Page 48 of A Mile of Ocean

“Keep your eyes peeled,” he murmured. “We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Savannah’s grip tightened on her shotgun, the weapon’s weight both reassuring and intimidating. She trusted Trent’s judgment implicitly, knowing that he wouldn’t lead them into danger without a plan. Nevertheless, the uncertainty of the situation gnawed at her, each step a reminder of the peril they faced.

The eastern sky began to lighten, signaling the first light of dawn. She felt those first rays of sunshine touch her skin, bringing warmth and a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

“Time to head back,” Trent said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Savannah nodded, feeling a weariness settle into her bones but also a sense of relief. She had made it through the night. They’d gotten drenched. Their clothes were still damp. Their bodies ached from the relentless cold spent in the saddle. Yet, there was a sense of accomplishment.

The teams converged on the stables, where they regrouped, soaked to the bone but undeterred. As they unsaddled the mares, Brogan and Savannah traded stories and close calls that had turned out to be nothing.

“I felt like a gutsy pioneer woman,” Brogan said softly, “even though our first patrol was pretty boring. Do you suppose Trentput us there for that reason, knowing there wouldn’t be any action?”

“No,” Savannah whispered. “He put you there because Lucien is a good shot, and you guys would be the next line of defense if this lunatic got past Woody and Monty.”

“That’s a scary thought. Did you have a close call?”

“We did. And let me tell you, my throat went dry. I couldn’t form spit at the idea I’d have to use this shotgun.”

“Lucien said we’d practice target shooting today,” Brogan said. “I couldn’t believe I made it through the night without once falling out of the saddle during the hardest downpour. Now, it’s learning to use a gun.”

“Be glad you had a boring first night,” Savannah muttered.

“Oh, believe me, I am. But I did have to pee in the bushes. Twice.”

“Me too.”

“You did great out there,” Trent said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

“Thanks,” Savannah replied, her gaze steady. “I think we all did. Put that first night in the books for us new recruits. Looking forward to tonight,” she lied as she turned her eyes on Brogan.

She waited until Trent’s attention turned to helping Duchess unsaddle Confetti Queen. When he was fully engaged with that, Savannah pivoted toward Brogan, her finger to her mouth. “Not a word out of you.”

“Who me? I wouldn’t dream of ruining whatever’s going on between you two. What we do for love, eh?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“When you willingly spend the night on horseback, peeing in the woods, a shotgun across the saddle, I’d say you’ve shown that you’re more than willing to go above and beyond for this particular guy. You deserve a medal. If I had one, I’d pin it on you right this second.”

Chapter Fourteen

Dolly had set out a buffet-style breakfast in the main dining room. The sideboard was filled with scrambled eggs, country hashed browns, pancakes, sausage and bacon, biscuits and gravy, and hot, strong coffee in a stainless-steel urn.

“Have you been cooking all night?” Trent asked as he leaned down to plant a kiss on the cook’s head while ushering the tired crew into the room, one by one.

“I won’t lie. I got up earlier than usual. But I wasn’t up all night riding in the nasty weather. Unlike all of you, I was glad to get to bed at a decent hour and fall asleep when I did. Now eat. If you run out of anything, let me know. There’s plenty of food.”

“I’ll say,” Savannah noted as she heaped eggs and potatoes onto her plate. “This looks delicious.”

The others filed past the dishes, scooping up everything their plates would hold. Even Birk, Beckett, Lucien, and Brogan stood in line to get a hot meal in their bellies before catching a few hours of sleep.

Trent waited for everyone else to get their food before he went down the buffet line. He sat between Savannah and Tate, avoiding eating at the head of the table.

“We never saw anyone come into our sector,” Lincoln provided, forking up the eggs on his plate. “How does this guy keep disappearing?”

His grandmother set down her coffee mug. “We didn’t run into him either. Toby and I made sure of that by cutting off the northern corridor.”

“We waited there until dawn,” Toby added. “Nobody showed.”

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