it?” Brynlee’s voice trembled. “You’ve never even seen this creature.”

  The Skookum? Why was she bringing the Skookum up?

  “Yes, it did!” The man snapped. “The Skookum are real.”

  “Your family was the Skookum, weren’t they?” Brynlee continued. “When your relatives saw my family on the land that they thought belonged to them, they began to tell stories about how evil these newcomers were. They needed a way to protect this land, so your dad started pretending to be a Skookum. Maybe other people in your family did the same.”

  Brynlee wasn’t making sense . . . or was she?

  Boone sucked in a quick breath. He realized who was behind this.

  There was only one person in town obsessed with the Skookum. Who had wanted to keep that legend alive.

  Fowler.

  46

  How could Fowler be behind this? Brynlee wondered. The man had crept in under the radar. He’d been unassuming.

  Yet he’d been in front of them the whole time. He’d heard their plans. He’d fed the stories about the Skookum. He knew this land.

  Now he was going to kill her.

  Boone was going to have to watch it.

  He’d probably die too.

  And there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

  Brynlee swallowed a scream of despair.

  “Now you’re going to pay!” Fowler said behind her.

  He raised his claws.

  Brynlee braced herself for the pain she was sure would come. She waited to feel the sharp claws pierce her skin. For breath to leave her lungs.

  “I’m sorry, Boone,” she muttered.

  His face tightened, and his eyes became orbs of sorrow.

  He was sorry too, wasn’t he? Maybe there was even a chance he’d forgive her.

  But would it be too late?

  She closed her eyes and braced herself.

  Instead of pain, she heard something behind her.

  A pop. A grunt. A sudden intake of air.

  She froze.

  Waited.

  Anticipated.

  What had just happened?

  Fowler’s grip on her loosened. Brynlee took a step away. She glanced back and saw the man sink to the ground, his body limp.

  What? It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he was no longer holding her captive.

  At the realization, Brynlee’s muscles turned to jelly. Her sudden relief made her feel lightheaded.

  Before she hit the ground, Boone’s arms scooped beneath her. Lifted her up. Picked her up and carried her away from the scene with Fowler.

  Brynlee looked back in time to see his body on the ground. Luke stood behind them, a gun in his hand. He must have come up the other side of the cliff.

  His men arrived and rushed toward Fowler to secure the scene.

  She was okay. She was really okay.

  Tears streamed down her face, and she buried her head in Boone’s shoulder.

  “I’ve got you,” he whispered.

  And Brynlee knew he did.

  This was over. It was really over.

  Three hours later, law enforcement was still scouring Dead Man’s Bluff. Luke had cleared Boone to walk Brynlee back down.

  Thank goodness. Because all she wanted was a shower. A warm place to rest. Some tea.

  And maybe a conversation with Boone.

  They were quiet as they started down the trail. As soon as they were out of sight from everyone else, Boone paused. He took her into his arms and held her tight.

  “I thought I was going to lose you,” he murmured.

  Brynlee burrowed herself in his embrace, relishing the feel of his strong arms around her. “I’m sorry, Boone. I never meant for things to happen like this. I didn’t know until I came here just how special this area was. I was only trying to follow my father’s last wishes. I thought if I could do this that maybe I’d find a place with my half-brothers. Maybe I’d have the family I’d always craved.”

  “You should have told me.”

  Brynlee stepped back and stared into his green eyes—eyes that she’d quickly fallen in love with. “Then you would have never spoken to me. We would have never gotten to know each other. You can’t argue with that fact.”

  Boone scowled but didn’t deny her words.

  She decided to continue. He hadn’t run yet. Maybe he would listen now. “I have some conceptual drawings back in my SUV that show the original dream my father created. I’ve been afraid you would find them and my secret would be revealed. His plans were for a full-fledged resort with thirty rooms and a restaurant. But I have a different idea.”

  Boone’s jaw tightened, as if he was reining in his emotions. “What’s that?”

  “It’s something that I think can be a win-win for everyone.” Brynlee drew in a deep breath before blurting, “I’d like to open a sky lift to the top.”

  He blanched, as if her words had surprised him. “What?”

  She nodded, excitement building in her. “A sky lift wouldn’t be that intrusive on the mountain. But it would allow peo
ple who’ve never seen a view like this to see it. Plus, it would help preserve the beauty of the area.”

  “Hmm . . .” Boone remained silent a moment, as if processing the idea. “I don’t know what to say.”

  She rested a hand on his chest, desperate to get through to him. “There’s more. I’d like to purchase some of the land near your store for parking.”

  “What?” His eyes narrowed as he waited for her to continue.

  “It’s too early to say for sure, but I think the best area for going up the mountain will be not far from your store. But we’d need parking. You’ve got the space.”

  “But . . .”

  “And this would help you.” Excitement built in her voice. “The money we’d pay you could help secure the mountain. In fact, we’d probably need to secure that mountain before we could proceed. It could become our problem instead of yours.”

  “Really? I don’t know what to say.”

  “I mean, I know it’s all still early. But I think it could work. If the town approves it.”

  He tugged her closer. “I like that idea.”

  “You do?” Surprise echoed in Brynlee’s voice as tears rushed to her eyes. She’d hoped and prayed she might get through to him with this idea, and right now Boone wasn’t running away. He wasn’t critiquing it. He looked like he might actually like it.

  Joy burst inside her.

  “I do. And I think Kat would approve also. She loved that view. She’d want other people to see it also.” Boone lowered his voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you explain.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

  He drew in a deep breath, still staring deeply into her eyes. “Brynlee, you’ve . . . you’ve ignited something in me that I haven’t felt in a long time. I know you have a life back in Pennsylvania but . . . I’m not ready to walk away from us.”

  “From us?” Her voice lilted with surprise this time. “There’s an us?”

  “I mean, I know that sounds presumptuous.” He raised a shoulder, not in uncertainty but in playful hope.

  “No, I like it.” Brynlee grinned. “I like the sound of that.”

  “You do?”

  “I do.”

  He pulled her closer. “I’m glad to hear that. And I want you to know you have a community here, Brynlee. You don’t need to try so hard to find approval with your half-brothers.”

  “I think the town hates me.”

  “Give them time. I know they’ll see the best in you also. My family has your back.”

  Tears streamed down her face at his words. “That sounds amazing.”

  Boone pushed a hair out of her face, his gaze studying her as deep affection filled his eyes. “I think . . . I think we should see where this goes, Brynlee. I never thought I’d say those words again after Kat died. I never thought I would want this again. Like I said, I know you have a life back in Pennsylvania—”

  “I may be spending a lot more time here, depending on how things go,” Brynlee said. His words seemed to crack something open inside her. Longing and warmth spread through her.

  Boone smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

  As the forest surrounded them, it suddenly didn’t feel as scary. No, it seemed more like a fortress, something that the world needed to see. Boone lowered his lips until they met hers . . . and everything else disappeared.

  Epilogue

  Boone put his arm around Brynlee as he watched the crews start to work. A group of thirty or so people had gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony here at the base of the mountain. Mostly it was town officials and those who had a stake in making this happen.

  After several rounds of negotiations, the county had approved the sky lift to the top of Dead Man’s Bluff. It would have minimal invasiveness to the land, bring in more visitors to Fog Lake, and showcase this area’s beauty.

  The road to get here hadn’t been easy. There had still been pushback to get the permits needed. It had required surveys and engineering plans. A few locals still didn’t want the mountain to be touched and had protested.

  But everything had worked out.

  Best of all, Brynlee was staying in Fog Lake to oversee everything. She and Boone had practically been inseparable over the past several months. Their time together had been more than he could hope for—a treasure and an answer to prayer.

  “Here it is,” Boone murmured into her ear. “Your father’s dream.”

  A soft smile feathered across Brynlee’s lips as she stared at the side of the mountain in front of them. “I just wish he was here to see it.”

  A small crowd had gathered to watch the opening day of construction. They stood in the new parking lot near Boone’s store. The county had approved the space, Brynlee’s father’s company had purchased the land, and building the lot had been one of the first orders of business.

  Securing the mountain to make it safe for everyone around had also been a priority.

  “It took a lot to get here, didn’t it?” Brynlee squeezed him tighter as she draped her arm around his waist. “I wasn’t sure this would ever happen.”

  “I know what you’re talking about.”

  The past several months had been a whirlwind. Not only with trying to get this approved but with wrapping up the case against Fowler.

  The police had discovered that Fowler’s father had been acting as a Skookum since Fowler was a child. Fowler had picked up the torch after his father had passed away. His Native American roots to this area had made him feel overly protective of this land. A psychologist had also said he wrestled with mental illness, though he concealed it well.

  He had more than one bear costume that he’d created himself. He also had special shoes that made his tracks look like bear prints.

  Big Ben had been a scapegoat. Fowler knew about the man’s love of bears. He sent a note, asking Big Ben to be outside Brynlee’s chalet the night that Fowler had thrown the axes. Fowler had paid Big Ben two hundred dollars, knowing he was the perfect person to set up to take the fall since the man didn’t speak and was chronically stoic.

  Fowler had also been the one who’d gone into Falling Timbers that day and who’d knocked Chigger out. He’d apparently been planning on killing Brynlee right then. But his conscience had kicked in, and he’d changed his mind.

  Fowler’s hatred toward Brynlee’s father’s family went back a long way.

  His family had claimed that the Brinkleys stole their land when they purchased it eighty years ago. When he discovered that the person who’d seen him kill those two hikers on the trail was not only planning to develop the mountain but that she was a Brinkley . . . he’d come unhinged.

  Boone looked over as more people joined them at the site. Aside from town officials, Luke and Harper were here, along with Ansley, Chigger, and Abe. It was great to have a support system here to stand beside them.

  Even county inspector Todd Michaels had shown up. He hadn’t exactly congratulated them, but Boone knew this was a victory. Todd could no longer threaten to shut down his store. He’d have to wait for other ways to try to make Boone miserable.

  “Excuse me,” someone said behind them.

  Boone turned. His eyes widened when he saw Kat’s mom there.

  “Nancy . . .” Boone started. He took a step toward her, wondering if she’d come to cause trouble. The last thing he wanted was to ruin Brynlee’s big day.

  The woman frowned and dabbed the corner of her eye with a tissue. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for blaming you. My daughter loved you very much. We focused our grief on the wrong thing in an effort to make ourselves feel better. Katherine wouldn’t have wanted that.”

  Shock washed through him. Boone had never in a million years thought this day would come. Instantly, some kind of healing seemed to flush through him. “I appreciate that.”

  Nancy nodded at both of them, more tears escaping down her cheeks. “Best of luck with this project. And, again . . . I’m sorry.”

  “Nancy . . .” Boone called.


  She paused and turned. Boone pulled her into a hug, and the woman melted with sobs. Boone couldn’t keep the tears from his own eyes. Maybe this was the beginning of a restoration that was a long time coming.

  He waited until Nancy pulled away. She patted his arms, nodded, and walked back to join the crowds in the distance.

  As Boone returned to Brynlee, she smiled up at him. The look of love and support in her eyes filled him to the brim with completeness. It had been a long, hard journey to get here, but he was so grateful to have arrived.

  “That was unexpected, huh?” she said quietly.

  “You can say that again.” His voice caught as he remembered Nancy’s words. He’d craved for reconciliation with Katherine’s family for so long.

  “I’m glad you have some closure, Boone.”

  He tightened his arm around her waist. “Me too. I’m glad you got some closure with your half-brothers.”

  Mason Brinkley himself had come into town and given his stamp of approval on the project. Boone hadn’t exactly liked the man . . . but at least their exchanges had been pleasant.

  Mason had told them he’d come into town to follow up on what Brynlee was doing, that he didn’t trust his half-sister to oversee the project. He was upset because he’d wanted to take charge of the project himself and he had, in fact, come into town several times over the past several years, hoping to scope out the area for a possible resort.

  “Me too,” Brynlee said. “I’ll never really be a part of their family. I don’t fit. But I’m okay with that. I’ve found a new community here, a community that’s not my own flesh and blood. Sometimes your support system doesn’t have to be your blood relatives.”

  Boone kissed her forehead. “No, it doesn’t. Besides, Luke and Harper are ready to adopt you into the family.”

  Brynlee smiled. “I like that.”

  “So do I.”

  “There’s one other thing I wanted to tell you.” Brynlee stepped backed and looked up into his eyes. “We’re going to preserve your tree. We’ve named it Katherine’s Tree, and it will be one of the features at the top of Dead Man’s Bluff. It will be a great way to remember her and to remember how much she loved this area.”