Heartstealer (Women of Character3 Read online

  James, Michelle and Donny had led them along trails of rock and through dense evergreen and hardwoods for over an hour before they reached a clearing on the mountain.

  She had elected to ride the horse Dandy, yet he seemed out of sorts today. The longer she rode, the more uneasy his behavior. Snorting, sidling, he acted like a totally different horse from the previous times she had ridden him.

  "Jacie, maybe we'd better switch horses," James said again, casting a worried glance at her. "I don’t like the way he’s acting."

  Jacie shrugged. "I'm okay, maybe he's just in a bad mood. I’m sure he’ll be okay until we get there."

  "We're almost to the camp," Michelle said.

  They had left quite early, before the sky had had a chance to lighten the sky. The supplies for the trip had been packed the night before so all they had to do was climb on their horses and take off.

  Right now as they crossed a wide-open ledge the rising sun bathed everything in an eerie half-light. They were offered a pure, unobstructed view of trees and mountains. The ragged ledge below them cast interesting shadows into crevices and hidey-holes along the escarpment trail.

  "This place is gorgeous," she murmured. "I’m going to have a hard time leaving."

  "That’s the magic of the Catskills," James asked. "I think the bug has hit you."

  Mentally shaking herself, she agreed with his assessment. "It amazes me I guess that where I live there are taxis and lines to contend with, humanity on all sides and you guys have constant access to the total opposite. Nature at its best."

  "The camp is right around this bend." James stopped and let everyone pass by him. "Go on ahead. Unsaddle your horse and then we’ll take care of them while you get breakfast."

  He fell into line behind her. "I’m starving," she told James as she dismounted. She swept a soothing hand over her horse’s neck. Nervously, Dandy tossed his head and pawed the ground. "I wish I knew why this guy was so ornery today."

  She removed his saddle and tack and Michelle led the horse to the sturdy camp corral. James and Michelle conferred on the animal and then released him into the confined area. Dandy immediately whisked away, bucking across the fenced area.

  Everyone helped pitch the tents. She chose an area outside the clearing, close to a growth of white birch saplings. Beside the small corral was a pipe with a tap that made use of an underground spring.

  "Coffee's on," James said.

  Donny had already started a fire. She dropped to sit cross-legged beside the small blaze, holding her cold white fingers out to the flames. "That was quick work, Donny." She threw the long-haired teenager a smile.

  "Can I get you coffee or tea, Ms. Turner?" Donny asked shyly, brushing a stray lock of dark blond hair off his forehead.

  "Make it Jacie, and I'd love tea."

  "Sure thing."

  She held the warmth of the mug between her fingers as he prepared eggs, bacon, potatoes and ham.

  "Have you worked at Timber Falls long?"

  "The last two summers." He flipped the eggs, then looked up at her. "This is the first summer Sloan let me help on the overnight trips."

  Her interest perked up another notch at the mention of Sloan. She hadn't seen him since he’d taken Bill to see the doctor yesterday.

  It had been James who told her the gas leak at her place had been due to a fitting that had worked its way loose. It had been taken care of and she had been able to move back into her cabin.

  She ran a finger along the rim of her mug. "It must be like a working vacation," she said to Donny. "Living and working up here."

  "I love the summers," he said. "Everyone at Timber Falls is like family."

  "Especially Michelle?" she asked impishly.

  Donny looked at Michelle where she stood across the clearing talking with James. His ears immediately became red. "Um, yeah, Michelle is okay."

  Realizing she had inadvertently embarrassed him, she said casually, "I like Michelle too. Does Sloan ever do the overnights?"

  "Sure. James expects Sloan to show up. He got back late last night from a buying trip. I heard he picked up twenty new heifers."

  "I didn't know that." She kept her voice level, trying to tamp down feelings of anticipation. She had missed him.

  "Hey, Donny, we're starving!" James called out good-naturedly.

  The rest of the party gravitated toward the campfire.

  "Pass me a cup, will you, Jacie?" James said.

  She reached over and picked up a mug, then handed it to him. "You've lived here all your life?" she asked him now.

  "I was born here in the Catskills. Sloan, on the other hand is a transplant. Our dad moved here permanently from Texas when Sloan was little."

  "Yes, he mentioned that."

  James looked surprised. "He told you that? My mom married Everett Wright when Sloan's mother died. Sloan was around nine. I came along about a year later."

  "You seem very close. That probably has a lot to do with the success of Timber Falls."

  "I have to admit the last two years have been the best yet. Dotty, that's my wife, well, she thinks we should expand and build a dozen more cabins."

  "You sound like you don't favor the idea?"

  "Not entirely, Sloan and I think Timber Falls is fine the way it is. I want to bring in more revenue, but not to the extent that the ranch loses its quaint appeal."

  "I agree with you, James. You might lose something if you catered to too many at once."

  Emma joined them as she precariously balanced a full plate of ham and eggs. "Hey James, what's on the agenda for today? If I don't get moving soon, I won't want to."

  "We'll hike to the falls then meet back here for lunch. By then Sloan should be here."

  Jacie was aware of heat enveloping her from head to toe at the mention of Sloan's name. Tensely, she ran her palms over her jeans. Disturbed by her reaction, she spied a bright growth of Morning Glory and walked across the clearing to inspect the delicate blue flowers. They had wound themselves tightly around a nearby sapling and the effect of the flowers against the slim trunk was startling and unexpected.

  "Penny for them." A pair of dark brown boots appeared beside her. She lifted her eyes slowly . . . dark jeans, silver belt buckle, faded green shirt, stopped at devil blue eyes.

  "Hi, Sloan."

  Sloan had a slight smile curving his lips. Leaning close, he plucked one of the blossoms and offered it to her. She looked at the fragile bloom lying in his calloused palm, her heart turning over. The gesture was so simple, yet touching.

  She had worked with all types of men, been wined and dined by a few, but none affected her as this man did. Her relationship with Brad paled in comparison. He had never made her feel so intense, yet secure. Sloan was outside her realm of experience; she had the sense he played for keeps. Did she want to be in that league?

  "Thank you," she said simply, a satisfying warmth coursing through her. She plucked the flower from his palm and touched it gently to her nose.

  "How was the ride here? Did you enjoy it?"

  She nodded. "I loved it. This is the best scenery and James is a great guide." She added the last for James' benefit as he appeared beside Sloan.

  "You must have hustled to get here," James said, his glance moving between the two of them.

  "I brought the truck and trailer," Sloan said.

  James nodded. "Good. You've got perfect timing. We're getting ready to leave on the hike."

  "Sometimes, I get lucky," Sloan murmured, his eyes on her. She watched him drop his pack to the ground and look around their group. "Are we ready?" he asked.

  "Here." James tossed his brother a backpack identical to his own, which Sloan caught deftly. "You can carry the bag with the juices and water. We’ll be leaving as soon as we finish eating."

  Emma looked over at the horses where they stood in the corral. "Will the horses be okay here by themselves?" she asked doubtfully.

  "Sure," Sloan answered. "Donny and Michelle will stay behind to keep an
eye on things."

  When everyone was ready Sloan and James led the way toward a dense growth of short pines. "Watch out for the briars," Sloan warned, holding back a tangle of vine.

  Jacie skirted around him. "Thanks." She stopped beside a huge stone monument located halfway up a steep bank. She touched the precisely placed stones with her hands. They felt cold and damp yet seemed to have held together well through time. Slinging her camera around to her back, she climbed to the top of the stone mound.

  "This is an old railroad bed," James said, climbing up behind her. "When we climb out of this shallow knoll you'll see the clearing where the Laurel House used to stand. Below it is where you'll find the falls."

  "Be careful going down toward the falls," Sloan cautioned. Everyone paused beside railroad ties that had been sunk into the earth above the creek to stabilize the bank. "The ground has washed out. It’s always slippery."

  His hand closed around her arm as he guided her down the small slope, then he did the same for Emma and MaryAnn. When she stood on a flat rock at the top of the falls, she drank in the one-hundred-eighty-degree view stretched so magnificently before her.

  "This is magnificent. The falls is at our feet."

  James came to stand beside her. "It gashes its way through the mountain to the clove at its base."

  Jacie stood perfectly still, aware only of the hushed quiet and the long drop to the top of the trees. She pulled her camera out and slowly, methodically began to take pictures. "Can everyone face me?" she called out. "I want to get everyone in this picture with the mountains as a backdrop." She specifically wanted a picture of Sloan as a memento of this time.

  Jacie snapped several pictures. Sloan joined her by the edge of the falls. "This height doesn't bother you?" he asked.

  She lowered her camera. "No."

  "The top of this falls used to have an observation deck about a hundred years ago." Sloan touched the toe of his boot to a circular bit of metal that appeared embedded in the rock. "They used to lower drinks down to hikers at the bottom of the falls."

  "A hundred years ago?" Emma asked. She looked carefully over the edge, holding on to her husband’s arm. "I don’t see a trail."

  "There’s a really steep trail on the side of the falls. It used to be maintained a bit more back then. Women used to hike with their long skirts and dresses."

  "Amazing," Jacie murmured, snapping more pictures.

  "The area’s hotels used to be host to quite a few famous people," James remarked. "The biggest hotels were the Catskill Mountain House and the Kaaterskill. We’ll be riding to those sites later."

  As a group they moved away from the edge of the falls and up the creek, hopping from rock to rock.

  "Look at these rocks!" MaryAnn exclaimed. "There’s dates chiseled in the rocks."

  "Some of them go back into the 1800’s," Jacie marveled. "Do you ever come here in the winter?" Jacie asked Sloan curiously.

  "I haven’t in a few years but it’s accessible by car. In the middle of winter the falls freeze on top but the water still runs beneath. The upper crust of ice is thick and looks blue."

  The group scrambled up the small incline and walked back through the pines. As they fanned out she found herself between Sloan and James.

  Jacie pulled a hair band out of her jeans pocket. As twisted her hair into the band she studied Sloan's face. "You look very serious."

  He leaned close. "I should have thought about bringing you here, just the two of us." He took her hand as they pulled up the rear of the group, winding a path through balsam trees.

  Jacie tilted her head. "What a sweet thing to say." She drew in a deep, appreciative breath. "My head feels clear today. I don’t think I’ll ever smell balsam again without thinking of this wonderful trip."

  As they emerged from the trees, Jacie looked around the clearing doubtfully. "It’s hard to imagine there was a large hotel here."

  "For anyone interested, we have pictures back at camp," James said. "You’ll be amazed by the differences between past and present."

  When they arrived back at camp they had a quick lunch and the horses were saddled and ready to go. Jacie persuaded James to let her ride Dandy. He seemed to have settled back to his normal self. As a group they rode a state designated horse trail to the next site.

  About an hour into the ride Dandy started hollowing out his back and crow-hopping sideways again. When he brushed her up against a tree, Sloan moved up alongside her with his horse. "Jacie, dismount and we'll switch horses."

  "Okay." In that instant Dandy kicked his hind feet out, narrowly missing Sloan's leg. The horse then reared up, a frantic whinny tearing from him. He jerked his head forward. Caught by surprise, the reins were pulled from Jacie’s fingers.

  Sloan lunged forward. The reins caught for a second on the horse’s ears and then slid over his head. Nose almost on the ground, Dandy leapt forward and tore swiftly up the narrow path and away from the others.

  "Jacie!" Someone shouted. There was nothing she could do. She sat upright as best she could, afraid the horse would catch a foot in the reins and they would both go down. The animal continued to do odd little hops and she lost her left stirrup. When the horse plunged and became more frantic, she swayed off balance to the left.

  Jacie had only seconds to consider the best way to get off. Two horses came abreast of her as the path grew wider. James forced his mount in front of Dandy, forcing the horse to veer toward Sloan's horse. What happened next was a blur. Sloan's arm snaked around her, pulling her from the saddle. James slowed his horse, jumped off and grabbed Dandy by the bridle.

  Jacie felt the biting strength in Sloan's arms. His muscled arm cut into her side as she bounced against him painfully. He slowed his horse to a walk and then the animal stopped and stood still. Gripping the corded muscle of his leg, she dangled from the side of his horse. Her legs hit his horse's legs but the horse remained calm.

  Unclenching her shaking fingers, she slid down until her feet touched the ground. Her legs shook and she held onto his boot, afraid she’d collapse.

  "Jacie, are you okay?" he asked urgently.

  "Yes." She pushed her hair out of her face. "What was that about?"

  Dandy now stood quietly, sides heaving and foam flecking his belly and legs. The rest of their party caught up with them and began nervously asking questions.

  "What happened to him?" Jacie stepped away from Sloan’s horse. "My legs are shaky."

  Sloan dismounted. "Jacie, come and sit down." He urged her over to the side of the path, but she shook her head and pushed away from him.

  "I'm okay. What's the matter with Dandy?"

  James spoke softly to her horse as he unsaddled him. In minute detail he and Sloan examined the saddle pad and then the saddle.

  She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a chill chase across her. "What are you looking for?"

  Sloan dropped the pad on top of the saddle where his brother had dropped it on the ground. "I don't know, Jacie, I just don't know. I can't see any problem with the pad."

  "Or the saddle," James offered quietly.

  She saw a strange look pass between the brothers. "What's going on?" she asked stiffly. Neither of them answered. Sloan ran a gentle hand over the horse's back. The animal trembled, yet now stood unmoving.

  She touched a light finger to Dandy's neck. "He's been acting strange all day, but this was the worst. He was out of control."

  "Geez, Jacie." MaryAnn's voice was hushed, "I don't know how you stayed on. He acted like he was crazy or something. You're lucky he didn't throw you."

  Jacie sensed anger in Sloan, but she didn't understand why.

  "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked tightly, a closed look on his face.

  "Yeah, I'm just glad Dandy's not hurt." She reached forward and grabbed the horse's reins. "I'm going to walk him back."

  "No," James said. "I'll take him. If you think you're okay, you can take my horse. You've come this far, you might as well go on to the next site
."

  Trying not to let what had happened dampen the fun of the day Jacie explored the Kaaterskill Hotel site with the others. There wasn't much left, a few traces of foundation, an old concrete swimming hole and what was left of a bottle dump. She couldn't rid her mind of the bizarre way the horse had acted.

  "You're still white, Jacie." Sloan had watched her like a hawk since the incident with Dandy.

  "I'm worried about the horse."

  He expelled a harsh breath, shaking his head. "Forget the horse. I'm worried about you."

  As they started back to camp they followed a narrow footpath overgrown with bright green foliage. Jacie recognized it as Mountain Laurel, but her mind was still focused on the horse. Was she an accident waiting to happen? Why did all this stuff happen to her?

  The path grew narrower and she moved her horse closer to Sloan. "You must have ideas about what caused this. You haven't said much since it happened."

  "Sorry, I know my brother's a better guide."

  Exasperated, Jacie said, "I'm not talking about that! If you’re worried I’ll hold you liable, don’t be. Even animals have off days."

  Sloan gave her an impatient glance but kept his voice low. "Don't you think it’s strange these accidents keep happening to you?"

  "I did think about that."

  "I'm wondering if this was deliberate," he said. "I'm wondering if the gas leak in your cabin was intentional."

  "The gas line was a fluke. It came loose, unless you know something I don’t." She tried not to panic. "No one would want to hurt me." The track became steep and she concentrated on the trail ahead.

  "There's just too many things going on here, and they're all happening to you."

  As the path leveled out they trailed the other riders and rode side by side. After a few more feet she pulled back on her reins and let the others move further ahead.

  "Explain what you mean about the gas leak."

  "Maybe the gas line did pull loose. Maybe the rock hitting you was a freak occurrence. Dandy has never acted like this before."

  Her heart raced into her throat and beat hard, almost choking her. "When you add them up, it sounds like a case, but then again maybe it’s crazy even saying something like that." She rubbed her forehead, feeling flushed and nervous. No, she admonished herself, don’t let fear take hold. Surely there was a reasonable explanation.