He laughed. “Yeah, the food.” Wyatt whistled. “Hey, Jack, you need to come back here and stick close, we have to go down a steep trail.”
Jack ran back toward them, his cheeks flushed pink with excitement. “This is the best place in the world.”
“I like to think so.” Wyatt stopped at the head of the trail. “I’ll go first, Jack in the middle, and Monica at the rear.”
“Yes, sir.” Jack saluted Wyatt and then followed him down the trail. His small feet kept slipping and sliding on the small rocks and pebbles, but he persevered and kept going. Monica watched him carefully but kept her other senses alert to their surroundings. As far as she could tell there was no sign of another person on the mountain, but there was no room for complacency. If what she’d found out was true, then there was every chance the men holding Yolanda would stop at nothing to get their hands on Jack, too.
What was better than one hostage? Why two, of course. As if Trent needed any more incentive to do what they asked.
But what if she was wrong? What if this had nothing to do with Trent’s Army career? As the sun rose in the sky and warmed the ground, she went through all other possible scenarios. Trent had left the Army three years ago. Once Jack was born, he’d wanted to be home with him, not stuck halfway across the world. He’d done his time, fulfilled his duty. He’d left to work a desk job in a local government department. Trent once told her he missed the Army but was grateful to go home each night and kiss his wife and put his kid to bed.
Could this be tied to after he left? Could something in his private life have sparked the kidnapping? It didn’t add up. Trent’s family was too important to him. He would never do anything stupid that might put them in danger.
“Are we all okay back there?” Wyatt called over his shoulder. He didn’t look behind, he was walking point and his eyes constantly scanned the terrain for threats.
“We’re okay.” Monica reached out and grabbed Jack as his feet slid from under him. “Nearly at the bottom, buddy.”
“This is fun.” He turned a bright smile on her, and she couldn’t help smiling back.
“I used to love the mountains when I was your age. Not these mountains, another range up in the north. My brothers and I used to spend all summer exploring them, camping out under the stars and roasting marshmallows on a fire.” Her childhood memories revolved around the remote Army base her dad was stationed at. When he was deployed, Monica and her brothers would run wild in the mountains. This mountain range gave her a sense of nostalgia.
“I want to do that,” Jack said. “When Mommy has the baby, I’ll have a brother or sister, too.”
Wyatt slid to a stop and turned to face Jack. “Your mommy is pregnant?”
“Yes. Not very... It’s going to be a Christmas present.” He stopped behind Wyatt. “Do you need to rest?”
Wyatt lifted his eyes to Monica’s. “No, I don’t need a rest.” He turned away and continued walking down the trail, his pace a little faster. The sense of urgency had just gotten ramped up. If the kidnappers found out about the baby, how would they use it against Trent?
Five minutes later they were on level ground, hiking toward the trees in the distance. “This all looks so pretty in daylight.”
“Yeah, you would not have had the full mountain experience in the dark.” Wyatt’s voice had an edge to it that most people wouldn’t notice. But Monica was not most people. She was trained to pick up on the clues people hid in their voices. As a lawyer, a change in tone or language could give so much away.
“Can we come up here again?” Jack asked.
“When this is over,” Wyatt replied.
“You mean when you find Mommy and Daddy?” Jack asked.
“Yes.” Wyatt ducked as he entered the woods. The air under here was cooler, filled with the scent of pine. He walked another ten feet then halted, lifting his hand to warn them. Monica closed the distance between her and Jack, wrapping her arm across his chest to keep him near.
“What is it?” Monica asked quietly. She couldn’t hear anything other than the wind in the trees and the sound of her own heart.
Wyatt turned around, a full 360 degrees, his head tilted to one side. “I thought I heard someone.”
The tension in her body increased and she strained to hear anything that didn’t belong on the mountain. Jack looked up, watching her face, trusting her to keep him safe. Was that a twig cracking?
Wyatt spun around to look in the direction of her car. Was someone waiting for them on the road? Had they found her? Perhaps they had been there all night. The wolf shifter lifted his nose into the air and took a deep breath, then he relaxed. “It’s okay, I know who it is.”
“Who?” Monica hissed. She trusted Wyatt, she had to, but she wasn’t ready to trust everyone who walked into her life.
“The local ranger. Jacob. He’s a good man, you can trust him.” Wyatt struck out toward the road, his pace faster, and they followed. Jack had to jog to keep up.
“Here, buddy, I’ll carry you.” She swung the small boy into her arms, not because he couldn’t keep up with Wyatt, but because if they had to run, she would be ready.
“Are we going back home?” Jack asked hopefully.
“No, Jack. We’re going to find help.” Monica wished she could tell Jack what he wanted to hear. That she could give him what he wanted most in the world, his parents. But she couldn’t. Not now. Possibly not ever.
“I thought we came here to find help, to find Wyatt?” Jack asked, his chin resting on her shoulder.
“We did, and now Wyatt is taking us to find more people who can help us.” She stroked his head. “Maybe there’ll be other children you can play with.”
He lifted his head and smiled. “I miss playing. I miss school.”
“When I was your age, I loved cutting school and going out over the mountains,” Monica confided in him.
“All my friends are in school and we don’t have a mountain.” He looked over her shoulder at the high mountain peaks. “But when I’m a big bear, like Daddy, I’m going to explore all of these mountains.”
“Okay, Jack, we’re nearly on the road. I need you to be ready.” She kept her voice low. Wyatt was about fifteen feet away from them, but he still might be able to hear her whispered plan.
Why are we keeping secrets? her bear asked. We can’t let him walk into danger.
He won’t be in any danger if it’s his friend. But what if his friend isn’t alone? It would be better if we hid in the trees. That way Wyatt will be safe, too.
You mean if it’s an ambush? Her bear didn’t like the idea, but they both knew it was for the best. Wyatt was trained for this type of thing. If there was someone with Jacob, someone who was a stranger to the area, he would be on high alert. When her mate paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder, giving her a brief nod, she knew they were on the same wavelength.
Monica pulled back, putting more distance between them as the trees thinned and Wyatt broke out into the open air. “Hey there, Jacob.”
“Wyatt, what brings you this way?” a voice greeted him.
“I was on my way down to visit the dragons.” Wyatt’s voice sounded relaxed and friendly, no noticeable tension.
“Dragons,” Jack whispered in her ear.
“Maybe it’s like a nickname,” Monica told Jack, who squirmed in her arms.
His eyes went wide. “But what if it’s not?”
She had no answer for him, instead, she put her fingers to her lips and told him to be quiet so she could listen. Wyatt’s voice remained relaxed, his tone even and his words friendly.
“Liam flew this way earlier and saw this car. I was checking that it didn’t belong to a hiker who might have gotten lost in the dark.” Jacob’s voice held no tension. He wasn’t hiding anything.
“It belongs to a friend of mine,” Wyatt said smoothly.
“You had a visitor?” Jacob sounded surprised, confirming Monica’s thoughts that Wyatt spent his life up here alone.
/> At least we know he doesn’t have any female friends. Her bear’s words made her stop in her tracks. Monica hadn’t given any thought as to whether Wyatt had a girlfriend. Someone to keep him company on the cold winter nights.
“Monica,” Wyatt called her name and she jumped guiltily. “Come and meet Jacob.”
Monica emerged from the trees, holding on tightly to Jack as she held out her hand to the ranger. “Hi there.”
“Good to meet you, I don’t think I’ve ever known Wyatt have a visitor from out of town.”
“I’m a friend of a friend.” Monica smiled easily, she was not going to divulge any more information than she needed to. Not yet. Trust had to be earned.
“I’m Jack.” With a bright, happy voice, Jack held out his hand to Jacob.
“Hello there, Jack.” Jacob chuckled as he shook Jack’s hand. So trusting, the young boy had none of Monica’s tight reserve. It appeared Trent hadn’t taught his son to be afraid of anyone. She only hoped, by the end of this adventure, he was still as innocent.
Chapter Six – Wyatt
“I’ll see you around, Jacob.” Wyatt climbed into the passenger side of Monica’s car, under the bemused gaze of the ranger.
“I’ll see you around,” Jacob repeated back to him.
“Why do I get the feeling that me just being here with you is enough to raise everyone’s suspicion?” Monica asked as she backed the car along the road until it was wide enough to turn around.
“I’ve been a recluse for a long time. A hermit.” He looked at her sideways. But not anymore, he was never going to be alone again, they belonged together. Although he got the idea Monica might take some persuading. She’d come up here to find him and ask for help with Trent’s problems, not to find a mate.
“Great, we’ll be the talk of the town.” She slammed the car into drive and accelerated down the steep narrow road, keeping her speed in check as she navigated the bends.
“Jacob is discreet. He won’t be blabbing about this to anyone. Except maybe his wife, Avery, she’s the local deputy. Although luckily for us, she is on maternity leave.”
“Local deputy? Wow, this is getting worse by the minute.” Monica shook her head and focused on the road. “I wanted to keep this low profile.”
“Take a left at the end of the road.” He pointed toward the road that led to the dragons. As they drove on in silence, Wyatt tried to figure out how he was going to broach this subject with them. They’d had enough trouble tackling a rogue dragon shifter, they might not like him bringing more trouble to their door. And getting his wolf whiskers singed by a rampaging she-dragon like Fiona was not a top priority for him right now. Not when he had a mate to impress.
“I have to admit this is some beautiful scenery.” Monica seemed more relaxed as they drove. The sun had risen higher in the sky and the valley below, with Bear Creek running through it like a silvery snake, sparkled and glittered. The town itself was half hidden behind a small wooded area. Wyatt looked at the scene as if for the first time. He’d never appreciated the beauty of it. When he came here, he wasn’t seeking beauty.
“Once this is over, we could explore it together,” Wyatt offered. It was as if he was awakening from a deep sleep.
“Me, too!” Jack called from the back seat. “I want to paddle in the creek and catch fish. Daddy was going to teach me this summer. Do you think he still will?”
“I’m sure he will if he can.” Monica left her answer noncommittal. She wasn’t sure how this was going to end. In her mind, there was a chance Jack might never see his parents again. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“Turn left up here, we follow the road around and onto the lower slopes.” Monica followed his instructions, and five minutes later they were coming to a halt in front of the dragon’s lair as he affectionately called it.
Let’s hope they are feeling equally as affectionate, his wolf told him.
“Shall we wait here?” Monica asked, looking through the car windshield at the cabin which had been extended as the family had grown. It nestled into the mountainside, affording the dragons a great deal of privacy.
“No, we’ll all go in. They particularly like children.” Jack would be their secret weapon, Harlan and Fiona had an affinity with children. They would not be able to resist Jack.
“Not to eat, I hope,” Monica said drily.
“No, not to eat. You’ll like them. I promise.” He got out of the car and waited for Monica to get Jack out of his seat before stepping forward, leading them to the front door. But before he had a chance to knock, it opened, and Ruby stood looking at them.
“Wyatt?” Ruby’s gaze swept over Wyatt and settled on Monica and Jack.
“Is that you, Wyatt?” Harlan stood behind his adopted daughter, his curious expression matching Ruby’s.
“Does it look like me?” Wyatt answered in frustration. His reputation for being a loner was going to cause people to gossip.
“Yes. Come in.” Harlan opened the door wide and stood back for Wyatt and Monica to enter. There was a moment when he thought Monica was not going to follow, but then she adjusted Jack in her arms and went inside.
“Thank you.” Monica smiled warmly at Harlan and Ruby.
“Come through to the kitchen,” Ruby said, leading them into the familiar room, which smelled of apple cake and coffee. Real coffee. Ruby was already on it and set a fresh pot of coffee to brew while getting out plates and a plastic container which held the apple cake, her sister Sapphi’s specialty.
“What can we do for you?” Harlan’s voice had a professional edge to it, reminding Wyatt he was a successful and well-respected businessman, even if he did spend most of his time as a house husband these days.
“This is Monica.” Wyatt began with introductions. “And this is Jack.”
“Are you really a dragon?” Jack asked at once.
Harlan chuckled and allowed his dragon to come forth. His eyes glowed green and scales shimmered beneath his skin. “What do you think?”
“Wow!” Jack’s awe was evident. “I’m a bear. At least I will be when I grow up.”
“A bear. There are lots of bears around here. But you don’t come from Bear Creek, do you?” Harlan asked.
“No, we don’t,” Monica cut in before Jack could answer. “We’re from out of town.”
“I guessed that much.” Harlan paused while Ruby poured the coffee and cut the cake.
“I’ll get straight to the point, Harlan. We need your help.” Wyatt brushed off the glare Monica aimed his way.
“Go ahead, tell us what you need.” Harlan sat down at the table and invited them all to sit, too. “Ruby, why don’t you take Jack here through to the living room. Harlan Jr. is watching a cartoon. Do you like cartoons, Jack?”
“I do.” He eyed the cake. “Can I take a piece of cake with me, please?”
“You can, and we’d better give some to Harlan Jr., too.”
“Come on, let’s go find him.” Ruby took Jack’s hand, but Monica didn’t release him, her arms were still wrapped around his waist as if she didn’t want to let him go.
“He’s safe here,” Wyatt said gently, placing his hand on her arm. Monica met his eyes and he nodded. “I promise.”
“Behave, Jack.” She dropped a kiss on the small boy’s head and then unclasped her arms, releasing him with a sigh.
“We’ll wait for Ruby and then you can tell me what you need.” Harlan took a bite of his cake, sitting there looking as if this was a normal occurrence.
“Thank you,” Monica said quietly.
“It’s not every day Wyatt strolls in here with a woman and child, so I have to assume you are in trouble.”
“They are sharing cake and giggling at a cartoon,” Ruby assured Monica when she came back into the kitchen. “Harlan Jr. is appreciating the older company.”
“He usually has a one-year-old for a friend,” Harlan explained as if they were all getting together for a playdate. “Who wants to start?” He looked from Wyatt
to Monica.
Wyatt took the lead. “Monica came to see me last night.”
“With Jack? In the night?” Harlan asked.
“Yes,” Monica said. “Jack’s father asked me to care for him for a few days.”
“He sent her to me. To keep Jack safe,” Wyatt explained.
“What kind of trouble is Jack’s father in?” Harlan asked carefully.
“His wife has been kidnapped.” Wyatt avoided Monica’s glare. “We’re not one hundred percent sure why, but Monica has a theory.”
Monica shook her head at Wyatt. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Monica?” Harlan asked. “If you want us to help, you need to tell us everything.”
Monica pushed her chair back and got up. “I need some air.”
She left the room, and Wyatt let her go. If she needed time, he’d give her time. She wasn’t going far, not with Jack in the next room. “She has trust issues,” Wyatt said by way of an explanation.
“Is she your mate?” Ruby asked, which earned her a surprised glance from Harlan.
“How do women pick up on these things so easily?” Harlan switched his attention to Wyatt. “Did you know? Is she the reason you were in the mountains?”
“No.” Wyatt looked at the doorway through which his mate had left the room. He should have gone straight after her, because sitting here drinking coffee, even good coffee, was wrong. He needed to be with her. “I’d never met her before last night.”
“But she is your mate?” Ruby pushed for the acknowledgment which he gave with a slight nod of his head.
“And she just walked into your cabin?” Harlan asked.
“No, I found her and Jack on the mountain trail on their way to the cabin. Jack’s father told her to find me.”
“So, he is the common link,” Ruby concluded.
“He is, we both served with him in the Army.” Wyatt had never shared his history with anyone in Bear Creek. “Separately.”
Silverback Wolf (Return to Bear Creek Book 17) Page 4
