Stolen(35)

It was a truth more solid than any she’d ever known.

The decisions she’d made, just moments ago, were not those of a monster.

She didn’t have the heart of a killer.

Her hands began to tingle with excitement.

Dr. Duncan had been right all along—she wished she could tell him.

She wanted to shout it for the entire world to hear.

There would be no more self-doubt—not about this.

Her theories about the monster might be wrong. She might even be as crazy as her parents believed she was, but she wasn’t capable of true evil. She could never have killed anyone and she made a silent vow, right then that she would never let anyone make her question that.

The voices carried to her on the wind again—they sounded high-pitched, urgent.

She shook her hands out and concentrated on what was taking place just a short distance away. Leaning forward, she strained to hear the conversation over the static of the radio, but couldn’t make out what the little group in the clearing was talking about.

Time to make her next decision.

She needed to know what was going on, and it was worth the risk of being found out to get closer.

Be patient.

An opportunity came quicker than she’d expected. The lion made a noise, and all three turned to check on it. Laura darted forward, then concealed herself behind a clump of trees and held her breath, listening.

“I promise I’m okay, Spense, you should check on Ranger Pandy.”

The redhead, whom Laura now knew to be a park ranger named Pandy, waved off the man called Spense. “No need. Barely got a scratch on me. Knocked the wind out of me, but after, I was just playing possum, waiting for it to get tired of circling me.” Pandy went to the lion and stroked its coat.

Unlike Laura, the ranger was fearless. Laura’s heartbeat accelerated at the realization she might soon be left alone with the lion.

“I’ve got more rangers on the way. We’re going to need to watch the cougar for a few days, make sure it has no ill-effects from the tranquilizers and . . .” Pandy arched an eyebrow at the dark-haired woman, “. . . for Caitlin’s sake. If it shows no sign of rabies after seventy-two hours, Caitlin won’t need shots.”

Spense nodded and held up Caitlin’s arm. “But she does need stitches.”

“I’ve got a medical kit in my pack,” Caitlin said. “Can you do the honors if I talk you through it?”

“I’m on it.” Spense shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

Caitlin took a seat on the ground, her legs stretched out in front while Spense dug through one of the packs. Laura’s stomach tended toward the squeamish side, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away as Spense cleaned and stitched Caitlin’s wounds. Laura’s throat tightened when he rested his hand on Caitlin’s, and at the tender way she looked at him when he wasn’t watching. From the extra glances and smiles they shared it seemed they cared about each other a lot—maybe they were even in love.

A sigh rose to her lips, but she didn’t let it escape for fear of being heard. Love was something she’d had little experience with. She hadn’t been allowed to date, and she’d never had a boyfriend. But up until now, she’d never really minded. While other girls her age were dreaming of boys, she was busy just trying to make it through another day—really living was something she’d never even considered.

Spense touched Caitlin’s cheek, and for the millionth time, she smiled up at him.

These were good people.

Laura wanted to trust them. She understood they were searching for her, and it was hard not to shout out, “Here I am!”

Maybe Spense would tend her wounds like he’d tended Caitlin’s.

Right. Just before he cuffed her and led her away in shame.

Spense pulled his jacket on, then climbed to a stand. “I don’t get it.” He was speaking to Ranger Pandy. “These guys don’t usually go after humans. I know they attack children on occasion.”

“Guess I really do look like a kid,” Pandy said without a trace of defensiveness. “But yeah, I don’t understand what made her go wild like that.”

“She’s a female?” Caitlin asked.

Pandy nodded. “Looks like it.”

“Maybe she was protecting her cubs.” Caitlin frowned. “But I haven’t seen any trace of them . . .” Her voice trailed off. She twisted her hands, as if worried. “You don’t think she might’ve been protecting . . .”

“A kill.” Spense shouldered his pack. “Pandy, you okay to stay here with her?”

The ranger nodded.

“I’m coming with you, this time,” Caitlin said.