“Yes.” The single word came out in a whisper.
Again, he had the feeling that he needed to pull back and this time he listened to that feeling, his curiosity be damned. Obviously, she’d survived and was using what she’d learned now. “How long have you had the lunchmeat with you?”
“Since about eleven-thirty. Why?”
“We better eat it now. It will be rotten soon if it’s not in a refrigerator, and though it’s cooler in here than outside, it’s not that cold.”
“You’re right. I forgot. What I wouldn’t do for some MREs right now.”
He could hear her moving around. “Why do you have lunchmeat on you? Were you planning a picnic.”
“No, I was trying to feed Dog. I have turkey and ham left. He doesn’t like ham. You can have that and I’ll split the turkey with him.”
He wasn’t going to take more food than she had, so after a brief negotiation, they split it evenly among the three of them. After eating his share, he got back to what she’d said earlier. “We know what we have, so next on your father’s list is to determine what we need. I’d say a shovel would be convenient.”
“Break it down to the elemental components. We need something to move dirt.”
“Besides our hands.”
“Yes.”
Again, her voice softened. He wanted to ask if she’d had to dig her way out of a situation like this, but the words stuck in his throat. Whether from caution or not wanting to know, he wasn’t sure. At least if they determined they needed to move the earth with something besides their hands, he had an excuse to turn his light back on and search the mine tunnels.
Standing, he powered on his phone again and turned on his light. The brightness after such complete dark actually hurt his eyes, and he aimed the phone down the tunnel to lessen the intensity.
“What are you doing?” She set the dog on the ground and rose.
“I’m going to search these tunnels to see if we can find something to dig with. I doubt we’ll find an old pick ax still intact, but iron of any kind could help.” When she didn’t argue with him, he started back the way they had come when he found her.
Should he leave her there or would she wander off and back into the past? He halted. “Are you coming?”
Riley stared at the black void beyond Garrett’s light. Her body seemed to heat up from the inside out, causing sweat to build up along her neck and beneath her breasts. The ceilings were so low, like the back of the cave she’d been buried alive in, the very back.
Hold it together, soldier. This is Arizona, not Afghanistan. They may both be hot, dusty, and start with an A, but they’re far different. For one thing, the only danger here is Mother Nature, and maybe that hot cowboy with the cute ass.
Okay, now she was definitely losing it. “Of course. Come on Dog. Since you like this place so much, you might as well lead the way.” Dog, who had sat next to her, picked up his butt and wagged his tail. “No, I’m not going to get that rabbit for you. If I find that rodent, we’re all eating well tonight.”
She started forward, ignoring Garrett’s wide eyes. “Well, let’s see what we can find. Your phone battery won’t last all day.”
His gaze scanned her as if to make certain she was okay then he faced forward. Did he realize how easy it was to read him? Then again, he probably never had to hide how he felt. It was an odd thought, and she shook it off.
They continued forward. When they drew closer to the fork in the tunnels, she snatched Dog up, not in a hurry to have him get caught between boards while trying to find the stupid jack rabbit. The fork came into view and again, she had the urge to go to the far right only the third tunnel she wanted wasn’t there.
Garrett halted. “You and Dog came from the left. Did you see anything down there?”
She hadn’t exactly stopped to smell the roses. She’d had one thing on her mind, get Dog and get out. She stifled a snort. Look how well that turned out. “Nothing that I noticed while searching for this mutt.”
“Then let’s go to the right.”
She nodded, marveling at how calm she was. Maybe now that her worst fears had been realized, she had nothing left to fear.Except starvation, dehydration, and being shot when she exited.She shook her head, to get rid of her poisoned thoughts.
“Yes or no?” Garrett stared at her, his brows lowered. He was either confused or thought she was crazy.
She’d put her money on crazy. “Yes, let’s go to the right. I just had Dog’s hair in my face.”
“Okay.” From the sound of his voice, he didn’t believe her, but he turned around and started down the mine tunnel.
A smile threatened. The man had no clue that she was the last person he wanted to be stuck in a cave with. Mine! She was in a mine. An old copper mine.Fucking-A, Riley get your shit together. This is not a cave. The ceilings are too low, there are rails on the ground, and there’s only two tunnels.
