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THE LATE-AFTERNOON sun warmed Kate’s shoulders, leaving her relaxed and drowsy. Or maybe it was the effect of the crackling campfire. Certainly everyone seemed calm following the river mishap. Tyra sat on the opposite side of the fire, eyes closed and cocooned in a blanket. Slider was with the other horses, contentedly eating grass.
Kate stretched, delighting in the luxury of being able to sit down and grab a little break before making supper. All the men were being astonishingly helpful. Jack and Monty had looked after the animals and pitched the tents, and Logan and Kessler had made a lovely campfire.
Of course, it was Jack who’d set the tone. She couldn’t quite figure out the Secret Service men. At first she’d thought Kessler was in charge, but in some areas he seemed to defer to Jack. Kessler was definitely the most uptight, at least with her. He’d already moved to stand back by the trees, ever watchful while Courtney and Logan gathered more wood.
Jack strode back, effortlessly carrying the heavy panniers. He set them on the ground then walked over and re-angled the three pairs of boots drying by the fire.
“Almost dry,” he said. “I checked your clothes too. They’re ready.”
He’d rigged up a clothesline a discrete distance from camp, and the thought of his big hands touching her underwear made her pulse quicken. Something had changed between them, evidenced by the easy way he sat down beside her, and how he’d so swiftly reassigned her duties, insisting she couldn’t do any chores in bare feet. Being idle was odd, especially when she wasn’t hurt. But it was also rather nice for a change.
“If diving in the water earns this much payback,” she joked, “maybe I’ll do it every trail ride.”
“We all know it wasn’t just a dive,” Jack said. “You saved the day.”
There was an odd look in his eyes, almost of admiration. And he gave her knee a little squeeze, the intimacy so sweet and unexpected that he captured another piece of her heart. But she knew she hadn’t really done anything.
He was the one who had saved Tyra and ultimately freed Slider’s leg. He hadn’t hesitated to dive under and help out either, even though the water had been numbingly cold, so frigid that when she’d first jumped off Belle she hadn’t been able to think.
“You’re obviously used to trail riding,” she said. “Do you always carry extra boots?”
“When I’m working, yes.”
She peeked at his face. Was he reminding her that this new attentiveness was just part of his job? He was an intuitive man. Maybe he sensed her interest. He’d already shown a well-developed ability to keep women at arm’s length. Both Tyra and Courtney blushed whenever Jack spoke to them. And Tyra now viewed him as her savior, her infatuation obvious. But he had no trouble brushing off their attention.
He just walked away, as he had with Allie by the pool. And Kate had personally experienced how quickly he could ditch a dance partner. But when he looked at her as he was doing now—as if she were someone special—it only left her confused.
She leaned forward and picked up her boots. Ran her hand over the leather, pretending an absorption with checking the sole. Luckily she’d had the presence of mind to slip her boot knife and sheath into her pack before turning her clothes over to Jack for drying. The agents still controlled all weapons, and she and Monty couldn’t even use the hatchet.
“My boots are dry,” she said. “So I’ll start supper now.”
“Okay,” Jack said. “But I think it’s time to return this.” He took her hand, pressed something against her palm, then closed her fingers. “In case you need to rescue someone again.”
The tip of her red jackknife protruded from her fingers. It looked tiny compared to her boot knife. But its significance was enormous.
“Every rider should have a knife,” he said, still clasping her wrist. He had a cowboy’s hands, tanned, capable, marked with faded scars. His index finger traced the sensitive base of her thumb, his touch gentle but deliberate. Possessive.
Her pulse jumped as his finger circled her palm, branding her with his touch. It was evident in the dance hall that he was comfortable with women, his slow smile, the brush of his mouth over her hair, the way he’d kept their bodies perfectly aligned as he guided her around the floor. But the way he caressed her now was different. And they both knew it.
She looked at him, then back at their joined hands where she felt the heavy thud of his pulse, beating in time with hers. Returning her jackknife was a huge gesture of trust on his part, and one that Kessler surely hadn’t approved. Jack was sticking his neck out for her. And she knew she needed to tell him about her other knife. To explain why she always felt the need to carry it.
“You’re so brave,” Jack said. “Jumping in that water to help Slider. With nothing but your quick thinking.”
The approval in his voice left her feeling like a fraud. Because she’d gone into the river knowing she had her boot knife. In fact, she’d been planning to cut the reins, but Slider had been drowning and there hadn’t been time to get it out. It had been quicker to pull off his bridle.
Tyra abruptly sat up. “I’m hungry,” she said. Her eyes were wide open and she stared at Kate with an accusing expression. “When’s supper?”
“In thirty minutes,” Kate said, slipping the jackknife into her back pocket. “Would you like to help grill the steaks?”
“No,” Tyra snapped. “That’s your job. Where’s Courtney?”
“Gathering wood with Logan,” Jack said. He rose in a smooth athletic motion, his voice much harsher than it had been mere seconds ago. “And since your boots are dry, this is a good time to check Slider. That’s your job. Not Kate’s.”
“But I don’t want to ride that horse anymore.” Tyra pushed the blanket off her shoulders, not brave enough to look at Jack but clearly agitated. “He’s not safe.”
Despite the girl’s entitled attitude, it was obvious from her quavering voice that she was genuinely afraid.
“We can discuss that later with Monty,” Kate said. “He makes all those decisions. Don’t worry. He’ll do what’s best for you.”
“Yeah, right.” Tyra rolled her eyes. “Nobody cares about me. If Courtney had fallen in the river, you’d probably call in a helicopter.” She crossed her arms, looking belligerent but for a second her voice cracked, revealing a vulnerable teenager.
Kate was in the middle of tugging on her boots but she stilled. She’d thought the girls were getting along well but clearly Tyra resented Courtney’s elevated status. And her words rang true. Logan and Kessler had bolted to Courtney’s side, and though the two men tended to bicker, their allegiance to Courtney was obvious. Jack hadn’t hesitated to gallop back into the river. But now that Tyra had seen him holding Kate’s hand, the girl obviously felt even more alone.
Kate dropped her boot and moved to the girl’s side. “I’ll look out for you,” she said gently. “That’s why Monty and I are here. And you know Jack is always watching. He was the first one in the water.”
“But you’re not Secret Service.” Tyra’s voice rose. “And Kessler and Logan left me.”
“What happened in the river was truly frightening,” Kate said. “But it won’t happen again. Next time we cross any water I’ll walk beside you on Belle. Mules never go where it’s dangerous, even when the rider asks them. That’s why they’re so safe.”
“I’m not riding in the back with the stupid mules. And I’m not scared of horses. I’ve been around them all my life. I just don’t want to drown on a stupid trail ride.”
“Hey, Tyra, you’re awake!” Courtney called. She hurried toward the campfire, two branches in her arm and a wide smile on her face. “Logan says the mustangs are in the next valley. We’ll see them tomorrow. Isn’t that great!”
“Yeah,” Tyra said. “Super great.” And though she gave a vigorous nod, it was obvious her enthusiasm was fake; her mouth formed more of a grimace than a smile.
Kate peeked at Jack. His face had returned to its usual forbidding expression, but she caught the concern in his eyes. He gave her a sympathetic look and walked away. Naturally.
It was tempting to follow, to slip into the woods and escape. But they both had jobs to do. His to protect and hers to make sure the girls had a good time. Judging by Tyra’s mutinous expression, Kate’s job would be more difficult.
