Catching a glimpse of the Teton mountains out the back window, she moved that way, drawn to the majestic view. That Brett would just relocate her from the mountains because she’d mentioned wanting to swim in the ocean was unfathomable.
A wave of shame hit hard. Living near mountains or the ocean shouldn’t be more important than their love for each other. Which was the crux of the matter.
She hadn’t loved Brett enough to move anywhere in the world for him.
Which only reminded her of the intensity of Duncan’s kiss. Of how much she enjoyed being cradled in his embrace. So different than the sweet fondness she’d felt for Brett.
Kissing Duncan had sparked the old attraction she once had for him. A youthful crush, something she’d grown out of.
Or so she’d thought.
But hadn’t she leaned on Brett after losing her mother? Mistaking his kindness and support for something more?
She couldn’t make that same mistake with Duncan. He was very attractive, and had saved her life more than once.
It wouldn’t be fair to confuse feelings of gratitude toward him for love.
Anxious for some fresh air, she opened the back door and stepped outside, breathing deep. Off in the distance, she could see a bald eagle flying overhead, enjoying the wind off the mountains.
It pained her to give all of this up.
“Chelsey?”
Duncan’s voice had her turning to face him. Her feet were still sore, and she missed a step and fell forward at the exact same moment the echo of a gunshot rang out.
“Down! Stay down!” Duncan shouted as he quickly closed the gap between them. In a swift move he grabbed her arm and hauled her back into the cabin, out of harm’s way. When she’d cleared the threshold, he slammed the door shut, then urged her deeper inside the cabin.
“Get under the kitchen table,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “Are you okay? Were you hit?”
“I—I don’t think so.” Her teeth began to chatter. “A-are you sure that was m-meant for me?”
“I’m sure.” Duncan’s tone was grim. He pulled out his phone. “Slade?” He scowled when he realized he was talking to voice mail. “I need you back here, pronto. Someone just took a shot at Chelsey.”
She huddled under the table, realizing at that moment that giving up the mountains would be easy enough as long as it meant staying alive.
TEN
Duncan eased the gun he’d taken off the assailant from his ankle holster and held it ready, sweeping his gaze over the interior of the cabin.
The shot at Chelsey had come from the north, where there was nothing but mountains behind the cabin. The front or south side of the cabin faced the street. It was also the direction they’d come in, less than an hour ago.
How had the sniper known about their relocation?
From the park rangers? Honestly it didn’t seem likely. Maybe there was a team of men watching from all sides. The more he thought about that possibility, the more he thought it correct. One shooter couldn’t be following them this well. And if they were, why not take a shot while they were outside the motel? Maybe there wasn’t a good enough angle from where the sniper was waiting.
Which brought him back to the idea there had to be at least two men involved. And considering the possibility of this being linked to organized crime? Maybe more.
He didn’t like it. He lifted his phone to call Slade for the second time, but the marshal’s number was already flashing on his screen.
“What happened?” Slade demanded.
“Chelsey stepped out the back door and someone took a shot at her.” Duncan kept his voice low, just in case someone was outside close enough to overhear. “Thankfully, they missed, but it’s clear they have eyes on the cabin. You need to be careful.”
“On my way.” Slade disconnected from the call.
Duncan hoped Slade’s position as a US marshal would keep him from becoming a target. He glanced over at Chelsey. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”
She nodded and offered a wan smile. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m clumsy and tripped over my own feet.”
He frowned. “You’re not clumsy, but I’m sure your feet are probably still sore from all that hiking.”
“A little.” She downplayed the injury he felt certain was worse than she was letting on. Despite not having any medic training, he mentally kicked himself for not insisting on checking her feet for injuries. He didn’t want her to end up with a raging infection. The wound on his arm had been cleaned out, too, and so far seemed to be okay.
“Slade’s on his way back.” He stayed crouched beside her, knowing they needed to find a new place for Chelsey soon.
Ten minutes later, Slade rapped on the door and called, “It’s me,” before using his key to enter the cabin. Duncan slowly rose to his feet when Slade ducked inside, closed and locked the door behind him.
“We need a new location,” Duncan said grimly.
Slade sighed. “If I had one, we’d move. There isn’t another option at the moment.”
“We can’t keep her here,” he argued. “What’s to stop them from peppering the place with bullets?”
“The possibility of getting caught.” Slade raked his hand through his hair. “Look, I know staying put isn’t optimal, but Moose isn’t exactly a large metropolis. The motel and a couple of cabins are all they have to offer. Until we get a set of wheels and reinforcements from the US Marshals Service, we’re stuck. And don’t forget, there are plenty of armed park service rangers around.”
“Wait, you said cabins, plural?” Duncan asked. “Can we swap with someone?”
“And put that person, or worse, an entire family, in danger?” Chelsey crawled out from beneath the table and stood beside him. “No. I’m not doing that.”
Okay, she had a point. He turned and glanced around the
