His forearms flex as he adjusts his grip, veins standing out under his skin, and when he swings again the impact travels through his whole body, grounded and steady from his boots up.
For a second, I almost forget why I’m here.
My attention sticks on the rhythm of his swings, the way he moves like nothing can throw him off balance. Then he looks up.
“Sloane?”
The axe is on the ground before I reach him.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“I think someone followed me,” I say.
His expression shutters, all traces of warmth gone as he grabs my arm and starts leading me to the cabin while demanding every detail I can give him.
“Describe him.”
“Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. He was at the grocery store, then the diner, and he followed me when I was driving.”
“What was he driving?”
“Dark Red 1978 Ford F-250. I didn’t get the plate.”
“That’s fine,” he says. “You came straight here. That’s what matters.”
“I called you,” I add. “You didn’t answer.”
His jaw tightens as he pats his pockets. Inside the cabin his phone rests on the kitchen counter. He probably set it down and forgot it after washing his hands. His gaze follows mine.
“That won’t happen next time,” he says as a man steps into the cabin.
I don’t think, I back straight into Carter. His hand comes up immediately, settling at my waist.
“Easy,” he says.
The other man lifts his hands slightly.
“Didn’t mean to scare her.”
“That’s him,” I say. “That’s the man who was following me.”
Carter exhales and rubs the back of his neck with his free hand.
“That’s Walker,” he says. “We served together. He’s one of the good guys.”
I stare at him.
“Why was he following me?”
“Because I told him to.”
“You had someone stalking me?”
“He’s there to protect you when I can’t and he’s not the only one,” he says. “Sheriff Larson’s in on it. Walker’s rotating with a couple others. No one comes up the mountain without us seeing them first.”
I take that in, knowing he didn’t tell me about this protection detail or ask for permission, he just handled the situation. This past week I’ve been worried that the bikers would catch us off guard but glancing between the former military men I realize that would never happen.
Carter devised and executed a plan without adding more stress and worry to my plate.
