Page 12 of Maddox: Wild Alaska (Hawke’s Ridge #1)

As we pass through town, I notice Maddox with an attractive blonde woman.

I immediately wonder who she is and what their relationship is.

I know I shouldn't be, but I find that I’m jealous.

My stomach sinks at the thought of him with her.

I shake myself and pay attention to Judean in the seat beside me.

For some reason that I haven't figured out yet, Richard's family are being nice today. My guard is still up around them, and that won't change. Something has changed since last night, and it's puzzling. They've been giving Judean the cold shoulder.

I don't really understand. Judean thinks it's because she's become my friend. I just hope things don't get any more complicated than they already are. Today's activities should give us enough space to take a breather and clear our minds. One can hope.

Garrett opens the door for us, and we step out into the fresh air of the forest. I smile widely as I close my eyes and breathe in the rich scent of pine trees.

I'm excited for this walk-through Alaska's wilderness.

We've all been given water and a packed lunch, which we'll eat at the river.

Apart from Garrett, Ryland and Gabriel are with us, too.

I can't figure out the brothers. When we arrived at the lodge, I saw the way they looked at us and sensed that they were weighing their options.

That's different today. They're all business, which I'm relieved about.

The atmosphere is still tense, but at least they're not staring at us like we're fresh meat.

Ryland winks my way when I catch his eye. I chuckle and smile back, grateful for the moment of levity amidst the tension. Glancing around, I see that Judean looks rather pale as Samantha whispers to her. I frown. It can't be anything good because that woman never says anything nice.

I head toward them and clear my throat. "Ready, Judean?"

"Yeah." She breathes out a sigh of relief.

Samantha turns to face me with a fake smile. "We were just talking about dinner tonight." After giving Judean what I can only describe as a threatening glance, Samantha wanders over to her mother and the others. "She's full of shit!"

Judean snorts. "She wanted to know where your room is."

I huff out a frustrated breath. "Why do they want to know that? Are they planning something? Ugh! I just want them to leave me alone. Let's enjoy ourselves and hope that Samantha and her mother face-plant into a pile of mud."

Judean gasps and snorts a loud laugh, drawing the others' attention. I nudge her. "Come on," I say.

"Ladies," Garrett says as he approaches us, his eyes drifting toward the others.

Judean and I turn and glance back at the group of women standing together, whispering and casting glances in our direction.

"Please let them find mud to slip in," Judean says under her breath.

Ryland chokes on a laugh and shakes his head.

I notice Gabriel, or Gabe as his brothers call him, standing back looking like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.

As we fall out, I take up the rear and fall in beside him.

He glances my way and smiles. "Sofie," he says, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

"You have my brother wrapped around your finger. "

"Hmm," I mumble, unsure about that after seeing him with the blonde woman. "How are you doing? Maddox told me about Andrea. I'm sorry, Gabriel.”

He blows out a breath. "I've been better, and it’s Gabe.” He winces.

"I feel guilty," he says quietly. "If I had looked harder when she disappeared, maybe she would be alive today.

I can't get that thought out of my head.

She wanted to move in with me, but I didn't want her to.

I didn't feel that way about her. I didn't care enough. Now she's dead."

I reach out and grip his arm, and we come to a stop. "Whatever happened has nothing to do with you, Gabe. You must know that. The only person responsible is the one who took her life. That wasn't you. It's not your fault that you didn't feel the same way about her. Tell me you know all this."

"I know that, yet it's easier said than done."

A loud whistle pierces the silence, and Gabe points toward the culprit—Ryland. "Move your asses."

"Ignore him," Gabe says as we move toward Ryland. "It's that time of the month," he adds as we pass him.

"Bro, not cool!"

I snicker. “The Hawke men are fun to be around.” I glance at both men, who have dark eyes and facial scruff. "They're nice to look at, too," I add, moving to catch up with Judean.

"Did she just say we're hot?" Ryland says.

"No, she said you're mediocre and I'm hot," Gabe counters.

I shake my head at them and slide my arm through one of Judean's. "Are you doing, okay?"

"Being the butt of their jokes is getting old," she says sadly.

"We don't need them," I say quietly. "Besides, you have one of the delicious Hawke brothers after you. They don't!" I raise my eyebrows when she looks at me.

Her cheeks turn red. "He called me a horse."

"No, he didn't. He said he wanted to eat you for breakfast. You totally twisted his words around." I pat her hand. "I hear water in the distance." Pause. "Let me get my phone out. I want to take some pictures."

I take pictures of the tall trees with daylight peeking through and quickly point and click to capture an image of the two brothers. Ryland, catching sight of me, wraps an arm around his brother, and they both smile for the camera. I give them a thumbs-up in thanks and continue moving.

The leaves are vibrantly colored, and the sunlight filtering through them creates a beautiful contrast. As I continue my hike, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be here. Alaska in the summer is a beautiful, unforgettable experience.

An hour later, I trek through a small tunnel of trees and gasp in surprise.

Before us, a river with crystal-clear water flows, and to the right, there is a gorgeous waterfall.

It's breathtaking. The sound of the rushing water is soothing, and I pause to take in the beauty of the surrounding nature.

I snap a few photos to capture the moment before moving up into the small clearing Garrett indicated.

We take off our backpacks and get out our water and lunch.

I use my backpack as a seat, plopping down on it, glad for a rest and some refreshments.

I chew on a chicken salad sandwich as I look through the photos I've taken.

There aren't many, but the ones I took are good.

Really good. I glance at the brothers and smirk when they each face me with a smile. I roll my eyes, but then I look away.

Judean groans beside me, so I glance her way, only to find that her eyes are elsewhere. I follow her gaze and see Samantha heading our way. She stands in front of us for a moment before huffing out a breath and crouching down. "Why are you flirting with all the single men?" she asks.

I frown. "There's a difference between flirting and being friendly. I'm being friendly. They're nice guys." I shrug. "Actually, it's none of your business."

"It's Richard's business," she snaps. "He won't like it.

“Samantha, why don’t you go back to your friends and enjoy this trip you planned instead of spying on me?”

"Hmph," she grunts, narrowing her eyes. She opens her mouth to give us both a tongue-lashing when shouting suddenly starts up. We glance in that direction and see Tisha batting away Ryland's hands, her screech sounds like a hyena's.

"What's that about?" Judean nudges me.

I shake my head. "I think he stopped her from falling into the water. Not that she seems happy about it."

"Stop touching me, you creep! Get away!" she shouts, struggling to push him away.

Catherine moves toward the group, and I decide to follow as does Judean.

"Get away from the edge!" Ryland snaps. "Unless you want to go for a swim downstream. Then I'll let you go like you keep asking me to."

Finally, Tisha shuts up and pushes Ryland away as she moves away from the edge of the four-foot drop into the river. She turns and points. "I'm going to report you to the sheriff for manhandling me."

Ryland huffs out a breath and mutters a curse about the stupid woman under his breath. I don't blame him because she is stupid. Anyone could see that she was about to go for a swim.

"You are all witnesses!" Tisha continues.

"Now just a darn minute," Garrett begins.

I jump into the fray. "Tisha, the only thing I saw was Ryland stopping you from falling into the river.

The current looks strong. You would have been pulled a good way downstream before anyone could reach you, and you wouldn't have been able to get yourself out.

And that's if you didn't drown first! Frankly, I don't know what you're shouting about because you're the one who started this by going too close to the edge!

" I pause for a second, then add, "Everyone here knows Ryland saved you.

The question is, do they have the courage to be honest about it?

" I move toward my backpack and put it on.

Gabriel clears his throat. "Everyone, pack away your trash and get into your packs. It's time to head back."

“The hot tubs await,” Garrett says.

Judean winces.

"What?" I ask, helping her into her backpack.

"I hate being around people in my swimsuit."

I shrug. "Then don't wear one."

She gasps, then bursts into laughter.