Page 92 of Trail to Trouble

“We need to keep moving and get into position. And keep your eyes peeled,” the chief said.

Now that they were on the trail, Chief Ricco took the lead. She followed him, and Hunter followed her.

It didn’t take long to reach the pool of water at the bottom of the falls. She paused for a moment and stared at the waterfall. There seemed to be more water coming over the edge than she remembered from the past, but it was spring, so maybe the quick snow melt was feeding it.

Her gaze floated upward, running along the forty-foot falls she and Hunter jumped into. The memory of how he’d wrapped her in his protective arms warmed her heart. He’d taken the brunt of their fall. Sure, she had a few cuts and bruises, but he’d nearly lost his life, adding more injuries to his body after being shot.

The thick, thorny brush surrounding the pool wasn’t as dense as it was that day in the middle of summer, but the spring foliage was entering full bloom now.

Hannah closed her eyes and blew out a long breath.

“Ready?” Hunter asked.

She opened her eyes and nodded, then she followed him to the path that led up the back side of the falls.

Once near the top, they all paused, staying just inside the tree line. The top of the falls was rocky and bald. She scanned the area, looking for any lurking dangers. When she looked at Hunter and Chief Ricco, they did the same.

The rush of the water echoed in the air, and her gaze latched onto the fast-flowing water that swept over the edge in a free fall, just like she and Hunter had done once. Only the water fared better than they had.

Chief Ricco radioed his men, “We’re in position. Are you all in position?”

One by one, his men, the sheriff and his men replied. Everyone was where they needed to be.

“Any activity?” the chief asked.

Everyone responded acknowledging no activity.

Chief Ricco called out to Lee. “Is the campsite set up?”

“Yes, we just finished.”

“Good. Keep your eyes peeled on the way back. Stay safe,” the chief replied.

“My eyes are peeled,” Lee replied.

My.Wouldn’t it beour eyes? Hannah thought.

Now what? Should she stand on the bald rock like a sitting duck?

“Likely, he’ll come up the trail. He doesn’t know the woods, so that seems logical,” the chief said.

Hunter nodded.

“We should go to the other side and stay tucked in the tree line. We’ll still watch all directions.”

She watched Hunter’s nervous eyes scan the area.

“Due to the heavy, fast-flowing water coming in, I don’t think there’s an area shallow enough to walk through safely, without getting swept away, or an area narrow enough to leap over. We’re going to have to cross over the exposed area and bridge for the best angle to watch the trail,” Hunter said.

Chief Ricco nodded.

“I was thinking the same thing. We should still have plenty of time to do that before he arrives, that is, if he does, but let’s move quickly,” the chief replied.

It’s not like the top of the falls was that large. It would only take them a minute or so to get to the opposite side of the river that fed the falls, but still, who knew?

“Let’s go,” Hunter said as he grabbed her hand and shot out of the tree line, over the rock, over the bridge, and to the tree line opposite where they’d been.

Her heart raced. Not from the distance they’d just run, but from the fear of the potential possibilities that could have prevented them from reaching the other side.