Page 22 of Danger in the Wilderness (National Park Protectors #1)

Justin strode into the kitchen. “Guys, stop it. Kari just went to sleep, and you’re going to wake her.”

Dekker released Reed, retreating. “Sorry, Justin. My anger got the best of me.”

“Settle this argument and get to bed. It’s late.” Justin left.

Blaire raised her hands. “He’s right. It’s been a long day, and we’re all exhausted, but, Reed, please tell me why you lied.”

“Because Mullins favors you, and I just wanted to get one up on you.” He snatched his duffel bag. “There, I admit it. I’m jealous of you. Heading to bed. See you in the morning.” He stormed out of the room.

“He’s like a tornado, moving in and stirring up lots of junk.” Dekker’s shoulders slumped. “But he’s right about one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I can’t find my father. I pride myself on knowing my park inside and out, but I’m failing terribly.”

Blaire hated the anguish contorting Dekker’s handsome face. “Dek, don’t do that to yourself. This weather has hampered the search, not your abilities.”

“I keep replaying the last words I said to him before PCK abducted him.” He hissed out a long breath. “He came here to make amends, but I failed him. It’s just so hard to forgive him after how he treated me.”

“Tell me about it. What did he do?”

“It’s late, and we’re both tired.”

She shook her head. “Never too tired to help a friend.” Friend? Yes, but did she want more?

Their gazes locked, and she had a hard time breaking away from his baby blues. Yes, if she was honest with herself, she’d admit to wanting more than friendship. However, something held her back. Luca.

She cleared her throat and plunked on an island stool. “Tell me.” She had to steer her thoughts from romance right now. Too much was at stake.

Dekker sighed and sat. “My dad and I were best friends until eight years ago. We did everything together. He taught me so much growing up, and I knew right away I wanted to be a park warden.”

“What changed your relationship?”

“A few things. My little brother took his own life when he was twelve. That rocked our family’s world.”

Blaire swallowed the thickening in her throat. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Do you know why?”

“Kyle was bullied in school and took it hard. Understandably, of course. He followed me around a lot.”

“He looked up to you. That’s sweet.”

“Mom and Dad put him in counseling and spoke to his teachers, but kids are relentless. I guess Kyle just couldn’t take it any longer.” Dekker put the lid to the cookie dish on it, snapping it shut. “Dad took Kyle’s death really hard. He changed after that, and not for the good.”

“In what way?”

“Became like a dictator, ordering us around like we were part of the military or something.”

“What about your mom?”

Dekker’s eyes softened. “As the saying goes, she’s the glue holding our family together. She puts up with a lot with both Dad and her children, but her faith keeps her grounded.”

“Sounds like my mom, but she struggled at times though, especially after Dad died. Like your dad, she became angry, but it took us almost getting kidnapped to snap us back.”

His jaw dropped. “What? When did this happen?”

Blaire explained the situation. “Mom softened after that.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He paused. “According to Jayla and Hazel, Dad has changed. I’m not sure I can believe it.”

Blaire grazed his arm. “What did he do to make you feel that way?”

Once again, grief twisted his face. “He humiliated me in front of my peers.”

“How?” Blaire guessed Frank Hoyt had deeply hurt his oldest son.

“It wasn’t Dad’s tyrannical attitude that had changed our relationship.

” Dekker stopped, as if gathering his thoughts.

“I had applied for the park warden job at Micmore National Park, where Hazel is now. Everyone, including me, felt I was a shoo-in. But that wasn’t the case.

He told me I was too immature. Said I didn’t think things through enough, and that’s not what he wanted in his park. ”

Blaire whistled. “I can understand why that made you angry, but why would he say that?”

“Because he was right.” He hunched his shoulders. “It took me over a year to realize that though. I heard about an opening here in the Yukon and immediately applied. I got the job, so I moved without even telling him.”

“I bet that didn’t go over well.”

“Nope. Deepened the wedge between us.”

“So how did you come to realize he was right?”

Dekker stood and moved to the window above the kitchen sink.

“We were searching for a lost hiker, and I found her first. She had fallen over a cliff and was hurt on a ledge below.” He spun back around.

“Actually, it was the cliffs we were on today. Anyway, I didn’t wait for help.

Thought I could prove my worth by saving her myself.

I hooked up my equipment and rappelled down to get her. ”

“What happened?” Blaire held her breath, anticipating his next words.

“I rushed the process and didn’t anchor myself securely.

I fell too, so the others had to save us both.

” He pounded the countertop. “I almost caused her death because when I fell to the ledge, I landed on top of her. Thankfully, I caught her before she tumbled over the side. I got a reprimand, and from that moment on, I knew Dad was right. I was immature like he claimed.”

“But that happened years ago. Why haven’t you and Frank made up?”

“Because we’re both stubborn, and Dad’s ways have created havoc with all my siblings. I hated how he’s treated us throughout the years. He also continually ridicules me about my love life too. It grates on my nerves.”

“What do you mean?”

“He keeps telling me to move on from the past.” Dekker fingered the window blind.

“You see, I felt I found the love of my life. Eve and I were high school sweethearts. After we graduated, we went to different colleges, but we were very much in love. Or, at least, that’s what I thought.

I planned to ask her to marry me on spring break, so I surprised her with a visit. ”

Blaire guessed where this story was heading. “What happened?”

Dekker’s lips pinched together as his expression morphed into one of anger.

“Found her cheating on me. I’ll never forget how that felt.

Her betrayal consumed me. After that, I dated on and off.

Dad accused me of playing the field.” His eyes narrowed.

“I guess I did at first because I was so angry, but then I stopped after Jayla challenged me. I vowed I would never fall in love again, and Dad harasses me whenever he can.”

Wow. Blaire hadn’t realized they had the same betrayals when it came to their love lives. “I’m sorry you went through that. I’m sure your dad means well.”

“I’m just finding it hard to believe he’s changed.” He stared out the window. “And now I may never find out.”

Blaire studied Dekker’s rigid body language and suddenly the desire to take his hurt away overwhelmed her. Her fear of another man’s touch had slowly slipped away whenever she was in Dekker’s presence. How was that possible?

She got up and moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned her head on his back, breathing in his woodsy scent and relishing in his presence. I could get used to this.

She swallowed the thought. Not happening. “You will. I’m hopeful we’ll find Frank soon. God’s got him in the palm of His hand.”

He spun around, retreating from her hold. “How can you say that?”

“Because if I don’t have hope, I have nothing.” She grasped both of his arms. “I know trusting in God’s provisions can be hard, but it’s true. And I think deep down you know it too. It just has to go from here…” she touched his heart “…to here.” She tapped his right temple.

“I’m not so sure about that.” He retreated from their closeness. “I need to call Mom and give her an update. Not that I have much of one. Get some rest. See you in the morning.” He shuffled from the room.

“Lord, help him to see You again,” she whispered. “And please help us find Frank.”

Blaire picked up her laptop bag and retreated to her room, a question plaguing her mind. Would they find Frank alive?

***

The door creaked open, jolting Blaire awake. She fought to clear both her foggy brain and her blurred vision. Dreams of bears and drowning had sucked her under, holding her hostage in the dream world.

Creak.

She held her breath and turned her head toward the entrance. The thin ray of light streaming in from the nightlight in the hallway revealed a dark-hooded figure approaching her bed, holding a rope.

Blaire screamed and bolted into a seated position in her bed.

The attacker bounded forward and wrapped the rope around her neck, pushing her back onto her pillow. “Time for you to die, Miss Profiler,” the raspy voice whispered.

“No!” She only managed the one word before the suspect struck like a cobra sinking its fangs into its prey. Fast and precise.

Blaire kicked and squirmed, fighting to stay conscious.

But her attacker was too strong.

Shuffling footsteps sounded somewhere in the recesses of her mind as Dekker’s voice called out her name.

Blaire silently yelled Help! moments before her world turned black.