“Nah, not these days.” He cocked one eyebrow and went to open the tailgate of the horse trailer. “People survive fine in the Antarctic. It’s about taking the right equipment and clothes.”
“Well, count me out. I don’t call freezing my ass off fun.” She turned and opened the back door of Kane’s rig, and Duke, Kane’s bloodhound, flopped onto the road. She grabbed their backpacks and heard Kane chuckling. After closing the door, she walked to where he stood holding the horses. “What’s so funny?”
“Not a thing.” He took his backpack from her then swung into his saddle in one fluid movement. “I just thought, after being stuck in the office week in and week out, you’d enjoy a break.”
“I do and it’s just as well we have Walters to hold the fort while, we’re up here.” Jenna pulled on her sunglasses. “I’m sure glad he didn’t retire altogether.”
“I figure he likes taking charge.” Kane nodded toward the others. “They look way too happy.”
Jenna took in the sunny smiles of Deputy Jake Rowley, who moved his horse beside Kane, and Deputy Paula Bradford, who following close behind. Jenna frowned. “For deputies about to scout an area to search for human remains, you all seem a little too keen. What’s going on here?”
“Nothing, ma’am.” Bradford tossed her blonde ponytail over one shoulder. “It’s just nice to be out in the fresh air after the auditing we’ve been doing all week.” Her mouth curled into a smile as she glanced at Kane. “Anytime you want some company on a camping trip, count me in. I just love sleeping rough.”
“Me too.” Rowley chuckled.
“Roger that.” Kane threw Jenna the reins to her horse. “Ready, ma’am?” He whistled to Duke and the bloodhound bounded out of the bushes to greet him.
“Sure.” As Jenna struggled to climb into the saddle, she noticed Kane’s mouth twitch with amusement. Okay, so the last time they had ridden, after insisting she was just fine mounting a horse without a leg-up, he had not offered again. The truth was, after another vicious workout with him in the gym, every muscle ached and she would have accepted his help. Trying to act nonchalant, she heaved herself into the saddle then looked at her grinning deputies. “What now? Do you need a group hug?” She turned to Kane. “You have the coordinates; lead the way before we all get mushy.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kane made a clicking sound with his tongue, and the black horse, named Warrior, moved forward into the forest.
The trail ahead was wide enough for two horses and Jenna moved her mare close to Warrior. “Why is it every time we come into this beautiful forest, someone has died?”
“Forests cover over a million acres of Montana, and when you consider over 2.5 million people die a year in the USA, the few fatalities that happen in this vast forest are negligible.” He flicked her a glance. “Murder and death happen, but it shouldn’t take away from the beauty of a place like this. I sure am grateful to not be working in a city.”
Jenna stared at him in disbelief. It’s like riding beside Google. “It is beautiful here and it changes so much every season.”
“Like I said, we should take a weekend and spend the night up here before the snow comes.” He pointed to the mountain. “There are trails alongside the mountain, places to climb up onto plateaus to see right across Montana.”
The idea of a real break would be wonderful but shopping in Manhattan was more her idea of fun. “I’d come with you but just us, or it’s no different to today.”
“You saying you want to be alone with me?” Kane wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She gaped at him. “I’m alone with you most of the time, Kane. I just don’t want to take work with me on vacation, if you know what I mean?”
“So, you’ll come?” Kane grinned.
Jenna loved their easy friendship and laughed. “Okay, if we can fit it in before the snow.” She glanced at the two deputies in animated conversation behind them. “Did you find out anything interesting about the area where the skull was found?’
“Yeah, this trail is on an old map, which makes me wonder how long that skull has been here.” Kane glanced at her. “The recommended trails are chosen to make sure they are well away from the hunting zones. From what happened at the Triple Z, I think it’s time I checked out a copy of the current Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks hunting regulations.”
Jenna considered his words. “I’m sure Wolfe will know. He is a walking encyclopedia on local law.”
Duke, who had run ahead nose to the ground, let out a loud, whiny bark. The bracken opened and he came toward them, long ears swinging, yapping like a puppy.
“He’s found something.” Kane dismounted and handed Jenna his reins. “Good boy. What is it?”
The bloodhound bounded off into the undergrowth disappearing into the trees. Jenna scanned the area and could only see the long shadows of trees and brown and green bracken. “It could be a bobcat or a bear?”
“Unlikely. Duke doesn’t usually react to wildlife; a bobcat or bear maybe if it was a threat but most times he runs in the opposite direction.” He chuckled. “Self-preservation is at the top of his list.” Kane looked at her. “Do you want me to take a look?”
“I’ll come with you.” She slid from her saddle and turned to call to Rowley. “Wait here with the horses. Duke has found something.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowley gave her a wave.
Jenna glanced up at Kane. “I hope it’s not another body.”
The bond between Kane and the hound had been instantaneous. Jenna had never been a dog person but Duke’s big sad eyes and the way he bumped his head on Kane’s leg in greeting had changed her opinion. After Kane had rescued him last summer, Duke certainly appreciated his love and attention. The bloodhound worked with him as if they had trained together, and what was so strange was Duke seemed to understand every word he said—even covering his eyes with both paws when Kane mentioned the word “bath.”