Finally, a figure appeared, dark against the sunlit trees. I turned and the figure seemed ready to duck back into the forest, but it was obvious he'd been spotted, so he stepped out.
"Hullo there," he called.
"Morning."
I sized him up. Late thirties. Average height. Stocky. Hard to tell if it was muscle or fat, given his bulky windbreaker, but he had the bulldog face and r
olling, confident gait of a man in good physical condition. Also? He had a gun. I could see the butt taking form against the fabric of his jacket.
"Sorry if I startled you," he said. "I'm, uh . . ." A sheepish look. "I'm kinda hoping you can direct me back to my cabin. I got myself turned around in there."
Scout growled as the man approached.
"Ignore her," I said, patting her head. "She's not keen on strangers, but the worst she'll do is knock me over trying to hide between my legs."
He chuckled. "Beautiful dog."
"Thanks." I flashed him a friendly, small-town-girl smile. "Let's see about getting you back to where you're staying. Are you renting a cottage?"
"Yep. Over near town. Came out with the kids to see the fall colors. I'm out seeing them and they're sleeping in."
I laughed. "Typical."
He was less than five feet away now. Sizing me up. My gun was well hidden, and his gaze passed over it without hesitation.
"Actually," he said. "I've got another problem. I was out with our dog and he took off. Chasing a rabbit or something. If I go back without him, the kids will flip. They're always telling me to keep him on a leash."
"That's a good idea out here."
"I know." A deep sigh. "I hate to ask, but maybe if my dog saw yours, he'd come back. I wasn't far from here when he took off." He turned and pointed into the forest. "It was right over there."
Seriously? He expected me to follow him into the woods? Apparently, my small-town act made me look dumber than I thought.
I flashed another bright smile. "That's a great idea. My girl here loves making friends. I'm sure she'll find him in no time."
As we started into the woods, Scout growled louder.
"She smells your dog," I said. "That's what's making her nervous."
"Well, hopefully, she'll see him soon."
"Oh, I'm sure she will. Just lead the way."
CHAPTER 18
The guy led me ever deeper into the forest, stumbling on the unfamiliar terrain. A city boy.
As we walked, he kept saying, "I last saw him just over here." Then, "Wait, over there." And, "Just a little farther now."
"What does he look like?" I asked.
"He's brown."
"Big? Small?"
"In between." The guy turned. "Why don't you take your dog off-lead? She might find mine that way."
"I don't do that in the forest. Much too dangerous." I paused. "But why don't I go ahead? I know the lay of the land better than you do."