Page 4 of Rough Hands on the Prairie
“Dammit,” she mutters.
She’s got a mouth on her, that’s for sure. Not many women speak like that, especially not to a stranger. But then again, not many women strip down naked and swim in a mountain river, either.
“You got a place nearby?” she asks, lifting her chin like she expects me to answer. “I need to call my insurance company. Maybe they can send someone?—”
“I’ve got a cabin,” I say slowly. “Not far.”
I don’t mention how unsure I am about letting her inside. She’s clearly… off. At least, confused. And the last thing I need is more confusion in my life.
But I don’t move.
She scrambles up the bank, slips on a rock, curses. Blood streaks her heel.
“How far?” she asks, breathless.
“Half a mile.”
“Can you take me?”
I hesitate. I could say no. Should, probably.
But I wasn’t raised to leave a hurt woman alone in the woods.
“Sure,” I say, and offer her my hand. “Let me help?—”
“I can manage,” she snaps.
Stubborn, through and through.
She makes her slow, limping climb up the rocks. I watch, quiet, as she finally reaches me—panting, flushed, and glaring.
Her gaze sweeps the ridge. Her brows furrow. “Where’d the trail go? I was just on it before… Did I come up the wrong side or something?”
She looks around like the forest might rearrange itself for her.
Her voice trembles.
For all her fire, she’s shaken.
“I’ll walk you to my cabin,” I offer again. “I’ve got clothes.”
She whips around. “Is this your plan? Steal my stuff, leave me stranded, then drag me to your place like I don’t have a choice?”
I dip my head, voice low. “Ma’am, the first time I saw you was the first time you saw me.”
She pauses, clearly weighing her options. Not many.
“I’m not falling for it,” she mutters. “I’ll wait here until someone else comes by?—”
A low rumble of thunder cuts her off. She spins toward it, eyes wide.
Storm’s coming. Fast.
Half the reason I checked my traps early.
“Fine,” she says, crossing her arms. “Let’s go. I need to call someone.”
I don’t ask who. Or what a “call” means. I just slide my rifle to my back and start walking.
