Alaska Twilight Part 14

"I think I have all I need," Vonnie said. "I'll leave you and get back to town."

Her noncommittal remarks left Tank uneasy.

The old truck struck a pothole and went airborne. Haley clung to the door handle with both hands. The wind blew in through her open window and s.n.a.t.c.hed away the gasp that escaped her lips. Tightly packed spruce trees crowded against the side of the truck as the forest thickened.

"What are you going to say to him?" she shouted over the sound of the wind.

Tank slowed to miss a moose that meandered onto the side of the road. It lifted its ma.s.sive head and stared at them, as if asking what right they had to disrupt him. This place was like Jellystone with Ranger Smith and all the animals.

Tank pulled the truck off the road and got out. "The dig is just over the hill. Let's walk from here. I want to watch him when he doesn't know we're here."

"You still haven't told me what you're going to say. We can't just waltz in there and ask him if he's stealing artifacts and selling them." She opened her door and hopped out with her walking stick.

"If he is, I'd like to find out who he's working with. He has to have a partner. He isn't gone from the dig enough to be handling the sale by himself, and Joy never noticed anyone else hanging around the site."

"I didn't think about that. He's not likely to tell us anything."

"That's why I want to watch him." He took her arm and helped her walk along the trail. "You're limping more."

"This prosthesis isn't as good on rough ground." Warmth rushed up her neck. They reached the top of the hill and looked down onto the dig. Nothing moved below. Even the wind was still. "I'm not sure he's here."

"Perfect. We can look around a little." Tank took her hand and helped her down the steep slope.

His big hand completely covered her small one. The warmth radiated up her arm and touched her heart in ways she wasn't sure how to deal with. At the bottom of the hill, he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow in a curiously courtly gesture that she found pleasant. She didn't think men like Tank La.s.siter existed anymore. Maybe Alaska was a throwback in more ways than one.

"I'll check the tent," Tank said in a low voice. He ducked inside, then stepped back out, shaking his head. "Just artifacts inside. Some are boxed like they're being taken out. No address though."

"Let's find a spot to wait and watch," she suggested.

"There's a cave over there," Tank said, pointing.

Haley was shaking her head before he even finished talking. "No, no, I'm not going in there." Her vision wavered, and she thought she might need to sit down and put her head between her knees. Her chest constricted.

"Easy," Tank said. "Are you having a panic attack?"

She nodded, but couldn't squeeze any words out of her tight chest. He grabbed a camp chair and pulled it to her, then forced her down into it. Haley tried to drag another breath through her lungs but felt like she was trying to breathe through a straw. She wanted to run from this place and never look back.

"Is it the cave that's causing this?" Tank's mouth was next to her ear.

She nodded and leaned forward to put her head between her legs. Her vision began to clear, the pinpoints of darkness fading. Don't look at the cave. She turned her head, but her panic came rushing back. She stumbled to her feet. "I have to get out of here!"

Tank grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. He smoothed her curls with his big, rough hand. "Shh, it's okay. You're safe. We're not going anywhere near the cave. You're not trapped. There's plenty of air." His voice was a soothing rumble through his chest under her ear.

She clutched him, and her panic ebbed again. In his arms, she felt as though nothing could touch her, no wave of fear or destruction could swamp her. The clean scent of soap and the fresh aroma of fabric softener from his shirt wafted up her nose like the best aromatherapy. If she could bottle it, she would make her fortune in Phoenix, where she could ease the stress of living.

Tank's caress on her hair and back changed in quality. The tightness that spread through her chest then had nothing to do with panic. She lifted her head and looked up. Big mistake. She was lost looking into the dark, fathomless depths of his eyes. His lips parted, and then he bent his head.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She stepped back. "I think I'm okay now." She felt curiously bereft when his hands fell away. She wanted to defuse the romantic tension between them, didn't she? Her gaze lingered on his lips, and his eyes darkened again. She tore her gaze away and swallowed. A sound distracted her.

"I think someone is coming." Tank glanced around, then took her hand and tugged her toward a thick patch of fireweed. He pushed her down, then flung himself beside her on his stomach. "Keep your head down."

That would be easy to do. She needed to recover from the effects of nearly being kissed by a man she found too attractive for her peace of mind. Peeking up over the fireweed, she saw Ned approaching the dig. He looked around in a furtive manner, then stepped inside the tent. He exited a few minutes later with a box in his arms.

"That's the box I saw. It's full of artifacts," Tank whispered in her ear.

His muscular arm lay over her back. Haley had a crazy impulse to snuggle against him. What had gotten into her? She'd always run the other way whenever an attractive man showed interest in her. Now she was not only hanging around but encouraging him. It had to stop. She shifted slightly, but he didn't take his arm away.

"I'm going to follow him. Wait here." He left her. Crouching, he skulked through the site and trailed after Ned.

The bugs and mosquitoes were beginning to swarm. She'd forgotten her deet. Getting to her feet, she waved at the insects then hurried after Tank. She caught up with him behind the tent.

"I told you to stay put," he whispered.

"I don't think he's dangerous," she mouthed back. Peering around the corner of the tent, she watched Ned toss the box into the back of his SUV, then get inside and drive off. "He's selling artifacts. We're too far away to follow him in your truck."

"This time. I'll tell Chet about it. Maybe he can do some sleuthing."

Tank seemed to have resumed his impersonal manner. Maybe she'd imagined the pa.s.sion she saw in his face, but there had been no mistaking her own. She needed to keep her heart as far away from Tank La.s.siter as she could.

Fifteen.

Tank decided he'd been out in the wilderness too long. That was the only explanation for his overwhelming attraction to a city girl like Haley Walsh. She wasn't his type at all. He liked blondes; she was a fiery redhead. Tall, willowy figures caught his eye, but she was the round, squeezable type. Sitting in front of a fire with popcorn was his idea of a good time, but he couldn't imagine Haley content with anything less than a fine dinner and a movie. He must have been off his rocker to have even been tempted to kiss her. From now on, he was going to keep his distance.

He found Chet in The Trappers Store. The place always reeked with the pungent odor of skins, kerosene, and taxidermy chemicals. Steel traps hung from nails that had been pounded high on the wooden walls and ceiling. Guns lined several racks behind the counter, and camping gear lined narrow walkways around and through the conglomeration of pots, tents, and heaters.

Chet pocketed the ammunition he'd just purchased and moved to join Tank at the door. "You look about as happy as a wolf cub dropped in the middle of Cook Inlet. What's eating you?"

"I've been following up on Joy's claim that Ned Bundle might be selling off artifacts. You ever check that out?"

Chet pushed open the screen door, waved away the flies that made a beeline for his head, and strode outside. Tank followed. "Be careful spouting off that nonsense. That's how you get rumors started."

"Are you so sure it's nonsense? Haley and I scoped out the dig today. We saw him haul out a box of artifacts." He hurried to match his stride to Chet's. The trooper stopped, and Tank nearly mowed him down. "Anyway, about the Walshes-Haley and I sent off a test for accelerants on the ashes of the cabin.We'll have that back in a few days."

Chet frowned. "Why didn't you tell me? It looks bad to go behind my back like that."

"It's Haley's right as next of kin to check it out."

"She should work through the local law enforcement. My job is on the line here, especially with Bixby breathing down my neck."

"We'll try not to stir up anything. But she wants to know what happened."

Chet frowned. "I guess that's okay, so long as you keep me in the loop. What about Ned and those artifacts? For all we know he was sending them out to a museum."

"Maybe. But Joy is certain of what she saw. Did you ever check it out?"

"I asked him about the allegation. But he laughed it off, and I had no proof. I couldn't find any evidence that he spends more money than he makes. No unsavory types have been hanging out around town."

"Other than the usual ones, you mean?" Tank grinned.

"Other than those," Chet agreed, matching Tank's smile. "Let me handle this, Tank. You've got enough on your plate with Marley's custody suit."

"I don't think that's going to be a problem." Tank told his father-in-law about the home study. "I think it went well."

"That's good news, but I'm worried about Marley's state of mind. I'm not sure she might not try something desperate when she hears this."

"Desperate how?"

Chet chewed his lip. "No telling. But she keeps talking about Leigh as though she's still alive. I wish her mother were alive. Marley always listened to her. I've tried to get her to a doctor, but she won't go."

"I picked up a little on her Leigh obsession when I talked to her."

"I'd keep close tabs on Brooke," Chet advised.

"I intend to do just that," Tank said grimly.

Tank had barely said two words to her since their foray into Ned's domain four days ago. Haley's tension grew as they trekked back into the woods. Kipp wasn't willing to stay in town any longer. He must think the bears would disappear if he actually enjoyed a real bed for a few days. The chilly recesses of the forest on each side of her didn't help her disgruntled mood. She wanted civilization and a soft bed, not a sleeping bag on the hard ground.

The group formed a line that marched along the narrow trail. Tank was in the lead, followed by Kipp and Erika. Denny lagged about five feet back with Cary. Haley had talked Augusta into staying in town with Joy and working out the details of Joy's custody transfer. Haley tried to keep up, though she was almost last. Only Libby and Brooke were behind her.

A small hand crept into hers, and she looked down to see Brooke smiling up at her. Her irritation faded. "Hey, sweetheart, are you doing okay?" Libby had pleaded to be allowed to come along for a few days of camping, and Tank had agreed as long as she and Brooke stayed in camp when the rest went to watch the bears.

Brooke nodded. "Daddy said I could ride piggyback if I wanted. Sometimes I ride on his back and pretend he's Aslan and I'm Lucy. Riding across Narnia on Aslan's back in the spring might be just like this. Have you started the book yet?"

"No, I haven't. I need to do that." Brooke's imagination stirred Haley's faint memories of the story. Aslan was supposed to be Jesus, wasn't he? She couldn't remember. Brooke was the most amazingly precocious child, probably because Libby spent so much time with her.

Libby jogged to catch up with them, though the narrow track was barely wide enough to walk two abreast. "I'm ready for a break," she panted. She wiped her forehead and left streaks of dirt across it. "You're limping a little. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm a little tired," Haley admitted. "Your brother keeps a grueling pace."

"I'll ask him to let us take a breather." Libby grinned. "Don't worry, I'll tell him that me and Brooke need it." She jogged to the front of the line and spoke to Tank. He glanced back down the line of hikers, then nodded.

"We'll stop here for a break," he said. He dropped his pack and uncapped his canteen, then took a swig of water.

"Finally!" Erika dropped her pack and nearly collapsed onto it. "How much farther?"

Tank glanced up the trail. "Only another hour or so. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. This is a particularly abundant area."

Haley picked up Brooke, who was still clinging to her, and walked up to join the other women. Tank's face darkened when he saw his daughter in Haley's arms, but she ignored his glowering expression. She wasn't going to deliberately hurt the little girl. He needed to distract her if he didn't want Brooke getting too close.

She dropped her pack beside Erika's, then eased down onto it with Brooke still in her arms. Perspiration dampened the back of her shirt, and her leg ached.

"Look," Tank whispered. He pointed to the brush to their left. A small fox lifted its sharp nose out of the vegetation. Tank reached into his pocket and withdrew a granola bar. He broke off a piece and tossed it to the fox. The animal grabbed it with his sharp little teeth and disappeared.

"Not even a thank you," Haley said, smiling.

"Foxes are shy. It's rare to see one, but there's plenty of game for them. Look, Brooke." Tank pointed ahead in the trail. His daughter's eyes grew wide. A group of marmots-similar to prairie dogs-rolled in playful abandon ahead of them on the trail.

Oscar crouched like a tiger and approached the animals. "Oscar, come here," Haley hissed softly. The dog ignored her. He raised one leg in the air, then put it down with the lightest touch possible.

"He won't hurt them," Tank said. "They're fast." His grin widened as he watched Oscar approach. The little dog pounced, and the marmots scattered. Oscar tried to follow one down a hole, but his belly got stuck. Brooke giggled as he wriggled around and finally backed his way out.

Tank touched Haley's arm and pointed up. She felt as awestruck as Brooke when she saw dozens of bald eagles roosting on the tree branches above their heads. Much as she surprised herself to admit it, the wilderness had an unmatched beauty. Her artist's eye noted the rich hues of green and gold in the vegetation that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. The trees juxtaposed against the brilliant blue sky made her bring her camera to her eyes and snap some photos. She had to have proof of so many eagles in one place.

"It kind of gets into you, doesn't it?" Tank asked. He lifted Brooke from her arms and settled her on his knee.

"For some people," Haley admitted. "Have you always wanted to live without creature comforts?"

"What comforts am I without? I have my daughter, a warm, snug cabin, all the food we need, clothing, books. What else is there?"

Erika was listening to their conversation. "Don't you miss electricity and a television? And when was the last time you saw a play or a movie?"

"A book is always superior to a movie. Haley is a big fan of books too." He pointed to the two books sticking out of the top of her pack.

Haley nodded. "But I don't know how you stand the isolation. And aren't you ever afraid that something will happen to the ones you love?"

"Bad things happen anywhere. In the city, you have to worry about-well, you know," he said, glancing at his daughter. "Here, we're generally safe if we obey a few normal rules. And with Brooke and Libby around, I'm not isolated."

Haley glanced at Libby. "Your sister might have a different opinion. Women need the company of other women."

Libby nodded. "She's right. I get pretty lonely for someone to talk to about things only women like to discuss. Like hair and makeup, our feelings. When was the last time you told me how you felt about something, Tank? You men keep that all bottled up inside."

Tank looked away.

"See," Libby persisted. "Even now you don't want to talk about it. Especially after Leigh." She broke off and glanced at Brooke, who had fallen asleep in her father's arms. "You never talked about how you felt."

"What good would it do?" he mumbled. He pressed his lips against Brooke's curls. "It was just something I had to deal with." He looked at Libby. "You've never told me you're lonely, Lib. I'll try to get you to town more often."

"I can go anytime I want. It's not up to you to entertain me." Libby smiled and patted her brother's hand. "Don't stress over it."

Haley decided to take pity on Tank and give him something else to talk about. "How did you get into bear research? Seems a kind of obscure profession."

His shoulders relaxed, and he leaned against a tree trunk. "I had a run-in with a bear early on. I think I was about twelve, and we'd gone to Montana. We were camping, remember, Libby?"

His sister nodded. A thoughtful smile played around her mouth. "You were Indiana Jones that summer, complete with the same floppy type of hat you still wear."

Tank grinned. "It comes in handy to swat flies. Anyway, it was the middle of the night, and I had to go to the bathroom. I sneaked out of the tent and went into the woods. There were grunts and the sounds of something big moving through the brush. I froze, sure I was going to get eaten. I could smell the stink of my own fear and figured the animal would smell me and come eat me. I didn't know if it was a cougar or a bear or what, so I started to climb a tree."

Haley leaned forward as she listened. "I would think that would make you not want to be around bears. It was a grizzly?"

He nodded. "The grizzly came charging out of the trees at me, but I was already higher than it could reach. I screamed for my dad, and he came running out of the tent with his gun." Tank fell silent, then sighed. "He shot the bear. I climbed down out of the tree. That dead bear was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. It had once been strong and powerful, full of life. It was dead because of my fear. If I'd waited, it would have left. I would have been fine, and it would have been fine. We were in its territory."