Page 6 of Ranger Bravery

They exited the forest onto an asphalt parking lot. A country lane weaved its way through the woods toward the highway. Piper slapped a mosquito on her neck. She would need to bathe in calamine lotion tonight. “This parking lot isn’t used often. No cameras.” She gestured to the rusted sedan under a lone spotlight. “That’s registered to Elena. Derek will have it towed and searched, but it’s likely the killer came in his own vehicle.”

The hair on the back of Piper’s neck stood on end. She turned, peering into the woods. Shadows shifted in the trees as a cloud passed over the moon.

Jackson joined her. “What is it?”

“I don’t know.” Goosebumps peddled her skin. An owl hooted somewhere in the trees. Piper had the sense they were being watched, but… was she imagining it?

She scanned the tree line again.

Nothing stirred.

Then Moxie tugged on his leash. The scruff on his neck grew larger and he growled.

Unease roiled Piper’s insides. She instinctively reached for her handgun. “I think someone’s out there.”

FOUR

Jackson immediately took a protective stance in front of Piper. His hand snapped to the weapon at his hip, even as his gaze scanned the tree line. Moonlight painted the leaves silver and illuminated the empty parking lot, but deeper in the woods, it was pitch black.

Moxie growled again. The Labrador clearly sensed a threat. A person? Or an animal? Jackson held his breath, straining to listen for any unusual sound. Wind rippled through the leaves. If something was out there in the woods, it wasn’t moving. Goosebumps pebbled across Jackson’s skin. He didn’t like this. Not one bit.

“Piper, call or text for backup.” Jackson kept his voice pitched low.

“It could be an animal.” Piper matched his whisper. She pulled her cell from her bag. “Moxie isn’t a guard dog.”

“Regardless, we’ll need a lift back to our vehicles.” He had no intention of trekking back through the woods. Not with a potential killer nearby. Even with backup, it would be impossible to clear the area entirely. That would take a team of men and search dogs. They didn’t have the resources for that.

“Backup is on the way.” Piper clicked her phone off.

A rumble came from Moxie’s chest. This was deep and followed by a sharp bark. She held his leash tightly. “He’s never acted like this before.”

Whatever was in the woods was upsetting the dog, and that was good enough for Jackson. It was better to be safe than sorry. Right now, they were too exposed. He kept his gaze locked on the surrounding area but took Piper’s elbow with his left hand. He gently tugged her backward into the protection of a large oak tree near the entrance of the parking lot. It was little help if the person in the woods had night vision goggles. He prayed that wasn’t the case.

Jackson’s heart beat against his rib cage. Was someone out there? Elena’s killer? If so, what was he hoping to accomplish by lurking in the woods? His thoughts ping-ponged even as he kept his gaze scanning the area. There was only one reasonable explanation. Elena’s killer was worried that Piper had seen something tonight. Perhaps he was hoping to catch her alone in order to remove the only potential witness.

He wouldn’t succeed. Jackson would defend Piper with his life. The ranger badge pinned to his chest demanded he protect the innocent. Even if it didn’t… this was Piper.

He glanced at the woman by his side. Her face was hidden in shadows, but her posture was rigid. Like him, she held her handgun in one hand, ready to use it should the need arise. Piper was a trained law enforcement officer. She could protect herself, yet neither logic nor reason did anything to stop this intense urge to shield her from harm.

It’d always been like that. His need to protect, her need for independence. They’d never been able to find the right balance. Piper was tougher than anyone he’d ever met, but every once in a while, he’d glimpsed her vulnerability. She felt deeply even if she didn’t show it. Over time, and with trust, Jackson thought he’d break through her hard shell and finally she’d fully let him in. He’d wanted Piper to rely on him to be her safe shelter. Turn to him in times of need and pain.

He’d wanted to take care of her.

She’d wanted to be free.

The rumble of an engine drew closer moments before a Rock Fort Sheriff’s Department SUV entered the lot, followed by two more patrol cars. Jackson breathed a sigh of relief but didn’t slip from the protective cover of the large oak tree. Instead, he called Derek over to them and explained the situation. “It may be nothing, but I didn’t think it wise to take the chance.”

“Smart move.” Derek frowned, his gaze darting toward Piper before settling back on Jackson. Without being told, he’d already come to the same conclusion Jackson had earlier—that the killer might be targeting Piper. “We’ll search the area. In the meantime, use my SUV to take Piper home.”

“That’s unnecessary.” Piper holstered her weapon. “I can stay and help?—”

“No. It’s been a long night. An emotional one.” Derek tossed his keys toward Jackson. “Go home, Piper. Get some rest and we’ll talk again in the morning. That’s an order.”

She looked perturbed to be sent home but was wise enough not to argue with her boss. “My truck?”

“It’s trapped behind a dozen vehicles. I’ll have a deputy bring it to your house once the crime scene clears out.” Derek patted Moxie on the head and then nodded toward Jackson. There was a silent message in that small gesture. An order to make sure Piper got home safely and everything was okay before he headed back to the scene.

Jackson didn’t need the order, but he was glad Piper had someone who was watching out for her best interests. He also appreciated that Derek said nothing about his suspicions. There was no need to scare Piper unnecessarily. They didn’t know if there was even a person in the woods. Not yet.

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