CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The blue sky and warm sun of morning would have pushed the horrors of the previous night out of their minds if it weren’t for the stench of burnt flesh and wool still lingering in the air. Despite their best efforts to clean up the mess, birds of prey circled over the battlefield, looking for any missed scrap of carrion. But they couldn’t dwell on last night’s devastation. The main problem of staying undetected and alive hadn’t gone away and had to be addressed.

The group didn’t want to alarm the children, so they waited until Sarah took them to the ridge to begin her watch before discussing preparations for what they now believed would be an inevitable confrontation. They had hoped to wait the soldiers out in the remote high country, but the recent helicopter activity made them doubt remaining under the radar was possible.

“Our backs are pretty much covered by the ridge. I doubt the Iranians would come at us from the creek¾it just wouldn’t make any sense with the geology, so that leaves two approaches. Most likely they’ll come straight at us from below if they’re following our trail, but I suppose they could veer off and come at us from the forest,” Deuce began. “So, let’s focus on defending those two directions. Any thoughts?”

“Papa has three or four steel-jaw traps. He always brings those horrible things in case something starts preying heavily on the sheep. We could use them to create some sort of booby-trap, but putting them someplace where it might actually do some good would be the trick.”

“We could really work a trail to make the path look well used and set a couple traps on it and there’s also a good creek access that’s a natural place to go for water,” Frank offered. “If they’re tracking us hopefully they’ll think the most worn trail is the one we used.”

“Couldn’t hurt,” Deuce replied.

The group stopped talking when the familiar hum of a helicopter interrupted the mountain silence. They turned in the direction of the noise and listened. For several minutes it seemed to be getting closer and then the sound almost disappeared. They strained their ears, searching for the helicopter’s next move, but were distracted by April’s quick approach.

“Mom said to tell you the helicopter landed,” April gasped. “Are those awful men coming after us?”

Niki knelt down in front of the frightened child. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to lie, but saw no point in scaring April further, besides they really didn’t know for sure what the soldiers planned.

“We don’t know what they’re up to, so we don’t want you worrying about anything until we’re certain. But, we’re going to do everything we can to protect ourselves just in case they’re up to no good and you can help.”

She took April by the hand and rejoined the men. As before, after about fifteen minutes the helicopter lifted off and flew in the direction of the Blackburn Ranch. When the sound completely faded, they all knew without speaking it was time to act.

“April and I will go get the stock and take the mules to the sheep meadow. We’ll turn Sally and Bess loose to sound the alarm if anyone approaches. They won’t wander off with the rest of the horses near camp, but I want the mules to be able to flee if they need to.”

“Don’t forget to take your rifle this time. We don’t know how far away the grizzly went. Hopefully he doesn’t want to tangle with your crazy horse again, but I doubt he’s left the area for good with such an abundant source of prey present,” Deuce said as he strode off in the opposite direction.

Niki let the comment about her horse slide as she ducked inside the tent to retrieve the rifle and a box of shells. Her grandfather was asleep again and Niki was thankful she didn’t have to explain to him where she was going and why she needed to be armed. She hated seeing the concern in his tired eyes when he should be focused on his health and not her safety. She placed the leather rifle strap over one shoulder and took April by the opposite hand and headed for the horses. The child looked calm, but the tightness of her small grip relayed her unspoken terror.

“How would you like to ride Storm and lead Deuce’s old pack horse back and forth over the trail until it looks really well used?” Niki asked while pointing to the faint path they had decided to use for the traps. “Storm likes girls much more than he like boys, so I’m sure you two will get along great.”

April nodded and smiled. Niki hated the fact that such a young girl was aware of all the danger lurking so close, but she hoped having a task would take April’s mind off of the soldiers. Staying busy was about the only thing keeping Niki from crawling in some dark hole, curling up into a fetal position and crying her eyes out. She hoped the same therapy would work for April.

“I’ll ride Traveler and lead Frank’s horse¾the more hooves the better,” Niki said as she helped April up onto Storm’s back.

By late afternoon they hadn’t seen or heard any more helicopters, nor had they seen any sign of the grizzly. The hours passed quickly as each member of their group focused on their tasks. Niki and April had ridden the decoy trail until it would be impossible for anyone to think their group had traveled any other way. Frank set the traps in strategic locations. Deuce had done some additional scouting and cleaned and loaded all their weapons. Joe had relieved Sarah as look-out and Bernie had woke up long enough to eat and drink a small amount, but had quickly fallen back to sleep. His fever seemed to be down somewhat thanks to Lacy, whose job it had been to replace the cold compress on his forehead whenever the cloth heated.

“Those girls are amazing,” Niki said to Deuce as they watched Lacy’s tiny hands carefully wring the cloth in a bucket of cold creek water and gently place it on Bernie’s forehead.

Lacy obviously took the chore very seriously and seemed to be proud of contributing. Niki had babysat for the Stephens’ occasionally when she had visited the ranch in the summers. She had always enjoyed spending time with the well-behaved duo, but she had never realized how mature they were for their age. At home they were spirited and carefree and played like any other children their age, but when they needed to, they conducted themselves like little adults.

“You seem to have a real bond with them,” Deuce replied.

“It’s easy with April and Lacy. Cal and Sarah have done a wonderful job raising them. I don’t know if I could do it. It’s such an overwhelming responsibility.”

“You’d be a great mother. You’re a natural.”

Niki looked up, sure he was being sarcastic and teasing her, but there was only warmth and sincerity in his eyes.

“A natural? Remember when I tried to raise those orphaned wild ducklings? It didn’t go so well.”

“It’s almost impossible to raise any wild orphaned chick that young.”

Niki smiled at the memory. “That’s what you told me then to convince me to stop crying when they all died. I knew you were right, but those tiny ducklings were so cute and helpless that it broke my heart when I couldn’t save them.”

“Well, I hated hearing you cry and it tore me up to see you so sad.” He turned and strode away.

She stared at Deuce’s back as he retreated. In those early years when she began coming to the ranch to spend time with her grandfather he teased her unmercifully, but in a warm and familiar way, like a brother. By the time she was a teenager Niki thought his feelings had softened toward her, but then, when his mother died, he turned cold. Now he was changing again and it left her confused.

Niki had always cared for him and looked up to him. She was the small frail girl from the city and, even when they were young, he always seemed so strong and sure of himself. To her, he appeared to know everything about the mountains and ranching and she had admired, yet somewhat envied, the ease in which he lived in his environment. Though she had resided in various cities, none ever felt like home She loved the ranch, but no matter how much Bob praised everything she did from riding, to fishing, to shooting, she was always plagued with bouts of insecurity. The Blackburns treated her like family, but the only time she had ever felt as if she belonged was when she was alone with her grandfather at his sheep camp in these mountains.

“Niki.”

Her grandfather’s weak voice jolted her out of the past.

“Yes, Papa, I’m here. How are you feeling?”

“Thirsty and tired.”

“Tired? How can you be tired? You’ve slept for nearly twenty-four hours,” she teased as she held a cup of water to his lips.

As he drank, some of her fear slipped away. His skin was still too warm, but he spoke to her by name and seemed relatively alert.

“Lacy, would you tell your mom that Papa is awake and see if she has anything we can feed him?”

The young girl nodded and darted from the tent, pleased to yet again feel useful. Niki rung out the cloth in the bucket of cold water and placed it on her grandfather’s head. Sitting down next to him, she took his hand.

“Those two sure are fine young girls.”

“Yes they are. You wouldn’t have believed how well they did when we went to rescue them from the soldiers. They didn’t question anything I asked and held up better than most adults would have. If it wasn’t for April’s quick thinking and bravery Storm would have probably run all the way back to the Blackburn Ranch when the propane bottle exploded. I’m sure Sarah and Cal are so proud.”

“And they’re pretty as pictures, just like your little girls will be. I just hope I live long enough to have great granddaughters. You already know everything I can teach you about sheep and fishing. I need some new students to spoil.”

Before Niki could respond, Lacy raced back in with a plate of food. Niki took it from the girl’s small hands and began feeding her grandfather. For the first time since the accident she saw a glint in the old man’s eyes. She didn’t know why, but if his thoughts gave him life, she wouldn’t question it.

Niki sat by Bernie’s side and told him stories about her friend Kate and a trip they had taken the previous year until he fell asleep again. When she finally emerged from the tent she found a quiet camp. The sky had continued to darken as a pending storm stalked them. She looked up and spotted Sarah and the girls back on the ridge, so she figured Joe must be resting and Frank would be checking on the sheep.

Despite a nagging fear the bear might still be in the area, Niki toyed with the idea of going fishing. She imagined everyone would appreciate some fresh trout for dinner. She retrieved her tackle box and pole and sat down near the dead fire. She cut the hook off the line and tied a swivel to the end. She was out of grasshoppers and it was probably too cool at their new elevation to find more, so she would have to make due with some sort of lure. As she rummaged through her tackle box, she found the cough-drop tin of flies. Opening the lid, she stared at the delicate flies and smiled.

“What do you have in that little box that can still make you smile with everything that’s going on around here?” Deuce sat down next to her.

“Do you still fly fish?”

“Now and then—it seems as if there’s never enough hours in the day to do some of the things I used to enjoy.”

“Merry Christmas.” She handed him the tin.

Deuce stared into the box. He didn’t know what to think and for a moment he couldn’t come up with a thing to say. The flies were perfect. He knew she had an affinity for anything artistic, but these were simply beautiful.

“Little early for Christmas isn’t it?”

“Actually it’s late. I made them for you last year, but couldn’t bring myself to stick them in the mail.”

“Well, you should have. They’re your best work. Thank you.” His words barely elevated above a whisper.

How he hated himself for putting so much distance between them that Niki had been unsure about such a simple and thoughtful gesture. He was touched she had tied the flies for him and even more pleased she apparently thought about him even when she was far away in Colorado.

“That’s what I thought too. Now can I borrow one? I’m out of grasshoppers and those flies are probably the closest thing I have to something a trout might bite, even if I do have the wrong pole.”

“Are you kidding? That would be sacrilegious to use these perfect specimens with anything but a proper fly rod. Put a hook back on your line, grab your grandfather’s pole for me and follow along.”

Niki quickly clipped a small hook onto her swivel, clamped on a sinker, snatched her grandfather’s pole and followed Deuce. They left the shade of the trees hugging the camp and navigated their way toward the creek. He stopped by a wild rosehip bush and picked a handful of berries and skewered them on the hooks.

“Don’t know if this will work since I’ve never tried it, but it’s better than possibly losing one of these custom-made flies,” he said as he tapped his front shirt pocket where he’d stowed the box.

“Me, lose a fly? Never.”

Deuce rolled his eyes. “Surely you haven’t forgotten how many of my flies disappeared into the willows south of the ranch while trying to teach you to cast? I had to tie flies for a week after each attempt to turn you into a fly-fisher.”

Niki only giggled. They both new she was a lost cause when it came to a fly rod cast, but with a standard rod, she held her own.

Deuce took a fishing pole from Niki’s hand and walked slowly upstream looking for the perfect hole. After a couple hundred yards, he stopped and Niki nearly collided with his back. She smiled shyly at him.

“Might work better if we spread out,” he stated.

“Probably, but if the bear’s still in the area I’d prefer to stay within shouting distance. We never used to worry about grizzlies, just black bears, and I really never thought about dying before. In the past week or so I’ve begun thinking about it a lot more and I must admit the idea of it sucks.”

Deuce took her hand. They slowly made their way up the creek together. As he looked over at her, his mind flashed back fifteen years. He hadn’t been holding her hand then, but they had walked side-by-side along many creeks in the same companionable silence. He realized it had always been Niki and always would be. No other woman would do and if being with her scared him to death, he would just have to figure out some way to deal with it if they survived their current situation.

“Here, sit on this rock where I can see you and I’ll try just a little ways further up stream. I won’t let a bear anywhere near you.”

Obediently Niki sat on the rock and watched Deuce walk away. After several moments she flicked her line into the shallow water. Surprised the berries actually worked, before long they had a stringer full of small trout.

Squatting down on her heels next to Deuce at the creek’s bank, she watched him clean the fish. She loved watching him work—everything he did was with such ease that it always made her feel safe and comfortable. Niki didn’t say anything, but the nearness took her back to the many times in her youth when she had sat in this exact same position, watching and learning, hoping for his approval.

“I know you know how to clean fish.”

Giving him her best smile, she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Won’t work on me.”

“Never has, unfortunately, but thought I’d give it a try and see if you’ve softened up in your old age. It works on most men, you know.”

“I’ll just bet it does,” he grumbled as he rose to his feet, seething at the image of Niki fluttering her lashes at any other man. But what could he expect? She was a beautiful woman, so full of warmth and kindness that a man would have to be a fool to resist being taken in by her charm. Since he had done just that for so long, he could no longer deny his classification as the ranch idiot.

Looking away from Deuce, she stifled a giggle. Niki was starting to enjoy ruffling his feathers. Clearly he was still trying to keep up the wall between them, but she could tell it was getting more and more difficult. They shared too much of a past for him to shut her out and she was now starting to believe it was just a matter of time before he completely let her into his heart and his life. Hopefully they lived long enough to find out if she was right.

A tap on her shoulder from the tip of a wet fishing pole forced her to turn and face him. Accepting the pole Deuce held out, she watched as he knelt to retrieve the stringer of fish from the creek. Saying nothing, he strode back toward camp with Niki at his heels. She smiled and enjoyed the view, feeling smug in the belief that he was losing his ability to fight the inevitable.