Page 5 of Grave Consequences

Malachi waited for Cate to precede him on the trail to allow her to set the pace. He didn’t want a repeat performance of the asthma attack she’d suffered on the way up the mountain. Working at the park he’d seen them before. Sometimes they manifested as wheezing. Other times, coughing fits. Most of the time, it had been children and the elderly who experienced them, often triggered by someone burning plastic at a nearby campsite. Occasionally he’d seen exertion or cold air bring them on. He didn’t know much about the condition, but he hadn’t expected to see a strong, capable woman suffer the effects. For some reason, seeing Cate in a vulnerable state made him want to protect her. And the last thing he needed was to form any attachments.

Their relationship was a professional one, but he couldn’t help but notice how her fiery hair refused to stay neatly threaded inside her braids. And even though she wore a bulky Carhartt jacket, she was petite and physically fit beneath it from what he could tell.

She stopped short on the trail, and he almost ran into her. Turning to face him, she placed a finger to her lips and pointed at something in the distance. A buck rubbed his antlers on a sumac. Side by side, they watched the majestic being until it walked off in the opposite direction. “Amazing what you get to see in the woods when you slow down and take note of your surroundings.”

He chuckled, recognizing the dig at his hurried pace on their way in. “When do you head back to your home base?”

“Trying to get rid of me, Ranger Rick?”

“It’s Malachi, as you are fully aware.”

“You need a nickname.”

“Then come up with something more original.”

“I’ll do that.” She tapped her forefinger to her chin. “How about Loyalsock Loner?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “You can do better than that.”

“I’ll work on it.”

“If you’re going to be here for some time, we could get something to eat.” He shrugged.

“You mean like a date?” Her eyes widened.

“Just a bite to eat with a colleague.”

“In that case, I’m in.” She frowned. “I’m staying at my brother’s house while I’m in the area. He’s quite a distance from here. Would you mind an early dinner, so I don’t have to drive all the way back?”

“There aren’t too many places around here, so we could meet closer to your brother’s house if that works for you.”

After a beat of silence, she responded. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“Where does he live?” he asked.

“Benton.”

It wasn’t nearby, but he regularly drove that distance since nothing was in close proximity. “Let’s eat there this time, and next time we’ll pick somewhere in the middle.”

The corner of her mouth twisted in something resembling a smile. “What makes you think there will be a next time?”

“Just a feeling I get.” He winked and continued down the trail. When they reached the park office, he handed her his personal cell phone. “Put your number in it, and I’ll call you when I’m on my way to Benton.”

Chapter Four

Becky adjusted her long woolen skirt as she settled onto the park bench. A park ranger walked some redhead to her car. It might be him, but she couldn’t confirm from the distance.

Coming north had been her suggestion. She hoped to find him, but she’d never expected Reece to agree with her scheme. Plans were being formulated, and she needed to be ready for the worst. She’d outlived her usefulness to the community. The peaceful setting reminded her of her childhood in the Appalachians. Becky stood and stretched. It wasn’t far back to the cabin, but she’d take her time returning there. A white-tailed deer meandered at the edge of the creek. A flash of red caught her eye, and she followed it to a nearby tree where a pair of cardinals landed. If only she possessed the same freedom to flit about. Despite the winter chill hovering just below freezing, these mountains bustled with wildlife.

A man with a backpack slung over his shoulder and a walking stick in his right hand exited a nearby trail onto the dirt road. Something about him reminded her of Benjamin. She shut her eyes against the memories of Ben lying in a shallow grave, his eyes wide open in horror as shovelfuls of dirt covered him. If Reece had known she lurked in the shadows, watching, he might’ve shot her, too. It was impossible to be sure, and she didn’t plan to tell him what she’d observed. Better to stay invisible. Under the radar.

The man gave a nod, acknowledging her presence, and she smiled in greeting. Her smile was fake. Plastic. It described her well. A sigh escaped as she approached the bend leading back to the cabin.

Dorcas stood at the fire ring stirring a pot of chili over the campfire. The wretch hummed to herself. Always pleasant. Never fake. Delusional. A true believer. In her eyes, Reece could do no wrong. Once upon a time, Becky felt the same way about Ezekiel. Truth be told, she still did.

Becky’s lip curled as she stared at the younger woman. Once upon a time, she’d been just like her. Life had a way of stealing a person’s idealism.

Cate’s eyes widened, and she stared at her brother who stood in front of the huge fireplace in his living room.

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