He slammed his hand down on the desk. “Geez, Tom. I’m sitting right here,” he growled, making the man step back.
“Sorry,” Tom said, in a much lower voice. “But I’ve got good news.”
Frank waited for Tom to go on, but the man had apparently run out of steam. With a sigh, he asked, “What news?”
“Oh yeah. Carl called and they found the big bull moose everyone’s been looking for and got him tagged.”
The pounding in his head began to abate, this was just the news he needed to hear. “Have they started tracking it yet?” he asked, then regretted it when Tom looked at him stupidly. “Never mind, I’ll call Carl myself.”
Half an hour later he’d contacted the hacker he’d hired, the minute that tracking chip was activated, he’d know just as much as anyone at Coldwater Canyon did. Sighing with relief that his plan was going to work, he sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, the pounding only a distant memory. He went over the plan again in his mind as he’d been doing for weeks but couldn’t find any holes, his father may not have taught him how to run a business but he had taught him how to hunt.
It really was his father’s fault that he found himself in this situation, he’d always been happy to show his son the mysteries of the mountains, but had never taken the time to explain how to run the business he’d so loved. Now only five years after his death, Frank had run the company into the ground and wasn’t entirely sure how he’d done it. But this moose hunt would not only get him out of the hole, but put a nice tidy sum in the bank.
Coldwater Canyon had been a gift to him, he though smiling, without the hunts into its pristine forests he would have gone broke a long time ago. Now the canyon would provide for him once more, by the time that moose was hanging on someone’s wall, he’d be in Mexico sitting on the beach. All he had to do was see to it that one of the “investors” shot that moose and he’d clear a cool million.
Now all he had to do was wait, once the tracker was activated it would be child’s play to find it, solving all his money problems. He’d have to deal with the researchers who would be hovering around the moose, but a couple of academics wouldn’t be much of an obstacle. His men would see to it that they didn’t get in the way, how they did so was of no concern to him, he’d long ago washed his hands of being responsible for the rowdy group he’d hired after his father died.
It had been such fun at first to drink and carouse with them, they had no limits, did what they wanted when they wanted, but he soon grew tired of that life. When he emerged from his drunken fog he’d realized that all his dad’s old clients had deserted him, and there was little hope of gaining new clients with the crew he had. The money that had been carefully stashed away in the bank drained out as Frank watched, horrified but trapped by the choices he’d made.
But that was before, now he was on his way to freedom. Freedom from the weight of his father’s reputation, freedom from the men he’d invited into his life in as rash attempt to show the world he was a big man. He’d leave it all behind, take the money as run, as the saying went. Mexico was an easy place to hide and he already had everything worked out, a first class airline ticket with an open date was tucked in the back of the safe.
The pounding in his head was beginning to return as he thought about all the things that could go wrong, but he took a deep breath and sat down at his desk again. Nothing would go wrong he kept telling himself, but he knew that somewhere out there, someone had the map he’d created for this hunt and that did worry him. If the tires on all their trucks hadn’t been slashed, he might not have worried so much, but the combination of the two had him a bit worried.
Even worse the sheriff had become involved when the men had begun shooting their guns right in the middle of town. He’d had to do some talking to get them out of that one, and promise to never go back to the only town within 50 miles, making supply runs even longer. More than anything he wanted to get this over with, but after that little outing, it had become clear that they needed to lay low for a little while.
So, he’d wait, let things calm down for a while before putting out the word that the moose hunt was on. The men seemed fine with the break, more time to drink and brag around the fire, but it was a strain on his nerves. If he thought he could trust them on their own, he’d go down to L.A. for a few days, but he could only imagine what kind of mess he’d find when he got back. So, he’d stay and babysit his men until the day they could finally go on the last hunt of his career, the hunt that would make him a very rich man.
Chapter 7
When Julie and Sam finally came down off the mountain, there was great excitement at the lab, everyone had come to meet them and see the moment when the tracker was activated. With great ceremony, Sam activated the tracker and everyone watched for the red dot to appear on the screen, then cheered when it did. Then Sam and Julie chased everyone out and sat in silence watching the screen as data began to come in, the state of art equipment compiling more data in a minute than a researcher could in an hour.
But soon they both succumbed to the exhaustion of three weeks of hard living and headed for the cabins. Julie had no idea what would happen when they got there, would they go their separate ways, go to her cabin, or his. Sam solved the problem by heading straight for hers when they got off the four-wheelers.
“I’ll bring some of my stuff over later. I just want a shower and get some sleep,” he said, waiting for her on the steps. “Is that okay with you?”
Julie was not only relieved but pleased that Sam wouldn’t be going home, she wasn’t looking forward to a night without him, but hadn’t wanted to say so. “I’d like that,” she said, then kissed him on the cheek as she went up the stairs.
Sam grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back to him. “That wasn’t much of a kiss,” he said, then cupped the back of her head in his big hand, leaned her back and kissed her.
Julie clung to him, off balance but confident in his arms. “Oh, I see. More like this,” she said, darting her tongue into his mouth.
“Mmm, definitely like that,” Sam said, catching her tongue between his teeth, then biting her lip.
Julie slapped him playfully, then ran by before he could catch her again, opened the door to the cabin but stopped and looked back at Sam who was still standing on the stairs. He looked all male at that moment, dirty and scruffy from weeks on the trail, his hair a little too long, his beard grown in. Desire shot through her and all she wanted to do was throw herself on him right then and there. Instead, she said, “I think the shower might be big enough for both of us.” Then disappeared into the cabin.
After a day spent in the lab, Sam and Julie were on their way to Honey Hills for the celebration dinner Marissa had planned, both would have rather been in the lab but knew it was important to socialize with the residents of the canyon. They were part of the community now and it was important to build friendships in such a small place, and Julie didn’t really mind that much if she was being honest with herself. For the first time in her life she felt like she had a home, a place where she was accepted for exactly who was.
When they walked into the community room there was a loud cheer and everyone began to crowd around them. Marissa saved them, by quickly ushering them to the drink table and getting them both a glass of wine. “Sorry, it’s just that everyone’s so excited. Things may be just a bit out of control,” she said, laughing and shaking her head, the gesturing to the room.
It took Julie a second to see what she was talking about, but when she did, she began to laugh too. Sam who still hadn’t figured it out asked, “What? I don’t see it.”
“Look at the tee-shirts,” Julie said, pointing around the room.
Then Sam saw it and began to laugh as well, about half the room was dressed in red tee-shirts with a picture of a moose hiding behind a tree on them. On the back, they’d printed the phone number for the moose hotline, with the words, “Have you seen me?” printed in white letters.
But then they both had the same idea. �
��We can use this,” Julie said. “To help us find the rest of the moose.”
“Speaking of finding the rest of the moose, I have someone I want you to meet,” Marissa said, pulling them across the room.
Sam’s stomach sank when he saw who they were headed for. “Oh, we already met them.” Sam tried to change direction.
“But they want to talk to you,” Marissa said, grabbing his arm and practically dragging Sam after her.
Julie watched mystified as Sam tried to get out of going over to talk to the Montgomery brothers, they seemed like nice men to her and she loved their Australian accents. Plus, of all the ranchers in the area, they had the largest herds, grazing on hundreds of miles of land in the mountains, their help could make it much easier to find the rest of the moose in the canyon.
When they walked up to the group of Montgomery’s gathered together in one of the back corners of the room, Julie couldn’t help but notice that all their wives were African American. The surprise must have shown on her face because Marissa laughed, then began introducing her to the women. “This is Chloe, she’s the canyon’s veterinarian, Tabitha runs the restaurant, and our latest addition to the family, Tani. She and Flynn live in Colorado.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Julie said, still a bit overwhelmed by not only the beautiful women, but the fact they’d all found their way to the canyon. “How did you all…”
Chloe laughed. “It’s a long story, but evidently the Montgomery men all like the same kind of woman.”
Before Julie could reply, Sam began choking on his drink. Alarmed she patted him on the back. Finally, he said, “I’m okay.” But he didn’t look okay.
“So what are your plans now that you’ve found the bull?” Jake asked, changing the subject. “Will you tag the females as well?”
Julie waited for Sam to reply, but he was strangely silent so she jumped in. “Yes, we’d like to have them all tagged by winter, the problem is that we really have no idea how many there are in the park.”
Sam finally joined in the conversation, “We’re hoping that we can still rely on you all to help us,” he said, then added, “As crazy as the moose hotline is, it might actually be helpful.”
“We’ll be tracking the bull moose and following him, but that’s no guarantee that he’ll lead us to all the females in the canyon, and it’s also possible that there’s more than one bull, it’s a big place,” Julie explained.
“You know I could help with the tagging, I’ve got the training,” Flynn said, thinking how fun it would be to be part of the moose hunt.
“Oh, I didn’t know there was anyone else here with the training to use a tranquilizer gun,” Julie said, thinking that it might be good to have some extra help.
“Chloe and I both are certified,” he said, then added, “Although I don’t know if Chloe wants to help.”
“I would but…” She pointed to her rounded stomach and shrugged. “I don’t think Jake would be too crazy about the idea. But if I can help in any way just let me know.”
“Do you two have any kids?” Tani asked.
Sam again choked on his drink and Julie sucked in a shocked breath. “We’re not married, I mean we’ve only been together for a little while,” she managed to stammer.
“Oh, gosh I’m so sorry, it’s just that the two of you like you’ve been together for a long time, I mean body language…” Embarrassed, she finally trailed off.
Sam jumped in, seeing the look on Julie’s face. “It’s okay. We have known each other for a long time,” he said, putting his arm around Julie’s waist and giving her a squeeze.
Julie relaxed at his touch. “Yes, since the summer before grad school,” she finally managed to say with a smile.
The rest of the night went by in a blur of faces, some they’d already met, but most were new to them. By the time they left the celebration, there was no doubt that the people of Coldwater Canyon would be their greatest ally in the hunt for the rest of the moose and that made Julie happy, but Tani’s question about children had stirred up a memory she’d been avoiding since Sam came back into her life.
They were silent on the drive back to the lab where they’d pick up their four-wheelers to get to the cabins, but miles before the turnoff, Sam pulled the truck over and turned off the engine. For weeks Julie had been thinking about the fight they’d had all those years ago, the one that had driven them apart, and she was dreading what Sam might say about that night.
“I guess it was silly of me to think that this wouldn’t come up,” he said, then continued. “Julie, I was wrong back then, I was young and selfish. I got scared of what it would mean to my life, I didn’t even think about you. I was so sure that my way was the only way, I didn’t even stop to ask you how you felt.”
“Sam, do we have to talk about this, nothing happened, it was a false alarm.” Julie didn’t want to relive how much he’d hurt her back then.
“But I think we have to. When you told me that you thought you were pregnant, all I could think about was how I’d make it work with my life. I should have understood that your hopes and dreams were important too, but I didn’t,” Sam said, turning to her and taking her hands in his. “It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life, and I know it’s what drove us apart.”
Julie thought back to that night she’d told him she might be pregnant, he’d immediately started making plans for her to quit school and stay home with the baby until it was old enough to go to school. He couldn’t understand why that wasn’t acceptable to her, hadn’t been willing to listen to her side of the situation and they’d fought, a fight that had gone on until she’d discovered that it was only a false alarm.
But the damage had been done, Julie could see that with Sam his wants and needs would always come first, that he’d always want things his way. It was heartbreaking, especially when he used his money as a reason that she should give up her dreams. In the end they’d parted ways, after he’d said a lot of very hurtful things, including predicting that she’d never accomplish her dreams without him.
Julie studied him in the dark of the cab of the truck, his face so handsome in the moonlight, his eyes pleading with her to forgive him. “Julie, I promise you that if the same thing happened today, I’d listen to what you wanted too.”
Julie felt forgiveness wash over her, she’d been a different person then too. Young and too willing to go do whatever Sam had wanted at first, then when she’d finally exerted her will he’d been unable to handle an independent Julie. It had been the first time she’d been in love and she’d been blinded by that love, now she knew that Sam wasn’t perfect, but she also knew that she’d stand up for herself again, if she had to.
“I forgive you, Sam, but you have to know that this relationship is a partnership, we have to make decisions together,” Julie finally said, unable to resist the hurt she saw in his eyes.
Sam pulled her into his arms, so relieved that they’d made it past this last hurdle, that the last specter of their past had finally been chased away. “I promise you whatever decisions we face, we’ll make them together.”
Julie slid across the seat and took Sam’s face in her hands. “That’s a promise I’m going to hold you to.” Then she kissed him, a kiss that reassured him that she’d forgiven all the mistakes of the past.
Sam held Julie for a long time in the truck by the side of the road, breathing in her scent, he felt not only relief but a deep kind of happiness unlike anything he’d never experienced before. It welled up inside him, spreading its warmth through his body, until with a start he realized that he loved Julie. Not the juvenile kind of love they’d shared that summer, but an adult kind of love, the kind of love that made you care more about the other person than yourself.
He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, but didn’t think it was the right time. When he told her, he wanted it to be special, to be a moment she’d never forget. “Are you ready to go home?” he finally asked.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,�
� she said, thinking that it sounded nice to hear him call her cabin home. “But there is one thing I’ve been wondering about. Every time we run into the Montgomery’s you start acting strange. Is there something about them I should know?” She’d been looking for a chance to bring them up and couldn’t think of a better time.
Sam stiffened a little. “No, they’re fine as far I know.”
Julie waited for him to say more, but he remained silent telling her more than his words could. There was definitely something going on that Sam wasn’t sharing with her, and since he’d never been great at keeping secrets it must be something big. “Okay, I just wanted to make sure, I mean if they’re going to be helping us…”
Sam jumped in before she could finish. “Helping us?”
“Well, Flynn said he’s certified with a tranquilizer gun and you never know we might need him,” Julie said, waiting for Sam’s reaction.
“I didn’t think we’d take him up on that offer,” Sam said a little stubbornly.
“I thought we might, but let’s not make any decisions yet,” Julie said, even more sure that something was up with Sam, but unwilling to push the matter just then.
With several weeks to go before mating season would start, Julie and Sam had some time to kill. They hung around the lab for a week, watching the moose’s movements and organizing the paperwork for the study, but that soon grew old and they decided it was time to hit the trail again. Instead of tracking the moose from the lab, they would follow him, if they got lucky he’d lead them to some females and they’d have a few tagged before mating season started.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if we found another male?” Julie mused as she helped Sam pack their electronics.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Sam said, shaking his head. “That big boy isn’t going to let anyone into his territory.”
“I wonder where he came from.”
“Me too, it’s frustrating that the DNA told us nothing. It’s like he sprang up full grown from the park,” Sam said, his frustration with the DNA results part of the reason Julie had suggested they get back out on the trail.
Have My Child: BWWM Romance (Brothers From Money Book 14) Page 7
