Chapter Six
Plots, Plans and Politics
Jonathan woke to the sound of someone pounding on the door. He sat up and nearly passed out. Fasting was a bitch. “Who’s there?”
“Shula, daughter of Zebulon and Israel’s daughter. Open the door.” She spoke with authority.
Jonathan opened the door and stepped aside. Shula strode across the room and laid River on Jonathan’s bed.
“What happened?” River’s face was flushed. Her eyes were closed. Her body hung limply in Shula’s arms. “Is she okay?”
Shula shoved her hood back, revealing a thick black braid and chiseled features. “Get a rag out of the box in the cupboard and go break off a couple of icicles.”
Nice to meet you, too. “What’s wrong with River?”
“She has a fever. Now go get that ice.”
Jonathan ran out onto the porch without stopping to put on his boots. He broke off the first icicle he reached and brought it inside. But he couldn’t let go. It felt like he’d superglued his hand to the damn thing. He swore and shook his arm, but to no avail. “Eli! Get your lazy ass out of bed and help me with this.”
The woman whirled around and glared at Jonathan. “Who dares speak to Eli, son of Zebulon’s daughter, with such disre—”
She froze mid-sentence and dropped her hand to her heart. Her eyes twitched back and forth as she stared at Jonathan’s face. “What’s your name?”
Jonathan didn’t appreciate her tone, but decided to play nice. “I’m Jonathan McKnight; River’s recruit.”
Shula sank down on the edge of River’s bed. “How did you come to be River’s recruit?”
“I had a run in with a bear and then a mountain lion and then River showed up and one thing led to another…” Jonathan knew he needed to keep his answers as vague as possible, but he tended to talk too much when he was nervous and Shula definitely made him nervous.
“Does your family own a gold mine?”
“Yeah.” How did she know that? Jonathan nodded at Eli’s bed. “But that jackass over there tried to blow it up.”
“That jackass is my son. And what makes you think he’s responsible for sabotaging the McKnight Mine?”
“He admitted it.” There was no way that Shula was Eli’s mother, not unless she gave birth when she was two. She must be his stepmother.
“That was stupid of him.” She glanced at Eli then focused on Jonathan. “What’s your father’s name?”
“Charles.”
The remaining color drained from Shula’s face.
Jonathan was afraid she might pass out. “Are you okay?”
Red splotches bloomed across her throat and spread to her face. “Don’t ever tell anyone else that you’re a McKnight.”
“Why?” Jonathan tried once again to pull his fingers off the icicle. It didn’t budge.
Instead of answering, Shula closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “Is your father still living?”
“Yeah.” Jonathan answered before he remembered what River had told him about recruits and family ties. “But…we aren’t on speaking terms.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” The sorrow in her voice sounded genuine, which was weird considering recruits weren’t supposed to be part of a loving family.
“Is he married?”
“Separated.”
The corners of Shula’s mouth curled up.
What the hell? Jonathan extended his hand, “Do you think you could get this icicle off me?”
“I told you to use a rag.” Shula grabbed Jonathan’s wrist and tugged at his fingers—as if he hadn’t been trying to pry them loose for the past two minutes.
Jonathan jerked his hand away from her. “That’s not going to work.”
She walked over to the table and tapped the side of the tea kettle before picking it up. “This is going to feel hotter than it is because of the extreme temperature difference. It might sting a little, but it won’t scald you.”
The water steamed when it flowed over the ice and it stung a hell of a lot more than ‘a little.’
Shula wrapped the thick end of the icicle with a rag then handed it back to Jonathan. “Wipe River’s face with this end and try to get her to suck on the tip. It’s wet enough now, it shouldn’t stick to her skin. I need to talk to my son.”
“Wait, what’s wrong with River?”
“I already told you. She has a fever.”
“Fever is only a symptom. What’s causing it?”
Shula marched across the room, ignoring Jonathan’s question, and yanked the covers off Eli’s upper body. “Get up. We need to talk.”
Eli groaned and rubbed his eyes. “So talk.”
“Outside. Now.”
Eli got out of bed and stretched. Buck naked. In front of his stepmother. Jonathan couldn’t help noticing that Eli had a tattoo over his heart, similar to River’s. His was smaller and much simpler in design, but in the same exact spot. It must be a cult thing.
Shula didn’t even blink at Eli’s nakedness.
What is wrong with these people? Jonathan turned his back and sat on the edge of River’s bed. She whimpered when he wiped her brow with the damp, rag-end of the icicle. He pressed the back of his hand against her cheek. “Shula? River’s burning up. I think she needs some Tylenol or something.”
“It’s not allowed.”
Jonathan twisted around to face her. “But—”
“No buts.” She didn’t even look at him.
“Can’t you give her some herbal medicine or something?” The cabinet where Eli had gotten the stuff to make them puke held dozens of glass jars containing all sorts of dried weeds, seeds and flowers. Surely something in there would help break a fever.
Shula jerked the door open and stomped outside. Eli followed her.
What a bitch. With a stepmother like that, no wonder Eli’s so rude. Jonathan rubbed the tip of the icicle across River’s mouth.
She pressed her lips together and turned her head away from him.
“Come on, kiddo. You need fluids and I don’t think anyone’s gonna be hooking you up to an IV anytime soon.” Guilt prodded the constant ache in Jonathan’s chest. River warned him this might happen. He didn’t feel sick, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t his fault.
Jonathan scooted forward and pressed his thigh against River’s cheek so she couldn’t turn away from the icicle. He started at the outside corner of her mouth and traced the line between her lips. “Come on. Just one little taste.”
She licked her lips and swallowed.
“Atta girl.”
River’s eyelids fluttered open but her glassy-eyed gaze passed right through him. “Why did she leave?”
“She’s just outside talking to Eli. Do you want me to go get her?”
“My wolf. I want my wolf.”
“You have a wolf?” If Jonathan hadn’t been chased out of the mine by a wolf, he would have assumed River was delirious. It was still the most likely explanation. He turned the icicle around and mopped her brow with the dripping rag on the other end.
River’s chin quivered. She lifted her head off the mattress a couple of inches but collapsed back onto the bed. “I have to find her.”
“Wolves don’t make very good pets.”
She grabbed Jonathan’s wrist with her hot, dry palm. “Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t leave without you. I promise.” Jonathan hadn’t been able to do a damn thing in Afghanistan to improve anyone’s life. The insurgents bombed schools and medical clinics faster than the army could build them. Women were still being stoned to death for stepping outside their houses without permission. He couldn’t save the world, but he could save River. “I’ll get you out of here if it kills me.”
Eli
Eli paced back and forth across the porch. He kept his voice low, but that didn’t disguise his fury.
“I don’t care if River is the first mutual merge in two centuries. She’s still a pain in the ass.”
"Sh
e's merging with a white wolf."
“So what? White wolves are rare, but this isn’t the first time someone’s merged with one. I’m not taking River as my alpha until Reuben fulfills his part of the bargain.” Eli wouldn’t take River at all if there was any other way to free Aspen. He was still furious with her for blackmailing him out of killing Jonathan. "No one but superstitious old fools believe white wolves bestow any more power than greys or blacks."
Mother dug her fingers into Eli’s bicep and forced him to face her. “One of those old fools just happens to be Zebulon. If you're not careful, someone that knows the value of superstitions will mate with River and usurp your birthright.”
“I don’t care.” Eli jerked his arm free.
“Reuben is an honorable man. He’ll keep his word.” Mother placed both hands on the porch rail and leaned on it, as if Eli’s refusal was too heavy a burden to bear without support. “But you must realize that even Reuben’s influence is limited. It takes a unanimous vote to pardon a sentence as serious as Aspen’s.”
“Then talk to Zebulon. If you could persuade him to pressure the council—”
“Solomon’s reputation, as well as his pride, suffered a serious blow when his betrothed mated with another man. He’ll never change his vote.”
“Then maybe Solomon needs to be replaced.”
Mother grabbed Eli’s arms. “That’s treason.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time a council seat became available under suspicious circumstances.”
“Eli, please…this is madness. If anyone were to hear you…” Mother cupped his cheeks with her hands. “Have you shared this plot with anyone else?”
“Of course not.” Eli batted Mother’s hands away from his face. “I may be irresponsible, but I’m not stupid.”
“You love Aspen enough to commit murder?”
Eli shoved his fingers into his hair. “It’s my fault she’s been stripped of her rank and turned into a whore.”
“If Reuben could see to it that no one will ever use Aspen to gratify their mating urges except you, would that good enough?”
“Would it be good enough for you?”
Mother’s eyes flashed. “You were born to rule New Eden.”
Eli laughed. “Did you forget that I was also born a bastard?”
She raised her hand to slap him.
Eli wasn’t an alpha yet, but he was no child. He was not afraid of his mother or her wolf. He bared his teeth and growled.
Mother lowered her gaze and dropped her hand. “After Zebulon exiled Ephraim, he kept track of his descendants.”
“So?”
“Why do you think I mated with an outsider?”
Eli’s blood ran cold. “I thought it was because you’d merged outside our borders and had no choice.”
“No one can prove that your father was not of Ephraim’s line.”
“Can you prove that he was?”
“Doing so would forfeit his life. But, I won’t have to prove anything if you mate with River.”
Mother reached out and stroked Eli’s cheek, the same one she would have hit, if he’d let her. “I’m bound to an outsider and will never want another man. I gave up everything for you.”
“Don’t try to pass your own ambition off as some noble sacrifice. I grew up without a father.” Eli regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. He lowered his voice and gently gripped Mother’s shoulders. “I just want to share my life with the woman I love and the children I sire. I have no desire to rule New Eden.”
“The only way for you to have that life—is if you do rule New Eden. And the only way to insure your success, is with River by your side.”
“River might not go along with your little plan to overthrow the government.”
“She won’t have a choice once she’s bound to you.”
Eli took a deep breath of icy air and let it out slowly. The resulting cloud of steam obscured Mother’s face. He waited for it to dissipate before speaking. “Reuben has a plan to protect River from bonding.”
Mother’s shoulders tensed beneath Eli’s hands. “River cannot be allowed to keep her free will. You must be the only one to mate with her.”
The fact that Mother already knew what the plan was, meant it wasn’t as big of a secret as Reuben thought. What would happen if everyone knew? How many women would willingly bind themselves to any man if they had a way to prevent it? That information alone was enough to start a revolution. The women of New Eden wouldn’t need Ephraim’s son to unite them.
Eli gripped the porch rail to hide his trembling hands. “River and I barely tolerate each other. I doubt I’ll be able to persuade her to mate with me.”
“If Reuben has already approved the match—”
“I refuse to take River, or any woman, by force. I’ll just have to win her over.”
“You can start by easing her pain with physical intimacy while she has pre-merge fever.”
“You obviously don’t know River very well.”
“Don’t do anything sexual. Keep your pants on and just hold her next to your bare chest. The skin to skin contact will ease her cramps and burn the fever out faster. It will also soften her heart in preparation for bonding. Use it to your advantage.”
Eli didn’t like the idea of manipulating River’s feelings while she was delirious—even if she was a bitch. But he’d do anything to save Aspen.
“I’ll do my best to persuade River to become my alpha; however,” Eli met Mother’s gaze and held it without blinking, “I refuse to alienate Reuben by breaking my word to him. I still hope to free Aspen without starting a revolution.”
“You won’t have to break your word. I’ll quarantine the ranch. That will get rid of most of the eligible males. Reuben thinks of River as a daughter, so you don’t need to worry about him. And Gabriel won’t merge for at least another year.” Mother’s eyes hardened. “But you need to keep an eye on Jonathan.”
“Not if he’s dead.”
Mother grabbed Eli’s biceps. “Do not lay so much as one finger on that boy!”
Eli knocked her hands away. “Why not? What’s he to you?”
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “He means nothing to me, but sponsors tend to get irate with people that harm their recruits. River will never mate with you if you kill Jonathan.”
Eli knew Mother was hiding something, he just didn’t know what. Or why. But he intended to find out.
Jonathan
River had just drifted off when Eli burst into the cabin, and slammed the door.
She flung her arms out and gasped.
“Hey!” Jonathan lowered his voice, but not the intensity behind it. “Do you mind?”
Eli stomped across the floor and glared at Jonathan. “Get out of her bed.”
“I’m not in her bed, I’m on it. There’s a huge difference. And where’s Shula?”
“Gone.”
“What do you mean gone? River needs a doctor!”
Eli leaned over and pressed his hand against River’s forehead. “Mother must not have realized how high her fever had climbed before she left.”
“When did she leave? Maybe you can catch up with her and bring her back.”
“I’m going back to bed.”
“What is wrong with you? I thought you were in love with River.”
“Hardly.” Eli started peeling off clothes. “But if you want to go chase after Mother, be my guest.”
“What about the enforcers? I don’t want to get River into trouble if someone thinks I’m trying to run away.”
Eli pulled a gold disk out of his pocket and tossed it to Jonathan. It had Eli, son of Zebulon’s daughter inscribed on one side and a wolf’s head on the other. “Just show that to anyone that asks and tell them you’re doing my bidding.”
Jonathan shoved the coin in his pocket. “Can I borrow your horse?”
“Only if you muck out his stall when you get back.”
Jonathan didn’t want to leave River
alone with Eli, but he didn’t have a choice. “I’m not trying to pick a fight, but if you do anything to River while I’m gone, I will kill you.”
“I would never stoop so low.” Eli looked genuinely offended.
Jonathan wished he could believe him. The sooner he left, the sooner he’d catch up with Shula and the sooner they’d get back to help River.
Eli sat on his bed and pulled his boots off. “Before you go, prop the door open a couple of inches. Some imbecile put too big of a log in the stove.”
Jonathan gritted his teeth to keep from telling Eli what he could do with that log. But it was too hot in the cabin. He held the door open two inches and shoved a wedge-shaped piece of wood under it with his boot. “Keep an eye on River. If she gets chilled, close the door.”
Shula’s tracks were easy to follow…at first. They led away from the cabin in a northwesterly direction, but disappeared once they entered the forest. Jonathan searched for over an hour, but never picked up her trail. He couldn’t help but wonder if Eli had known all along that Jonathan wouldn’t find her. Was this just a ploy to get him out of the cabin so he could molest River? Jonathan’s stomach cramped. He turned Red around and rode him hard back to the cabin. He tied him to the porch instead of taking him to the barn.
Jonathan paused at the door when he heard River’s voice. She sounded much better.
“It was amazing. I’ve never felt anything quite like it. I just wish I’d been able to finish.”
Finish what?
“Was this your first time?”
“Yes.”
Jonathan peeked in through the two inch gap. Eli was in River’s bed with her naked back pressed against his bare chest. What the hell?
Jonathan jerked the door open then closed the distance to River’s bed in three strides. “What’s going on!”
River leaned forward and smiled at him. “I’m much better now.”
“I can see that.” He could also see that Eli had his pants on even though River was completely naked.
Eli jerked the quilt up to her chin and glared at Jonathan.
Jonathan wanted to knock him into next week, but River didn’t look the least bit upset. If this were a mutual thing he had no right to interfere. “Are you okay?”
Her smile widened into a grin. “I’m a little sore, but Eli said I’ll be good as new by tomorrow.”
“Sorry to interrupt.” Jonathan clenched his teeth so hard, his jaw ached. “Next time you two want to get busy, lock the door.”
Jonathan took Red to the barn, rubbed him down and gave him some oats. He didn’t want to go back to the cabin so he went to the cleansing pool. The hot water soothed his aching body, but not his heart. Why should he care if Eli and River hooked up? He barely knew the girl. Sure, he fantasized about her a little—okay, a lot—but after seeing her naked, who wouldn’t? That didn’t mean he was in love with her.
Jonathan closed his eyes and slid lower into the water, resting the back of his head on the pillow-shaped rock behind him.
He’d just drifted off when Eli’s shout startled him awake. “I forbid it!”
“I don’t need your permission to use the cleansing pool!”
Jonathan sat up and stretched his neck to see what was going on.
River’s hair flowed behind her as she ran down the path—completely nude—as usual. But this time, her nakedness had no effect on him.
Eli stood on the porch and yelled obscenities at River, then stripped out of his pants and followed her.
Jonathan glanced at his clothes folded neatly on a rock beside the pool. He didn’t want to sit there and listen to a lover’s spat, but he wouldn’t be able to get his pants on before River arrived. Besides, he was there first.
River muttered under her breath as she descended the stone steps into the pool.
“Is everything okay?” Jonathan wanted to stab a knife through his traitorous heart for caring.
Eli plunged into the hot spring and sat down next to Jonathan; as far from River as he could get. Oh yeah, cleansing pool rules…no touching.
River leaned forward and pointed at Eli. It was easy to tell she was royally pissed. “Tell him.”
Eli glared back at her, but didn’t say anything.
“Tell me what?”
River huffed then shifted her gaze to Jonathan’s face. “I did not mate with Eli. He was only helping me recover from my fever.”
“Whatever.” Eli’s pants were on when Jonathan caught them in bed together; but there was that comment about it being her first time. “It’s none of my business.”
“I’m not a whore.” River’s eyes glistened.
“Hooking up with Eli makes you an idiot, not a whore.”
Eli laughed; a single-syllable bark. “I suppose you think you’d make a better mate.”
“Anyone would make a better mate.”
Jonathan was up to his neck in hot water but still had time to dodge Eli’s right cross.
The son of a bitch grazed his fist on the rock Jonathan had been using as a pillow. He stared at his bleeding knuckles then pointed at River, as if it were her fault. “Discipline your recruit.”
River shook her head. “For what? Not letting you hit him?”
Talk of discipline sent a chill down Jonathan’s spine. Just because Eli couldn’t take him in a fair fight, didn’t mean he wouldn’t stick a knife in his back as soon as he fell asleep. He needed to stop antagonizing the guy. He also needed to get away from River before her tear-filled, big, brown eyes tore through his resolve to protect his heart. “It’s a little too crowded in here. See you guys back at the cabin.” Jonathan turned around and vaulted out of the pool.
“Jonathan, wait! Let me explain.”
He swooped his clothes up off the rock and jogged back to the cabin, ignoring the urge to glance over his shoulder to see if River was checking him out.
Jonathan swiped the remaining water off his body as best he could, but his skin was still damp, making it extra hard to pull his pants up over his thighs. When he leaned over to pull on his socks, he spotted Eli’s knife under the bed. He’d sleep a lot better with a weapon under his pillow, but the penalty for theft was probably as brutal as it was in Afghanistan. If he got caught stealing anything, River would be punished for his crimes. He couldn’t take that chance. He swore and kicked Eli’s knife even further under the bed, then crawled into his own to grab whatever sleep he could get before Eli and River returned. It was going to be a very long night.
Jonathan woke to whispered voices. River sounded pissed. “You knew he was out there and you knew what he’d think when you asked me if it was my first time.”
“Why do you care what he thinks? He’s just a recruit.”
“He’s not like most recruits. I like him.”
Jonathan’s heart leapt in his chest. He wanted to punch it.
Eli made a growling noise that raised the hair on the back of Jonathan’s neck. “You don’t want to be bound to a man that won’t live a quarter as long as you do.”
“I don’t want to be bound to a man that’ll be absent nine months out of the year.”
“Reuben claims there’s a way for you to avoid being bound to anyone.”
“Do you know how that works?”
“I don’t care how many men you mate with. All I’m asking is that you be discreet about it.”
What the hell?
“I’m not a whore.”
“I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just trying to explain that you can live your life anyway you want. You can stay with Reuben during the winters. I know you enjoy working with the horses.” There was a long pause before Eli continued. “You don’t have to decide tonight, just think about it, alright?”
Was Eli trying to talk River into an open marriage? What a scumbag. Jonathan’s breath came faster as his anger increased. He stretched and yawned, letting them know he was awake.
River and Eli were both sitting at the table by the stove. She smiled at Jonathan.
“Enjoy your nap?”
“How long was I out?” He yawned again, only this time, he didn’t have to fake it.
“About two hours.”
Jonathan shifted his gaze to Eli. “I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight.”
He wanted Eli to know that he couldn’t take him by surprise, but didn’t want to challenge him. Time to change the subject. “Will your illness extend our time in quarantine?”
River frowned, puckering her brow. “It shouldn’t have. I’m not contagious.”
A slow smile spread across Eli’s face. “As a precaution, Mother is putting anyone River came into contact with under quarantine. She’s evacuating everyone except Reuben’s immediate family from his ranch. His son, Gabriel, is bringing us extra horses tomorrow so we can join them there.”
Jonathan’s heart sank. He didn’t want to go deeper into the wilderness. His chances of escaping successfully were diminishing by the hour. He had to leave tonight. Could he take out Eli and subdue River without seriously injuring either of them? Probably not. He needed to come up with an excuse to get her alone—preferably in the barn—where he could bind and gag her and get away before Eli realized they were gone. “Hey, River, you seem to know a lot about horses. I think Red might have a loose shoe, he seemed to be favoring his left rear leg while I was rubbing him down.”
“Why didn’t you mention it earlier?” River put on her coat and grabbed her gloves.
Eli didn’t budge. He just sat on his lazy ass, sipping his tea. “If you find anything, let me know.”
River nodded.
Jonathan took a slow, deep breath to quiet his nerves. “I’ll go with you.”
Eli shot him a dirty look, but made no move to join them.
Jonathan’s pulse jumped with every step. He felt like he was on a runaway train headed for a cliff. Should he try to explain things to River? Clamp his hand over her mouth and give her the option of going quietly? Or just knock her out? The thought of hitting her sickened him.
They were only halfway to the barn when a tall, broad-shouldered kid ran out.
“Gabriel!” River laughed and ran towards him. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
Jonathan’s heart fell. Even if he managed to override his conscience and knock the kid out, he wouldn’t be able to do it without River sounding the alarm. Eli would, no doubt, enjoy filling him full of arrows from the safety of the front porch.
Gabriel picked River up and swung her around once, then set her down. “Aunt Shula sent everyone away that hadn’t come into contact with me or Pa and put the rest of us under quarantine. She said what you had wasn’t serious, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Pa’s furious.” He frowned and cocked his head to the side. “You don’t look sick.”
River mumbled something too quietly for Jonathan to hear.
The boy’s eyes widened then narrowed as he furrowed his brow. “But…merge fever’s not contagious.”
She gave him a ‘shut-up we’re being watched’ look.
He sucked both lips into his mouth but his remorse didn’t last long. He smiled at Jonathan as he extended his hand.
“Hi, I’m Gabriel.” The kid had an infectious grin and a bone-crushing grip. “I haven’t seen you around. I didn’t know Eli had a new recruit.”
Jonathan shot River a look. According to her, she’d already told the boy and his father that she’d recruited him when she met them on patrol. Was that whole ‘they already know about you so if you leave, I’ll be punished’ thing nothing more than a manipulative plot to keep him from going home?
Jonathan swallowed his anger and shook Gabriel’s hand. “I’m Jonathan. River’s recruit.”
“River’s?” The boy’s eyebrows arched over wide eyes.
River took a deep breath and exhaled, shooting a cloud of steam into the frigid air. “It’s a long story.”
“Pa’s not going to be happy about this.”
Yeah, she was guilty alright. He should be furious with her. She’d lied to keep him from leaving; because she liked him. That shouldn’t matter, but it did. It shouldn’t make him smile either.
River flicked a sideways glance at him then hooked her arm through Gabriel’s and turned him towards the barn. “Jonathan thinks Red’s got a loose shoe. We were just heading out to check on him.”
Maybe she’d lied about the whole accountability thing too. But how the hell was he supposed to know? He couldn’t leave River behind if there was even a shred of doubt that she might be punished for his crimes. He didn’t want to leave her behind.
Gabriel looked over his shoulder and frowned at Jonathan. “I reshod Red myself three weeks ago. His hooves and feet were in excellent condition.”
“It’s probably nothing. I haven’t been around horses in years.”
Four horses greeted them when Gabriel opened the barn door. River grabbed Jonathan’s hand and led him to the middle stall holding a sorrel mare. She rubbed the mare’s forehead then kissed her nose. “This is my horse, Sugar.”
She nibbled River’s shoulder.
River gave the mare a pat on the neck and moved to the next stall. “And this is Hot Sauce; everyone calls him ‘Saucy.’ He’s Gabriel’s horse, but he hardly gets ridden anymore now that Gabriel’s got Lightning.”
She rubbed behind Saucy’s ears and nodded at the corner stall where a large gelding pawed the ground. Old Red, Sugar and Saucy all had curly, red coats and dreadlocked manes. Lightning looked like a cross between a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred. His grey coat was long and shaggy, but straight, and he stood about two hands taller than the other horses.
Gabriel leaned over the door of Red’s stall. “Everything looks good to me. Which foot did you say he was favoring?”
Jonathan hadn’t planned on anyone actually checking. “The left rear?”
“He was probably just resting. Horses shift their weight around to relieve pressure on their feet.”
“Sorry about the false alarm.”
“Don’t be.” Gabriel grinned at him. “I’m glad there was nothing wrong. Anytime you think there’s a possibility of a problem with any of the horses, it’s best to check it out.”
Jonathan tossed and turned all night. Dad had to be frantic, but worrying about him wasn’t going to get Jonathan home any quicker. And getting himself and River killed by running off without a decent plan wasn’t going to get him home at all. He needed to give up on escaping before getting hauled off to Reuben’s ranch and focus on coming up with a strategy that had a good chance of success. But every plan he came up with had at least one fatal flaw—River.
If he kidnapped her, would it be because he honestly believed it was the only way to protect her life or because he wanted her with him? Did it even matter? He’d take her with him; at least as far as Red Cliff. If she wanted to go back to her stupid cult once she was safely out, he wouldn’t stop her.
Jonathan gave up on sleep and decided to avoid the whole naked-in-front-of-River awkwardness and snuck off to the cleansing pool alone. A morning soak in the hot spring was mandatory; as was changing into clean clothes before heading to the ranch. He checked to make sure River was still asleep, then stripped. He stuffed his coat, clothes and boots through the hole in the box for contaminated clothing as per the instructions carved on the front door. According to River, the ‘omegas’ would take care of it after they left. Jonathan had yet to see any of these mysterious beings, but they were under quarantine. Maybe he’d meet some at Reuben’s ranch, once quarantine was lifted.
He rushed through the cleansing ritual, peeked inside to be sure River wasn’t awake, then wiggled into the clean clothes she’d given him the night before without waiting for his body to dry off. Everyone else woke up at sunrise. Jonathan kept his gaze averted while River undressed—for the most part.
On the way to the barn, Gabriel handed out leather wrapped packets of food—two pieces of jerky, one hard-as-a-rock biscuit and a sliver of dried apple.
After living off br
oth and herb tea, Jonathan wanted to inhale everything, but he had no way of knowing when he’d get more. Everyone else was nibbling on their rations like mice. He’d better make his last.
Gabriel’s horse, Lightning, was a handful. He obviously wanted to be in the lead, but Gabriel kept him in the rear “to show him who was the boss.” Eli rode so far ahead, he was out of sight most of the time, giving Jonathan a chance to pump River for information.
“So, what kind of ranch does Reuben own? It doesn’t seem like there’d be enough pasture for cattle.”
River laughed. “There isn’t. We breed a few horses and mountain goats but it’s the things Reuben makes in his smithy that supports the family. I was trying to find the goat herd so I could bring them to the ranch for the winter when I met you.”
“You obviously didn’t find them. What’ll happen to them? Will they starve?”
She arched her eyebrows then smirked at him. “They’re mountain goats. We bring them to the ranch during the winter for our benefit, not theirs.”
“You eat goat meat?”
“We also milk them.”
Jonathan’s mouth watered. “Do you guys make goat cheese?”
“Cheese, yogurt, butter…” River twisted around and called to Gabriel. “Hey, did anyone find the goat herd?”
“Not yet. The snow’s still too deep in the pass.”
She frowned, creasing the skin between her eyebrows. “If we don’t find those goats, it’s going to be a long, cold winter.”
“What about the buffalo hides?”
“New Eden has alliances with other groups that share our…philosophies of life.”
“Which are?”
River laughed. “Did anyone ever tell you that you ask too many questions?”
“All the time.”
They’d been riding due west for about two hours, climbing steadily, when they crested a summit and found Eli waiting for them. “This is as far as you go without a blindfold, outsider.”
Jonathan looked at River, but she refused to meet his gaze. “River?”
She slumped forward and sighed. “I’m sorry, but it’s the law. No outsider is allowed to see this entrance to New Eden.”
“You’re kidding. What is it? A secret passageway?”
“Yes.”
Okay, not expecting that. “How about if I close my eyes?”
“You need to let me blindfold you. It’s also a test, to prove you trust me. I’ll guide your horse, or if you’d feel safer, you may ride double with me on Sugar.”
Jonathan wouldn’t mind snuggling up against River’s back—making Eli jealous was a bonus—but he sensed that choosing to ride double would make him appear weak. “I’ll stay on my own horse, thanks.”
River’s smile validated his choice. She turned Sugar around and rode up next to Saucy, nose to tail. Her thigh pressed against Jonathan’s. He leaned over so she could tie the folded bandanna over his eyes.
“Can you see anything?”
Jonathan shook his head. “No.”
A rush of air brushed his face. “What was that?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, outsider.”
Eli. He must have thrown something in front of Jonathan’s face to test the blindfold.
River took the reins from Jonathan’s hands. “Hang on to Saucy’s mane and tell me if you get dizzy.”
“I have ninja skills. I won’t get dizzy.”
Gabriel and River spoke at the same time. “What’s ninja?”
Eli snorted. “He’s lying. A ninja is a Japanese warrior and he’s not Japanese.”
“I didn’t say I was a ninja. I said I have ninja skills. I used some of them when I disarmed you, remember?” Jonathan knew it was stupid to goad Eli, especially blindfolded, but he couldn’t let the guy get away with calling him a liar.
Gabriel’s voice held more than a hint of reverence. “You disarmed Eli? What happened?”
Eli’s voice was full of spite. “He caught me off guard.”
Jonathan was ready to set the record straight, but Saucy jerked forward. It took all of his concentration to stay on the horse. River’s leg bumped his. Her breath tickled his ear. “It’s a serious crime for a recruit to threaten the life of an enforcer and you had a knife pressed against Eli’s throat. The only thing protecting us is his vanity.”
“Sorry. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“See that you do.”
Jonathan didn’t get dizzy, but he did get disoriented. He tried to keep track of the turns…two rights, left, right, two lefts, three rights…but there was no way to hold that much information in his mind. He just hoped they were on some sort of trail that would lead him home. The way Saucy lurched and stumbled challenged that hope. The frequent sound of rocks pinging off the mountainside kept Jonathan’s shoulders hunched up by his ears. River gave him a steady stream of verbal instructions: ‘lean back’ when they slid down a rocky slope…‘lean forward’ when they entered a forest with low-hanging branches that clawed at his face…and ‘hang on!’ for everything else.
The warnings were never in time to prepare for whatever lurching, sliding or hopping maneuver Saucy had to perform. At one point, River had Jonathan dismount so she could jump Saucy over a fallen tree. Gabriel helped him climb over it and remount—all without removing his blindfold.
“Halt. Who goes there?” A stranger’s voice tensed every muscle in Jonathan’s body.
“Eli, son of Zebulon’s daughter.”
“Gabriel, son of Reuben.”
“River, daughter of Asher and Issachar’s daughter.”
“Jonathan, son of—”
“No one!” River jerked the reins. “He’s my untrained recruit.”
“You need to teach him some manners.”
“I need to teach him everything. Like I said, he’s new.”
“I need to see everyone’s Certificate of Clean Health.”
Eli said, “We are completing our quarantine at Alpha Reuben’s ranch.”
There’s that whole alpha thing again.
“On whose authority?”
“Mine.” Eli spit the word out with a growl.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I need to see some documentation.” The stranger’s voice trembled.
The sound of rustling clothing accompanied Eli’s litany of swear words. His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Does this meet your standards?”
The guard heaved an obvious sigh of relief. “Yes, sir. You may pass.”
River patted Jonathan’s knee. “Lean over Saucy’s neck and keep your head down. We’re going into a tunnel.”
“What? No!” Jonathan’s heart leapt into his throat. “I don’t like enclosed spaces.”
He didn’t even like driving through Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 to get to Denver. He’d gotten trapped inside the old McKnight Mine with Franklin when they were in high school. It’d taken twenty-four hours for rescuers to dig them out, but it’d felt more like twenty-four days.
River gave Jonathan’s knee a comforting squeeze. “I don’t like enclosed spaces either, but the blizzard closed the pass. Until the snow melts, the tunnel is the only way in or out of New Eden.”
He lifted his hand to remove the bandanna, without realizing that’s what he was doing until it was too late. Pain exploded through the back of his head.
When Jonathan regained consciousness, he was lying prone on Saucy’s back, his face buried in the horse’s mane. The bandanna was tied even tighter, or maybe it only felt that way against his throbbing head. Even with his sinuses full of the smell of horse, Jonathan recognized the mineral scent of damp rock. The sound of the horses’ feet echoed like stones dropped into an empty well. They were underground. “River?”
“I’m right here.” She placed her hand on his back. “Keep your head down.”
“How much longer?” Between the pain pounding his skull and the impending panic attack, Jonathan barely got the words out.
“About five more minutes.” She kept her hand
on his back, giving him comfort and strength.
A fresh breeze caressed Jonathan’s face. The clean scent of pine and snow loosened the bands of anxiety from his chest. He took a deep breath and counted to eight as he exhaled.
River patted Jonathan’s back three times. “We’re out.”
Jonathan’s head throbbed harder when he sat up. “Can I take off this damn blindfold?”
“No!”
“Okay.” He moved slowly to keep from freaking anyone out as he reached behind his head and felt the lump through the hood of his sheepskin parka. “What happened?”
“Someone threw a rock at you to keep you from removing the blindfold.”
“Someone?”
“If you’d gotten the blindfold off, Eli would have killed you on the spot.” River’s voice was full of remorse, so Jonathan assumed she was the rock-thrower.
“Well then, I guess I owe someone a ‘thank you’ for saving my life. Although a simple ‘don’t do that’ would have hurt less.”
Gabriel said, “You’re welcome.”
No wonder his head hurt. The kid was built like a wrestler.
They rode for another hour then stopped. River said, “You may remove the blindfold.”
Jonathan ripped the hateful thing off and squinted against the glare of sunlight on snow. He’d expected to find more rough-hewn structures, like the cleansing huts and quarantine cabin, when they arrived; so the sprawling ranch house, two-story stable and massive hay barn nestled in the valley took him by surprise. All the buildings were made of logs, but there was nothing “rough-hewn” about any of them.
Jonathan wadded the bandanna up, but before he could throw it on the ground, Gabriel rode up beside him and extended his hand. “I’ll take that for you. It wouldn’t be a good idea to treat anything of Eli’s with disrespect.”
“Are you afraid of that arrogant jackass?” Jonathan smiled when he realized he’d used River’s favorite insult and handed Gabriel the bandanna. “I’m pretty sure you could take him in a fight.”
Gabriel grabbed Jonathan’s wrist and lowered his voice. “Eli’s very…political. He can cause all sorts of trouble; especially when winter’s over and they open…” He stopped mid-sentence and pressed his lips together.
“What happens when winter’s over? And who opens what?” Jonathan planned to be long gone before spring, but the more intel he could gather, the better his chances of getting himself and River out of there alive.
Gabriel glanced at Eli before locking gazes with Jonathan. “Please don’t ask me any more questions. River will tell you everything you need to know.”
“She hasn’t told me a damn thing.”
“She will. When you’re ready.”
River
By the time they arrived at the ranch, River’s stomach was tied in knots. She’d spent most of the ride home silently rehearsing what she was going to say to Reuben but she still felt unprepared. At least Jonathan hadn’t confronted her about the lie she’d told to keep him from leaving. He was probably waiting until he could speak to her privately.
Jonathan stumbled when he slid off Saucy’s back.
River resisted the urge to scramble to his side and help him. She doubted he’d appreciate it.
He grabbed a fistful of mane and looked down at his bowed legs. “I hope this isn’t permanent.”
River and Gabriel laughed.
Eli rolled his eyes. “How stupid can you be? None of us are bowlegged and we’ve been riding since we could walk.”
River pressed her lips together. She wished Eli would leave Jonathan alone. She didn’t expect him to be nice, but he didn’t need to antagonize him. “Why are you still here? It’s another half-hour to your mother’s cabin.”
Eli glared at River for a second then dug his heels into Red’s sides and galloped away.
Calling attention to the fact that Eli lived with his mother was a cheap shot but at least it had gotten rid of him.
Gabriel dismounted and unbarred the stable doors. They creaked when he opened them. “Am I the only one around here that knows how to grease a hinge?”
River led Sugar to her stall, next to Stormy’s. The filly was weaned, but still liked to be near her momma. They greeted each other with steamy breaths and quiet nickers.
“This is Sugar’s filly, Stormy, sired by Thunder.” River nodded towards Thunder’s box stall in the corner then leaned over Stormy’s stall door and scratched behind her ears.
Jonathan looked like he was in pain as he hobbled towards River. He put his hand on her far shoulder, draping his arm across her back. She tried not to read anything into his possessive behavior, but it made her thighs quiver. She squeezed her knees together and hoped no one noticed.
River closed her eyes and inhaled, hoping the familiar smells of horse, hay and grain would dilute Jonathan’s scent. The brief encounter with her wolf had enhanced all her senses. Everything was more intense—including her physical attraction to Jonathan. What would it be like after she merged?
“She’s really cute.”
Just the sound of his voice felt like a caress. River slipped out from under Jonathan’s arm. She needed to get some distance before she embarrassed herself.
“May I pet her?”
“If she’ll let you. She’s skittish around strangers.” Jonathan’s interest in Stormy only added to his appeal.
To River’s amazement, Stormy sniffed Jonathan’s hand then walked closer and lifted her head. Jonathan scratched under her chin. “That feels good, huh, baby?”
River could stand there all night and watch Jonathan play with Stormy, but Sugar and Saucy needed to be rubbed down. She looked over her shoulder at Gabriel. He was already working on Lightning’s right side. “Hey, Gabriel, I need to talk to Reuben about recruiting Jonathan. Do you mind taking care of Sugar for me?”
“Of course not.” He smiled, crinkling the skin around his eyes. “Good luck with Pa.”
When River got to the porch, she unlaced her boots so she could slip out of them before going inside. It was late and she didn’t want to wake Paul and get him all riled up. There’d be plenty of time for happy reunions after a good night’s sleep.
She tiptoed across the kitchen and leaned into the hall. A bar of light seeped out from under Reuben’s office door. Good. At least she wouldn’t have to wake him. He was grumpier than a grizzly if anything interrupted his sleep.
River froze when she heard Shula’s voice. She snatched her hand away from the doorknob and leaned in closer.
“The ranch is already under quarantine. I can fake Jonathan’s death with drugs. Once we show his body to River and Gabriel, Eli can take him to Red Cliff. From there, he can make his way home.”
River’s fingernails dug into her palms as she fisted her hands. That conniving, evil bitch! Why did Shula care whether or not Jonathan joined Reuben’s household? It was no food out of her mouth. Jonathan was River’s recruit. Her responsibility. She’d feed him out of her own rations all winter if she had to. And she’d be damned if she’d let anyone take him away from her. He’s mine!
Reuben sighed. “Have you considered that he might be the one? He is a McKnight.”
“And that’s exactly why he can’t stay here. The McKnights have become a powerful, wealthy family. They’ll never stop looking for him.”
“Then maybe they need to find his body.”