Page 1 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

The man shook his head. “Nonsense. I won’t let anything ruin our father-son time. Besides, the weather is perfect for camping, and from what Jayla tells me, you haven’t taken any time off yet this summer. It’s almost the end of July. You need a break, son.”

“Well, that man has changed, and I’m here to prove it to you. I know I’ve been tough on you in the past, and we haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. I want to make it right. This camping trip is too important for me to cancel.”

Frank Hoyt had surprised Dekker with an impromptu visit to the Yukon from his ranch home in Alberta.

Said he wanted to mend their shaky relationship.

According to Dekker’s sisters, Jayla and Hazel, their father became less tyrannical after a dangerous encounter with a serial arsonist in Micmore National Park.

But Dekker wasn’t convinced Frank Hoyt would ever change his leopard spots, especially after how their last visit ended.

They had gotten into an argument at the end of his sister Hazel’s wedding over something silly, but it had thrust Dekker back to the actual issue he had with his father. The man didn’t believe in his son.

At age thirty-six, Dekker was the oldest of the seven Hoyt children, so he had been the first trained by their father in the wilderness.

His siblings—Jayla, Hazel, Violet, Wyatt, Iris, and Tanner—now worked in various wilderness vocations.

However, during the selection for a new park warden at Micmore National Park, his father publicly criticized Dekker and chose someone else for the position.

Dekker’s coworkers all thought he was the best candidate, but Frank Hoyt wanted his oldest son to grow up more before giving him a risky job.

That had been eight years ago, and Hazel now held that role in Alberta, but Dekker had never forgotten how unprofessional his father had acted. It was the day their relationship died.

Dekker had moved to the Yukon shortly after that and rarely spoke to his father. Something he wasn’t proud of and wanted to rectify after seeing him at both Hazel’s and Jayla’s weddings. Dekker had noticed a shift in his father’s demeanor, but his public rejection was difficult to recover from.

Especially since they had once been so close.

Dekker studied the child-like glow on his father’s face. How could he disappoint him after he’d traveled to surprise him? And don’t you want that relationship back?

Yes, desperately. He missed his best friend. “Fine, Dad. But let me check with the warden on duty. Just to be sure.” Dekker took off his backpack and fished out his two-way radio, hitting the button. “Manny, you there?”

Dekker tapped his foot as he waited for his colleague to respond.

Emmanuel “Manny” Boone wasn’t known for his quick response time. The warden spent most of his shift chatting with hikers, campers and their fellow park workers. Not that he wasn’t good at his job, but he loved to chat. And flirt with the girls.

“Manny, I need an update. Talk to me.”

The radio crackled. “Dekker, you’re impatient. I was busy helping some hikers on my rounds. What do you need?”

Dekker pushed the button. “Any PCK sightings in our area? I just read about his latest kidnapping. He’s getting closer, and I don’t like it.”

“All is quiet. Oh, right, you’re on your camping trip with Frank.” An engine roared in the background. “I’m heading out on the ATV now. If I see anything, I’ll let you know. Have fun and don’t worry. God’s got you.”

“Thanks.”

God? Dekker wasn’t so sure. His childhood faith had wavered ever since God didn’t stop the death of his little brother Kyle.

“See, you’re worrying for nothing, son. And he’s right. God will keep us safe.” Frank adjusted his backpack. “Let’s get going. Didn’t you say the campsite is a good three-hour hike? We’re almost halfway.”

“Yes, it is, but well worth it. The scenery throughout Clovercross National Park is stunning.” He checked his compass watch—both for the time and to get his bearings.

Ever since getting lost at six years old and almost dying in the woods, he had trained himself to never get disorientated again.

The sports watch helped keep him on track.

He pointed south. “We need to take this path.”

“Are you sure? You can’t rely on a watch to give you direc tion.” Frank tapped his head. “I taught you to use this. Remember, keep your eyes to the skies and ears in nature.”

Dekker stiffened and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. And here we go. Back to the chastising. “Yes, Dad. You engrained that into us for years. I know this park better than you, and the correct path to our campsite is over there.” Once again, he pointed.

He inhaled, breathing in the mountain air.

His favorite. The sun’s rays peeked through the tall trees.

Meteorologists had promised a beautiful summer day and weekend.

So far, they were spot on. He just hoped it would stay that way.

Storms in the mountainous wilderness were dangerous, especially at night.

“It’s almost two o’clock, so that should put us there in time to make camp and supper.” Dekker picked up his gear and positioned the heavy load on his back. Their plans included three overnighters, so they had tents attached to their backpacks.

“Did you bring rope to hang our food? We don’t want an encounter with a hangry grizzly.”

“Of course. This isn’t my first rodeo.” Dekker gritted his teeth. This is gonna be a long three days.

He turned his back on Frank and trudged down the path toward their destination.

Hours later, after getting a detailed update on the Hoyt family, Dekker parted the branches and strolled into their campsite, which was next to a rapid-flowing river nestled close to Fortcastle Mountain.

“We’re here.” He removed his backpack and unfastened his tent.

“Let’s get set up, and then I’ll start a campfire. ”

Frank whistled. “You weren’t kidding. This is beautiful. Look at those snowcapped peaks. Is this mountain part of Jayla’s Ogilwyn Mountains?”

“Yes, Fortcastle is one of the highest peaks in this mountain range.”

“Have you seen Jayla, Bryson and Avery recently? How are her hubby and his niece doing?” Frank unpacked his one-man tent and spread it out on the ground. “Jayla told me you haven’t called lately.”

Dekker balled his hands into fists, but kept them at his side. “They’re fine. I’ve been really busy these past few months training another park warden. Jayla knows and understands.”

“So, I guess that means you have had no time for women in your life. Or are you still playing the field?”

Another sore spot for Frank Hoyt. Dekker’s love life—or lack thereof. “Dad, let’s not talk about that, okay?”

“What about the girl you met a couple summers ago when she was here visiting? Brook? Blake?”

“Blaire? How did you know about her?”

He shrugged. “One of your sisters, probably.”

Dekker finished putting up his tent. “Blaire actually recently moved to the Yukon. She’s a profiler for the police. But no, I haven’t talked to her lately. I’m guessing she’s busy working the PCK case.”

“Son, you’re not getting any younger. Time to settle down.” Frank finished raising his tent and unfolded a miniature lawn chair.

Dekker squatted in front of the stone-walled fire pit and grabbed a nearby stick, stabbing it into the ashes. “Can we please change the subject?”

“Sorry. I promised your mother I wouldn’t bring up your dating habits, and I’ve already failed.”

Dekker unhooked the small axe from his belt loop.

“Time to gather some wood. I hope the rest of our trip together is more peaceful. I’d like to see the Frank that Jayla and Hazel see.

Not the one I’m used to.” He didn’t wait for a response but ducked under low-lying branches and headed toward the river’s shore to look for driftwood.

Tightness latched on to his chest like a hawk intertwining its talons around its prey.

Dekker hated how his mood had turned foul.

He had promised himself he’d remain calm, but right now, he needed distance from his father.

Already.

Ten minutes later, Dekker headed back toward their campsite, holding a load of wood.

A gunshot echoed throughout the forest as birds scattered from the trees at the disturbance.

Dekker stopped in his tracks. “Dad?”

“Dekker!” His father’s frantic call boomed, followed by another shot.

Then silence.

No! Dekker dropped the wood and raced into the trees, his hand flying to his side.

Only to find his gun missing. He wasn’t on duty.

Dekker grimaced, unhooked his ax and raised it as a weapon. He bolted toward their campsite.

But found it vacant along with blood spatter on the rocks surrounding the firepit.

And his father’s tent collapsed with his chair on its side. “Dad?”

Silence answered.

This can’t be happening. Had the Park Campfire Killer found them?

Dekker fell to his knees and pressed his radio button.

“This is Dekker—” His voice faltered at the thought of losing his father.

Don’t panic. That won’t help. He cleared his throat and once again pushed the button.

“SOS. Need assistance. This is Park Warden Dekker Hoyt at Fortcastle campsite. Possible PCK abduction.”

“Dekker, it’s Manny. What’s going on?”

“My father is missing. Call the police and get here. Now!” Dekker didn’t suppress his panicked tone.

“On my way, but I’m a ways from your location. I’ll see if there are others near you.”

Dekker knew the vast forest was sometimes not their friend. He scrambled upright. “I’m going to look for my dad.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. Wait for backup.”

“I can’t. This is my father.” Dekker stuffed the radio into his backpack and clenched his fingers around the ax, racing through the trees.

If this was the Park Campfire Killer, Dekker only had approximately seventy-two hours to find his father and save him.

Before PCK unleashed his wrath.

***