Page 17 of Freedom to Love

“I’ll call soon,” Brynn said and ended the call as Holly was replying, asking her again to come home. She climbed down the rocks and whistled for Gunner, who followed happily. They walked the near hour back to the cabin and saw no one and no recent tire prints. Brynn relaxed a little and stopped at the creek where she stripped and waded in, the cold water taking her breath. She walked to just above her knees and splashed the water up on her arms, shoulders, and face. Then she sat, bent back, and dunked her head. When she came up, she shouted from the cold running down her back and opened her eyes to Gunner barking, crossing the creek himself. She watched him climb out and run playfully. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, he stopped, ears pointed, and barked back across the creek. Quickly, she stood and looked around, hurrying from the water.

“What is it? Who’s there?”

Someone stepped out from behind a tree, and Brynn screamed and knelt for a heavy rock. She charged and was about to throw it when the figure stepped out of the shade and into the sunlight.

Vander held up her hand, her other arm in a sling. She was thinner and pale but with red coloring her high cheekbones. Brynn stared her down, rock in hand, chest heaving with panic.

She looked around and felt like prey surrounded by predators. “You alone?” Brynn asked.

Vander nodded and shifted her gaze after sweeping up and down Brynn’s nude body.

Brynn dropped the rock and pointed a finger at her.

“You scared the absolute shit out of me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how else to approach.” She continued to look away. She had a backpack slung over her good shoulder, and she was dressed in cargo shorts, a light T-shirt, and hiking boots. By the look of the dirt caking her socks, it looked like she’d been walking awhile.

Brynn honed in on a stain, a dark red plume above her sling near her shoulder.

“You’re bleeding.”

Vander shifted and gave her a quick glance. “I know.”

“Bullet wound?” Brynn turned and found her clothes, then scrambled to pull them on over her wet skin. She could feel her own face reddening from the exposure, and Vander’s reaction hadn’t helped. Why was she so afraid to look anywhere near her?

“Yes. I think I need to change the dressing.”

From across the creek, Gunner barked and rushed into the water, swimming across and scrambling for footing in the mud. He rushed Vander and jumped on her, nearly knocking her down.

Vander laughed, stumbling backward. “Whoa, boy.” She knelt and showered him with as much affection as she could with one hand. Gunner returned the love, licking her face and neck, whining with excitement. Vander continued laughing, now kissing him on his snout and hugging his neck. “I can’t believe how much I’ve missed this guy,” she said.

Brynn tugged on her shirt, very much aware that the cotton material was sticking to her breasts. She plucked it a few times trying to get some air in there, but it was no use. Instead she ran fingers through her wet hair. “He’s been great. A really good dog.” She wiped her hands on her pants and Vander stood, looking weak. She leaned on a walking stick.

“Are you okay?” Brynn asked. “You don’t look so good.”

Vander wiped her brow with a bandana, then slipped it back into her pocket. “Thanks for taking care of him,” she said, a little short of breath. She took a few steps and then looked like she was going to go down. Brynn rushed to her side, steadying her.

“You’re far from okay.” She turned her and led her toward the cabin. This Vander was far from the one she’d always seen around town. The Vander she was used to was tall, strong, confident, and walked like she could kick some serious ass. The cop walk. This Vander was pale, trembling, and about to pass out. “You shouldn’t be up here,” Brynn said. “Especially not on your own.”

“Yeah, well, my friends wouldn’t exactly want to approach you in a friendly manner.”

Brynn led her up the steps and the old boards creaked. “Probably not,” she said. “They think we’re involved don’t they? With those guys that shot at you.”

“They have questions, yes.”

Brynn opened the screen door and they entered quietly. She eased Vander onto the couch and then went to the kitchen and dug in the cooler for a bottled water. She twisted it open and gave it to Vander who thanked her and drank heartily. She set the bottle down and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

“I didn’t realize how thirsty I was.” But she still trembled, and despite trying to smile and hide her shaking hand, Brynn saw.

“One of two things need to happen here. One, you take off your gear, lie back, and let me help, or two, we get to your car and I drive you back to town and get you some help. For number two to happen you need to promise me some sort of protection. I don’t want to go back to prison.”

“I can’t promise you anything. You know that.”

“So I have to hide forever?”

Vander shook her head. “Just come in and talk. I’ve told them my side. Told them you saved me. The rest…be honest. Tell them what happened.” She paused and eased the pack off her shoulder with a wince. “Bea isn’t involved is she? With those guys?”

Brynn felt anger rise. “No, of course not. She was just picking me up from prison. I mean I literally had just been released. Your high-speed chase got in our way. And when I saw what was happening, what was I supposed to do? Turn around and drive off? Leave you for dead?”

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