To Thine Own Self

"Get behind a tree," he ordered as he turned to face the animal.

An elk cow burst out of the brush and skidded to a stop when she saw Alex. It was a dangerous situation, but he lifted his arms to make himself look as big as possible and shouted.

"Get out of here!"

The wild-eyed cow needed no further encouragement. She scrambled and stumbled, before plunging back into the brush.

Something had frightened that cow. It could have been a bull after her, but it wasn't the right season and they hadn't been bugling. Of course, in captivity animals might not act the same way they did in the wild. Still, it would be best to travel her back-trail to find out for sure.

He turned as Carmen joined them on Random. She had the rifle in her hand. This time she was riding to his rescue. The old Carmen was back - thinking one jump ahead of him. It was no wonder that Sam held her in such high regard. Carmen leaned down and handed him the gun.

He took the gun from her hand and indicated the horse with a nod of the head.

"If you'll take the wheelbarrow back to the camp, I'll ride Random back a ways and see what made the cow run through brush like that."

She dismounted and held out the reins to him.

He mounted and gazed down at her a moment. Her eyes were wide with concern. She was the prettiest woman he'd ever seen - and he'd seen a lot of good looking women.

She laid a hand on his leg. "Be careful."

He patted her hand. "I will." He nudged Random into motion and Carmen stepped back. He spoke over his shoulder as he rode into the brush.

"I'll be back in a few minutes."

Carmen was as concerned about his safety as he was hers, but she had never tried to discourage him from doing anything. He had to make sure he didn't do that to her in the future. If he wanted her to have faith in him, he'd best show a little in her. The events of this summer had made him acutely aware of mortality, but it had brought on another realization as well. He hadn't said anything to either of them, but he was certain Gerald's feelings for Carmen went deeper than mere friendship. Carmen had no idea, and maybe Gerald didn't either, but the way he looked at her sometimes - or rather, looked away - suggested he did. Carmen wouldn't cheat, and Gerald wouldn't intentionally take her away, but if she was unhappy enough, Carmen might leave. For a while there he thought it had happened. If it hadn't been for the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn't looking, he wouldn't have thought there was a chance to get her back. It was all a misunderstanding. They'd had enough of those in their marriage. Still, it was a red flag to what could have happened. Rob realized she was unhappy and he felt no loyalty to any of them. It was something to keep in mind.