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Nicole handed the form back and they walked out together. With business completed for now, she could concentrate on getting ready for Slade and ending the plaguing scenarios running through her head the past few days about what he had planned. The sooner she could get over this constant need tormenting her since meeting him, the sooner she could give her full concentration to starting over with the dream she’d shared with Tony. With luck, fulfilling that dream for both of them would lay to rest the last of her lingering guilt over his death.
“Will do. Have a good weekend.”
Paul nodded to them. “Now that you’ve finished the last touches on the cottage also, and if you don’t need me, Lily has collected a few items I’d like to pick up and do a few things for the shelter while I’m there.”
“You go ahead. I have plans with Slade shortly.” He’d worked as hard as Jim’s guys this week and deserved a break.
They said goodbye to Jim and his crew then Paul turned to her, appearing awkward as he stated, “I’ll be back tonight so you won’t be alone out here, you know, in case Slade doesn’t stay.”
She grinned, appreciating his thoughtfulness and concern despite his obvious discomfort with referencing her and Slade’s relationship. He really was a nice guy trying to turn his life around. “Honestly, I have no idea, so thanks, but still, don’t rush on my account. We’ll be out awhile. Talk to you tomorrow.”
Calling Sam, they went inside where she decided it was too damn cold for anything sexy that left part of her bare, like legs, arms, or too much neckline. Besides, Slade seemed to have no trouble getting turned on when she dressed in her usual jeans and plain tops, which admittedly was an ego-boosting turn-on for her. While it was still light out, she opened the door for Sam to do his business and run around a little more before Slade showed up.
Not five minutes later, his frantic barking sent her dashing outside again to check on him. Shivering, she scanned the yard and went rigid spotting him chasing what looked like the tail end of a coyote into the woods. Panicking, she ran after him, calling, “Sam, no!” At least the dense trees blocked the wind, making following the trail a little warmer since her dog wasn’t answering her calls. From his faint barking, he was already way ahead of her and running in the opposite direction of the creek crossing to reach Slade’s house. She was too scared for Sam, though, to worry about Slade’s reaction if they didn’t make it back before he arrived.
***
SITTING UP ON THIShigher slope for hours waiting for an opportune time to take Wells out has put me in a foul mood, more than ready to get this over with and out of here. Waiting until I was sure the workers and the new guy weren’t returning would have worked once she’d let the dog out. I planned to do the deed when she came out to call him in, saving me from sneaking up to the house and getting up close and personal to kill her. She’d caught me unaware when she’d run pell-mell into the woods after the mutt, but as I’m tracking her, I think this will work out even better. Her death will be blamed on a careless hunter and I’ll be long gone, back in Chicago.
Perfect.
***
AFTER THIS, NICOLEswore Sam would lose his running-free privileges. It would be the fenced yard from now on. A good ten minutes later, she found him sniffing for a clue where to go next, both of them out of breath. “Come, now,” she ordered, using her no-nonsense voice. He started to slink over when a shot rang out, barely missing him and startling them both into full-fledged panic.
“Shit.”Crouching down, praying it was just a stray bullet from a hunter, she fought off fear-induced hysteria and grabbed Sam’s collar. Through the trees, she could detect a small rise and crept in that direction, staying low. They reached it as another gunshot rent the air, sending birds scattering and the two of them running for cover. She was unable to tell how far away the shots were coming from, or even which direction, but planned to stay crouched behind the relative safety of the tree-covered ridge until she was in jeopardy of freezing to death.
***
FUCK! NOW I’LL HAVEto move in closer and I didn’t want to get that far from the car. No help for it though. After taking the chance on such a long-distance shot and missing, I’m out of options. I’ve blown any possibility of returning for a third opportunity. It’s now or never.
***
SLADE PAUSED IN THEdrive, the echo of a gunshot in the woods giving him concern. Hunters rarely strayed this close to ranches and with Nicole not knowing how near that shot resonated from, she could be outside with Sam. Grabbing his rifle out of the truck, he hurried through the wooded path to her place, something telling him all was not right. That sixth sense proved correct when the second shot rang much louder as he reached the center of the trail.
He scanned her yard as he ran toward the house, not seeing her or Paul outside. After pounding on the door and not hearing either her or Sam, he let himself inside, the unlocked door and empty house giving him more cause for alarm. Returning outside, he breathed a sigh of relief seeing Paul drive up, hoping he would know where Nicole was.
“What’s wrong?” Paul asked as soon as he got out and saw Slade.
“I can’t find Nicole, or Sam. Do you...” Another report rent the air, drawing a curse.
“Crap, I bet she took off after the dog. Into the woods.” Now the handyman looked as worried as Slade felt. “I was headed into town but was uneasy about leaving her before you got here and turned around.”
“Which direction should I go?”
Pointing, he said, “Pretty sure that way. I’ll come with you.”
“No, stay here in case she returns,” he tossed out as he took off. “Call the cops and my brothers.” He didn’t have a spare moment to pull out his phone and make the calls himself right now. Finding Nicole before she got hit by the idiot hunter who appeared to lack a lick of hunting sense was his number one goal.
The dense woods turned eerily silent as he moved with speed while searching for clues as to where Nicole or Sam had gone. From years of playing in this particular forested area, he knew every inch of it by heart. This stretch of trees wasn’t as wide as long. He came into view of the short ridge and took the risk of calling out for her.
“Nicole!”
“Here, Slade!”
Her dark head popped up over the hill when a bullet slammed into the ground inches from her face. “Get down!” he shouted, realizing whoever that was, he was gunning for her. Lifting his rifle, he shot in the direction of the hunter as he ran to Nicole, his arm stinging with a minor flesh wound in the process.
“You’re bleeding,” she gasped, grabbing his arm when he hunkered down next to them.
