Yet somehow, she didn’t think that was going to happen. In fact, she had a very sick feeling that her life wouldn’t be going back to normal anytime soon.
Maybe never.
Duncan’s emotions swung between relief and suspicion related to the timing of Slade’s finding them on the mountain. Granted, the guy seemed to be legit, and he could see how they may have left enough of a trail to follow considering the condition of Chelsey’s wedding dress. But he also knew getting a marshal badge wasn’t impossible and a variety of scenarios filtered through his mind.
Slade could be taking them straight into the hands of the men who’d murdered Brett, turning him and Chelsey over for a wad of cash. Or Slade could be taking them on a route leading them deeper into the woods, rather than heading to Moose, Wyoming.
He mentally kicked himself for offering Moose as an option. Too late now, but he wished he’d have made Slade come up with the plan.
The marshal had allowed him to keep his weapon, which was a point in his favor. But Duncan wasn’t about to relax his guard around the so-called marshal. If his sister, Shayla, was here, she’d tell him to place his fears and worries in God’s hands.
Too bad he wasn’t sure how to do that. And even if he could learn to pray, better that his focus be centered on protecting Chelsey.
Slade paused, glancing down at what appeared to be a compass in his hand. At least the guy had come prepared. Duncan turned and swept his gaze over the wooded area, checking for anything amiss.
A flock of birds abruptly shot out of a tree as if startled by something. “Get down,” he hissed, tugging on Chelsey’s bulky jeans. She dropped beside him. Slade went down, too, but pulled his weapon, holding it at the ready.
For long moments there was nothing but silence.
“What happened?” Slade asked in a low voice.
“Something startled those birds from the tree located to the left of center behind us. Could be our sniper is setting up another spot from which to shoot.”
“This way,” Slade urged, gesturing toward a dense bush near the base of a large oak.
Chelsey’s blue eyes were wide with fear as Duncan gestured for her to follow Slade. When he was certain they were both well hidden, he crawled after them, using all the skills he’d learned in Afghanistan to cover his tracks.
Chelsey reached out to grasp his arm when he crept up to her. “Duncan, how long do we have to stay here?”
He glanced over her shoulder at Slade, who looked grim. If the guy was working with the assailants, he deserved an award for his acting skills. Some of the tension in his chest eased with the thought that two people protecting Chelsey was far better than one. “I don’t know. If I had proper camouflage clothing, I could double back, find him and take him out of the picture once and for all.”
Chelsey’s grip tightened. “No! I don’t want you to leave.”
Her concern for his well-being was touching, and he felt there was an excess of admiration in her eyes, probably because of the way they’d been forced to rely on each other to get through this. He wanted to reassure her but didn’t have the words.
And he didn’t want to lie, either. Even if Slade was legit, they were far from getting out of this mess.
“I have to agree. I’d rather you stick here with us,” Slade whispered. “I can call for reinforcements from the Marshals Service, but that will take time we don’t currently have.”
“Does your phone work up here?” Duncan asked. “Mine is dead, but even before the battery gave out, I had no service.”
Slade pulled out his phone, stared at the screen then frowned. “Nope. But maybe service will pick up once we get closer to Moose.”
“Maybe.” Duncan wasn’t convinced. He glanced around, trying to come up with a plan. They were hidden from the area where the birds had flown out of the tree, but still in the open more than he’d have liked.
Reaching for his knife, he began to cut parts of brush from their hiding place. As if understanding his plan, Slade joined him.
“What are you doing?” Confusion colored Chelsey’s gaze. “Starting a fire?”
“No, we’re going to use this to help hide us from view.” Duncan took a clump of brush and stuck it down the back of her T-shirt. “Like this, see?”
“What good will this do?”
Chelsey’s whisper held a note of disbelief.
“It will help us blend into the foliage, so that we are less of a target,” Slade explained.
Duncan nodded, eyeing the marshal with reluctant approval. “Yes.”
The process took longer than he’d have liked but soon the three of them were covered in leaves and twigs to the best of their ability. Chelsey had even woven them into her hair, securing them in place with pins without complaint.
They continued on their path toward Moose, Wyoming. Slade remained in front, Chelsey in the middle and Duncan covering her six. They went much slower now, moving from one tree to the next without making too many jarring moves.
The woods behind them remained eerily silent. Duncan briefly considered that the birds leaving the tree so abruptly was a fluke, scared off by an animal instead of a human, but he wasn’t willing to take the chance.
Not with Chelsey’s life.
He hadn’t been with Amanda when she’d needed him. Thankfully, he was able to be here for Chelsey now. After an hour, Slade lifted his hand, indicating it was time to take a break. They sat beneath the base of a tree.
“I have protein bars for you.” Slade pulled them from a small pack.
“We have water.” Duncan offered the canteen.
“And two cans of soup,” Chelsey chimed in. “Nothing to use as a pan, or a fire to use as a heat source.”
“We’ll save the soup in case we need to shelter in the
