Yellowstone Deception (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 5)

by Peggy L Henderson

  Jana blinked. She didn’t want to break the spell she was under. Is this what it had been like for Aimee, when she first fell in love with Daniel?

  Oh my God! No. This isn’t happening. Her mind jolted back to awareness of what she shouldn’t be feeling. This was completely crazy.

  Jana somehow found the strength to push away from him, and she stood to her feet. She wrapped her arms around her waist, hoping he couldn’t see her tremble. She sucked in as much air as she could into her starved lungs. Dan’s scent - rugged, masculine, and clean - suffused his room. It was a scent Jana was sure she’d never forget.

  Composing herself, she turned to face him. Dan remained where he sat, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked up at her. His eyes revealed a hint of confusion.

  Jana inhaled another deep breath. She hoped her voice sounded steady. “In my dream, Aimee and I were standing over the brink of the Lower Falls. She talked about wanting her ashes scattered there, and how someone - and I believe she would include that to mean something - could be lost forever if it went over the falls. It’s a conversation we actually had a few years ago.”

  Dan stood to his feet. “Wait a minute.” He frowned. “Are you telling me you think she tossed the time travel device over the falls?”

  “I’m convinced she did.” Jana held his gaze. Dan clenched his jaw. He walked away from her. Jana watched the muscles along either side of his spine tense. He cursed, just before he turned to face her again.

  “Aimee was right. We’ll never find it.” All softness had left his eyes. He looked as hard and weathered as she remembered his ancestor at the moment.

  “That’s not all of my dream,” Jana said slowly.

  Dan laughed. “This is worse than trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

  “Maybe not.” It was her turn to laugh nervously. “This is going to sound ridiculous.” She stopped, unsure whether to tell him the next part of her dream.

  “What?” Dan reached for her arms, his grip firm. He had an almost desperate look in his eyes. Jana could well understand his anguish. Without the time travel device, there would be no hope of saving his own life.

  “I saw something in my dream. An old Indian was somehow standing in the canyon, right next to the falls. It startled me, and I went over the railing. The next thing I knew, I was laying hundreds of yards downriver along the shore. The Indian was there, too. He pointed at the time travel device. It was wedged between a couple of rocks.” Jana talked quickly, wanting to get her surreal dream out in the open. She still didn’t truly believe the time travel device would be where she had seen it. The supernatural was not something she bought into.

  Dan released her and ran his hand through his hair. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.

  “What?” Did he actually believe her dream was real?

  Dan paced in front of her, which meant he had to turn back the other way every two strides in his cramped quarters. He appeared to be deep in thought. Finally he stopped. His features were as tense as before.

  “There’s an old Shoshone legend,” he said, as if to himself. He didn’t complete his thought, but rather started a new one. “The mountain Shoshone who inhabited the park hundreds of years ago were very spiritual. Everything in their physical world was classified into water, earth, and sky spirits. The most powerful, most spiritual member of each clan was called a puha, and was said to hold great power over natural forces.” He looked at her abruptly. “Jana, what if those spiritual people were real? Maybe that’s where that device came from. It’s a snakehead, right? The Shoshone were often called Snakes.”

  Jana shook her head. “Are you suggesting some ancient spiritual Indian came to me in a dream to tell me where to find the device?” She stared at him, wide-eyed.

  “It’s one possibility,” Dan said. He reached for a t-shirt draped over the lone chair in the corner of his sparse room and pulled it on over his head. “Hell, it’s the best explanation I can come up with at the moment.” With a determined look on his face, he added, “give me a couple of hours. I’ll get us down into the canyon.”

  Chapter 6

  Jana sat on the rocky ground, leaning against a tree trunk, her knees drawn up to her chest. She stared out at the gaping canyon before her, a firm grip on the two-way radio Dan had given her. She hadn’t heard from him in nearly an hour. She’d long given up trying to spot him. If she took one step too far, she’d surely lose her footing in the loose, gravelly yellow earth, and fall to her death. She opted to wait him out, sitting against the closest tree to the canyon rim, trying in vain to relax.

  Earlier today, Dan had pulled the National Park Service truck he’d borrowed into a spot at one of the parking lots close to the Lower Falls. He’d sent her back to the lodge after her dream revelation, and told her he’d pick her up later in the day. Climbing down into the canyon was strictly forbidden by park regulations, and he needed some time to call in a favor or two. Jana had been surprised when he showed up at her door in official dress, looking stunning in his ranger uniform. If anyone asked, he was on official park business. Jana was grateful he hadn’t asked her to make the climb into the canyon with him.

  “I told my boss if he wanted me to get his project completed that I’m doing as a favor to him, he’d have to scratch my back, too. But he can’t look the other way when a civilian’s involved, so I’ll need you to stay up along the rim, and we’ll communicate via two way radio.”

  What if she was wrong? That climb into the canyon was dangerous. What if the device wasn’t where she’d seen it in her dream? What if it wasn’t there at all? Jana chewed her lower lip. They’d walked off trail along the rim, out of sight from curious tourists, until she pointed out the area she thought was close to where she had washed up along the river in her dream.

  The sudden static noise from the radio startled her. She scrambled to her feet.

  “Jana, I found it.” Dan’s excited voice came through the radio on a weak signal. The roar of the river in the background drowned out most of his words. “I’m heading back up.”

  Jana was too stunned to even respond. Her heart slammed against her rib cage. He’d found the device! An icy chill crept up her spine. How was this possible? Had she really received a spirit vision?

  Jana’s legs turned to rubber as she stood. She leaned against the tree trunk for support. This whole situation was getting creepier all the time. Had some mystical ancient power intervened, wanting Dan to find that device, so he could travel to the past to save Aimee? To save himself? Jana vowed that when she returned home she would start attending church more regularly.

  To pass the time, and to calm her frayed nerves, she paced a short distance back and forth along the rim. She hoped Dan would get out of the canyon safely. There was good reason why climbing was forbidden here. The volcanic soil was brittle and weak, and gave way easily. She’d heard horror stories of people falling over the edge to their deaths. She convinced herself that Dan would be okay. He’d told her he was an experienced climber. He’d strapped himself into a climbing harness, and had all the ropes and tools needed for a safe descent and return. Still, it gave her an uneasy feeling.

  A full moon rose slowly from behind the millions of lodgepole pinnacles on the other side of the canyon. Stars began to appear in the evening sky, and the orange glow from the setting sun only served to emphasize the already brilliant colors of the canyon walls. Another hour at most, and it would be dark. Even the full moon wouldn’t give off enough light to safely climb from the gaping scar in the earth.

  Jana glanced nervously at her wristwatch. How long had it been since Dan told her he was on his way back up? She hadn’t checked the time when he contacted her. She had no idea how long it would take to make an ascent like that.

  Suddenly, the sound of gravel and rocks sliding down the abyss several yards to her right made her jump.

  “Dan?” she called, almost frantic, and rushed to where the sound came from.

  “Yeah,” came a strained, muffled reply.


  Jana’s heart hammered in her throat. He was back, and he was all right. Seconds later, Dan emerged, and heaved himself onto level ground with a loud grunt.

  “Geez, that was some workout,” he said, panting, as he stumbled to his feet. He dusted his hands off on his shirt, and unbuckled the climbing harness, dropping his gear to the ground.

  “Thank God you’re back in one piece,” Jana exclaimed in relief, and threw her arms around his neck. Too late, she realized her impulsive move, and tried to step away. Her overly charged emotions had gotten the better of her. Dan refused to let her go. He wrapped strong arms around her waist, and held her close. Her heart began to race, and her limbs flooded with adrenaline. Every inch of her skin where his arms touched her sprang to awareness.

  “For a reaction like that, maybe I should put my neck on the line more often,” he whispered into her hair. His warm breath tickled her neck, sending waves of electricity up and down her back and through her extremities.

  Jana’s legs turned to putty. He must have felt her knees buckle. His grip on her tightened, hugging her closer still. The smell of dirt and sweat mingled with the clean scent of his minty shaving cream. This is so wrong, her mind screamed. Oh, but why did it feel so good, then?

  “I was worried you’d get hurt,” she breathed voicelessly.

  Dan eased his hold around her waist, but didn’t let go completely. The grin he flashed her took her breath away. His face was too close.

  “Well, truthfully, I hope I don’t have to do that again,” he said. Suddenly, his features turned serious, and his eyes roamed her face as if he was looking for something. His hands bracketed her waist.

  “Jana,” he whispered, just before he lowered his face closer to hers. She had no time to react. The instant his lips touched hers, Jana was lost. Her body seemed to move of its own will, and she leaned into him. Her lips parted as the pressure of his mouth on hers increased. Slowly, her arms slid up his chest, and she gripped his shoulders. A deep groan escaped his throat, and the pressure of his hands spanning her waist increased, pulling her up against him. Heat pooled in her abdomen, and she struggled for breath.

  An owl hooted overhead, followed by the distant bark of a coyote, the primordial sounds penetrating her senses. With the spell broken, her rational mind quickly intervened. He’s Aimee’s descendant, what are you thinking, Jana? She pulled her face back, and Dan relaxed his hold on her. His eyes were as black as the forest closing in behind them. He cleared his throat, and stepped away from her.

  “Let’s head back, and we’ll figure out where to go from here,” he said. His voice held a certain edge she’d only heard once when he was on the phone with his superior. Dan’s face hardened, and his jaw clenched. Did he regret kissing her? She certainly regretted that it had to end. No other man’s kiss had ever drawn such an overwhelming feeling of desire from her.

  He grabbed his climbing gear off the ground, and wordlessly headed away from the canyon rim, up the incline toward the trail leading back to the parking lot. Jana touched trembling fingers to her lips that still tingled from his kiss, and wondered if he’d been referring to what had just happened, or about their plans to go back in time.

  *****

  Dan drove back to Old Faithful in silence. Jana sat next to him, her hands balled up stiffly in her lap. Now why did he have to do such a stupid thing and kiss her? The way Jana flung herself at him had surprised him beyond belief. For the last day and a half, she’d acted like a skittish deer in his presence. Her unexpected reaction to his return from the canyon floor stirred a deep longing within him, and only served to intensify his attraction to her.

  A herd of bison couldn’t have stopped him from pulling her closer when she threw her arms around his neck. He’d dreamed of her for months, and when he held her in his arms and kissed her, he never wanted to let go. Damned if he could explain what was happening to him. He’d felt something strong and powerful tug at his insides the first time he saw her. It had drawn him to her like the proverbial moth to a flame, and the feeling only grew stronger by the hour, now that she was back. Especially now that he’d kissed her.

  Dan cursed silently. If she knew the real reason he needed to travel back in time, she would never agree to go with him. Heck, she would most certainly try and prevent him from going. It was too late for that now. He had the time travel device. The thought had entered his mind that he should simply go on his own, and leave her behind. No. He wanted her with him. He wanted to spend time with her. It would also be easier to explain his presence to Aimee and Daniel with Jana there. Somehow he would keep the truth from her.

  “I’ve already put together a basic survival pack,” he said slowly, breaking the awful silence. He stared straight ahead, concentrating on the dark road before him.

  “That’s good,” she answered. She sounded relieved at the neutral topic. “And what are your plans? When do we leave?”

  “Tomorrow morning.” Dan laughed. “I’d like to take one more shower before I head into the wilderness.”

  “I wonder if the device is going to send us back to the time when Daniel and Aimee disposed of it, or exactly two hundred years from now,” Jana said, talking almost to herself.

  “From everything I’ve read in that journal, the device somehow makes sure that events don’t overlap, so nothing ever gets repeated. I would think we would get there two-hundred years from right now, not before.”

  Jana sighed audibly. “I might be there when Aimee has her babies. I’ll get to see her twins.” She sounded almost excited now.

  “Yeah, you just might.” Dan turned his head and shot her a quick look, glad she seemed comfortable with the idea of going back in time.

  “Jana . . . about that kiss.” He hesitated. He wanted, needed, to talk about this. Even though he knew he was playing with fire. He should just leave it alone, and wait until they returned from this trip.

  “We were both overcome with emotions.” Jana quickly broke his train of thought. “I was so glad you were safe, and you’ve got to be happy to have found the device.”

  Dan slammed on the brakes. He eased the truck to the side of the road, and turned to look at the woman sitting next to him. Although it was dark everywhere, there was enough light from the truck’s dashboard to make out her features, allowing him to gauge her reactions.

  “Is that what you think it was?” he asked, more forcefully than he intended.

  “I . . . yes . . . what else--”

  Dan ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Jana, I like you . . . a lot. I want to get to know you better.” Damn. Couldn’t he control himself? He shouldn’t be saying such things to her. Not now. Not yet. Unable to listen to his inner voice of reason, he reached for her hand. She shrunk away.

  “Jana, what are you afraid of? If you have a boyfriend . . .”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she scoffed. “But I can’t get involved with you.”

  “Why the hell not?” He regretted his heated outburst immediately. Clenching his jaw, he inhaled deeply, trying to calm his frayed nerves. “Why not?” he repeated in a normal voice.

  “Because . . . it’s just not right. You’re Aimee’s grandson. Don’t you get it, that this is just . . . weird.”

  He couldn’t believe what she was telling him. “You won’t consider a relationship with me because I’m related to your friend?” he asked incredulously. “What if Aimee had a brother in this time. Would you have gone out with him if he asked you?” She stared at him blankly. Obviously she hadn’t considered that before.

  “This is different,” she argued in a firm voice.

  “How? This makes no sense, Jana. I get that you’re upset about losing your friend, and that I’m some kind of link to her, but . . . if I wasn’t related to Aimee, would you consider going out with me?” He hoped he didn’t sound too pathetically desperate.

  “Yes,” she whispered so quietly, he barely heard the word. Dan squeezed her hand, then let go. That was all he needed to hear.r />
  “Just give me half a chance. That’s all I’m asking.” His pulse increased as he steered the truck back onto the road. Somehow he’d get past her hang-up that because he was distantly related to her best friend she couldn’t enter into a relationship with him. At least now he knew the reason for her skittishness. Dan gripped the steering wheel. She might just hate you by the time this is all over.

  Chapter 7

  Dan pried his backpack off his tired and stiff shoulders and tossed it onto his bunk. That was some climb. He and a few fellow rangers had often discussed what it would be like to scale the walls into the Grand Canyon. Every year, some fool-hearty mountain climber tried it, and more often than not, a rescue team would have to be sent in to retrieve a dead body. Dan unbuttoned his dirty shirt and tossed it on the chair in the corner. His white t-shirt followed. If his entire future wasn’t at stake here, he wouldn’t have made such a climb.

  His future. Dan laughed, and shook his head. In the last two days, he’d thought less about his future and more about the woman sitting in a hotel room a couple of miles away at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The picture in his mind of his ideal future seemed to be changing. One chestnut-haired beauty, with the soft amber eyes of a doe, stood front and center.

  He glanced at the pack on his bed. Hesitating, he unzipped the main compartment, and carefully removed the soggy old leather pouch from within. It felt slimy and soft, the dark color of the leather tinged with green algae from two hundred years in the water. Incredibly, it had been right where Jana described. The idea that she had dreamt about its precise location had startled him more than he let on this morning, when she told him of her vision. His great-great grandfather, Josh Osborne, had been part Shoshone, and Dan had always been fascinated by the old legends of the people who inhabited the park hundreds and thousands of years ago.

  Dan stared at the pouch in his hands. He didn’t dare open it. He’d already checked to make sure it contained the snakehead when he first found it. Clenching his jaw, he cursed silently. He held his future in his hands, but at what price? He’d made a deal with the devil, and it was too late to back out now. Somehow he would make everything right again. The power to change history was in his grasp. What he’d agreed to do could be undone again later, he convinced himself firmly.