Rocky mountain lion, p.16
Rocky Mountain Lion, page 16
Unexpectedly, the same euphoria rose up in him that he had felt when he’d killed the boss and the two idiots yesterday. So this was what real power felt like. He smiled with satisfaction and looked at himself admiringly in the mirror. After a few seconds, he turned away abruptly. What good was it to him if there was no one there to appreciate it?
Out of sheer frustration, he slapped the wall with his hand next to the mirror. Plaster crumbled away. The mirror wobbled and fell to the floor with a crash. Disgusted, he looked at the destruction. The relief was far too fleeting. He needed a woman. His eyes fell on the phone book. Until he finally got hold of the other one, he would have to look for a replacement. The phone book probably wouldn’t prove very helpful. But he was pretty sure that the concierge could point him in the right direction for an appropriate tip. In his experience, there were women in even the smallest town who would willingly spread their legs for a drink if the man was a hunter. He grinned lecherously. If they knew what he had specialized in since yesterday...
Brandi with an “i,” as she had importantly assured him—as if he cared—had been quite excited when he’d suggested a trip to his secret hunting cabin. For safety’s sake, he had blindfolded her. He didn’t want to run the risk of her suddenly changing her mind at the sight of the police tape. The idea of the hunting cabin had come to him when he thought about the mess his plan would make. What better place than last night’s crime scene? He doubted anyone would come by in the near future. Forensics had done their job. Soon they would file the case away as unsolved.
Brandi with an ‘i’ did not suspect anything. For her, it was an exciting game. Anything else would have required a few more brain cells, he thought disgustedly. But she would serve her purpose until he bagged his real prey. The prospect of what he was about to do to Brandi increased his euphoria. Roughly, he pushed her ahead of him through the gate into the barn.
He unsheathed his hunting knife. With his left hand, he removed Brandi’s blindfold, slipped his hand into her blond straw-colored hair, and pulled her head back.
Hollister waited for the sight of the shiny knife edge to register in Brandi’s brain. Realization, followed closely by panic, entered her gaze. He lowered the knife and surrendered to the rush.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Exhausted, Archer parked the truck, now fitted with four new tires, in front of the Lone Wolf Ranch. Lara had extended an invitation for dinner, and he’d gladly accepted. After the long day, he had barely any energy left, and even Independence’s newfound pizza service couldn’t sustain him solely. Peculiarly, he caught himself pondering the nutritional value of pizza as he sat in his car for a few minutes, and he realized he desperately needed some rest.
He stepped out of the vehicle and greeted Leonie, who lay on the porch despite the cold weather. It seemed like her ideal time of year, given her fur’s thickness. Pyrenean mountain dogs were built for year-round outdoor life with sheep, which explained their abundant coats. His mind drifted off again, and he patted Leonie before knocking on the door.
Quinn opened the door, and her presence immediately eased some of the tension he carried from the day. She smiled and asked, her concern evident, “Was it a rough day?”
For a few seconds, Archer was lost in her gaze. She had barely glimpsed him for a second, yet she had already asked the right question. No wonder he was head over heels in love with her. All he could do now was hope that she reciprocated those feelings.
“Archer?” she echoed, her worry growing with his prolonged silence.
Instead of responding, he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close, feeling her heartbeat against his chest.
“Glad you’re here,” he murmured, his lips touching hers before they kissed.
Quinn’s body melted against his, and he had to gather his self-control to keep from whisking her away to the car. Quinn must have sensed the electricity between them and let it envelop her too, and neither gave it a second thought for some time.
“We have rooms too, you know,” Hank interjected, amused, from behind them.
Caught off guard, Quinn stepped back, and Archer grinned. She studied him more closely.
“Is that a smug smile?” she asked. “You certainly appear less fatigued than just moments before.”
“You’re lucky that my brother has found the love of his life,” Becca chimed in. “Just a year ago, he would have bitten both your heads off.”
“Not true at all,” Hank grumbled.
“Would you like to look at the new cougar pictures before or after dinner?” Quinn inquired.
“New cougar pictures? When did you take them?” Archer asked, intrigued. He couldn’t believe how much he was getting carried away with today. But then again, he’d been hard-pressed to resist Quinn ever since he’d met her.
Quinn turned slowly to face him, deliberately, making eye contact. “This morning, of course.”
“After I specifically told you not to venture into the forest alone?” Archer asked.
Quinn placed her hands on her hips. “You have no say over me.”
“Yes, I do,” he protested. “When it concerns your safety, I do.”
Seemingly unimpressed by his tone, Quinn retorted, “I was safe the whole time.”
“Oh, really? What if the poacher showed up and tried to harm you again?”
“I’d have relied on my partner.”
“I wasn’t even there!”
“No. My other partner,” she responded triumphantly. “You’re not the only person in the world, you know...” she added, her tone sweet.
Archer gave Quinn a hard look. He could imagine her thoughts: Why did he have to act like her boss?
While part of Archer was relieved that she hadn’t gone into the forest alone, another part was irritated. He was Quinn’s partner, and no one else. So, who had she taken with her? He mentally went through the list of Independence’s male residents in the right age group.
“Who was your partner, then?” he asked as casually as possible, even though a jealous streak was welling up inside.
“It was me,” Avery called from the living room, where she was sitting on the sofa beside Cole.
Archer’s heart lifted, and although he didn’t show it, he felt a sense of relief. It was best not to reveal his emotions right now though; that would be embarrassing.
“After dinner,” Lara responded to the question about the cougar pictures. “I’ll be done cooking in a minute.”
Quinn had calmed down by then. She realized the day had taken its toll on everyone in the room, including Archer, who had only been deeply concerned when he thought she’d ventured into the forest alone.
“You haven’t answered my question yet,” she said quietly, turning her attention back to Archer.
“I’ll tell you. Later. For now, I need some food,” he replied.
“Okay. But don’t think I’ll forget,” she warned.
“Don’t worry. I know you’re persistent,” he murmured.
“Let’s eat,” Quinn called out loudly as Lara brought the cottage pie to the table. The savory aroma filled the room, making her stomach rumble. Archer also wanted to make sure he got his share, which led her to think that maybe it wasn’t all that bad that he had an important role in her life.
“Speaking of damage control,” Avery suggested with amusement, “maybe you should stop talking now.”
Quinn withdrew from Archer’s arm and moved away, which drew an irritated glance from him. She had felt great in his arms—warm and soft. She belonged there. However, she was smart enough to keep her distance this time. She had managed to put her foot in her mouth a few times today. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure what exactly had gone wrong, but maybe Cole or Hank could offer some insights later, when the women weren’t around.
Quinn ignored Archer and turned to Lara. “If I move out, I’ll be glad to take you up on your offer. But there are a few obstacles to overcome first. I need to check out the nursing home in Breckenridge. They admit geriatric patients, like my mother, who struggle with daily tasks but are otherwise fine.”
“That would be nice if they could stay together,” Cole commented, thinking of his own relationship with Avery. “I can’t imagine being separated after thirty years of marriage.”
“Who knows, in thirty years, you might be thankful to be rid of me,” Avery teased.
“I’m not sure my parents feel the same affection for each other,” Quinn responded dryly. “But in principle, I agree with you. It’s certainly easier for both of them to be together as their lives change dramatically.”
“The financial aspect is a concern, too,” Lara remarked. “I know it’s not my business, but I gathered it’s one of the main issues.”
“That’s true,” Quinn admitted, her thoughts drifting. “Sometimes it might be the right thing to do, ethically or morally, but I’d go insane without my work.”
Hank decided to take Archer away to provide some perspective. He believed that Archer and Quinn were a great match.
“Come,” Hank said, standing up.
“Where to?” Archer asked, unwilling to take his eyes off Quinn.
“Outside. I need your help in the barn.”
Archer reluctantly tore his gaze away from Quinn and followed Hank into the hallway. Hank had a lot on his mind to advise Archer on lessons learned in courtship.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The following morning, Quinn stood next to her car, wrestling with her inner turmoil as she prepared to drive to work for the first time since she had joined the wildlife center. Archer had left without a word the previous day, leaving her with a sense of disappointment that had festered throughout the night. At least that clarified a few things, she mused gloomily, as she continued the tedious chore of clearing her car of snow and ice.
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Startled, she spun around, clutching the ice scraper like a weapon.
“You!” All the frustration that had built up inside her since yesterday surged to the surface. Even that enigmatic bird who had found a place in her heart seemed perturbed. At least something was faithful to her, she thought with a hint of satisfaction. She had feared even it might turn into a disloyal traitor, fluttering away at the mere sight of Archer’s undeniable charm. The little feathered companion within her fluttered indignantly, considering the option.
No wonder. As always, Archer looked strikingly handsome, she thought forlornly, adding another point to the list of grievances she had compiled during her sleepless night. It should be illegal to look so good so early in the morning.
Archer, hands thrust deep into his pockets, approached her.
Hank had given him a stern lecture the previous day, emphasizing how awkwardly Archer had broached the topic of moving in together. “Women like to be courted. While she might be willing to move in with you, she doesn’t want it to be presented as a fait accompli in front of her friends,” Hank had advised.
“I thought that might happen,” Archer had replied, feeling disheartened.
Hank shook his head and continued, “You still don’t get it. Even then, you could’ve salvaged it if you had told her that your greatest wish was to wake up next to her, or something romantic like that.”
Baffled, Archer stared at Hank and said, “Well, isn’t that why I want her to move in with me?”
“They didn’t pick up on that. Especially not after you used words like ‘practical’ and ‘easy’ to explain your rationale.”
“Ah.”
“Exactly. Ah.”
“So it seems like I’ve got some making up to do.”
“You could say that,” Hank had replied.
So Archer had returned home, both to devise a strategy and to give Quinn some time to cool down. But evidently, not enough time had elapsed, he mused as he observed her confrontational stance.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with resistance, as she stubbornly worked at her windshield.
He yearned to take the scraper from her hands, but his intuition told him to keep his distance for now. He’d encountered enough unpredictable situations in the desert to know that caution was essential.
“I’m here to talk to you and invite you for breakfast.”
She regarded him with suspicion. “Why? It’s highly impractical, driving all the way out here for that,” she remarked pointedly.
Archer realized that he was growing frustrated. Why did she have to be so obstinate? He forced himself to remain composed and kept his irritation in check. Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but notice how her appearance in jeans, bent over her car, caused a physical reaction within him. It seemed he had regressed to his teenage years overnight. He never had these issues during his monotonous desk job in college. But then again, he never had an alluring woman like Quinn in his arms. He found solace in that thought and vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to win her back. Her current behavior was far from inviting, and her mood was as icy as the windshield she struggled with.
Taking a deep breath, he ventured an apology. “Look, I’m sorry.”
Quinn nodded, acknowledging his words, but remained silent. An empty apology was one thing, and she wondered if he truly understood what he was apologizing for. She wasn’t so sure about that. If he didn’t comprehend the nuances, the whole conversation would be in vain.
It was evident to Archer that an apology alone wouldn’t suffice. He racked his brain for the right words.
“I didn’t mean to offend you with my suggestion about moving in together.”
“I know.”
“You know that?” he asked, surprised.
Quinn straightened up, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity. “Of course. It was merely a convenient moment to bring it up, just as it would be convenient for me to have you readily available by my side every night,” she retorted with a caustic tone.
Archer winced at her words, a reaction she found satisfying. The least he could do was wince, she thought, and turned her attention to the side windows.
Seemingly embarrassed, Archer raked his hand through his slightly overgrown hair, causing it to stand in all directions. Quinn clenched her teeth and averted her gaze, refusing to acknowledge the physical impact he still had on her. She needed a defense mechanism against his potent charm. The question was whether such immunity even existed.
“I don’t know about you,” he confessed, “but what’s happening between us is something I’ve never experienced with a woman. I feel exceptionally good when I’m with you, and when you’re not around, you’re still in my thoughts. With the poacher on the loose, I’m constantly concerned about your safety.”
The inner bird in Quinn’s breast trilled with enthusiasm, but she had to mentally muzzle it. The situation was too crucial to allow her unpredictable desires—or whatever the feathered creature symbolized—to interfere.
“Are you just here to make sure I reach the wildlife station safely?” she asked suspiciously.
Archer moved closer and took her hand. She offered mild resistance, more of a formality than a genuine defense. Both understood that.
“Of course, I don’t doubt your ability to drive safely from point A to point B,” he reassured her. “But I wanted to see you before work, talk to you, and get things sorted out between us.” Taking a deep breath, Archer continued. “I spent the entire night awake, pondering our argument.”
Quinn sighed. Her inner avian companion, currently fluttering ecstatically, did little to quell the sentiment within her. She found it difficult to remain indifferent when Archer was so close. After all, she loved the enigmatic man. Hero, to be precise. She was yet to decide. Tentatively, she leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling his familiar scent of wood smoke, fresh air, and that unmistakable Archer-essence that rose to her nose and head.
“So, what’s the plan? Can I take you out for breakfast?” he asked again.
She raised her head to look at him carefully. Satisfied with what she found in his brown eyes, she nodded in agreement.
“Thank God,” Archer exclaimed fervently.
“Why didn’t you take Braveheart home with you? He seemed to be doing very well,” Archer inquired, the two of them seated side by side at Sweets. Without words, they had tacitly agreed to avoid the diner this morning, steering clear of prying questions about their relationship. The issue of the murders also remained on hold, an uncomfortable topic they would face later. The diner held unavoidable reminders of both.
“No wonder, with all that extra food,” Quinn laughed. “It almost seems like his thieving antics have a healing effect.”
“A clever justification,” Archer remarked.
“Isn’t it, though? I’m quite proud of that one.” She grinned with satisfaction and continued, “At least, as long as he’s sporting the bandage, I should get away with it. But to answer your question, my mother detests dogs. I think with all the turmoil right now, I’ll abstain from introducing the dog into this already volatile situation. The poor guy has been through enough.”
“Is there a solution on the horizon?” Archer inquired.
Quinn shrugged. “Many unanswered questions still loom, particularly my mother’s cooperation. However, the bottom line is that I need to sell the house to cover the bills. The municipality will take over part of it, and the rest will be covered by my parents’ pension.”
“It sounds like a reasonable plan. Are you emotionally attached to the house? Is selling it difficult for you?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. My parents and I never had what one would call an intimate relationship. In that regard, the house holds more painful memories than cherished ones.”
