Page 12 of Out of Time (Undaunted Courage #3)

Once they returned to the main path, he moved beside her again.

“You’ll see Micah’s cabin on the left, in the woods, as we approach the lake.

The vegetable garden in the sunny patch in front provides his produce.

The rest of his food comes from hunting, trapping, and fishing.

And he keeps chickens for eggs. He also has an apple and a peach tree. ”

“You mean he lives off the land?”

“More or less.”

“Doesn’t he ever go into town?”

“Not if he can help it. But he does have a motorbike for necessary trips. There he is now.” Steven inclined his head toward the lake just as Cara caught a glimpse of the cabin and vegetable garden.

She redirected her attention to the water as they continued walking.

Micah sat in a small rowboat, fishing pole in hand, a deer tucked among the trees on the bank beside him. If he saw them, he gave no indication of it—even when Steven lifted a hand in greeting.

“Not the friendliest guy, that’s for sure.” She skirted a small branch. “I wonder what he was like before his injuries and the PTSD?”

“I have no idea. Maybe he was always a loner.”

“Do you know if anyone ever tried to get him psychological help?”

“If they did, it didn’t take. And after all the years he’s been here, I doubt he’d be willing to revisit that. The niche he’s created appears to suit him.”

Cara peeked through the trees toward the water as they began to circle the far side of the lake, which was more heavily forested.

Though Micah appeared to be in the exact same position, frozen in place, she had the oddest feeling he was tracking their movements. The deer certainly was, though it stayed on the bank below as they approached.

“He’s definitely a little unsettling.” She picked up her pace.

“I know. He used to spook me big time, until I got used to his odd ways. But I don’t think he’s dangerous. Natalie may be able to give you some insights about him. She knows much more about his history than I do.”

“I may ask her a few questions.”

“And I expect she’ll be happy to answer them. Why don’t we switch to a pleasanter topic? Tell me more about the project you two are working on.”

She complied while they finished their hike, keeping her comments topline, but the questions he asked suggested he was interested in more than the bare-bones overview she’d provided. Not surprising, since it was part of his family history.

As they approached her cottage, she wrapped up. “The finished translation will not only provide an incredible foundation for my research, it will also be a useful resource in the future that could help save a dying language.”

“And perhaps solve a mystery too.”

So he knew there were questions surrounding Marie’s demise too.

“Natalie suggested that, but those entries would be later in the journals. I don’t expect we’ll get to the last volumes until closer to the end of my stay.”

“All I can say is, I’m glad you’re doing the transcribing and not me.” He stopped in front of the cottage and held out his hand. “Numbers, not words, are my thing. But good luck with the project.”

“Thank you.” She took his hand.

“I imagine we’ll see each other again. I get down here often. And now I have an incentive to increase the frequency. Maybe we could take another walk on my next visit.”

It was impossible to miss his message.

He liked her.

That was a welcome ego boost. Not many handsome, charming, and interested men had peopled her world.

For whatever reason, though, he didn’t make her nerve endings tingle like the sheriff did.

Yet.

But it was too soon to close the door he’d opened. You never knew where you might meet Mr. Right, as Bri would point out if she were here.

“I’d enjoy that.”

“Wonderful.” After a squeeze, he released her fingers. “Now I’m off, after I say goodbye to Natalie.”

“Safe travels.”

“Thanks.” With a lift of his hand, he strolled down the walkway toward the house.

As he disappeared around the bend, Cara let herself into the cottage. Her overnight bag and laptop were still in the car, but she’d wait until he left to fetch them. Since they’d just said goodbye, another encounter would feel awkward.

Yet she’d risk that in a heartbeat if Brad Mitchell were the one leaving.

Rolling her eyes, she dropped onto the edge of the bed.

Jack and Bri were to blame for her sudden fanciful thoughts about the lawman. If they hadn’t jumped to all kinds of conclusions at lunch, he wouldn’t be top of mind.

Oh, come on, Cara. Give it a break.

She flopped back on the bed.

Fine.

The sheriff would be on her mind, with or without prompts from her siblings.

And now another amiable, attractive man had entered her world in this hinterland, as Jack had called it.

Strange how life worked.

She’d come here to do research, with zero expectation of a single romantic vibe during her stay.

Of course, nothing would likely come of her encounters with either man. But they did add a bit of spice to her project.

And researcher that she was, before she and Natalie broke for the day tomorrow, she’d ask a few discreet questions about the background of the three men who’d entered her orbit.

The handsome cousin, the hot sheriff, and the unsociable groundskeeper.