“Did you arrest the person at the house?”
“The person you saw was Gabe’s literary agent,” Caleb explained. “He came to see if Gabe was all right. You gave us a fright.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Natalie said. “Sherlock wanted to go outside, and I didn’t think we’d be gone that long. When I saw the SUV, I thought Chapman had been released. I came here instead of going back to the house.”
“Are you okay?” Gabe asked. All he wanted was to wrap her in his arms, but Sherlock, Trooper Sanderson, and Caleb were standing in front of him.
Natalie’s worried blue eyes connected with his. “I’m fine, but Sherlock has been pacing backward and forward.”
“He doesn’t like storms.” Gabe was so focused on Natalie that he barely heard the rumble of thunder in the distance. But Sherlock did. His whole body tensed and a low whimper tore through his throat.
Gabe patted his dog’s back. “We should leave.”
Natalie spun around. “I’ll get my backpack.”
While she was in the cave, Caleb spoke to Moira. “Do you want to take the lead?”
She nodded and stepped around Gabe. “I’m guessing you’d like to walk beside Natalie?”
He didn’t know when his feelings had become so obvious, but he wasn’t arguing.
Caleb followed Moira. “We’ll start walking. Do you want me to take Sherlock?”
Gabe shook his head. “He’s better with me.”
“Don’t be too long.”
As soon as Natalie returned, she frowned. “Where did everyone go?”
“They just left.” Gabe held out his hand. “I’ll take your bag.”
“But you’ve already got yours.”
“I can wear yours as a front pack.” He held onto the straps, but she didn’t let go.
“I’m sorry I left the house.”
His heart beat out of control. He closed his eyes, trying to block the images flooding his mind. Coming to terms with Michelle’s death had nearly destroyed him. As difficult as it was, he couldn’t let the past overshadow what had happened today. Natalie and Sherlock weren’t injured, and no one would be going home in a body bag.
“Gabe? Are you all right?”
He cleared his throat and forced himself to speak. “Sherlock must have sensed the thunderstorm. That’s probably why he didn’t want to go outside on his own.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I’m glad you’re okay.”
A soft blush filled her cheeks. “Thank you for finding me. I wasn’t looking forward to—”
Gabe stepped forward and kissed her. Except it wasn’t the gentle kiss he’d planned. As soon as their lips touched, heat exploded all around him. With Natalie’s arms wrapped around his shoulders and her mouth opening under his, any thought of leaving the mountain disappeared.
He hauled her against his chest, ignoring the thump of her backpack as it hit the ground. He savored the taste and feel of her in his arms, the way Natalie’s body molded to his.
Her soft moan tore at the last of Gabe’s defenses. She was alive and unharmed. He loved this woman like no other. Regardless of what happened over the next few weeks, he wanted her in his life, to be part of something neither of them had expected.
Sherlock barked and they both froze.
“What just happened?” she whispered against his lips.
