Wildfire (18 page)

Devon poked Elaine in the ribs making her laugh again, before silencing her with a long deep kiss.

Devon hated how slow her laptop was with the wireless card, even from the top of the ridge, happily ensconced on Elaine’s couch. Oh well, at least she was still able to access the Internet. She hurried through her work e-mails and let her supervisor know that she was ahead of schedule. She sent in her daily reports and analysis and then turned to her sister’s e-mail.

Hey Sis,

I’m sure Stacey is keeping you updated. I spoke with Phillip today. He said it put his mind at ease that Stacey is so attentive. She is driving me crazy, can’t you talk to her? Your nephew is kicking the hell out of me. I think he may become a soccer player! The doctor keeps saying it will be a couple of weeks. Didn’t he say that a couple of weeks ago? I can’t wait to get his foot out of my ribs! I miss you. Be safe. Come home soon.

I love you,

Raine

Devon smiled as she read her sister’s message. She wished she could be there to feel her nephew kick. She looked across the room at Elaine and was once again torn between her desire to be with her sister and to stay right where she was.

Elaine caught her looking. “Is everything okay?”

Devon smiled reassuringly. “Yes. I just read an e-mail from Raine. She told me about my nephew kicking.” Her smile grew distant and wistful, almost sad. “I miss my sister.”

Elaine’s voice was a bit tighter as she said, “You’ll be able to go home and see her soon.”

After a moment she tore her gaze from Elaine’s redirecting it to her e-mail. She noticed another e-mail from Stacey, but before opening it she typed a quick reply to Raine. She wanted to reassure her that she would be back for the birth of the baby and tell her how much she missed her. Nothing would keep her from being there for her sister and her nephew, even if she was conflicted.

Devon patiently waited for Stacey’s message to open, once again slightly frustrated at the poor connection she had while in the field.

Hey Love,

Took Raine to the doctor again today. The most recent due date seems to be correct. He said that while she still has some time, there is little doubt that she will go into labor sooner than he originally thought. Everything is good here. Your plants look beautiful. We definitely need to talk when you get back. I have something that I need to discuss with you. How are things with the Ranger?

Take care. I love you.

Stacey

Devon frowned as she reread Stacey’s e-mail. She had something that she needed to talk to her about? What on earth could that mean? As her eyes scrolled to the last question she couldn’t help but smile as she hit the reply tab on the open window.

Hey Stace-

I’m writing you from her cabin! Working like a dog, but I now have a standing invite for dinner and a shower and...you fill in the rest. And before you ask, because I know you will, yes, the sex is still amazing. In fact, I have yet to find anything about her that isn’t amazing. I’ll have to tell you more later.

Please don’t make me worry, just tell me what you need to talk to me about.

I love you,

Dev

Devon absentmindedly pulled another mint leaf from her bag as she set her laptop aside. For a moment she was content just to watch Elaine chew on her lip as she studied the book in her hands. Elaine sitting there in her boxers and tank top was much too tempting. Devon’s heart skipped and she had no idea how this woman had such power over her. Before she even realized she was moving, Devon was across the room. Without a word she found Elaine’s hand and gave it a gentle tug. Elaine’s eyes met hers and Devon was helpless to look away as she led them both across the room and to bed.

In the early morning light, Elaine watched as Devon slept. She had spent the last several days searching for signs of the poachers while Devon continued her research. In the evenings, they would each work. Elaine completed her reports while Devon documented her research. When Elaine finished her own work she helped Devon sift through the piles of data that she had collected. Devon was exceedingly pleased and grateful that Elaine was willing and capable of helping her. Once work was done, they would share dinner, a shower and hours of lovemaking.

It had been idyllic. And now it was almost over. Real life was waiting.

In the early light of dawn it was easy for Elaine to imagine waking up with Devon every day. She was beautiful and Elaine loved waking her with gentle kisses and caresses. Thoughts of parting made Elaine’s heart ache and for a while it was easy to think it would all work out somehow, dating when they both went home, being together enough even when new assignments would call them both away for months at a time.

Devon’s departure was imminent—she had maybe three or four days of research left. Elaine could be leaving as early as then provided they found the poachers or no more reports of slaughtered animals came in.

The future was rushing at them. She worried that neither of them could talk about it. It was too much, too soon, too risky—when their time here in this cabin was so very simple. But the bottom line was Elaine couldn’t imagine not seeing Devon again. Something would have to work out.

 “Hey, Elaine, are you there?” A burst of static followed.

Damn!
Elaine jumped out of bed and hurried across the cold floor to the radio.

“Yeah, Brad. Go ahead.”

“Donovan is in the lower basin and heard shots. He could probably use some backup.”

“Tell him I’m on my way.”

Devon shifted and sat on the edge of the bed. She stretched and Elaine tore her gaze from the alluring sight. Shots fired meant no good, least of all for Donovan.

“I should probably be heading out, too.”

Elaine gently pushed Devon back onto the bed. “Please don’t go back to your camp today. This has got to be the poachers and these people are stupid, scared and armed. I need to make sure you will be out of harm’s way.”

“But…”

“Please, Devon?”

Devon wanted to argue but the look in Elaine’s eyes convinced her and she nodded in agreement.

Elaine quickly dressed and motioned toward the radio. “I’ll let you know when I’m on my way back.”

“Be careful.” Devon’s strained gaze strayed to Elaine’s rifle. “Please be careful.”

“I always am.” Elaine gave her a reassuring smile as she strapped on her belt and gun. “Go back to sleep.” Elaine flashed a cocky grin as she grabbed the rifle next to the door and headed out without another word.

It didn’t take Elaine long to reach Donovan, though her bones felt jolted by the pace she’d driven over the snow, slush and mud-choked roads.

“Hey Cap! How was the drive down?”

“Pretty good. What do we have?”

“Bear shot over in the field. It’s definitely a fresh kill.”

“A bear out this early?”

Donovan shrugged, looking as perplexed as she felt.

“Any sign of the shooter?”

“No, it looks like maybe they’ve cleared out.”

“Keep your eyes open. We can’t be too careful.”

Donovan nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Elaine slung her rifle over her shoulder. “Let’s take a look.”

He led her to the bear that had been killed and was left where it had fallen. The sight of the dead animal made her sick. She just couldn’t imagine why someone would shoot this magnificent creature for sport. Many poachers killed the wildlife because they were after the fur or something else the animal had to offer, but these kills seemed pointless. They had taken nothing, skinned nothing; simply killed the innocent animal and moved on.

Judging by the way the bear had fallen they figured the poachers had probably shot from the north tree line. Not wanting to be surprised by the hunters, she and Donovan split up, staying in visual range of each other. Elaine doubted they would still be at the edge of the clearing, but she wasn’t willing to take any chances. They headed toward the trees, thankful the poachers weren’t able to hide their boot prints in the remaining snow.

With the exchange of a look Elaine and Donovan both removed their rifles from their shoulders, carrying them instead barrel down. Elaine motioned for Donovan to stay to the trees and stay alert. They both knew the drill. They had been trained in similar scenarios and this wasn’t the first time either of them had to deal with the real thing.

They were well into the woods when another shot rang out. The sound reverberated around them and Elaine knew the hunters were just ahead of them. She motioned for Donovan to stop moving while she listened. It sounded as though there were two, maybe three men laughing.
Fuck
.

The men continued to laugh and brag about the animal they had taken down. Their boisterous cheering made it easy for the rangers to zero in on them. Between the trees, Elaine could see three men. The first was tall and thin with scraggly blond hair and looked to be in his mid-twenties. The second was short, stout, with gray hair that made him appear older than his counterparts. The third was rather large, easily six feet tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair and seemed more intoxicated than the other two. None of them looked as if they had bathed in weeks.

They took their positions based on the lay of the land. Donovan kneeled in the snow behind a large rock with his rifle cocked and aimed. Elaine took a defensive stance, shielded by a tree; rifle aimed, ready to pull the trigger if necessary.

The three hunters held their rifles loosely. Elaine watched as they stumbled and swayed, each using the other for support. Their speech was slurred and she wondered just how much they had drunk. It was amazing the bear hadn’t gotten them first—and if it had she’d have cheered. They deserved worse. It’s one thing to take down an idiot with a gun, but it was even harder to take down three, especially when they were drunk and their already bad judgment was impaired. The situation was unpredictable at best and could definitely be life threatening.
Fuck me! This isn’t going to be easy. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

She could feel the adrenaline surging through her veins. She quelled the tremor in her arms. This was what practice was all about. She signaled to Donovan before firmly and clearly commanding, “Put your rifles on the ground and place your hands on your heads. Now!”

Two of the men quickly did as she instructed. The large dark-haired man, with flask in hand, swung around and raised his rifle.

It was as if it all happened in slow motion. As he turned, he raised his rifle directly at Elaine. He pulled the trigger just as Donovan fired. Elaine darted behind the tree as she felt bits of bark ricochet off her cheek and she turned her face away from the flying debris.
That was way too close.

Donovan’s shot had only been a flesh wound to the thigh, but it was enough to get the shooter to lay down his gun. Within moments they had all three men on their knees, hands cuffed behind their backs.

As Elaine collected their rifles, Donovan saw blood on Elaine’s sleeve.

“Cap, you okay?” He motioned with his head to her arm. She looked at her arm and was surprised to find a small patch of blood. “Yeah. I didn’t even notice, probably just a scratch.”

The bastard who had taken the shot at her was whimpering about his leg, which was hardly bleeding. She thought about the bear, the deer and all the other animals they had killed and could barely resist the urge to kick him square in his wound. It would have been easier to resist if he hadn’t just shot at her.

Donovan saw her clenched jaw and flashed her a smile. “Wish you’d shot him?”

Elaine grinned. “If I’d shot him, it wouldn’t have been a flesh wound.”

Donovan shrugged. “I didn’t want to have to carry his sorry ass out of here.”

She turned to the younger blond-haired man and asked, “How many animals have you killed?”

The idiot shrugged. “I dunno. Who can remember?”

Elaine turned her attention to the trigger-happy idiot. She wasn’t sure whether the shot he had fired had been deliberate or just the result of being shit-faced drunk, but either way, he’d now have to pay the price. “We definitely have you on two federal counts. Do you think we won’t press charges?”

The bastard slurred, “I know my rights.”

Elaine’s smile was cold. “So you know that you will be tried in a federal court for your actions? This is federal land. And you shot at a federal officer. That would be me.”

The older man looked a bit squeamish. “Fuck, Joe. You didn’t say this was federal land. We were just supposed to be having some fun.”

“Both of you just shut the hell up.”

The younger man spoke up, clearly shaken. “You damn near shot that person over on the river, Joe.”

Elaine’s blood felt like it froze in her veins.
Had they seen Devon? What would they have done if they would have figured out she was a woman? A woman who didn’t carry a gun?

“Shut the fuck up, Roy!”

Elaine looked at Donovan before turning to Joe. She held his eyes and crouched down in front of him. Her voice was low and intense. “Be thankful I wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger. You wouldn’t be walking out of here, but you would be very much alive.” Her eyes burned with anger and her voice lowered to an icy whisper that was meant for his ears only. “I would have left your sorry ass out here covered in fresh blood and let the animals have their way with you.” Elaine’s words were spoken softly but the man quickly pulled away from her, the blood draining from his face.