The Fifth Season (12 page)

“Thanks,” she nodded, placing in the pouch hanging off her belt. “Let’s march.”

Traipsing across the winding path that edged the lake, Emma couldn’t help but smile as the Leary boys pounded their chests in a Tarzanian testosterone display. They flanked her side, each vying for a snippet of attention.

The water was glorious as it glittered with the reflection of the morning sun. Emma allowed her group’s excited chatter to smooth the tense muscles burning her shoulders. She kept the pace moving and slowed it slightly as the incline deepened upward toward the west end of the lake. “Let’s take a quick break and have a drink. Remember, hydration is a major factor in fighting the negative impact of this elevation.”

She downed half her bottle of water, wiped the perspiration from her face and motioned for everyone to continue. A group of hiker’s passed them, whispering among themselves about spying a black bear. Emma twisted around and pulled a pair of small binoculars from her pocket. Sure enough, about a quarter mile behind them was a smudge on a hillside. If this was only her and Nate, they’d spend a few moments studying the bear and continue on their way. However, this was a group of rawhides that were her responsibility. “Alright, gang, let’s speed up this snail’s pace.” There was a sharp bend about a half mile up which would put them at a safe distance from the bear. “Come on, boys. Let’s race.”

Emma grinned as the Leary teens bolted forward, vying for the medal of first place. Linda Leary glanced at Emma who pointed behind her. “Bear.”

“Oh dear, okay. Let’s get a move on.”

Emma suppressed her laugh as the women moved forward at a very quick clip. She began to follow. Her head spun and she reached out to brace herself against the nearest tree. Emma blinked a few times to clear her eyes. Jenny Lake misted to a dim pin prick then waved back into view.

“Something wrong, Emma?”

Emma shook her head and waved Adams forward. “No. I’m fine.”

She stumbled and tripped to the right, clutching another limb to prevent a headlong dive into the lake below.

Adams loomed before her. She followed his gaze as the group rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. They were alone. Emma knew she was in trouble. Something was terribly wrong but her mind fogged and nothing made sense.

“Give my regards to your mother.” Adams whispered against her ear.

Shaking her head, Emma pushed against his shoulders. “What?”

Emma felt her body being lifted, but her muscles wouldn’t react. In a hideous moment of slow-motion, Adams tossed her from the edge of the precipice. She fell downward, her shoulder smacking painfully into the edge of the cliff. Emma attempted to snag a limb from one of the low hanging trees, but she slid downward at an alarming pace. The world spun and her fingers slid off the rocky cliff. She closed her eyes, reached out but clasped nothing but air.

Cold water sliced over her skin. Icy fingers of death snatched precious air from her lungs.

Water poured into her mouth. Choking and gasping she took a shallow breath, fighting against the pull of death. Her mind muddled and strength faded. Emma slowly slid beneath the surface, nothing more than a rag doll being lulled to sleep by the embrace of a tranquil lake.

Her arm hit something warm and solid. Suddenly, another body slipped under her, wrapping her in strength and pulling her to the surface.

She gasped for air, inhaling the sweet scent of life. Allowing the other person all control, Emma concentrated on breathing and filling her starved lungs.

Lifted from the water, she turned to thank her rescuer.

***

Stone’s heart beat a direct path out of his chest. He bent over, gasping for air and fighting the pain racking his soul. Water poured from his head. He swiped his eyes and stared at the drowned rat lying before him.

Emma reached out. He held her hand and bent down so his forehead touched hers. She winced as he moved her arm, checking for any breaks. “I think I’m drugged,” her voice sounded slurred and sluggish.

“Don’t ever do something as stupid as that again.” His voice was harsh and ragged from fear. When he’d learned she’d joined Seamus’s group on this expedition, a thousand horrific images plagued his imagination.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” Tears welled in her eyes, and he tried to smile. The fear of losing her blocked out all opposing rationale.

“Obviously.”

“What’re you doing here?” The reflection of the lake clouded her eyes. Stone shook his head and swore viciously. The shock of cold water appeared to have cleared the cobwebs in her brain.

“I followed you and shadowed the group.”

“Seamus threw me off the cliff,” she admitted.

His anger blackened. “I saw.”

“Thank you.” She grabbed his head and pulled him down, touching her lips to his. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

His nostrils flared and Stone battled to draw air into starving lungs. “Let’s go, we need to warm up.”

They stood. Emma caught a glimpse of a blonder version of Stone. “Ethan, watcha doin’ here?” She accepted the blanket handed over by Stone’s cousin.

“Figured I was a good back up for your boy, here. I’ve sent one of my men to inform your group about,” his voice dropped an octave lower from anger. “This little accident. They’ve been instructed to take the shuttle boat back to the visitor’s center.”

“Where’s Adams?” Emma asked.

“Ran like a little toad after his wife.” Stone cursed.

Ethan nodded. “I can arrest him.”

“No,” Stone shook his head. “We need something more permanent than that.”

Emma began shivering. “I’m cold.”

“I know baby, I know.” He pulled her tightly against his chest, rubbing her limbs in an attempt to rejuvenate circulation. The closeness of her body scorched away the bone-deep chill of the river.

Fear at the thought of losing Emma still coursed violently through his system like the angry Snake. Shocked at his own reaction, he blocked the panic threatening to set in.

Orchestrating the return of the resort guests and piling Emma into his Jeep momentarily blocked Stone from dwelling on what snagged at his heart. He worked the vehicle through the winding roads of Grand Teton National Park, mulling over how to exact revenge.

Glancing at Emma, he frowned as shivers wracked her body.

“Get out of your clothes,” he commanded.

“What?” Her teeth chattered so loudly, he had to bite back on the adrenaline laughter threatening to break through.

“I’ve some sweats in the backseat. Strip and put them on.”

She stared at him as if he’d just grown pointy ears and a little green suit.

“I don’t think…think…think so,” she chattered.

He clenched his teeth. Stubborn and stupid. Pulling the Jeep off the winding road, he killed the ignition, reached behind her and grabbed his clothes. Jumping out and jogging to her side of the vehicle, he opened her door, picked her up and walked down the slightly sloped shoulder.

“What’re you doing?”

“I’m providing you with privacy.” He dumped her, not all that carefully, behind a thick cluster of pines. “Now change.”

“Oh…oh…oh…kay.”

Sighing deeply, Stone looked to the sky for deliverance from the entire soul searing experience. His chest still pounded from fear, his hormones were raging at the mere thought of her naked behind the trees, and his mind demanded he run, fast.

“I’m dressed,” she said softly.

He turned…and lost his heart.

Emma stood ramrod straight, eyes bright with a kiss of tear tipping her lashes. Her hair, a tangle of auburn nests, cascaded wildly past her shoulders. Shivers continued to rack her petite form now swallowed by his navy blue military sweats, but not as often. All of that aside, Stone realized it had nothing to do with the vulnerability etched from head to toe that reached for him but everything to do with the small spark of fire that burned like a homing beacon in her eyes.

He wanted that fire.

He wanted her.

***

Emma gathered the dinner dishes and walked into the kitchen.

“Can I do that?” Stone asked.

“No, you can’t. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop hovering over me.”

“You scared me today.”

She paused and gazed at him. His demeanor seemed changed, and it threw her off guard. “I scared myself. Let’s just enjoy an hour of quiet time before the Leary’s and Adams’ return, okay?”

He nodded and walked into the living room. She quickly stacked the dishwasher, wiped the counters, and poured them each a glass of red wine. Following Stone’s path, she ended up in front of the warm, blazing hearth. He stood before the mantel, studying a collection of photographs. Emma handed his glass to him and dropped into the overstuffed leather couch.

“This feels great,” she said, stretching her feet to the fire.

He smiled that wicked little half-grin that made her feel like the tip of a feather caressed her stomach. “We need to talk.”

“If you’re going to lecture me again on my poor judgment, I want to plead momentary insanity and be done with it.”

“As much as I feel you need a lecture, I’ll refrain for at least a day.” Stone leaned against the mantel, sipping his wine and eyeing her carefully. “I’m going to help you find a permanent solution to this.”

Emma tilted her head, ready to listen. “Gee, why does that sound more like a threat than a promise?”

Stone chuckled and moved to sit next to her. He didn’t crowd, didn’t allow any physical contact, but the intimacy existed, muddling her mind and igniting her hormones.

“Seamus Adams is a threat. He needs to be dealt with before something dangerous happens to either you or River Run.”

“River Run…” Emma paused, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. “I understand,” she finally uttered.

“I’ve decided to make an official request to the President to investigate his political dealings.”

“You can do that?” Astonishment evidently laced her words, because Stone’s reaction bordered on barely-contained indulgence.

“Yes. And I think it’ll be a safer road to travel than eliminating him.”

Emma snorted her wine. It burned the inside of her nose, causing her eyes to water. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

Stone frowned and cocked his head. “Said what?”

“Eliminate him,” she repeated, using a deep threatening tone, “as if that were no more trouble than squashing a roach.”

Stone tilted his head back, releasing what could only be described as a full-throttle laugh. It tickled her spine and warmed her spirit. “Well,” he said, still chuckling. “To be honest, he really isn’t much more than a roach.” He touched her cheek. Emma stilled, relishing the brief intimate contact. “Remember, killing is as easy to me as mucking stalls.”

She saw the flicker of hesitancy and reached forward to mimic his caress. “I don’t believe that.”

Stone’s jaw clenched then relaxed.”I have one favor to ask.” His voice suddenly dropped to a low whisper, and his desire ran lightly beneath the surface of his eyes.

“Yes?”

“You need to cease all Clover activities in Ireland.”

Emma’s heart froze. She couldn’t do that. It would mean…no, wait a minute…after that last report, it really wouldn’t mean anything. The search for her father needed to come to an end.

Nate’s belief that Hugh Gallagher still lived beneath the menacing hand of Seamus Adams needed to be dissolved. He’d done all he could to help her father, and it was time Emma ended this fruitless search.

She trusted Stone.

And as much as she hated the idea, she didn’t want to hurt his chances of selling River Run. “All right,” she said softly, burying the deep sorrow that welled in her chest. Nate’s reaction wouldn’t be pleasant, but the time had arrived to face reality.

Stone smiled, leaning forward and planting a light kiss on her forehead. “Thank you.”

Emma nodded, slightly stupefied by his behavior. “How exactly do you plan on bringing Seamus Adams down?”

“I don’t think politically we’ll succeed, but I do believe I can box him into a corner where you’ll no longer be the focus of his concern. I’ll make sure there are more pressing matters within his campaign than a young Irish lass hiding in Wyoming.”

“I see.” But Emma didn’t really. Stone obviously disregarded the depth of the politician’s hatred. It wasn’t something that could easily be distracted, but if he had a plan, then she’d trust in him. After all, River Run would be the next target. It was logical to assume that. He’d do what was right for his investment. “Why do you think Adams would try such a stupid maneuver today?”

Stone frowned and shook his head. “I’ve no clue. Can you remember saying something that might’ve triggered this reaction?”

Emma replayed the few times she’d actually spoken with Seamus Adams and couldn’t remember anything out of the ordinary. “What about Clover?”

“What about Clover?” Stone repeated her words, pressing for more than she wanted to share.

“Maybe he knows my connection and wanted to punish me.” She offered, touching his hand lightly. Stone glanced down, smiled and twined his fingers through hers.

“I have no doubt he knows your connection, but why would it prompt him to attempt murder and ruin his chances of election?”

Emma stared into his face. She couldn’t tell him the truth, not now. Not when he seemed finally to be connecting with her. Never, in her wildest dreams, did it occur to her that her actions abroad could inadvertently affect River Run. If Stone knew the potential risk she’d created for his investment, he’d surely back away.

“I don’t know.” Shrugging, she bent forward and placed her wine on the table. “I’m tired. I think I’d like to sneak to bed before our guests return.”

“I’ll bank the fire and be right there.” He stood, helped her to her feet and gently pushed her in the direction of her rooms. “Emma?”

“Hmmm?”

“Get under the covers tonight.”

Her breath hitched, and she suddenly panicked. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. We’re…”

Stone crossed the space separating them and knuckled her chin. “I’m not asking, I’m commanding. I expect my orders to be followed. But don’t worry, I’ll not cross into enemy territory.”