Chapter Twelve
T-Rex woke before sunrise, warm, content and naked. Lying in a strange room with Sierra’s body snuggled up against his was just about as close to heaven as he could imagine.
He eased his arm out from under her and stared down at the woman lying in the bed beside him.
Her blond hair fanned out on the pillow, and her mouth turned up in a sexy smile as if she was dreaming about making love. To him.
He bent to gently brush a kiss across her forehead. He’d never made love to a woman with such intensity and desire. And she’d responded in kind, her cries as free and powerful as her release.
Her ex-husband had been a fool. This woman was kind, gentle and caring. But the passion hidden beneath her beautiful and soft exterior was everything a man could dream of. The man fortunate enough to capture her heart would be a lucky person indeed.
The urgent need to relieve himself reminded him there was a world out there, and he’d be expected to join it soon. His only regret to the night before was that he’d have to get out of the bed and leave this woman for a day of hunting in the hills. He’d much prefer to remain in the warmth of her arms and make love to her all day long.
He slid from the bed, careful not to disturb her. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he left her room for his own, grabbed clothes and entered the bathroom. A quick, cold shower helped to reinforce his need to go to work, reducing his lusty thoughts enough he could think of the task ahead.
He would join the team in their search through the hills to find the cave with the cache of weapons. Unless the sheriff’s department had captured them trying to leave the valley and relocate their store of rifles and whatever else they might have stashed away. He could always hope. Then he could stay where he was and spend the day in bed with Sierra.
But she had a job to do and a tour with the day care kids.
T-Rex sighed. Soon he was combed, dressed and ready to attack the day. When he pulled open the bathroom door, he almost ran into Sierra.
She stood in front of him, her hand raised to knock. Her beautiful long blond hair tumbled around her shoulders in wild abandon, but she had dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved blouse. Her cheeks turned a charming shade of pink, and she dipped her head. “Good morning.”
T-Rex drew her into his arms and bent to nuzzle her ear. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Ha. You’re showered and shaved. I’m a mess.”
“A gorgeous mess.” He tipped her chin up and stared down into her eyes. “I wanted to stay in bed all day.”
She sighed. “Me, too. But I promised Brenda I’d go with the moms and kids to the park at Yellowstone today.”
“And you can’t disappoint the kids.” He bent to touch his lips to her forehead. “Need help scrubbing your back in the shower?” he whispered.
“Always.” She cupped his face with her palm. “But you’re all ready to go. I can manage on my own.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Will I see you at breakfast?”
He shook his head. “I have to meet the guys in ten minutes. That only gives me enough time to grab a cup of coffee.” He frowned. “Are you sure you’ll be all right at the park today?”
She nodded. “I’ll be surrounded by the other ladies and the park rangers. Clay might be bold enough to attack me in front of a bunch of children who couldn’t stop him. But surely he won’t try anything in front of a bunch of adults.”
“Yes, but he might try before you leave.”
“I’ll have Brenda pick me up in front of the bed-and-breakfast.”
T-Rex nodded. “I’d like to be here to see you off.” He glanced down at his watch. Eight minutes.
“Go.” She touched his arm. “I’ll be fine.” Sierra grinned. “I’ll carry the stun gun and a big rock, if it makes you feel any better.”
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. Then he claimed her lips in a kiss that felt like it could be their last.
Sierra wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, her breasts smashed against his chest, her belly pressing against his rising erection.
In need of air, he finally broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “So much for cold showers.”
She laughed, kissed him briefly and stepped out of his arms. “You have to go, and I need to get ready.”
“Do you have my cell phone number?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Give me your number.” He pulled out his phone and entered her digits. Then he called it.
He could hear her phone ringing in her bedroom. “Now you’ll have mine. Call me if you have any problems whatsoever.”
“You’ll be out in the hills and canyons. The call won’t go through.”
“I’ll check my phone when I get back to town. I’ll also text the number for Hack. He’s always in the office. He can relay messages to me in the field. We’ll carry radios to communicate.”
She rested a hand on his chest. “Be careful out there.”
He captured her hand in his, raised it to his lips and pressed a kiss into her palm. “You be careful at Yellowstone. I hear the buffalo can be aggressive.”
Sierra snorted. “They are the least of my worries. I’ll have half a dozen children around my feet wanting to pet them.”
“You’ll do great. Those kids love you.”
She smiled. “I love them, too. Now, go, or we’ll be here all day.”
He turned and descended the stairs to the first floor.
Mrs. McCall held up a pot of coffee in the dining room. “Need one to go?”
“I’d love one,” he answered.
“Everything all right?” Mrs. McCall asked as she handed him an insulated disposable cup filled with steaming black coffee.
“Couldn’t be better.” He took the cup and pressed a lid onto it. “Why do you ask?”
“I just wondered if you were tired this morning. What with all the racket last night.” She didn’t meet his gaze, but her lips curled upward in a smile. “That Sierra Daniels is a sweetheart. Always good to everyone. She certainly didn’t deserve to be treated the way her ex-husband treated her.”
“No, she didn’t. And yes, she is a sweet lady.”
Mrs. McCall met his gaze, her smile gone. “Sure would hate to see her hurt again.”
T-Rex swallowed the piping-hot coffee he’d just sipped and nearly gagged on the heat burning its way down his throat. He sputtered and blew out a stream of hot air before responding to the older woman. “I’d hate to see her hurt, as well.” Then, quickly, before the woman could give him more advice about Sierra, he left the dining room and hurried out the door to his truck.
Although he’d left the bed-and-breakfast, he couldn’t seem to leave Mrs. McCall’s words behind.
Sierra Daniels deserved to be happy. Though their lovemaking had been the result of mutual consent, T-Rex suspected it would leave her hurt in the long run. He’d leave, she’d be alone and her ex-husband would still be around to harass her.
A few days ago, all T-Rex could think about was leaving Grizzly Pass. Now all he could think about was what he’d be leaving behind. He no longer had the burning desire to return to his unit and seek revenge on the faceless enemy who’d crippled Gunny and killed other members of his team.
There were people right there in the United States who needed help. Innocents like Sierra and the children she was responsible for.
T-Rex had a lot to think about while he searched the hills for the homegrown terrorists.
* * *
SIERRA SHOWERED, DRESSED in a crisp, clean pair of jeans, a long-sleeved blouse and a sweater. After being so very cold the day before, she grabbed a jacket to take along, in case the temperature dropped or they were unexpectedly delayed in their return to Grizzly Pass.
She called Brenda, who agreed to swing by and collect her before meeting the other moms who would caravan out to the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center at Yellowstone. They had arranged for a park ranger to give the children a guided tour, explaining the ecosystem and the most interesting facts about the ancient volcano simmering beneath the surface. It would be a fun, educational trip for the children, one they’d looked forward to for over a month.
Too bad Sierra didn’t feel much like going. She’d rather be out in the hills with the Safe Haven team searching for the men who’d shot down their helicopter yesterday. That wasn’t exactly the truth. She wanted to be with T-Rex, whatever he was doing in the hills.
She eventually descended the staircase and joined Mrs. McCall in the dining room. They were the only two people at the table.
“Were there no other guests in the bed-and-breakfast last night?” Sierra asked.
The older woman shook her head. “No. Just you and Mr. Trainor. I expect a couple to show up some time this afternoon. But they’re only staying the night before moving on.”
Heat rose in Sierra’s cheeks. If there were no other guests, had the establishment’s owner heard the noises coming from her room last night?
Mrs. McCall reached across the table and patted her hand. “Sierra, sweetie, I’ve known you a long time. Your foster mother and I used to be in the same quilting club. I’ve watched you grow from a little girl with pigtails into the beautiful young woman you are now.”
Sierra choked on the tea she’d been sipping and set the cup on the table. “Thank you, Mrs. McCall.” She wondered where the woman would go with the conversation.
“I can see you are falling in love with Mr. Trainor.”
Sierra gasped and shook her head. “No, Mrs. McCall. We’ve only known each other a couple of days. It would be impossible to fall in love that quickly.”
Mrs. McCall gave her a knowing smile. “Sweetie, I knew I loved my Henry the moment we met. It just took him a little longer to realize he loved me, too.”
Sierra’s eyes stung. She blinked and looked down at her hand holding the teacup. “Really, I’m not in love. Mr. Trainor isn’t going to be in Grizzly Pass for long. When his mission is complete, he’ll be on his way back to his unit.”
“Sierra, it’s not too late. You still have time to show him that he is capable of love. He doesn’t know it, but he’s halfway there now.”
Sierra raised her glance to the bed-and-breakfast owner. “It’s impossible. He’s career military. He’s leaving.”
“So?” Mrs. McCall rose from her chair and collected the empty plates. “You have nothing holding you back. I’m sure your foster parents would have wanted you to get out of this little town, spread your wings and experience more of the world.”
“If I wanted to, I could do it on my own.” Sierra stood and helped clear the table, walking into the kitchen behind the older woman. “I don’t need a man with me in order to experience the world.”
Mrs. McCall nodded. “True. But if there’s a special man, one who understands you, treats you right and loves you, isn’t the experience richer?” She set the plates in the sink and turned to take the biscuit basket from Sierra’s hand. “Think about it, will you?”
Sierra wanted to tell her she’d thought about all of those things and come back to the promise she’d made T-Rex. She wouldn’t look for commitment. What they’d done last night was supposed to be a one-night stand. The end.
But she couldn’t quite tack those two words onto what she was feeling. She couldn’t believe last night was the end. Mrs. McCall was right about one thing. She still had time. Time to be with T-Rex until he left. If he left without looking back, then she would add the two words to what they’d had and move on.
She might even decide to leave Grizzly Pass and see the world. Maybe there was a rich family looking for a nanny to travel with them. Or she could go back to school, finish her degree and find a job in another state as a teacher. The sky was the limit.
Sierra checked the clock. Brenda would be there in a few minutes, and she was still mooning over a man who’d made it clear he wasn’t sticking around, nor was he the kind of man who needed or wanted a woman to follow him from post to post.
Straightening her shoulders, Sierra decided she’d take every minute she had with him and ask no more. In the meantime, she had a field trip to go on and she wasn’t ready. She ran up the stairs to the bathroom, brushed her teeth and grabbed her jacket and purse. When she came back down, Brenda was pulling up in front of the bed-and-breakfast.
Before Sierra stepped out of the building, she checked for any sign of Clay. His truck wasn’t anywhere in sight. Breathing a sigh of relief, she left the building and climbed into Brenda’s SUV.
“Well, look at you all chipper this morning.” Brenda shifted into gear and drove toward the community center. “How was your date with the marine yesterday?”
Sierra’s cheeks burned, and she couldn’t meet her friend’s gaze.
“Oh, my God. You hooked up with him!” Brenda squealed in delight.
“What?” Sierra shot a glance her way. “I did not—”
“Oh, baby, don’t even bother to deny it. Your lips are puffy, and you have a little beard burn on your cheek. At the very least you were thoroughly kissed. But the way you’re blushing, it was a lot more than that.”
Sierra gave up and sagged against the seat, a smile pulling her lips upward. “Yesterday was the best day of my life.”
“Tell me all,” Brenda insisted, her face animated. “Hurry, before we load up with kids. I want all of the lovely details.”
“Well, other than the helicopter crash and being shot at, I’d say it went pretty well.”
Brenda slammed her foot onto the brake pedal. “What?”
Sierra caught herself before hitting the dash. “You didn’t hear? I would have thought the grapevine would have had it all over the county by now.”
“You forget, I live alone.”
“That never stopped anyone from spreading the most interesting gossip far and wide among the Beartooth Mountains.” Sierra laughed and started from the beginning, giving a brief summation of what had happened up to the moment she and T-Rex arrived back at the bed-and-breakfast. “And that’s what you missed.”
“Oh, darlin’, you’re not stopping there.” Brenda pulled up to the community center. “I want the rest. Give it to me. Quickly, because we’re here and the kiddos are waiting.”
“Sorry. We’re being waved over.” Sierra grinned and climbed out of the vehicle.
“Oh, that is so not fair.” Brenda shook her head. “He must have been spectacular.”
“Beyond,” Sierra said, letting her smile broaden as she approached the mothers and small children who would be coming along for the field trip.
Sierra and Brenda would take three kids and two mothers in Brenda’s SUV with seating for seven. Two other mothers would follow in a Suburban with another five children whose ages ranged from four to six.
The trip took only an hour and fifteen minutes when one drove the speed limit. But the roads were curvy. To avoid the usual carsickness, they took the curves very slowly and entertained the children with songs and games to keep them occupied.
When they rolled into the parking lot of the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, the children were ready to get out and stretch their little legs.
“Why is the parking lot so full?” Brenda shifted into Park and got out. “I mean it’s not even time for Old Faithful to blow.”
Sierra climbed out of the vehicle and glanced around at the vehicles crammed into the lot and the vans with satellite antennas and the lettering of local television stations written on the sides. Then it came to her. “I forgot. Grady Morris is supposed to be here today for a campaign speech.”
“Oh, yeah. Last night on the news, they said he’d have a special guest with him.” Brenda tilted her head. “I wonder who it is.”
“Based on the number of black SUVs and men in black suits, it has to be a very important person,” Sierra said.
The other two mothers and their children joined them. “Should we call off this excursion?” one of them said.
“It’s awfully crowded,” noted another.
“We’re here,” Sierra said. “We might as well check it out. Maybe our tour guide will get us out on the trails before this shindig kicks off.”
The women herded the children through the parked cars, past several men in black clothing and black sunglasses, their jackets bulging. Probably with a weapon or two each.
The lobby was full of people, jostling each other. More men in suits and reporters with cameras and microphones.
“I’ve been here on a number of occasions when this place was teeming with tourists, but this is crazy,” Brenda said.
Sierra nodded. “Let’s just hope it’s not as packed inside as it is out front.”
They were disappointed to learn it was even more crowded in the center.
“Stay here,” Sierra said. “I’ll make my way to the desk and see if I can find our park ranger tour guide.”
Brenda and the mothers backed the children into an empty corner and waited.
Sierra waded through the crowd to the desk and stood in a line seven people deep. By the time she reached the desk, she was ready to call the whole event off. The noise level had grown into a dull roar inside the building. It was giving her a headache and touch of agoraphobia. She didn’t much care for large crowds.
“How may I help you?” The perky young woman behind the counter pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear.
“We made prior arrangements for the ranger-led activities.”
The woman keyed into the computer. “Group name?”
“Grizzly Pass Mother’s Day Out.”
The noise in the room increased to a fevered pitch, and one of the counter clerks pointed. “There he is. The vice president of the United States.”
Sierra spun in time to catch a glimpse of the vice president, flanked by Secret Service men, being hustled through the crowd from a back room and out the door of the building, leading to the geyser viewing area. The crowd outside cheered. Through the glass doors, Sierra could see Grady Morris standing on a raised stage, shaking hands with the vice president.
“You’ll have Ranger Jared today,” the clerk said, drawing Sierra’s attention back to the counter.
“Is that really the vice president of the United States?” Sierra asked.
The young lady puffed out her chest, her eyes bright with excitement. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Did you know he’d be here?” Sierra asked.
She beamed. “We didn’t know until right before we left work last night. We all had to come in early and clean like crazy to be ready for him this morning. And they built the stage out by Old Faithful in less than two hours. It was amazing.” The woman looked behind her. “Oh, here’s Ranger Jared. He’ll take you to the exhibits room, unless you want to stand outside and watch the show first.”
“No. The children are much too young to understand a campaign speech.”
Ranger Jared glanced over the heads of the crowd. “I’ve never seen it like this. It’s insane.”
“You’re telling me. Should we postpone and come back when it’s not this crowded?” Sierra asked.
“No. No. This crowd won’t be interested in the discovery room. We’ll probably have it all to ourselves with everyone else outside. Come on back.”
Sierra gathered the women and children and led them through the door where Ranger Jared stood.
He was right. The crowd had moved out to the geyser viewing area where the stage had been erected. Soon he had the kids engaged in learning about geysers, hot springs and more.
The children were happy to touch and explore the indoor exhibits and momentarily would be led outdoors to see some of the real deals on the trails.
Ranger Jared clapped his hands to get their attention. “If you will all step across the lobby into the theater, we have a little show we’d like you to see before we go outside. Follow me.” He led the way back through the lobby and into the theater.
Sierra helped guide the small children into seats near the front of the room. Once they were all in place, she stood to the side, leaning against the wall.
The lights dimmed and the film began. It was all about the ecosystem of the park and how the volcano had come to be, how it had erupted and created a warm place for the animals to gather around during the cold months of the year. The narrator talked of the different species of animals that roamed the park, including bison, deer, elk, black bears, grizzly bears and the wolves that had been reintroduced.
Even Sierra was caught up in the video. The theater walls were soundproofed. The people outside the theater couldn’t hear what was going on inside and vice versa. So she was surprised when someone burst through the door and yelled, “Get down on the floor and don’t move or we’ll shoot!”
With the doors open, she could hear the sounds of screaming and shouting and the crack of gunfire.
Sierra, her heart pounding, ran toward the children. “Get on the floor,” she yelled. “Get down!”
Gunfire ripped through the theater.
“I said get down!” A man in a ski mask brandished a military-grade rifle in the air. “That means you, Blondie!”
The children screamed and cried. Most of them slid out of their seats and lay on the floor. One little boy sat petrified in his theater seat, too young to understand what was going on and too frightened to move.
Sierra dropped to her hands and knees and crawled to the boy, scooped him out of his seat and onto the ground, hunkering over him to block any bullets that might be fired in their direction.
“In here!” the gunman shouted. “Bring them in here!”
Sierra lifted her head high enough to peer over the seats at the upper end of the theater. Two men in business suits were shoved through the door by a group of men dressed in camouflage and ski masks.
“Down in front.” One of the men waved his rifle at the others. “Take them down in front where we can see them. And turn on the lights. It’s too dark in here.”
A man in a ski mask kicked Ranger Jared in the side. “You. Get the lights on. Now!”
Jared staggered to his feet and hurried to the controls on the wall. He flipped several switches, and the lights grew brighter. As soon as he was done, he was shoved back down the aisle to where Sierra and the other women were hovering over the children.
The little ones sobbed, their cries getting louder with all of the shouting. It didn’t help that one of the mothers was losing it in front of the kids.
“We’re going to die. We’re going to die,” she kept saying.
“Lady, shut up, or you will,” a man carrying a rifle said.
“Shh, Laura. We’re going to be fine. Just keep your cool for the children,” Sierra said.
Beside her Brenda shook, her teeth chattering. Not a week earlier, the woman had been in a bus hijacking. If anyone had a right to lose it, it was Brenda.
But Sierra couldn’t, not when the children depended on her to see them safely home.