My breath quickens, and my muscles become so tense to the point of shaking.
A patch of sagebrush shivers in the cold.
Every nerve in my body stands on end, waiting for the doom to reach us.
The snow clinging to the brush explodes outward as a white-tailed deer jumps from behind the foliage.
My heart almost leaps out of my chest as I startle.
The antlered buck stops in the middle of the trail, sniffs the air, and capers off.
The laugh that bursts out of my mouth is involuntary and accompanied by tears. I’m not sure if I’m crying in relief or joy.
“You just took ten years off my life, Bambi!” I bellow.
Blowing out a large breath, I look at Bear and Shadow. “Let’s go home.”
My hands won’t stop shaking. It’s so bad that I can’t even keep hold of the rope anymore. It slips out of my grasp three times before I just give up and send up a plea to the universe that Shadow doesn’t choose this moment to run away.
Sounds of life reach my ears, letting me know we’re almost back, when Bear bends his head down and sniffs.
“What now?” I ask exasperated, not in the mood for another critter visitor.
With his nose to the ground, Bear walks back and forth, side to side, and in circles. I’m about ready to pick him up and go straight to Levi to demand a checkup when Bear stops, turns his head to me, and lets out a single bark.
Not one of alarm or warning.
More like trying to tell me something.
Hesitantly, I take measured steps toward him. Shadow keeps pace with me. “What did you find, boy?”
He yips one more time and uses his nose to point to four small twigs.
No.
Not twigs.
Cigarette butts, still smoldering.
Was…Was Walker out here? Was he following me? What the hell? Is this his idea of a joke?
Crouching down, I search the snow. Footprints much larger than mine litter the area. My hands ball into fists.
That fucker better pray he can get into WITSEC because I am coming for him.
Rational thought and I are not compatible right now.
Swiping the evidence from the snow, I march the rest of the way. My fury doesn’t diminish even a fraction.
Hammering and whirring of tools causes a throb to stir in my head.
Stepping off the trail, Falling Sky comes back into view. Javier, Santiago, Levi, and Walker all hang on the fencing of the corral where I first spoke to Javier earlier. Their arms hang over the top as they watch Jack work his magic with another horse.
They must feel the raging storm that is my energy because all five heads swing to me.
But the ferocity in my eyes is only meant for one.
Walker Maddox.
