Ladd Springs (Ladd Springs, Book #1) (11 page)

As
the country music tune continued to blare, Delaney didn’t move a muscle. Not
her camera, not her hand. To do so would certainly reveal her position.

Partially
concealed by brush and trees overhead, she prayed he would not see her. The
cell went to voice mail. The forest was quiet once again. But the men were not.

“Did
you hear that?”

“Hear
what?” asked the other.

“That
noise,” he said, visibly scanning the ridge where she was hiding.

“Nah,
I ain’t heard a thing. Now, c’mon. We got to hurry and get this gold out of
here ‘fore Clem wonders where we are.”

“Shhh—”
he hushed loudly. “What are you trying to do—tell everyone what we’re doing?”

He
looked around, dumbfounded. “There ain’t no one here, but us Jeb.”

The
large man clamped a hand to the other’s mouth, whispering harshly to him.

Delaney
racked her brain for an escape. If she moved, they’d see her. If she stayed and
they came looking for her, she’d be cornered. There was only one way out for
her. The way she came in.

Now
on alert, the two men surveyed the woods. They looked toward the trail, upward
of the mountain, checked the area behind them that lead to the USFS. Unsatisfied,
the bigger man held a finger to the smaller and said something, directing him
to move.

The
skinny man began to make his way through the brush.

Delaney’s
throat closed. Her limbs noodled.
He was coming toward her
.

She
slid a hand into her boot, closed it around the gun. If it was clear he was
coming toward her, she would use it—in a heartbeat. With bated breath, she
watched him push through branches and vine, clod hopping his way toward the narrow
ledge where she was hiding. In instant decision, she knew. That’s it. Game
over. Delaney stood and leveled her gun at him. “Stop right there.”

His
head yanked up.

“Don’t
take another step or I’ll shoot.”

“Well
lookee here,” he said in a grotesque purr and tipped back his ratty black hat. “We
have a girl been watchin’ us.”

The
leader of the two shoved the nugget into his pocket and began to come toward
them.

“Stop,”
she called out sternly. “Stop or I’ll shoot.”

“Get
her!” the big one yelled and pulled a gun.

The
fellow hesitated, then lurched forward.

She
pulled the trigger, the shot echoing from its chamber, shattering the calm. He
staggered back as another shot ricocheted off the tree behind her. Delaney’s
heart exploded in her chest. She fired another shot, then took off running, wary
of the man with the gun.

“Get
her!”

“I
been shot!” he howled.

“I
don’t care!” Abandoning his injured cohort, the bulky man chased her, clawing
his way through the brush. Her mind raced, her heart thumped. The camera
bounced against her chest in sharp jabs. She grabbed it as a second gunshot
blasted the mountain beside her. Panic seized her. She couldn’t get shot! Couldn’t
get caught!

Glancing
behind, she saw him struggling to negotiate the steep path up to trail level. Fear
pushed her to run faster, put distance between them. Boots landing hard,
Delaney worried she would trip, her heel catching on an exposed root—but she
didn’t dare slow down.

She
could hear the man grumbling as he chased her.

Camera
clenched in her hand, arms swinging, Delaney found her rhythm. Her thoughts
swerved toward Sadie. She ducked a branch. Estimated time and distance. She
could outrun this man. She could make it to her horse and make her getaway. Her
chest grew painfully winded. But if he spotted them, a bullet would easily bring
down her mare. The image of Sadie careening to the ground, crying out from a
gunshot wound wrenched Delaney’s gut. She couldn’t put her horse in jeopardy. She
needed a shortcut, a different path. A detour.

“You’re
a dead woman!” the man shouted from behind. He fired off another round from his
gun—and it was close. Too close for comfort.

Impossible.
He couldn’t be that close! Had she made no progress?

Sweat
soaked her tank beneath the backpack, her thighs burned. Her cheeks flushed from
exertion, her pulse thudded between her ears. Up ahead, she knew the trail
curved sharply to the right, then plunged steeply. There was a side trail that
stemmed off from there. It was an old path she and Jeremiah used when running
late for dinner. She hadn’t used it in years and it might be impassable now, but
it was all she had.

If
she stayed on the trail she’d be wide open and vulnerable.

Anticipating
the turn, Delaney released the camera and grabbed the closest limb. With every
muscle she had, she swung her body up and off the trail. She grabbed another
and another. Her boot caught on a root, branches cut across her skin, but she
drove in. Tree, branch, rock—she used whatever she could grab and pulled
herself upward into the mountainside.

With
the steep hillside cluttered with trees and bush, vines and weeds, negotiating the
rugged landscape proved difficult. As she attempted to launch herself deeper
into the mountain brush, she reached for the pointed edge of a boulder, the
sandy surface digging into her palm.

Seconds
later, Delaney heard the man’s labored breathing, the patter of his heavy steps
as he passed below. But she didn’t look down. She didn’t check to see if she
had been spotted. She’d hear the gunshot if he had.

Delaney
continued forward, praying he wouldn’t see her. She prayed he would leave Sadie
be.

Pulling
into the Ladd homestead, Nick slowed his car to a complete stop and tossed the
gear into park. With a heavy sigh, he stared at the dilapidated old cabin and
wondered why this project had to be so difficult. Most people jumped when you
waved hundreds of thousands of dollars at them. Especially poor ones. There
were no questions asked, not a care in the world—nothing but an agreement
regarding dollars and cents. And time. How soon could they get their money?

It
was always the same. But not with the Ladds. They stood to lose a bundle if
this property went to auction and for what—a family feud? Bad blood? Short-sightedness?

It
didn’t make sense. None of it. Not Ernie’s refusal and not Delaney’s. Nick
dropped his head back to the headrest and thought about Jillian Devane. The woman
behind Eco-Domani reminded him of a panther, lithe, dangerous curves, jet black
hair down to her bottom, dangerous gold eyes that could kill with a single
look. She had been memorable in so many ways. Both good and bad, but memorable
just the same. Not the kind of woman you wanted to cross, but he had never made
any promises to her. Never suggested he was hers for the taking, never offered
her more than a good time.

Yet
when he left, she had pounced and pounced hard. Her perfect white teeth became fangs
out for the kill. She was not happy when he moved on, but moved on is what he
did. Jillian was beautiful, he’d give her that. She was a temptress of the
highest degree, but she was shifty. Where she intended to pin you down, she
refused you the same honor. Where she defied his eye to wander, hers slid
around and snared men like the skilled seductress she was. He chuckled softly. And
skilled she was.

Movement
up the mountain snagged his mind from thoughts of Jillian. Was
that a
deer? He homed in on the lightly colored animal moving between the trees. He’d always
enjoyed stealing a peek at wildlife when the animal was completely unaware of his
presence. It spoke to his youth, days in Montana spent chasing rabbits, hunting
deer. He’d been drawn to the wild freedom of nature, the independence. The
childhood impression had been deep and lasting, one he carried with him through
his career as an hotelier.

Nick
bolted forward in the seat of his car, his eyes fixed on the figure creeping
clear of the forest and down the mountain, her movements tense and cautious. Bewilderment
funneled through his mind. That was no animal. That was Delaney!

Chapter Eleven

Delaney
carefully traversed the grassy slope, her legs rendered rubbery weak, her knees
stressed by the steep angle of descent. Her skin stung from scratches,
aggravated by the sheen of sweat on her arms. She was hot and tired but ignored
it all. She had made her escape. Now she had to go back for Sadie.

But
should she wait? After the man lost her, would he have left the forest? Or gone
back to looting Ladd gold? And what of his friend? Would he require stitches? Would
they be at the hospital now?

Hitting
level terrain, Delaney hurried down the rocky clay trail, dodging stones
jutting up from the ground as she practically ran down the hill. She couldn’t
leave Sadie tied to the post for a second longer than necessary. If anything
happened to her mare, Delaney would never forgive herself. She had abandoned
her. But she’d done it to spare Sadie the danger, hadn’t she?

A
tiny voice inside her head that continued to poke at her conscience. Had she
endangered her horse by leaving her? Delaney shook the questions from her mind.
She took a deep breath and calmed the renewed pounding in her chest. There
would be no answers until she made it back to the trailhead.

“Hey!”

Breath
slammed free from her lungs.

“What
are you doing?”

Delaney
whirled and her chest detonated with alarm—relief—
confusion
. Nick Harris
stood about fifty feet ahead of her. She had totally missed him.

“Out
for a leisure hike?” he called out, but his amusement quickly cooled to
concern. He jogged up to her and asked, “Are you all right?”

Her
eyes darted back and forth across his. Grateful for the safety he represented, she
was also wary of telling the truth. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Delaney
realized she had mistaken his question.
What did he ask her again
? Didn’t
matter. She had to get to Sadie.

Nick
gently pulled her to a stop. “Slow down,” he said, his voice steeped in what
sounded like genuine concern. “You don’t look so hot.”

The
retort that normally would have burst from her lips evaporated. She didn’t
feel
so hot. She’d nearly been shot!

“What’s
wrong?” He scanned the ridge above. “What happened? What were you doing up
there?” His dark gaze smoldered as it fixed upon hers.

Questions,
questions, questions—she needed to get to Sadie! Delaney kicked her legs into
action, but Nick’s grip steeled as he held her. The move stunned her. He shook
her to attention. “Talk to me,” he commanded.

“There
was a man in the woods, I ditched him, but I have to get back to Sadie.” She
stumbled over her words, trying not to divulge too much. She peered up into his
eyes, which were swimming with temper.

“What
man?” he asked, his voice suddenly low and dangerous.

“A
man, a stranger—I don’t know who he is.” Delaney tried to yank free from his
grasp, but the effort was useless. Sapped of strength, she posed no opposition
to his ironclad hold. “
Please
. I need to get to my horse.”

“We
need to call the police.”

“No!”
she cried. “They can’t do anything to help,” she added breathlessly. “It’s a
waste of time.”

“Of
course they can. They can go after this man you’re talking about.”

And
find the gold? Discover she’d shot first? Delaney shook her head adamantly. “No.
I can handle it.”

Nick
scoffed with a biting laugh. “You’re in no condition to handle anything. Look
at you!”

It
was the first time she thought to consider her appearance. Delaney looked down
and held up her arms, checked out her clothing. She was covered in orange-black
smudges and littered with bruises and scrapes, many bleeding. Her backpack was stuck
to her back, the silver camera hung from her neck.

What
must he think?

“Where
is Sadie?” he asked.

“She’s
by the trail,” Delaney replied automatically.

“Let’s
go.”

“
No
.
I can get her myself.”

“You’re
not going anywhere by yourself.”

Reflex
urged her to refuse, but glancing at the sizeable hands on her arms, Delaney
acquiesced. She inhaled deeply. She doubted he’d let go if she didn’t give in. She
blew out her breath, some of the tension releasing with it. “Fine.”

Nick
loosened his hold, but didn’t fully release her.

Afraid
she would escape? Delaney wondered silently, but quickly surrendered to the
inevitable and marched down the trail, accompanied by her shadow. She wasn’t
going anywhere without Prince Harris. She suppressed a swell of pleasure at her
nickname and sighed. Maybe it was for the better. If the men saw her, they might
think twice about shooting with Nick by her side. She had to admit the man was
not only formidable in stature, he exuded an ominous threat as he strode
alongside her. There was something about Nick Harris that broadcast strength. Power.
It shouted loud and clear that he meant business.

For
a moment they walked, no sound but boots on ground. The light breeze cooled her
skin, calmed her mind. Blisters were forming on her feet after the impromptu
run, one beginning to throb.

Nick
broke the silence. “Why did you leave Sadie at the post?”

“Didn’t
want to spook her,” Delaney lied, concentrating on the brown-gray path ahead,
careful to avoid the rise of rocks and roots embedded in the ground.

“Spook
her?”

“Sadie
is very intelligent.” Delaney looped her thumbs beneath her shoulder straps. “She’d
know if something was up.”

“What
exactly was up?” he asked, pitching his head down toward hers.

Nick
expected her to look him in the eye, but Delaney wasn’t that keen on her
ability to lie. If she faced him head on, he’d see through her in a second. “Around
these parts,” she said, maintaining focus on the trail, “we’re used to
trespassers. When they come around, we handle them.”

“Handle
them, how?”

Delaney
didn’t respond. As they passed Ernie’s cabin, she peered over at it, wondering
if he was staring at them through the window. Not good for him to think she was
in cahoots with Mr. Harris.

She
accelerated her pace and Nick asked, “Is there something you’re not telling me,
Ms. Wilkins?”

Tightening
her hold on the backpack, she stole a glance to her side and shook her head. Rounding
the clearing to the field bordering the forest entrance, her pulse quickened. She
could see the whip of a white-blonde tail from here, partially obscured by the line
of trees. “There’s Sadie.” She turned to her side and said to him, “I should be
good now.” Nick laughed. It was a presumptive sound that irked her. “Thank you
for your concern”—she steadied her tone—“but I’m fine. You don’t have to
continue any farther.”

“How
about you let me be the judge of that.” He waved a hand toward Sadie and with a
brief dip, asked, “Shall we?”

“No,”
she wanted to snip,
we won’t
. But if she’d learned one thing about this
man, it was that he didn’t listen very well. “Really, Mr. Harris. You don’t
have to bother yourself.”

His
pleasure widened into a thousand watt smile. “It’s no bother, I assure you.”

The
glint in his eyes sparked her annoyance. Add the subtle smirk dangling on the
edge of his lips, and she was downright infuriated. She was
fine
. Now
that she was over the initial scare, she was completely capable of handling
things from here on out. Ruminating over the unexpected kink he presented, Delaney
glanced over her shoulder and asked, “Why did you stop by this afternoon?”

“Same
reason as always.” He paused, then quipped, “Why the camera around your neck?”

Delaney’s
gaze dropped briefly to her chest. “Nature photography,” she said. Un-looping
the camera, she unzipped her backpack and dropped the camera inside. Wordlessly,
she closed it and looked at him. “Is Uncle Ernie expecting you?”

“Should
he be?”

“Do
you always play games, Mr. Harris?”

Nick
cocked his brow and set hands to rest along the ridge of his belt. “I’m the one
playing games?”

As
they idled beneath the canopy of leaves, sunlight filtering in moving spots across
the ground around them, a kick of wind released sticky strands of hair from her
neck and shoulders as Delaney considered her options. She could allow him to
tagalong, or devise some excuse to make him stay back. She stared into what
were now becoming familiar brown eyes, and hesitated.

If
she had a good excuse, she would have delivered it by now.

He
smiled. “Sadie’s waiting.”

With
an audible groan, Delaney surrendered. She lifted her ponytail from its matted
position against her neck and backpack and drew it forward, the swatch of
tangled hair resting atop her breast. “Fine. But you stay back,” she warned as
she started walking. “I don’t need you spooking Sadie, either.”

“Wouldn’t
think of it.”

Trekking
along the edge of the forest, Delaney couldn’t help but look deeper into the
brush for signs of movement. Were the men here? Were they watching them? She
had no idea what the man would have done once he lost her. Did he realize she
knew exactly what they were doing? Or did he think she was a snooping hiker?

Not
with a camera perched on the end of her nose. Unless they were brain dead, they
understood exactly what was at stake. The scene unfolded in her mind’s eye—the
bullets, the face-to-face contact, and a skittish tingle streaked through her
chest. Would they tell Clem?

They’d
have to, wouldn’t they? Jittery angst turned to chilly trepidation. She didn’t
imagine Clem would confuse the issue, either. Not like there was a surplus of
blondes running around Ladd forest.

“Have
you thought any more about what I said?”

“What?”

“About
our conversation,” he prompted.

“What
conversation?”

“The
taxes, the auction…”

Trampling
through knee high grass, Delaney stated in no uncertain terms, “We’re not going
to lose the property to auction.”

“You
have the money? Is that your plan to get the property from your uncle?”

“My
plan is my business,” Delaney said. Sadie whinnied as she neared.

“
Sadie
...”
Delaney breathed out, relief swamping her. The horse whinnied again, the bugling
cry comforting to Delaney’s ears. Next to Felicity, Sadie was the most
important living creature in her world.

Delaney
strode over and unleashed her horse from the post. A fly buzzed near her face. She
waved it off, then rubbed the flat expanse of damp-haired skin between her eyes.
“Good girl.” She turned to Nick, “Okay, well, thanks, but I’m good.” Delaney
turned to him, startled by the change in his expression. She followed his line
of sight and her heart caught. Farther into the woods, standing center of the
trail, was the big man.
The one with the gun
. She clenched the leather bridle
in hand. Instinct urged her to run, but she hesitated. Big man was fixated on
Nick.

Nick
was by her side at once, moving her behind him as he stared the man down. “Is
that him?” he asked under his breath.

Delaney
spied the gun in his hand. “Yes,” she uttered, thighs dissolving into pools at her
knees.

“Can
I help you?” Nick asked, making it clear courtesy was not his intent.

For
a fleeting moment, Delaney thought about reaching for her gun. Nick was unarmed,
she needed to do something. But the man stepped toward them, icing any such
move. Next to her, Sadie grew still, her ears stiff, twitching. The sun beat
down.

Nick
angled back and reached a protective arm her way. “I wouldn’t take another step
if I were you.”

The
man seemed to find Nick’s warning humorous. Delaney’s throat went dry as she
saw Nick slide a gun from the back of his jeans, allowing hand and gun to
linger behind him.

“My
problem ain’t with you, mister.” The stranger flicked a glance her way. “It’s
the woman I’m interested in.”

“She’s
with me.”

Delaney
could see the man go through the mental calculation of risk and reward. It was
clear he wanted to settle the score with her, clear he knew a lot was riding on
her not walking out alive, on her not talking. Fear thundered through her
limbs. Would he go through Nick to see that she didn’t?

“I’ll
tell you again,” the man said, “I ain’t got no trouble with you. She and I have
some unfinished business to take care of.”

“Not
today, you don’t.”

The
man never blinked. He raised his gun.

Nick
mirrored the movement, his arm solid and straight. “I wouldn’t do that if I
were you.”