Dark Crossings: Shadows, #2

Dark Crossings

By RM Alexander

Copyright 2014 RM Alexander

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

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Books writing as RM Alexander

Strategies of the Heart

Impact

Mask

Stricken

The Shadows Series

Veil of Secrecy

Dark Crossings

Revelations

Birth of the Forbidden—A Prequel Novella

Stand Alones

Matter of Choice

Betrayed

Dangerous Secrets Series

Never Again: A Short Story Prequel

Until Tomorrow

Forget Yesterday—Coming Soon

Box Sets

Restless Hearts

The Shadows Box Set

Strategies of the Heart Box Set

Books writing as Melody Ash

Web of Echoes Series

Deep Echoes

Northern Echoes

Sunken Echoes

Eastern Echoes

Familiar Echoes—Coming Soon

Southern Echoes—Coming Soon

Fallen Echoes—Coming Soon

Western Echoes—Coming Soon

Anthologies

Counterclockwise: A Fiction-Atlas Anthology

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dark Crossings

Chapter One

EERIE CRIES ECHOED through the cool night air, thick with intention. Rachel Brackett leaned forward; her chest frozen as she inched to the edge of the sofa. Waiting. Listening. Deep in the Bitterroot Valley, the shrill calls were typical decoration. Wolves made the nearby forests of fir and maples their home, among the shadows of stretching mountains. Moonlight calls were expected.

To anyone else, it sounded like ... nothing at all. 

Rachel swallowed hard as her eyes strayed in the direction of the kitchen where Todd and Erica Smith cooked dinner. Apparently unimpressed by the call of wildlife. Her eyes shifted to the glass slider across the room. A haunting chorus floated through the air like a disembodied soul from the timber and grasslands. She stood. Typical wolves roamed the area. But these weren’t those. Rachel knew the truth, and there was nothing typical about these wolves or their intentions.

These wolves wanted Rachel, her friends, her loved ones. Dead.

Every one of them—dead. 

Another ensemble in the distance, one wolf, a second, a third. A fourth. A chorus in perfect unison. Rachel's jaw set. Counting wouldn't help. The harmony was too perfect, as was the likelihood that more stalked the woods than she could hear.

Her muscles tensed. It was also impossible to tell how close to the house the ranks stood.

In the kitchen, dishes clanged and glasses chimed. Rachel shifted her gaze again, this time in the direction of the kitchen. No rushing feet, no shrieks, no yelling. If Erica and Todd heard the melody, they weren't concerned. She waited, shoulders decompressing. No one would find the baying near as disquieting as she did.

That was a good thing.

Rachel rose, crossed the hardwood floors and southwestern-woven rugs, peered out sliding glass doors to the back of the Smith property. It couldn't be called a backyard. The cattle ranch went on for miles in every direction, the house the center of acres upon acres of land.

She scrutinized the blackness. No glowing eyes, no massive bodies. 

That was even better.

Relaxing into the taupe sofa, Rachel took a sip of soda and leaned back. No cause for alarm.

With a deep breath, she allowed her eyes to roam the log cabin construction and western Native America motif. Two story ceilings where decorated by thick, rounded beams, plush furniture, and a wide, river rock fireplace.

Rachel stood and walked toward the kitchen, fingers running through her cinnamon hair. Drawers opened and closed, and silverware clinked behind a swinging door. Need any help in there?

No, we’re all set, Philly girl. Just relax. we’ll be ready to eat in just a few minutes, Erica responded from behind the door.

If you’re sure. Rachel nodded, smiled.

She strolled back to the glass doors, looked out to the dark forests. She had friends there, too. But the Smiths didn’t know about them. Couldn’t know about them—not under any circumstances. 

Rachel crossed an arm under one elbow, the can in hand, her lips turned slightly upward. Her friends in the forests. Leonardo. His name carried bubbles of warmth, a forbidden love, a refuge. The first impulse, months ago, was to run from the man fused with a lion. She closed her eyes as she remembered the flood of fear. The risk she took in staying brought an unimaginable reward of his love. His patience. His undying understanding and care.

The trace of a grin played along her face as Rachel turned from the back door. No one would understand the love in her heart for Leonardo, and she wouldn't expect them to.

The wolves once again bayed across the landscape, and she shuddered as footsteps approached.

Todd, the cattle are herded into their pen, aren’t they? Erica asked as she moved to the living room.

Her husband trailed behind. Yes, dear.

Erica hurled a dishrag at his head and laughed. Shut up. Those wolves are sounding frisky. Have been for days. You know we can’t afford to lose even one bull to those things.

Rachel’s stomach cringed. They'd noticed after all.

They should be fine. I’ll have Deke and Ross check on the herd again after dinner.

Erica nodded, the characteristic ponytail bouncing against a shoulder like a dangling, yellow ivy. Have you been hearing them much by your place, Philly girl? Probably more, since you sit right in the middle of the forest, huh?

Rachel shrugged, hoped she looked casual. Sometimes.

Erica cocked her head to one side with raised eyebrows. Guess it’s just part of living in the wild. That old stagecoach thing and whatever, huh? That’s what us pioneers must suffer, I suppose.

Rachel smiled.

Can't ever get used them. Erica drew in a deep breath, clapped her hands together. Anyway, Philly girl, if you’d like, we can head into the dining room. We’re just waiting on the steak which should only be a couple minutes. The salad is ready and waiting. 

Rachel followed along into a small alcove dressed by a panoramic view of the distant mountains. She pulled out a stool and sat at the table as Todd placed a bowl of leafy romaine, tomatoes, cheddar, and diced eggs before her. She nodded and smiled as he turned to his wife and rested in a booth built into the wall.

Erica sat at the end of the table and passed ranch dressing to her husband. I ran into a friend of ours, she said, motioning to Todd with a nod, and mentioned what happened in the accident and how the airbag failed. He thought he might be able to do something for you.

Erica. He raised an eyebrow and took a bite of the salad without looking up.

Rachel picked the raspberry vinaigrette from the center of the table, drizzled it over her salad and smiled, every nerve steeled in preparation. Erica had been trying to set her up with different men for months. Let me guess. He’s a single, good-looking lawyer who just happens to have a big heart.

She took a bite of salad. Well, yeah, but that’s not, Erica stopped, swallowed, and continued with a sheepish grin. Well, okay, maybe it is, a little. But you shouldn’t be alone. You’re beautiful, smart, sweet. What guy wouldn’t want you? 

Rachel smiled and glanced down at the food.

Anyway, what harm could it do to talk to him? He’s a nice guy, isn’t he, Todd?

Don’t bring me into this, my dear. He met Erica's gaze, pointed a fork at Rachel. Let her be mad at you. I don’t want to feel her wrath.  

You’re such a wimp. Rolling her eyes, Erica looked to Rachel. Who’d have thought, right? Big, strong, ranching man, a total wimp.

No, my dear. I'm just smart. He stood and made his way to the kitchen, his voice projecting with the growing distance. Men know when to keep their mouths closed and be smart.

Erica patted the corner of her lips with a napkin, then laid the cloth neatly across her lap. Hopeless.

Rachel giggled. Okay, all right. What’s his name? she asked with a heavy sigh.

Kyle Merton. 

Kyle Merton. Fine. I’ll talk with him. Change of subject?

Erica beamed. Sure. To?

Anything but Kyle Merton.  

Todd laughed as he carried a platter of red meat grilled to perfection, the succulent aroma carrying across the room and causing Rachel’s stomach growl. 

How about the horse, honey? Did you tell her about that yet? He placed the platter against the table and settled back into the booth, the twinkle in his eyes goading his wife. 

Rachel nearly choked on the last bite of lettuce, coughed, and forced the leaf down her throat. She laid the fork against the plate, eyebrow raised. Horse? She couldn’t have heard right. Must be the wolves traipsing across her mind.

The Smith ranch teemed with horses and steer from which the Smiths’ derived most of their income. They weren’t wealthy, but comfortable. Happy. Jealously wrapped small tendrils around Rachel whenever she was around them, although she hated to admit it. They shared a different kind of life, one she lost in the past and knew she would never again possess. It wasn’t the love part. She found that again with Leonardo, lusher than any fairytale-come-true. It was the simplicity of the Smiths' life. Marriage, the possibility for pitter-pattering feet to grace the oak floors, a home shared together.

Trade-offs, she reminded herself. That’s what it was all about. Trading off one form of happiness for another. It didn’t matter the relationship—whether it was based in reality or fantasy—there were always trade-offs. And hers with Leonardo was well worth the price. Just one of those choices she made not so long ago. 

Erica broke through Rachel’s runaway thoughts. Todd and I talked, and those stables of yours have gone ignored for way too long. But you haven’t had a reason to fix them up. Until now.

Until now? Rachel narrowed her eyes, curiosity and laughter blending across her lips. What have you two done?

We haven’t done anything, Erica answered with a roll of her eyes. She scooped up a forkful of baked potatoes, chewed, stopped, and put the utensil on the rust-red placemat. We have more than enough horses, and you can’t live in Montana without owning at least one. It’s one of those ancient laws on the books no one discusses.

Finable, huh?

Unbelievably.

Rachel laughed, rubbed the corner of her mouth with a finger, and folded her hands together in the same business-like manner she did when helping clients at the antique shop. So, you thought you’d save me the cost of a pricey ticket.

Of course. She’s a fine mare. Erica brushed it aside as though it was the most obvious conclusion. You do know how to ride, don’t you?

Rachel poked at the broccoli. Very little, but I suppose I better brush up my skills so I don’t land myself in jail, huh?

Could be a life sentence.  

Rachel exploded with laughter.

Please accept the gift, Rachel. Todd will help you with the repairs to the stables. It shouldn’t cost too much, and I’ll show you how to clean and care for her.

Rachel nodded. Why not? Any more bombshells I need to know tonight?

Nope, I think that about covers it.

DESPITE ERICA’S WARNINGS of turning into an old maid, Rachel gathered her purse and jacket by nine, and gave her friend a hug.

You’re not thirty yet, you should still be ready to hang out until two or three. Not going to bed by ten every night.

I might need a walking cane soon, huh? Rachel turned and gave Todd a warm hug. Good night, Todd. Thank you for dinner. And the horse.

Just pitiful. You need a life.

Erica’s words tickled a bone and Rachel giggled. I’m sure, if it’s left up to you, I’ll find one soon.

That’s right. That’s what friends are for, right?

Climbing in the car, she glanced back at the Smith ranch where the front porch light shone brightly across the darkened landscape. Todd and Erica had one another; their love as palpable as the glow of life.

Rachel glanced at the time on the dash, started the car, and backed out in a plume of dust. Getting home by nine-thirty may not make sense to them, but it meant a chance to spend every possible second with Leonardo. He may come, may not, but she intended to be home. Every moment, however fleeting, needed to be captured.

A pair of maroon eyes moved across the darkness of night at the edge of the driveway. Her foot slammed the break as the eyes edged closer. She craned her neck forward, eyebrows knitted together. The eyes shifted accompanied with a pitched howl. Hands against her ears, Rachel waited.

Silence eclipsed the howl, and the eyes vanished behind the trees.