Page 17 of Shephard

“So what are you suggesting, oh, big brother?” Jagger was just as angry and defiant as always.

I had no clue what I was suggesting. I couldn’t stomach the thought of being forced to work in a situation where I’d need to interact with people. However, I also didn’t savor the concept of the place going to some unknown purchaser, maybe dismantled. “Jobs were saved. Others were created.”

“You care?” Hunter seemed surprised.

“Shit, I don’t know. What I do know is the resort is doing well. Lots of money to be made.”

Jagger shook his head. “So we take it for a year and run with the money.”

“Something like that.”

Callous and cold, but at least it would get us off the hook.

Hunter stopped pacing and moved closer. “Look. Pops is an asshole, but he’s right. I have my third dead-end job of the year and I’m not proud of selling used cars to people who couldn’t care less. I just… I’ve wanted to find passion again, but I just… can’t.”

“You wanted to free yourself of guilt,” Jagger challenged.

“Enough. Both of you. This is important to our mother. I couldn’t care less about what Pops wants, but I do care about her. She’s suffering like she has her entire life.”

“True.” Hunter was half whispering. “I can handle a year. After that, who the fuck knows.”

“Or cares.” Jagger took a huge gulp of his drink.

“We do this together or it’s not going to work,” I told them. “Decide.”

The quiet between us was just as tense as always. “Fine,” Hunter said with more conviction.

I nodded, turning my attention to Jagger. The wild card. I wanted to hate him, but I’d always admired the man. He never seemed to let the kills, the high numbers of lives lost bother him. I envied that. It had become tough to close my eyes without seeing their faces.

What did that say about a tough Marine with a penchant for killing?

“I’ll do it, but I won’t be happy about it.” With that, Jagger stormed toward the house.

Maybe this was the wrong decision, but what did we really have to lose?

CHAPTER 6

Denise

The tourists were out in full force, the chilly late October weather providing them with a stunning backdrop of leaves in vivid color and the hint of snow with frost on their breaths. This was the hiking mega season, which included folks who had no business climbing up a mountain. Or a gentle slope for that matter.

In the two days since my return, the other park ranger currently on duty and I had rescued a party of four and two individual hikers. Two had been in real peril and they’d both laughed about their predicament.

Stupid assholes.

I was bone tired and eager for a quiet night with a good book and a tall glass of wine in my hands. Pepper finished her dinner and huffed as she looked at me. She could tell I was off. I had been since the night spent with a sexy stranger. It hadn’t been my typical behavior. Regret? Not really, but I was questioning my motives.

I’d sworn off men, yet I’d fantasized about him more than once. Maybe I needed a soul cleansing.

I was about to sit down when my phone rang. Nope. I wasn’t going to answer it. This was my private time and no one was going to interfere.

The ring stopped after five and I shook my head. I still got my share of scammers. I’d chalked it up to that.

After placing the wine on the table, I glanced at the roaring fire. At least I had enough wood for the season. I’d be damned if the phone didn’t ring again. What the hell? I was bound by the regulations of the park rangers and by honor to be on duty twenty-four hours a day. Usually, very little happened after dusk. Thankfully. But there were always incidents lurking in the shadows.

With no other choice, I grabbed my phone from the table, eyeing my boss’ number. Shit. “Greg. Is there an issue?” Greg Young was highly experienced having worked for two other park ranger services. He was getting up there in age, but that certainly didn’t diminish his skills or his reputation.

Sadly, one mistake and he’d been relegated to this particular post. I’d chosen the location on purpose. He hadn’t.

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