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The sounds changed as the tires rattled over something different. “What was that?”
“Bridge.”
She couldn’t recall a bridge on any route to Ruth’s house. “Where are we?”
“Just a few more minutes.”
She waited it out, hoping like hell wherever they wound up had a decent shower.
He slowed, shifted, and backed up again. “One more second.”
His door opened and she heard him wrestling with something outside of the vehicle, and watched the loose weave of camouflage netting mar her limited view of treetops through the rear window. All things considered, she sided with him on this. It wasn’t paranoia when they really were after you.
Then the back door opened and she looked up at him, except he was upside down. Twisting around, she tried to smile. “Hi.”
He scowled, taking in the trash she was lying in. “Car detailing. Yeah. That’s a plan, but he should do it himself.”
“Can I supervise when the time comes?” She let him help her out of the car.
“Sure. Watch your head.”
“Where did you come up with the netting?”
He pointed to a box tacked against the base of a tree. “This is one of the parking areas for hunters who come out this way. Some of them think it fools the wildlife.”
“Got it.” As they stepped out of the shelter of the netting, she gasped. “Whoa.” She realized with a start that this is what the middle of nowhere must look like.
“Where are we?”
“Turkey Run Hunt Club.” He loaded the revolver and handed it to her. Checking he had a full clip in his sidearm, he tucked it back into the holster at his hip.
“Are we planning to go hunting now?”
“No. And I’m not planning on being hunted anymore. It’s been slow out here this season. We’ll be safe in the cabin.”
She looked around, noting a distinct lack of any kind of structure. “How rustic is this cabin?”
Her visions of a long, hot shower were fading fast.
“It beats a deer stand, but isn’t as posh as the motel in town. I purposely used this spot for the car because it’s furthest from the cabin.”
“But the cabin exists?” She wouldnotcomplain. He’d saved her from a sniper for heaven’s sake. “With four solid walls and a sturdy roof?” She told herself to shut up and deal. Her team had faced far worse conditions in the line of duty. A little mud and trash weren’t the end of the world.
“Hey.” He waited for her to meet his gaze. “Trust me,” he said, grinning down at her.
“I do.” She watched his expression fade from cocky relief to something far more serious. Mesmerized, she wasn’t quite ready when he suddenly snatched her into a fierce embrace.
“I thought…” His voice trailed off as his arms banded tighter.
Sliding her arms around him, she let herself cling, understanding everything neither of them wanted to put into words right now.
“How’s the shoulder?”
“Good enough.” Belatedly, she realized she was putting all of the foul smell on him. She leaned back. “I must smell awful. You don’t have to put yourself through this.”
“It’s a short walk. The fresh air should knock some of it off.”
“A girl can hope.” Falling in beside him, she let him take her hand as they started hiking deeper into the trees. “So, about this cabin.”
