Page 34 of SEAL by Fate

“Fine. Hopefully you go home.”

About to turn and head back to the cabin, he saw a contrast in the snow. Lola bounced up, her tongue hanging out the side of her chops and her ears perked.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked in frustration.

The dog stood at Gray’s feet, lowering her head slightly as if asking for forgiveness.

“What was it, girl?”

She lifted her head, her ears erect, and she whimpered. He had a feeling Lola caught the scent of someone.

Gray looked as far as the eye could see. Whomever had been in the woods was long gone. It was in his blood to be suspicious of anything out of the norm, but the prints could easily have been Lola’s owner, possibly looking for her. But if that were the case, why didn’t the person come up to the door? It didn’t make sense.

“Come on, girl.” He scratched her head. “I don’t know about you, but I’m cold. Just so we’re clear, if your owner doesn’t come soon, Stormy will want to keep you.” Lola barked. Gray laughed. “Yeah, I’d want her to keep me too.”

He didn’t want to leave Stormy alone too long, especially now that Gray wasn’t sure who was sneaking around. Although it didn’t seem possible, what if Phantom had been close?

His chest tightened.

A lot didn’t add up.

He hurried back to the cabin and once inside, he yelled for Stormy but he didn’t get an answer. “Stormy?”

“I’m here.” She stepped from the hallway looking like a gift from the gods with her long hair hanging in soft ringlets over her shoulders. The pretty blue of her shirt caught the color of her eyes and the shorts exposed her nice, toned legs.

The view made him momentarily forget that he’d found tracks in the snow.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You look like you’re upset.”

“No, but I did find footprints in the woods.”

“What?”

His adrenaline was starting to slow, but now that he knew someone had been watching, he would need to be on his toes. “Lola took off into the woods and I followed her. There were fresh tracks.”

She crossed the space and laid her fingers on his arm. “You wouldn’t be telling me this unless you had a reason. Do you think it’s Duncan?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see any reason to believe it was him.” And yet he didn’t see any reason not to think it was her ex. He met her glassy eyes with understanding.

“He could have been watching the cabin?” She crossed her arms over her chest and worked her lip.

“Stormy? We’ve danced around the subject, but I have to ask and need the truth. Are you afraid of your ex?” Although she hadn’t said anything that would lead him to believe she was scared, looking at her now, how worried lines appeared around her eyes, made him wonder.

“No.”

He watched her closely, not exactly believing her, but not wanting to pressure her. “Okay.”

“What if it’s the man you’re after?” She narrowed her eyes. “Is he dangerous?”

Gray blew out a long breath. “Yeah, but he doesn’t know I’m here. That ex of yours must have a good idea that you’re close. It’s pretty obvious with your car stuck in a snow drift.” He zipped up his jacket and grabbed the snow boots. “There’s only one way to find out.”

“What do you mean? Where are you going?”

He grabbed his gun from the closet and pushed it into the back of his waist and strolled to the door. “I’m going to explore the area where I saw the tracks. I’m curious to say the least.”

“You’re leaving me alone?”

“Lola is here with you. She’ll protect you, won’t you, girl.”

The dog perked her ears up from where she lay in front of the fireplace.

“This isn’t safe.” There was a tremble to her voice.

“Sweetheart, this is my job. I understand the rules of safety and the first rule, it’s better to be the hunter than the hunted. If you and I are stuck here for another night or two, I need to know what’s out there and if there’s any risk.”

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