Page 20 of SEAL of Fate

He dropped his pack and surveyed the area. At Jordan’s startled gasp, he spun around. She was behind him, facing a stand of willow trees about sixty feet away. Scarcely discernable in the fading light, a black bear meandered through a slight dip in the ground. The bear shoved its nose toward the ground as it moved along, and water dripped from its muzzle when it raised its head.

They’d found Badger Creek.

“Thank you, Mr. Bear.” The animal slogged through the stream and lumbered up the opposite bank. Jordan released her breath, but she didn’t move away from him.Nice to know she appreciates me for something.

Unhooking the canteen from his belt, Travis made his way to the water’s edge. When he returned a few minutes later, Jordan stood in the same spot, nervously studying the trees beyond the creek.

“It’s gone.” He handed her the canteen. “We’ll stay here tonight.” Apprehension furrowed her brow. “I’ll start a fire to keep the animals away, so we’ll need some dry wood.”Shit.He hadn’t intended to start a fire that might attract unwanted attention, but if it would reassure her, maybe she’d relax.

Jordan nodded, handed back the canteen, and began gathering broken limbs, baked white by the sun. He couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her head. Admiration for how she’d handled the duress was messing with his good judgment. She’d kept up with him all day, rested when he did, ate and drank when offered food and water. Not once had she complained. Her toughness had exceeded his expectations, and he hadn’t given her enough credit. Also, she was finally talking to him, but he had more work ahead to earn her trust.

Taking up a nearby broken branch, he began scooping a shallow firepit. It was unlikely Brody would spot their campfire in all these acres of trees, and besides, hunters camping for the weekend would have fires burning too. He would keep the blaze small and burn only dry, seasoned wood to be safe.

Jordan returned with an armload of wood, which she dumped a few feet from the firepit and left to forage more. She favored one of her wrists, but it didn’t seem to slow her down. After the next load, she helped him haul rocks to line the pit. When the job was done to Travis’s satisfaction, he started a small fire while Jordan collapsed on the ground near the sputtering flames.

He produced more dried meat, some cheese, and two apples from his pack and thrust half of the food toward her. “I’m afraid the apples are bruised by now.”

She shook her head. “I’m too tired to eat.”

“Me too, but we’ll need our strength for tomorrow’s hike.” He set the food in her hands, and they ate in silence.

The chill in the air seeped through Travis’s clothing, despite the snapping of the flames. Removing his jacket and vest, he laid them on the ground. Gathering the remaining food, he wrapped it in the vest and hung it from a tree near the creek with a short piece of rope he carried in his pack. As he strode back to the fire, he pulled his gun from its shoulder harness, checked the chamber, and confirmed the safety was on before placing it inside a fold of his coat. He took two plastic-wrapped bundles from his pack, opened them, and shook out the crinkly, silver emergency blankets. It would have been smart to bring sleeping bags, but his plans had changed too quickly, and he’d had to go with what he’d packed. He and Jordan would have to sleep on one of the blankets to keep out the ground moisture and pull the other over them to trap their body heat. He spread them both on the ground and folded his coat for a pillow, placing it at one end.

After doing what he could to make their sleeping arrangements comfortable, he threw a large log on the fire. “We’ll have to snuggle, but we won’t freeze to death.”

Jordan stood abruptly and gazed into the darkness. “I’m going...for a walk.”

“I’ll go with you.” She still seemed apprehensive about the bear, so he’d tag along. He wasn’t worried about her taking off on her own. She’d been lost, alone, and scared for hours before Brody picked her up. No one would want to repeat that scenario.

“No.” She shook her head. “I...uh...need to go alone.”

“Ah, I get it. Don’t go far. Keep the campfire in sight.” Travis should have guessed she needed to relieve herself. It was only natural for her to want privacy, but something still felt off about letting her go alone.

How can I expect her to trust me if I don’t allow her that same courtesy?

If she’s learned nothing else from her ordeal, she’s learned not to wander off. She’ll be back, soaking up the campfire's heat in short order.

Noting her course, he watched her walk away until the blackness beyond the firelight swallowed her up.

At three minutes, he stood. At four, he started pacing.Where the hell is she?He should have gone with her. She’d proven her sense of direction needed work. If she hadn’t gotten lost yesterday, she wouldn’t be here, complicating his life.

At five minutes, he wanted to kick himself. Despite Jordan’s cooperation and somewhat amiable mood since he’d confided Alex’s plan, she still didn’t believe him. He’d known that. He’d kept track of her all day but relied on darkness and the bear sighting to discourage her wandering tonight. He’d thought he could at least count on that much. Hell, he’dwantedto trust her.Shit!He was a damn fool.

Travis slid his gun back into its holster and slammed his arms into his jacket. His gaze landed on the emergency blankets he’d laid out nearby. A groan rumbled free. Did I really say ‘we’ll have to snuggle’ out loud to a woman who thinks I kidnapped her for God only knows what? What the hell was I thinking?And before that, he’d lost his temper in the tent and saiddo exactly what I say if you want to stay alive.

It wasn’t embarrassment that had made her words stutter. She was afraid of him. And,damn it to hell,she’d bolted into the darkness of the mountains where she had no hope of finding her way. Guilt and remorse sliced through him.

He quickly covered the distance to the creek, anger at his stupidity growing with each step. Why hadn’t he paid attention to his inner voice warning him something wasn’t quite right? He should have communicated. Hell, he should have done a lot of things differently. He had to find her—she could die out there. If she found her way by some miracle, Alex would still make sure she couldn’t place him at the training camp.

He stopped at the edge of the stream. There was no sign to indicate she’d passed this way. Jordan could have gone any direction, even doubled back. He stood still, tuning into the sounds of the night. The snap of a twig in the stillness of the forest gave him a place to start. He leaped the narrow stream, moving in the direction of the sound as fast as the terrain would allow, heedless of the noise he made. Apparently, she heard him and started to run because she was making it easy to follow her now, stumbling and crashing through the brush. Abruptly, the sounds ceased. Travis slowed, concentrating on treading silently. When he tried, he could move like a ghost, a by-product of fifteen years of constant SEAL training.

It was dark within the trees, the moon coming and going with the clouds’ cover. A glint of something shiny drew his attention, and he saw her, standing still, her back to a tree. He’d have passed by none the wiser if the gun she held in both hands hadn’t reflected a tiny bit of light as she raised her arm. Where had she gotten the weapon? And why hadn’t she used it before now? Evidently, she’d taken more than food from Brody’s tent.

Slowly, he raised his hands, palms open. “I’m not going to hurt you, Jordan. That’s not who I am. Let’s talk. Then, if you still want to take off, I’ll point you in the right direction. Just put the gun down first.”

“Not on your life.” There was no tremble in her voice now.

“I can get you out of here and somewhere safe. I’m working with the FBI.”

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