31

Slogging through the raw undergrowth demanded more strength than Cooper had to offer. If noise wasn’t a factor, he could have made more headway, but trying to keep their progress undetectable was an uphill battle. Which he was losing. A quick check of the compass assured him they were on the right course, but the loud gurgling water, and KC’s tight grasp on his arm, reminded him of her fear.

To rescue Sadie, they had to cross the river to locate a phone or a vehicle.

Although they’d used hushed voices all night, because of her agitated state, he said, “Remember to whisper. We’ll check the depth of the water and then decide what to do. You might only have to get your feet wet.” He could hope for such an outcome.

“I’m not going in. If I can’t jump across, or use steppingstones, I’ll…”

The land dipped sharply. Cooper relied on his cane to keep himself upright as he descended.

KC released her grip and followed close behind him, ragged breaths highlighting her dread.

Maybe he could give her a piggyback ride or throw her over his shoulder. Nope. One false step—very possible with his weak knee—and they’d both end up in the drink.

“We’re close.” Why state the obvious? They both heard the rushing water. No more babbling brook. More like a rowdy torrent. “Wait here while I see what we’re facing.”

With care, he stepped down to the water’s edge. He shone the flashlight over the expanse and let out a relieved sigh. Wide, but not tumultuous. In fact, the noise came from the stream cascading over a downed tree and a cluster of rocks to his right where it tumbled into the darkness. He plunged his cane into the water in front of him. Seriously? Only eight inches deep. Accumulated debris, pebbles, silt made it the perfect crossing spot.

“KC, come and check this out.”

When she stood beside him, he illuminated the stream. “See.” He gestured toward his cane. “It’s not very deep. We can walk across. No problem.” Easy for him to say. He waited for her reaction.

“Sure, it’s shallow right here, but what about in the middle? Have you waded in that far?”

“No, but I will.” Good thing his boots were waterproof. He settled one foot firmly before moving the cane and his other foot. Seven steps later, he turned and aimed the light at her. “I’d say eight to nine inches deep at the most. Maybe fourteen feet wide. My socks are still dry.”

By the time he made it back to her, she had retreated up the bank. Not a good sign. The throbbing ache in his knee nixed the climb for him. “KC, we have to cross. I’ll hold your hand. Use your flashlight to see just how deep—I mean how shallow—the water is.”

She remained still.

Now what? He couldn’t leave her here.

“You win.” Her words barely reached his ears above the thrashing waterfall.

Why the sudden change of heart? No time to ask. He held out his hand, which she clasped as she neared the water. “I’ll keep you safe, KC.” He meant every word, and not only for the present situation. “You might get water in your boots. It’ll be cold, but you will make it across.”

Hand in hand, they ventured into the stream. Her tight grip cut off the circulation to his fingers. But he wasn’t about to let her know. One step. Two.

She sucked in air. “I…I’ve got to turn back.”

“No. We’re halfway there.” They weren’t, but he trudged ahead. “Turn on your light. The water is shallow.”

She did as he suggested. “OK. It’s not even up to the top of my boots.”

“I told you. Ten more steps. You can do it.”

Light bounced off the bank in front of them, and she hurried to the edge, climbing up without his aid. “I made it.” She plopped down on a large rock.

The tense crossing had sapped what little strength Cooper had left. He settled next to KC whose knee bounced with such vigor she could have churned butter. But she’d crossed the stream.

“I knew you’d succeed. Good for you. How are you feeling?”

“Strange. Five minutes ago, if you’d told me I’d walk across a river, I’d have…” Head lowered, her shoulders heaved.

Was she crying?

“Hey, kid. You faced a fear and conquered it.”

Swiping a hand across her face, she looked at him. “Whoa. I don’t think I’m going swimming any time soon. But thanks for the vote of confidence. One step at a time, as they say. What now?”

Did she never tire? “I have to rest. Let’s look for a more comfortable spot.”

She stood and drew his handgun from her back waistband. “Here. I’m surprised I didn’t lose it back there.”

“I’ll stow it in the holster. Thanks.” After he adjusted his boot, he latched onto his cane and eased up. How much farther could he travel before his knee gave out? One way to find out. Rest and then trek on.

Striding ahead of him, KC disappeared. But she soon returned and said, “There’s a sheltered glade ahead. We can rest there.”

“Great.” Cooper hobbled behind her, eager to lie down.

The cleared patch looked as though it had been specially prepared for them. He crumpled to the ground, glad KC had the light directed toward another part of the clearing and couldn’t witness his weakness. Once free of his pack, he shoved it under his knee then folded his arms behind his head. “I’ll close my eyes for a bit, but we need to be on the move, soon.”

“Sure.” She’d piled a bunch of dry leaves to form a pillow and released a sigh as she made herself comfortable. “I’ll keep watch.”

A rift in the clouds allowed Cooper to stare at the array of stars. Thank You, God, for keeping us safe thus far. The ease with which the words formed were all due to KC’s influence. In their brief association, she had affected his life in more ways than he cared to count. Could it continue? The recent revelation of her fear of water, at least knee-depth or more, could be a detriment to her being an all-around qualified agent. His evaluation at the conclusion of her training would have to include this new detail. Oh, KC, what will I do? If you don’t make the cut, will I ever see you again? I need you in my life. With those words on his heart, he fell asleep.

~*~

Cooper sat up, hand on the shotgun. What had awakened him?

KC stirred. “Sorry, I couldn’t stay awake.” She rubbed her eyes. “I had a nightmare.”

Ah. Her groan and call for help. “About crossing the river?”

“Uh-uh. Nothing to do with water. What’s the time?”

Smooth change of subject. The thick blanket of fog that shrouded the brush blocked the morning sunlight. He’d have to use conventional methods and checked his watch. “No! It’s ten o’clock. We slept for hours. Too long.”

“We obviously needed the rest. Maybe residual effects of the drug. How much farther, do you think?”

Slipping on his backpack, he said, “Barbara mentioned the other cabin was less than a mile from hers. I’d say we’re more than halfway.”

“She could have been lying.”

“I hope not. In daylight we’ll make better time, but we need to be alert for the shooters from last night.”

KC wrapped her arms around her middle. “I’d wade the river again for some coffee. No, just kidding.” She smothered a chuckle.

“We’ll beg the owner of the cabin to treat us. I need your help, please.”

Once on his feet, or rather, foot, Cooper drew in great gulps of air. Without the cane, he’d never make it. He might even have to ask KC for support. Not yet. He stepped forward and clenched his teeth against a growl of pain.

“Hey, let me help you.”

Before he could take another breath, she slipped her arm around his middle.

In no position to object, he rested his arm on her shoulders. “Thanks.”

The speed of their trek to the river seemed excessive compared to the tortoise-rate they now had to accept.

Not being able to put any pressure on his knee, he was forced to rely on the cane and KC’s assistance. To take his mind off his pain, he whispered, “Care to tell me about your nightmare?”

Her silence at first seemed to give him an answer. Then she shrugged. “Why not? I have a recurring dream where I’m in a car with my brothers. Sometimes we crash. Other times we make it home in one piece. Tonight, we crashed.”

“Did something like that happen in real life?”

“No. My brothers are careful drivers.” She stumbled but caught herself by latching onto a nearby branch. “That was close. I sure don’t need to sprain my ankle.”

“Right. Let’s take a break.” He rested against the tree while she rolled her shoulders. His constant weight must be wreaking havoc on her. “Sorry, KC.”

“No need to apologize. We’re partners, remember.”

He grinned. “Yup. Time to move. Whoever shot at us last night must have given up.”

Once in a compatible gait, she returned to describing her dream. “The crash is not the worst part of my nightmare. It’s when Bear and George are arrested.”

“For what?”

“I… Let me ask you a question. Do you remember when your brother or sister got their driver’s licenses?”

“Sure. By then we lived in Houston, in the ‘burbs, but we’d learned to drive Dad’s old pickup on West Texas country roads. However, that didn’t stop Mom from biting her nails when they made solo ventures into the city. Especially Jenny. She never met a speed limit she agreed with.”

“Most parents are concerned about their kids obeying the rules of the road, but…”

He frowned at her trailing words. “What’s that got to do with your brothers?”

“We’d already moved to LA by the time they learned to drive. Um, I remember Mom and Dad worrying all the time.”

“About their driving?” Where was KC headed with her story?

“Sort of. About driving while black.”

“While bl… Oh, I get it. Because they’re African-American.”

“Yes. My folks cautioned us all the time that when we were behind the wheel, we must obey all the traffic laws. Don’t give any cop a reason to pull us over. Especially at night.”

“I’ve obviously never had to worry about anything like that. Must have been—”

“No one can understand unless they’ve faced that reality. In my dreams, Bear and George are arrested, and I never see them again.”

A burden no one should have to carry. Cooper squeezed KC’s shoulder but kept his words and thoughts to himself.

Thirty minutes later, he stopped, his knee on fire. “This is a waste of time. You go on to the cabin. For all we know, Barbara has already left her place, with or without Sadie and the children. You need to alert the authorities and provide details of Barbara and the sedan.”

“I’m not leaving you, Coop. The cabin is real close. I can taste the smoke.”

She’d called him Coop. But he couldn’t dwell on the significance, if there was any. His shortness of breath concerned him. A wave of dizziness swept over him, and he sank to the ground. Thankful a wisp of fog hid his physical appearance from KC’s discerning gaze, he shoved his pack aside and stretched out on his back. “Please go.”

“No. The cabin is literally around the corner. I see a spread of gravel. Must be the driveway.” She held out her hand. “Come on. Up you get.”

Expending every ounce of residual strength, he rose from the ground, biting his lip, and hanging onto KC’s arm. Sweat trickled down his back and beaded on his forehead.

They stepped onto the gravel.

“I know you’re there,” a female hollered. “Come out where I can see you.”