by Ruby Forrest
He wanted someone with her who had a gun, knew how to use it and could protect her against the bears that roamed the words. Maria balked at the thought of hiring some guy who was too quick to shoot and lied about his passion for animals. She didn’t want some washed up has been who was trigger happy and not likely to listen to her. She didn’t want anything to do with a man like that, especially not on a trip where her sole purpose was to take care of the animals, protect them and keep them safe, to find out what was going wrong and to fix it.
Still, her father didn’t agree to help pay for this trip until that condition was met, so Maria didn’t have much of a choice. She could have waited and tried to save up money, but she needed to do this paper as soon as possible. Waiting another season could cause terrible damages to the population, something that Maria was just not prepared to allow happen.
She would just have to put up with a trigger happy ranger and pretend that she didn’t give a damn about his comings and goings. If it made her father happy and got her through this, then she would just have to put up with it.
Maria sighed and shook her head. It would be okay. After all, she was only staying here for a week and doing some recording. It wouldn’t be too guard and she could definitely get used to the scenery and what it was doing for her. It was much more peaceful than she would have anticipated and she was honestly looking forward to spending some time alone, or, almost alone, out in the woods themselves. She had heard great things and frightening things and she was hoping that the former would be true for her.
The bus shuddered as it made the turn, pulling upwards towards the mountain. Maria was lucky to have found a bus that went out this way. It wasn’t a regular thing, or so the timetable had suggested. One in a while, it would ferry tourists and take them home. Maria had hopped on, but it was a one way ticket until a week from now, when the bus came for another day trip and she could hop on it and go home. She smiled a little to herself. That was okay. She liked that idea anyway. No constant tourists to interrupt her. Also, despite the fact that there were tourists, they were allocated to a certain area of the forest that was well and truly cordoned off and safe, so they were not likely to interrupt her research.
She had been told that they got cars up every now and then, but mostly, this thing ran on government and private funding, and that the majority of it was also off limits to the public. Maria liked that, and it made her feel more secure. Now, if she could only work out what was killing all these bears…?
The attacks had looked almost like bear attacks, on another bear! Not that fights were unheard of, but this many, and with such ferocity…Maria couldn’t understand it. If she had to put it into words, it would be a very human act of aggression, where things didn’t stop until the other was well and truly dead and not coming back. It was almost senseless. She didn’t think a bear would use that sort of senseless aggression and, besides, this amount of attacks was just not likely, not even during mating season, or when the bear cubs were still little. This was something different entirely and Maria had no idea what she was looking at or what she could do to help.
Maria was feeling the effects of a long night up without sleep. She sipped her coffee and stared out of the window, hoping that she didn’t fall asleep and miss her bus stop completely. She took a deep breath, watching the city landscape change into suburbia and, gradually, change into countryside. The countryside stopped being so flat, turning into hills and into impressive forests that loomed in the distance.
She shivered, feeling the excitement build in her stomach. She’d been up all night packing and making sure she had everything that she needed for this trip. It was exciting and the opportunity was breathtaking.
Maria spent most of her time teaching at the university in the city. It was a great job and she got to work in a field she loved, which was wildlife conservation and wildlife. It was important for her to engage in this topic, but, quite frankly, she hadn’t had time to go into the field for years.
She had no one waiting for her at home aside from her father, and she loved this job more than anything else. She wanted to be in the field, making a real and concrete difference in the environment and the animals that lived there.
Maria frowned as the bus pulled in through a huge set of gates and into the conservation area. The bear population had been steadily decreasing lately and no one had any idea why this was happening. This was one of the best conservation areas and Maria had heard that it was headed by a very passionate ranger, despite her misgivings. Unfortunately, said head ranger had not been as thrilled about her arrival. Maria was warned by the dean that he did not want her there, but he was mandated to answer any questions and accompany her if she needed it.
She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the slowing of the bus, the shuddering of movement as it slowed and pulled over, moving into a large car park. It wasn’t until the bus stopped completely that Maria realized that she had finally arrived at her destination. She felt a thrill of excitement move through her, nervousness twisting in her veins. She was here.
Maria sighed as the bus pulled to a stop and she grabbed her luggage. She understood where he was coming from. After all, if he was passionate about his job, he probably felt he had the situation under control and didn’t really want strangers traipsing through a delicate eco system.
Still, Maria couldn’t help but feel a flicker of frustration in her stomach. Why didn’t he want help if animals were dying in his conservation system? Surely he’d want an answer, and want to save as many as he could?
With a sigh, Maria pushed the thoughts out of her mind and stepped off the bus, thanking the driver for his time. She trekked across the parking lot to the front desk, a small building at the edge of the forest. Maria noted the open sign and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
The area was small and neat, with maps and signs set up all across the walls. She knew that this area wasn’t usually visited by tourists, but those with a special permit were allowed through. It was notoriously hard to get a permit, though, and Maria felt a sense of awe at being allowed into such a private area.
The woman at the desk smiled at her. She seemed friendly, although a bit guarded, “Hello. Can I help you?”
“Yes…” Maria smiled her best smile and made her way over to the desk, “I’m Maria. I’m a visiting researcher from the University.”
Something in the woman’s face changed, and she suddenly seemed almost sympathetic, “Oh, Miss Brown. Yes, of course. I’ll let Jack- Dean know you’re here.”
She turned to the phone and clicked it on, “Take a seat.” She smiled at Maria, who obliged by finding a stool to perch on.
“Yes, I know…yes, I understand. No sir. Yes. Yes, I’ll tell her.” The woman looked up and smiled a few moments later, “Jack- Dean will meet you on the footpath. I’ll show you were to go.”
Maria stood and followed the woman outside. She pointed out a little path that wound into the woods, “Just over there, Miss Brown. He’ll show you to your cabin.”
“Thank you.” Maria smiled and, with one last look back, she made her way to the path to wait for Jack- Dean.
She didn’t have to wait long. Maria didn’t hear any footsteps or rustling of leaves waring her of his arrival. He stepped out of the trees like he was part of the forest and gave Maria a look that let her know she most certainly wasn’t.
“Miss Brown.” He said curtly and Maria jumped.
He was a big man. He had broad shoulders and muscles that were clear down his arms. His short sleeve shirt didn’t seem appropriate for the cold weather and with his dark pants, he seemed to blend into the forest. He had shot brown hair and a trace of a bearded on his face. His eyes were blue as the sky above the forest, the cold blue of a winter’s morning.
His arms were folded and Maria was struck, again, at his size. He was a big man and he was imposing. Somehow, he looked like he belonged in this forest. He moved like he knew every tree, he stood lik
e no one could remove him from this spot, and he blended in effortlessly.
He was gorgeous, dark and predatory with a strong-set jaw and broad hands. He seemed to stretch on forever, with broad shoulders and deep eyes that seemed to go on forever. He seemed like he could slip into the shadows and become nothing as effortlessly as if he was part of the shadows themselves and had been all his life. Her stomach tightened and she pushed the thought out of her mind.
“Oh, hello. You must be Jack- Dean.” Maria smiled as she found her voice, reaching out to shake his hand.
He looked her over for a moment, then turned into the forest, “We’ll need to get moving if you want to in your cabin before dark.” He glanced up at the sky, “I hope you can keep up.”
And then he was off, walking through the trees and leaving and stunned Maria to try and follow his trail.
Chapter 2
Jack- Dean was definitely not what Maria had expected. Part of her had expected some has been who sulked around the forest, talking a good game, but treating the animals poorly. Another part of her had expected a passionate and enthusiastic ranger who, despite not liking the fact that she was here, would still be eager to discuss everything and do whatever he could to help the animals.
Instead, she got a man who looked like he could have been in the military! With broad shoulders and tight muscles, he looked like he had seen combat. He walked in a confident and relaxed stride, so silent that he might as well not be a huge man at all. He made less noise than Maria did and she felt like he had to be at least twice her size. He was huge and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
For a second, just a brief and fleeting second, he reminded her of a bear, reminded her of the rugged edges and big build of a grizzly just as it reared up, about to kill. He was intimidating, he was big and she had a feeling, a strong feeling, that he wasn’t about to go shooting bears and that he was passionate about this forest and the animals in it. In fact, Maria had the sinking feeling that maybe, just maybe, he was more likely to shoot a human that wondered into his path, then an animal. She had a feeling that his desire to defend this land was strong, and that people were probably just in his way. She realized, sharply, why she had been warned against him and why he didn’t want her here.
He did want to help. But he wanted to do it his way. He didn’t see her as a help but as a distraction and hindrance. Maria felt anger simmer just beneath the surface. He was brusque and rude and it didn’t matter how passionate he was about this- he wasn’t the only one who could and would help and make a difference.
“Do you mind slowing down?” Keeping up with him was a challenge. With his large form and knowledge of the forest, he didn’t seem to be having a hard time moving through at a quick pace. Maria, on the other hand, didn’t thing she was making much progress, trying to follow him, not fall over and carry her backpack all at the same time.
He didn’t answer her and Maria felt frustration build, “Jack- Dean!”
He slowed and turned and Maria felt like she was caught in his gaze, like he had trapped her with nothing but a look, a long, piercing look that went straight through her. She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders, “Look, Jack- Dean, I don’t know this path as well as you, so you need to give me a moment to catch up.”
“That’s not what I’m here for.”
“No, but you’re here to protect the forest and, if my father was right, to at least stop me from getting attacked and killed. I thought you actually had to be in a descent distance to manage that.” Her cheeks felt flushed but she didn’t know whether that was from anger, or the exertion of the walk itself. He looked at her for another long, piercing moment, seemingly weighing up his options, before he sighed and shook his head.
“Miss Brown, I have things to do. I have places to be. I’m letting you on this land because I am mandated to do so, since this is government property and you are from a government institution.” He narrowed his eyes, “I am making sure you don’t die because I owe your dad a favor and he’s paying me good money. That doesn’t mean you call the shots. That doesn’t mean you throw a fit because you can’t keep up with me through a damn park walk. That sure as hell doesn’t mean that I’m going to cater to your every need. I get you up there. You get your research done, and, at the end of the week, I get you back down in one piece, you understand me?” He never once raised his voice, or spoke in anything but cool, polite tones, and yet, Maria felt absolutely chilled by the intensity of his eyes, and the way he was staring through her.
“That’s all I’m here for. No more, no less. How I do that is up to me. How you deal with that is up to you. I suggest that you make peace with it, Miss Brown.” He narrowed his eyes again and Maria felt a shiver move through her, “The bears out here are dying. I have bigger fish to fry than you. While you’re doing your paper, I’m trying to save their lives, so let’s just get this over with so I can go back to doing my job.” There was a faint snarl in his voice, something low and rumbling that sent a flash of fear through Maria.
Again, she was reminded strongly and fiercely of the bear, rising up in anger, snarling in warning. She shivered. Still, his words has struck a number of cords within Maria, one being blinding anger at the sheer cheek of him, his assumptions and his arrogance.
“Excuse me? I’m not just sitting and doing some paper! I’m trying as hard as you to help the bears. In fact, I’m trying to gather proof, so that there can be more funding and protection. I don’t know what one ranger things he’s going to do all on his own!” She didn’t mean to snap, but she didn’t, frustration twisting in her chest, “I’m here to do the best job I can! I’m not here to be fobbed off because you can’t be bothered to do your job.” She took a deep breath, “Besides, if you were doing such a great job as ranger, they wouldn’t be dying in the first place- so how about you help me do my job.”
For a second, just a second, Maria was sure that she had seen hurt flashing in his eyes, seen pain at her words. But it clouded over with anger so quickly that Maria couldn’t be sure that she hadn’t just imagined it, hadn’t just been seeing things, seeing what she wanted to see, maybe. She couldn’t be sure that it wasn’t all just a wish, a hope, a fleeting idea.
Then he turned around and stormed off and Maria was left almost running trying to keep up. This time, when she called out, he didn’t even bother to turn around, or to do a damn thing about it. He didn’t answer her either and Maria was starting to feel like she had really and seriously touched a nerve. Still, he had seriously touched a nerve with her too, and all Maria had wanted was for him to wait up a little.
She shuddered and shook her head, swallowing hard as she shivered. She needed to get through this. She needed to focus on what was important and what her job and mission was here. She needed to remember why she was here in the first place and focus on that, really focus on it. Maria took a deep breath as she hurried through, paying attention to the forest again.
The trees that grew around here were thick and lush and the pine smell was stronger now. She smiled, feeling an odd sense of peace in her heart. It settled her, just like it had on the bus, just like it had before. She felt calmer and more settled, felt an odd sense of contentment, despite the contention that was heavy in the air. It helped and Maria was grateful for that.
Maria was lucky and grateful for the fact that her accommodation wasn’t too far into the forest. It was a simple log cabin that was occasionally used by rangers or other officials. It wasn’t open to the public, but it was in a great location, central enough, but far away enough from the noise to really get a handle on nature, and understand what was going on.
It was perfect and it was a good post to start her observations from. She was hoping that this post could allow her to really start seeing changed in weather patterns, nature, other animals and more, that might be causing the activity that she was seeing in her previous readings.
As they moved up the hill, Maria was greeted by the sight of a small log
cabin in a clearing. It was up high, higher than anywhere else Maria had climbed so far, but it was absolutely worth it. The cabin itself looked small and simple, but Maria knew that the view would be incredible. Not only would it be beautiful, but it would be, practically speaking, in a very good spot.
Some of the tension seemed to ease out of Jack- Dean’s shoulders as they approached and she had a strong and sudden feeling that he spent more time in this cabin than he did at home. That would explain how he knew the walk so exceptionally well and he seemed more at ease, at least in his gait.
She hoped that he would relax in other ways too, so that they could better communicate instead of just fighting. As they approached the top, Maria took a deep breath and turned around.
It was absolutely beautiful. The mountains stretched in the distance, showing off the curves of the heavens and the earth. The beautiful hue that settled over the mountain range was stunning and it seemed to light up the forest itself. All around them, there was nothing but nature. Maria couldn’t tell where it started and where it ended. She didn’t know where the main car park and station was, because from up here, you couldn’t even see them. They were hidden in the trees and that was exactly how Maria liked it.
It felt like she an Jack- Dean were the only ones around for absolute miles and miles, like they were alone in the world, and it was nothing but the, the cabin and the nature that stretched out forever. Maria let out a long, slow breath. She smiled, feeling an odd sense of peace in her heart.
She turned to Jack- Dean and caught his eye, just for a moment. There was an expression of peace on his face too, a quietness that seemed almost out of place. He looked better for it and, for a second, Maria could almost swear that she saw him smiling. Then the moment was gone and he turned away, “We should set up. Night falls fast.”
