But it was a lovely thought…for a moment.
Sighing softly, she lowered her head so Hawk couldn’t see the disappointment mirrored in her eyes.
“Okay,” he said, sliding his chair back and standing. “I’ll get these dishes cleared away and then I’ll drive you back to Durango.”
Bri snapped her head up. “I’m not going back to Durango,” she said with quiet determination.
“You want to wait here for Tanner to return?” He hurried on before she could reply. “Not that I mind, you understand, but-”
“No, Hawk, I’m going after him.”
“Alone?” Hawk stared at her. “Brianna, you should know it’s never smart or safe to hunt alone.” He shook his head. “This man is a killer.”
Bri blinked, shook her head. “No, no, I’m not going after Minnich. I’m going after Tanner.”
“It’s just as dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful,” she assured him.
“What if you get lost?”
Bri gave him a long look. “I do know how to blaze a trail, Hawk.”
“But-”
“No buts,” she said, shaking her head again. “I am going. Will you give me the use of a horse? I’ll pay you the going rate.”
“No.” Flat, final.
Nothing could have made her reveal the hurt his refusal gave her. “Okay, I’ll trek.” She moved to rise, but Hawk held up a hand.
“You don’t understand. I meant I won’t accept payment for the horse,” he explained. “You can take any one you like.”
Bri blinked against a rush of grateful tears. “Thank you, Hawk.”
“You’ll also need a pack animal.”
“No, thank you. Another animal would slow me down. I want to catch up with Tanner before he catches up to Minnich.” She started to leave the kitchen, but Hawk stopped her.
“Brianna, you’ll need supplies and food. You can’t go tracking Tanner without them.”
“I’ve got trail mix and beef jerky in my pack.” This time she did smile, keeping the chocolate to herself. “My father taught me early on to always carry some with me, just in case.”
“You’ll need more than that.” He sighed. “I’ll pack some food and water into saddlebags as soon as I finish up here.” He raised his eyebrows. “Do you have all your stuff together?”
“All but the last-minute things,” she said, once again heading out of the kitchen. “It’ll take only a few minutes to get them.”
Fully aware of the passing of time-time in which Tanner got farther away from the ranch-Bri quickly gathered her toiletries. Then she made up the bed and strode back down the hall.
Hawk wasn’t there. For a moment Bri stood still, afraid she had been abandoned again. But common sense prevailed. Boyo sat by her backpack, glancing from the door to her and back to the door, obviously waiting for his master to return. She waited with him.
A few minutes later, Hawk walked back inside. “I saddled the mare Tanner showed you last night. Okay?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “She’s a sweetie.”
“I’ll get the saddlebags ready.” He went into the kitchen.
Bri knelt down to say goodbye to the dog. “You’re a sweetie, too,” she murmured.
“I want you to take the sweetie with you,” Hawk said, helping her to rise. “And no arguments,” he went on as she opened her mouth to do just that. “As I said last night, he’ll protect you to the death. And I’ve given him Tanner’s scent.” He smiled. “Boyo will find him, and you won’t need to blaze a trail. In case he doesn’t find him, he’ll find his way home.”
Circling her arms around Hawk, Bri gave him a big hug. “Thanks for everything,” she said, stepping back to smile up at him.
Hawk’s high-boned cheeks wore a flush of pleasure and embarrassment. “No-thank you, Brianna. You’re one to ride the river with.”
Aware of the old Western saying, complimenting her grit and suitability, Bri grinned. “Anytime, Hawk. Just give me a call and I’m there.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, stepping around to open the door for her.
The mare Bri had decided to call Chocolate stood waiting, the reins draped over the rail near the porch. Hawk had fastened the saddlebags in place.
“That should keep you till you catch up with Tanner…or until you’re forced to give up the hunt for him and return here.”
“That’s not going to happen, Hawk. I fully intend to find Mr. Tanner Wolfe, big, bad hunter.” Circling around to the left side of the animal, Bri shoved her boot into the stirrup, grasped the saddle pommel and swung herself up and over the mare, settling into the well-worn seat. Leaning forward, she stroked the mare’s neck.
“Well, I see you know your way around horses,” Hawk drawled, grinning back at her.
“I should. I’ve been around them since I was a kid, riding, grooming and, yes, even mucking stalls.”
He laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have to do that on this trip.” Then he sobered. “Reminds me-there’s a sack of oats in the one bag, to supplement whatever grazing she can find, and food for Boyo.”
Now Bri felt her cheeks flush with chagrin. “Thank you. I should have thought of their feed.”
Hawk failed in covering a grin. “That’s okay. You were a mite upset.”
“No, I was a lot upset,” Bri said, owning up to her anger. Gathering the reins, she thanked her host again. “I appreciate both your hospitality and your help.”
“You’re welcome.” He tipped his hat. “Now time’s a-wastin’,” he chided, giving a light smack to the mare’s rump. “Go, Boyo. Find Tanner.”
The dog shot ahead of the horse to lead the way, beginning to weave back and forth, searching out Tanner’s scent.
With a final wave to Hawk, Bri set the horse at a trot, following Boyo’s lead. He quickly found the scent and settled into a lope. Keeping him in sight, Bri loped along behind him.
The day was long. Despite the bright sunshine, in the higher elevations the air was cool. It was a beautiful day to ride, but Bri wasn’t riding for pleasure. She was on the hunt for two men. With any luck at all, she’d find Tanner first. Bri still felt angry but also eager, anxious and a bit scared, as well.
She had trekked the plains and jungles, the savannas and all types of mountains. Through it all, she had never felt the deep expectation and thrill of the hunt her father and his hunting buddies savored. After a while, she’d decided that one mountain looked pretty much like another, some smaller, some higher.
But this mountain, this hunt, were different. She had never hunted alone. Not going out alone was the first tenet her father had drummed into her.
Now she was on her own, trailing a dog, her sole companion. Boyo was following the scent a small distance from a stream. Made sense; Tanner and Minnich would need water.
Having eaten a solid breakfast, Bri kept going until past midafternoon. By then, she was glad to dismount and stretch. After rubbing down Chocolate, she dropped a handful of oats near a patch of grass. Next it was Boyo’s turn. She scratched his head and under his long jaw and then put out the dried food Hawk had provided for him.
It was only then Bri took care of her needs. Digging into the backpack she had dropped to the ground, she pulled out a hand towel and headed toward the sound of the stream.
The rushing water foamed white around the bigger stones in the streambed. Clutching the limb of a pine tree, she lowered herself to her knees at the edge of the bank.
The water was as cold as the snow it had been at the higher elevations. Scooping handfuls, Bri cleaned her hands, rinsed her mouth and doused her face. The frigid splash took away her breath but refreshed her just the same. Drying her hands and face, she walked back to the animals and to what would be her makeshift camp for the night. The sun was lowering, and she had things to do before full sunset.
Entering the small clearing, Bri dragged a piece of a dead, dry log closer to the spot she had chosen for a fire. After gathering stones and placing them in a ring shape, she foraged for some kindling, which she ignited with a match. Once the twigs took flame, she fed the fire till the dry log began to burn.
