37
“Please identify yourselves.” The ranger’s voice boomed out above the noise of the waves. “I’m not coming around the rock until I’m satisfied it’s a safe thing to do.”
Josh looked at Kate and she nodded for him to do the introductions. “I’m Joshua West and Kate Brandt is with me.”
“Brandt?” The ranger’s reply sounded as if he was both surprised and puzzled. “Any relation to the Brandt that stopped the trafficking out here about five years ago?”
Kate moved toward the water. “I’m Kate Brandt. I was one of the captive girls.”
“Were you…uh, the one who shot out my living room window and got blood all over my carpet?”
Josh gave Kate a questioning look. “Kate? What is he—”
“That’s me. Sorry about shooting up your house…and all the rest.”
Josh checked their prisoner, and then stepped beside Kate. “Changing the subject…we’ve captured one of the terrorists. He’s bound and under control, but the woman ran down the beach and got away.”
“No. She didn’t get away. The shooting was reported and the tribal police from La Push nabbed her at the parking area. So, you captured the guy with the assault rifle?”
“Yes, sir,” Josh yelled back. “But the rifle is somewhere off the end of the rock in about five feet of water.”
Voices mumbled indistinguishable words on the other side of the rock.
He couldn’t hear what was said.
“Before I come around this point, I’d like to know what kind of weapons you’re carrying and get assurance that they won’t be pointing my way.”
Josh drew a breath to reply.
Kate pressed her fingers against his mouth. “We had five smooth stones. We have four left.”
“Joshua, huh?” Laughter came from the other side of the rock. “You sure it’s not David?”
Josh pulled the wannabe-terrorist to his feet. “How about us coming around to meet you. The tide’s receded a little.”
“Don’t worry, we can manage our prisoner.” Kate yelled, and then gripped the man’s shoulder. She didn’t squeeze, but the guy winced anyway.
“Alright, you come around. Just let us know when you’re coming.”
“They’re still a little nervous about this, Kate. Let’s go, but no quick moves, nothing that appears threatening.”
Josh clamped one hand on their captive’s belt and purposely pricked the skin on the man’s neck with the pocket knife. “Is your ankle up to this, Kate?”
“It’s good enough. The water will help. Play it safe with him…” she pointed at the terrorist, “…I’ll keep a hand on his shoulder and you slit his throat if he tries anything.”
Kate was good at intimidation. But then Kate was good at nearly everything.
“Let’s go, dude. If you behave, you might make it around this rock alive.”
****
With four feet of cold water supporting her, Katie could walk on her ankle with minimal discomfort. When they reached the point, she drew a sharp breath.
The two Rangers stood in a firing stance, the rifles trained on her and Josh.
Their prisoner surveyed the scene with wary, searching eyes.
Katie tapped Josh on the shoulder. “He looks like he might try something, Josh.”
“Zap him, Kate.”
“No,” the man quickly responded, and then dropped his gaze to the water.
Josh nudged him firmly toward shore.
The man complied.
A short, stocky ranger yanked the prisoner onto the beach, asserting his control over the man.
The tall ranger extended a hand. “Ms. Brandt, I’m Ranger Virgil Williams.”
“I’m Katie Brandt and you are a welcome sight, Ranger Williams. This is Joshua West, my…” She sought a word to describe Josh.
He was studying her face.
“Uh, my research partner.”
Josh winced at her words, and then shook the ranger’s hand. “Kate has a badly sprained ankle. Twisted it while this dude was chasing us.”
The short ranger slid out of his small backpack. “I’m Ranger Decker, Truman Decker. I’ve got just the thing for you. Have a seat on the log back there.”
She hobbled to the log, sat down, and pulled her shoe off, loosening the laces.
In a few minutes, the Ranger had done an expert job of taping her ankle, better than some of the trainers in the UW athletic department.
Katie slid her taped foot into the shoe and tucked the laces in on the sides. She stood. “Feels great. Thanks. I think I can walk on it.”
Josh watched her closely as she tested her ankle. “If it starts hurting, I’m carrying you, Kate.”
She looked at the concern on Josh’s face and had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around him. “Remember, Josh, I’m heavier than I look.” She grinned at him.
“Let’s move out for the trailhead,” Ranger Williams stuck a thumb out, pointing up the beach.
****
In addition to the two hundred steps, they had nearly a mile to walk.
Josh doubted that Kate could do this. He studied her gait.
Kate walked carefully, but she wasn’t limping. She was also looking at his face…about every third or fourth step.
“What’s wrong, Kate? Do I need to…wipe my nose, or something?”
“That’s gross. Men and their little boy humor.” She feigned a pout, but it quickly turned to a smile. “Your face is fine, Josh.”
After the events and confessions of this morning, he wanted to know what was going on in that beautiful blonde head of hers, but he preferred the rangers not hear their discussion.
Josh slowed, pulling Kate with him. “What is it? You look different. Is your ankle hurting? I can carry you.”
“You’re full of questions. I was just wondering. Now that I’m stuck with you for eternity…”
“As your research partner.” He gave her a frown. “Was that the best you could come up with?”
“I didn’t know what to call you. We haven’t formalized our—”
“Kate, I prefer informal like…” He pulled her into his arms and her lips to his. It didn’t take much of a pull.
Kate’s eyes closed she relaxed until their lips parted. “Informal is rather nice.”
“Eternity with Kate Brandt. That sounds rather nice, too.”
“But, Josh, I don’t know if we get to do that, you know…” she pointed upward, “…up there.”
That was something Josh hadn’t considered. “But He’ll let us hang out together, won’t He?”
“I’m sure of it. Forever. And there will be hugs. Lots of hugs in heaven. The way God wired us, we need them.”
“If you two are able, you need to pick up the pace.” It was Ranger Williams’s voice. “We’ve got a prisoner to deliver to the police.”
“We’re coming,” Kate answered. “How are you feeling, Josh? Are you tired?”
“Right now, I’m feeling great.”
“Good. Because my ankle is killing me.” She gave him her coy smile. “You suppose I could get a lift?”
He scooped Kate up, an arm under her shoulders and another under her knees.
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“That was our fifth time, Kate.”
“I know. Maybe even the sixth,” she replied.
“It wasn’t a kiss on command like the first two.”
“I know that, too.”
“What are we going to do about that?”
“Have a discussion…maybe on our way home.”
“Is this going to be a good discussion?”
“We’re going to formalize things. So what do you think, Josh?”