“Maybe you’re right,” she said, giving a reluctant nod, “about stallions not being so fussy. Males of every species are less discriminating. Always more in the moment.”
“I don’t agree,” he said. “Not with humans anyway.”
She shook her head in frustration. He wasn’t even going to give her that. Or maybe in his experience females were more forward. Someone who looked like he did never had to work very hard to get a woman. Despite his appearance, she knew there was a gentleness beneath that tough exterior. Even the mules were responding.
She tightened her hands around the reins, suddenly resenting how much she enjoyed his company. How he could charm her on the trail as effortlessly as he had on the dance floor, even after he’d called her “his job.” But he was all-round gorgeous. He had the perfect amount of stubble on his hard jaw and his cowboy hat always seemed adjusted to the perfect angle.
However he wasn’t going to coax her into talking any longer. Unlike Logan, Jack had avoided personal questions and she appreciated that. She knew, eventually, he’d ask about her past job. And the accident. Probably all three agents had seen her file. And for a private person like her, that just felt wrong.
“I’ll take those mules back now,” she said, reaching for the lead rope. “Thanks for the food, and the break.”
“Any time.” His gaze lingered on her face. And it was clear he intended to remain beside her, to keep talking.
She slowed Belle, easing her behind Jack’s horse where conversation was more difficult. Gus rammed her leg, confused by the leader shift, and she spent an extra moment organizing the two pack mules. Jack was no fool and by the time she straightened in the saddle, he’d respected her wish and was back riding in the middle of the trail, ten feet in front.
Her heart gave a disappointed kick. However, this was perfect. A safe non-talking distance...and one she knew it was best to keep.
CHAPTER TEN
KATE WAS HIDING SOMETHING. Jack tugged his hat lower, simultaneously loosening the reins so his horse could scramble over a jumble of loose shale. Behind him, he could hear the mules’ feet and their more deliberate steps as they crossed the section of rock.
He refrained from checking over his shoulder. She didn’t want his company. No doubt she was accustomed to fending off the attention of every male guest, from the age of six to sixty. It was obvious from the cadence of the mules’ hooves that everything was in order. The food and packs were safe. As was Kate. But there was something she was avoiding. He didn’t know her background, hadn’t been privy to her file, but he was certain she wasn’t a threat to Courtney.
Almost certain.
He closed his eyes, trying to get a feel for the forest, the trail, the woman riding behind him. But he sensed no danger or discord. There was no prickling sensation between his shoulder blades, no feeling of ill will.
Ahead of him, Courtney and Tyra slumped in their saddles, their chatter more subdued than earlier in the day. Clearly they were tired. At the other end, Kate sat her mule as easily as when they’d started that morning. And the deeper they entered the wilderness, the happier and fresher she appeared. She hadn’t even had a chance to sit down for lunch, not with the girls as well as the two agents treating her like she was their personal servant.
He scowled, impatient with his thoughts. This trip was about Courtney. He was a professional and it wasn’t his habit to worry about anything but the job. He turned his attention back to the trail, feeling the moisture of the air long before Monty raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop by the rushing river.
“Wait for all the animals to drink,” Monty said, gesturing at the sparkling water. “Then we’ll cross in a tight line. Stay close to the horse in front of you, avoid the boulders. The water’s deep but they won’t have to swim if you stay in formation.”
Jack studied the river while his horse sipped the water. White eddies marked a slew of treacherous rocks, and it was obvious motorized vehicles would never be able to handle the crossing. Kessler and Logan exchanged satisfied glances, clearly reaching the same conclusion.
Jack checked to see if Kate needed help but she’d already maneuvered the three mules a little further upstream where they could enjoy a clean and unhurried drink. It was apparent Monty trusted her implicitly. He never checked on her, something Jack found rather irritating. After all, the mules carried their tents, sleeping bags and food. It was only natural to want to help her out, to talk and keep her company.
“What are you staring at?” Kessler asked, turning his horse. “See something?”
Jack slid his gaze off Kate. “Nope. Just checking the lay of the land.”
“Good idea.” Kessler’s voice rose as he turned to Monty. “Jack will ride over to the other side first. Make sure it’s clear.”
And then we’ll have a gun on the other side, Jack thought, catching Monty’s understanding nod. The old guide was sharp, needing little explanation and picking up on the agent’s caution without alarming the girls.
“Best to enter the river here,” Monty said to Jack. “Twenty feet in, dogleg around the boulders, than straight across. Your horse knows the way.”
Jack pushed Dusty forward. The horse hesitated, as if surprised to be in the lead, but then stepped out boldly. Water splashed around Dusty’s knees, then swirled against his chest. Jack shoved his stirrups forward, keeping his legs dry. The gravel footing felt solid, and from his vantage point high in the saddle the underwater rocks were easy to spot.
Dusty scrambled onto the bank on the other side and shook like a dog, invigorated by the frigid water.
Jack trotted him up the trail, studying the ground, analyzing the signs. Deer tracks, coyote scat, but no fresh sign of horses. There were probably other spots to ford the river upstream but at this crossing he spotted no tracks, shod or unshod.
He rode a quarter mile up the trail before circling back, coming out twenty feet upstream. “All clear,” he called.
Monty nudged his horse into the water, obviously impatient with the delay. This was probably the strangest group the man had ever led. The two girls were smiling as they followed him into the river, clearly excited about crossing deep water and giggling when the cold water splashed their legs. Kessler and Logan followed, their expressions stoic. Kate brought up the rear, the mules walking less enthusiastically than the horses, but still obedient.
She was definitely handy to have around, Jack thought. From this angle, he could admire how she kept Gus and Bubba safely in line, the graceful way she sat in her saddle, the elegant curve of her cheekbone...the flare of her hips and breasts. She was a woman he’d like to trail ride with again, and as he’d whispered to her last night, do a lot of other things. More intimate things.
His kick of lust surprised him and he shifted uncomfortably, trying to create more room in the front of his jeans. This wasn’t the place, or the time.
He pulled his eyes off Kate, monitoring the line of riders. Monty had almost reached the other side, with Courtney’s steady paint close behind. But Tyra’s palomino was jigging, clearly not used to the cold water bubbling beneath his tail. And Tyra was leaning forward, pulling at the bit and doing nothing to reassure him. Slider fought her hold, tossing his head so high he brushed Tyra’s face and knocked her sunglasses off her nose.
Splash. Tyra squealed and leaned sideways, trying to grab the sunglasses before they sank. Slider shifted, obediently easing away from the left rein pressed against his neck...and moved off the safe gravel bottom.
Jack knew the instant Slider’s front legs hit the boulders. The palomino lurched, the rims of his eyes flashing white. He jerked back on his haunches, his front legs flailing as he fought to find solid ground. Tyra, grasping one rein and already halfway out of the saddle, slipped to the right then disappeared beneath the flailing horse.
Jack kicked Dusty and charged down the bank. Tyra was caught up. He could see the top of her boot, still stuck in the stirrup. And Slider was panicking now. He had one leg wrap
ped over his rein, effectively holding his head beneath the water, making it impossible to breathe unless he was rearing.
Monty wheeled his horse to help. But Kessler and Logan shot forward, flanking Courtney, inadvertently blocking the guide’s path as they rushed her out of harm’s way. On the opposite side of the bank, Kate was pushing Belle, trying to speed up the mules. But Gus’s ears were pinned back and he was obviously in no hurry to join the panic-stricken horse, and risk facing whatever perils lurked in the churning water.
Jack cursed, maneuvering Dusty over the rocky section of the river. He had to get alongside fast, free Tyra’s boot from the stirrup, and just pray his horse wasn’t hurt in the process. And he didn’t have the luxury of going slow. The girl was still screaming which meant she was able to lift her head above the water.
But the palomino was having difficulty. Slider’s nose was down by his knees, held by the rein caught around his front leg. His rears were turning increasingly desperate as he tried to raise his head high enough to breathe.
Dusty galloped into the water, all heart as he sent up a spray of white, scrambling over the underwater rocks until he was beside the floundering palomino. Jack leaned down and reached beneath the water. He grabbed Tyra’s stirrup and twisted it inward. Her foot slipped free.
He scooped her onto the front of his saddle, safe from Slider’s flailing legs, then reached down, trying to free the horse. But Tyra clung to his arms, completely hysterical.
“You’re okay,” Jack said, still trying to reach Slider. And quiet the girl. Tyra’s screams were doing nothing to help the drowning horse. “Sit tight, Tyra. I have to untangle your horse.”
But someone else had already splashed into the river between Dusty and Slider. Jack flattened Tyra’s arms against her sides and glanced down. Kate stood beside Slider, chest deep in the swirling water. He swore under his breath. She could get hurt and the frantic girl in his arms was making it difficult to help.
However, Slider had quit struggling. In fact, his head was out of the water and he was able to breathe. His dripping forelock accentuated his white blaze. One sad, sodden daisy clung to his tangled mane. The horse eyed the bank, nostrils flaring pink as he gasped for breath. He looked ready to bolt for land with no way of knowing the path between him and the shore was littered with deadly rocks.
“Whoa,” Kate said, one hand on Slider’s shoulder, the other on his halter. The bridle had disappeared. Somehow, she must have managed to pull it off, letting Slider lift his head from the suffocating water. But the horse was shaking, too frightened to listen, his instincts screaming for him to run.
“Is he caught up?” Monty called, finally able to circle Banjo around Courtney and the two agents, and ride into the river.
“There are rocks all around him,” Kate said quietly. “I can lead him out. But he needs to settle down first. And the bridle is wrapped around his feet.” She looked at Jack. “Can you keep Dusty beside him? Give him some company. Everyone just talk calmly, please.”
That was obviously a request to Tyra who was still wailing. At least Courtney had made it safely to the bank with Kessler and Logan. All three riders now gaped, as if astonished how quickly a simple river crossing could turn into chaos. They might still lose Slider, although it looked like the palomino had calmed enough to remain beside Kate.
Despite his fear, the horse appeared well-trained. Every time he made a move to lurch forward, Kate stilled him with a quiet whoa. And the horse listened.
Jack hated watching safe from Dusty’s back while she assumed the riskier role, but Slider had locked onto Kate. Wanting and needing her leadership.
“I want to get off,” Tyra pleaded. “Take me to shore now.”
“Soon,” Jack said soothingly. Naturally the girl was frightened but this rescue was only half complete. “Look at the mules,” he added, trying to distract her. “They’re delighted with the little break.”
Tyra followed his gaze to where the three mules were contentedly munching grass. Their bellies were soaked, showing that at some point they’d been in the river. But once Kate had jumped off they’d turned back, prudently deciding to avoid whatever was attacking the palomino.
“They’re not tied together anymore,” Tyra said. “Did the rope break?”
“The third mule was tied to Gus’s pack with a breakaway knot,” Jack said, shooting Kate an approving look. Secrets or not, she was clearly competent. Courageous too. And very cold. He could see the paleness of her lips, the blue veins of her fine-boned hand...and how her taut nipples pressed against her shirt.
“Will our food get wet?” Tyra asked, sniffling again. She didn’t seem concerned about Slider or Kate, or that Kate was now ducking beneath the swirling water, trying to work the bridle free from Slider’s leg.
“No,” Jack said, resisting the urge to clamp his hand over Tyra’s mouth. It would be much more efficient than trying to distract her. “The panniers are waterproof.”
And then he couldn’t stand it any longer. He was trained for this. And though a human life always took precedent over an animal’s, he couldn’t just sit and watch Kate struggle.
“Monty,” he called. “Ride your horse out here and take Tyra in. She’s shivering.”
It was a relief to plop the girl on the front of Monty’s saddle and have his hands free again.
He unbuckled his gun holster, hung his Sig over the saddle horn and stepped down into the swirling water beside Kate. His balls shrunk in shock but it certainly wasn’t the coldest water he’d faced.
Kate’s head popped up, her dark hair slick against her white face. “I’ve w-worked the rein off his l-leg,” she said, triumphantly waving a sodden bridle. “But his left leg is jammed between two r-rocks.” Her hair was plastered to her cheeks, and she didn’t seem to realize her teeth were chattering. “Next time I go under, can you push him sideways?”
He could only scowl at her fearlessness. No way was he letting her go back beneath that water, with her head so dangerously close to the horse’s legs. Slider was quiet now, but at any second he could start flailing again.
Jack wordlessly picked up Kate and set her down in the water behind him.
“Hold my horse,” he said, shoving Dusty’s reins into her hand. “And keep talking to Slider. He wants to hear you, not me.”
He drew in a practiced breath and ducked beneath the water, quickly locating the smooth rocks that imprisoned the horse’s right front leg. He clamped his hands around Slider’s fetlock, assessing how tightly it was trapped. He might have to twist it to free him, but time was critical now and it would be horrible if he broke the horse’s bone. However, Slider’s body suddenly shifted—resourceful Kate must be pushing against the horse’s side. There was a slight release, almost imperceptible.
Jack moved his hands lower, cushioning the fetlock, then yanked. Slider sat back, helping his efforts and when Jack’s head popped out of the water, the palomino was standing quietly.
He reached for the halter to lead Slider back onto safe ground. However, the horse pulled his head away, his eyes rolling as he searched for Kate, as if aware she’d saved him once and only trusted her commands.
Jack hesitated, not wanting her back in the danger zone. But she just passed him Dusty’s reins, then squeezed past him to stand by Slider’s shoulder. He kept a cautious hand on her hip, watching the palomino. If this went south, he’d pull her out of there and toss her on Dusty’s back. No matter her objections.
But she managed to ease Slider forward a step. Said “whoa” through chattering teeth, then waited another patient moment and repeated the process. Slider stopped every time she asked, as if realizing she was searching for the best ground. Endless minutes later they were safely back on the gravel bottom, and Jack could breathe easy again.
They emerged onto the river bank, dripping a trail of water mixed with specks of red. However, Slider walked evenly, with no visible injury except for a scrape on his right heel. He still had four shoes too, so it was fortun
ate his loose shoe had been tightened during the lunch break.
Jack passed Monty who had deposited Tyra on land and was now heading back across the river to gather the mules. The guide tipped his hat to both Kate and Jack as he passed.
“We’ll make camp here,” Jack said. Kessler and Logan had wanted to ride another two miles but he didn’t give a damn what they wanted. Kate and Tyra needed to dry out, and Slider as well. There was plenty of grass and a nice spot for the tents.
“Of course,” Monty said, as if surprised there’d even be a debate.
However, neither Kessler nor Logan were happy with the decision.
“We were supposed to ride to the fishing camp by the lake,” Kessler said, scowling at Jack. “And you don’t have any say. Monty is the trail guide. Stopping here wasn’t the plan.”
“It wasn’t the plan for riders to get soaked in the river either,” Jack said. “And Slider needs time to recover. We don’t have an extra horse.”
“All right.” But Kessler’s mouth tightened with displeasure. “I’ll check the perimeter. The guides can pitch the tents and start a fire.”
Jack glanced over his shoulder. Tyra was standing by Logan, wearing a jacket someone had produced, still sniffing as she spoke about the river dunking. But Kate was already bent over Slider, running her hands down his legs, checking for further injury. She’d been in the water longer than anyone. And he damn well wasn’t asking her to pitch any tent.
He opened his pack, pulled out his fleece-lined shirt and strode over.
“How’s the horse?” he asked, draping his shirt over Kate’s shoulders.
“S-seems fine,” she said, giving him a beautiful smile. “Thanks for your help.”
Her lashes were long and dark, accentuating her elegant cheekbones, and the way she smiled at him made his chest tighten. Water trickled down her cheek, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her concern was for everyone else.
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