His Outback Cowgirl(35)

Ethan stood too and put his hands in his jeans pockets.

She snapped pictures of the sunrise and then walked over to her left to get a better view of the waterfall. The roar of the water was muted by distance but with her zoom she could easily see the water tumble over the rock lip and the reflection of the sunrise in the pool below.

She panned her camera across the pool hoping to catch some wildlife drinking. Something red flashed. She zoomed in closer and saw the unmistakable pattern of a man’s red and black shirt.

“Ethan?”

“What is it?”

She handed him the camera. “To the left of the rock pool there’s a man in the undergrowth wearing a red and black shirt.”

Ethan looked through the camera for a long moment. “I caught a brief glimpse, but he’s gone now.”

“Could he be the poacher?”

Brow furrowed, Ethan passed her the camera. “Maybe or he could be a photographer? That’s private land but people still trespass if they think they can get away with it. When I have signal, I’ll call Cordell and he can take a look. Beargrass Hills backs onto that land and Cordell has permission to visit.”

“We can go?” Bridie said quickly.

He chuckled. “No, we can’t, Little Miss Impulsive. We don’t have permission and it would take hours to ride there.”

“So how will Cordell get there?”

“There’s a gravel road, even though it’s not used much and has washboards that would shake out your teeth.” Ethan pointed behind them. “See that small brown square? That’s still Henry’s land and that’s an old line cabin. The road also allows Henry access to the cabin and then his backcountry.” Ethan turned. “If you’re ready, we’d better keep moving; there are more things to show you today.”

She took a last lingering look at the waterfall and now bright sky, and also turned.

“Hypothetically ...” she asked as they descended the slope, “if that was a poacher they’d have to be a local who knew the area?”

Ethan sighed and nodded.

“Why would a local destroy their own backyard?”

“Sport, boredom, money. Bobcat and lynx pelts are fashionable overseas so there’s money to be made.” A muscle worked in his jaw. “All I can say is those poachers had better hope Cordell and I never catch up with them.”

Ethan stopped and offered her his hand as they neared a loose part of the slope. She curled her fingers around his. All thoughts of poachers slipped from her mind as she followed the steady and careful man she loved down to the clearing.



Ethan couldn’t shake the impression he knew the man in the red plaid shirt. It had been a fleeting impression, a gut feeling, but he’d learned to trust his instincts after years of running from Rick. If the man were local, he wouldn’t be some random photographer snapping wildlife pictures. He could be the poacher, or at least one of them.

He’d kept his conversation casual with his twin, not wanting perceptive Bridie to sense his concern, but Cordell had no problem picking up on his message. His brother would already be making some calls and soon heading out to Bear Paw Falls.

Ethan rolled his shoulders and turned his attention back to the cowgirl riding quietly beside him. Expression pensive and face pale, the releasing of her grief had taken a toll. He’d felt every tremor and every silent sob as he’d held her but thankfully this time her tears had proved cathartic. He knew firsthand that her grief would ebb and flow but she’d now be on her way to reengaging with life.

He smothered a growing sense of loss. Now that she’d said good-bye to her father, this could be the last time they rode out together or he be alone with her. If by helping her through her grief it meant she no longer needed him or no longer even remained in Marietta, then that was the price he’d have to pay. Today was all about Bridie not about him. Rosa had packed a picnic lunch and he’d work hard to make sure the rest of their trip was free of high emotion and full of the fun she needed.

“Still missing that extra hour of sleep?” he asked, as Bridie smothered a yawn.

“No. Just needing a sugar fix. My body’s telling me it’s breakfast time.”

“Mine too. There’s a creek ahead and we’ll stop there.”

The sun’s warmth strengthened as the trees thinned. Ethan heard the rush of water before the horses stepped out of the pine trees and onto the soft grass of the creek bank.

They dismounted and Bridie took off her hat and denim jacket. The breeze ruffled her loose hair and molded her green shirt to her chest. Mouth dry, he glanced away and concentrated on unpacking the saddlebags.