Chapter Ten
Allison woke early the next morning, even though she hadn’t slept well. She’d tossed and turned, wondering what she’d personally done to warrant such coldness from Birch. She was certain at times that he was warming to her, that he was attracted to her, that he liked being around her, then just as quickly he’d close off and leave her hurting and alone.
She should’ve gone to the gym to workout, her trainers would expect it, but she couldn’t handle being stuck in that little gym, and knowing that Birch would probably be watching. Did he enjoy watching her? Ugh! She didn’t care. She knelt and said a prayer, put on a t-shirt and yoga pants, pulled her long hair into a ponytail, and brushed her teeth. Carrying her socks and shoes, she padded quietly down the stairs, through the house, and out onto the back patio into the chilly morning air. She’d thought she heard Birch’s shower going. Maybe she could escape without him noticing. Birch was probably watching her every move, and he’d definitely get a notice that the back door opened. She told herself it didn’t matter and she’d love to have him stress about her disappearing, but she didn’t want to worry him.
It was unbelievably safe here in Jackson Hole, especially with all the security surrounding this beautiful property and she doubted the stalker even had a clue where she was. She hadn’t told even her agent or Bermuda. It had been tough to turn off her phone and not know what was happening withThe Crusaders, but luckily they were just waiting for a decision, since they had finished with auditions and call backs.
She sat in a patio chair and laced up her shoes, breathing in the crisp mountain air. The sun hadn’t risen and it was mystical and beautiful with a mist hovering over the trees and the mountains. She loved Dana Point, especially the beach and the ocean, but there was something out of this world about the clean air and green beauty of this area. She shivered in her t-shirt as it was now mid-September in the mountains, but she’d get warm quick. Standing, she took off at a fast walk toward the forest and the mountainside that rose behind the beautiful property.
Was Birch watching? Would he follow? There was something exhilarating and dangerous-feeling about striking out on her own, knowing Birch would be pursuing her soon. They’d heard nothing from the stalker here or back in Dana Point. It had been over two weeks. How long was Allison going to have to hide out? She didn’t know that she could handle too much longer with the lack of company to talk to and the yo-yo that was Birch Merrill on her emotions.
She skirted along the woods to the right until she saw a trail she hadn’t tried yet then she headed up it. Still no sign of Birch. That was fine. Maybe he was sleeping in.
Allison increased her pace to a quick jog, loving the sound of many birds twittering in the trees and a stream bubbling somewhere in the woods. She felt very brave running all by herself, which was semi-pathetic as she thought about it. Birch was brave. Birch served and protected the country she loved. He looked and acted like a hero. Except when he was making her feel bad. Yet he’d never told her he wanted to be closer to her, to maybe date after this mess was over. She’d put all those thoughts into her own head over some looks and touches that obviously meant more to her and affected her where they did nothing to him or for him. She needed to act mature like he’d said on the plane and keep her emotions out of their interactions.
The trail was a steeper incline now and her pace naturally slowed. She was in great shape thanks to personal trainers that kept her body looking perfect for the movie screen, but it was okay not to kill herself all the time. She wanted to appreciate nature. Many of the leaves were changing colors now and it was so pretty here.
Seconds later, an absolutely awe-inspiring tree came into view off the right side of the trail. It was huge, massive, with thick branches and leaves as big as her head. It reminded her of the huge oak trees back home in upstate New York that she and Abe used to climb.
She couldn’t resist, scaling easily up the first few branches and then progressing more slowly. She liked the pull in her back as she lifted herself up to the next branch and the thrill of looking down thirty feet and still aiming to climb higher.
“Allison!” The call came from down the trail. “Ally!”
“Birch?” Her head swiveled to where he’d called from and her feet slid on the mossy branch. Screaming, she grasped at the branches nearby as her feet went out from under her. She caught herself with her right hand wrapping around a branch and a slightly lower branch whacking into her left armpit. She cried out in pain but luckily was lodged on the one branch and clinging to the other, not falling thirty feet to broken bones or worse.
“Ally!” Birch’s panicked holler was nearer.
“I’m here,” she yelled back, dangling and trying to get a foothold on a branch that was slightly out of reach, or the tree trunk, and maybe move her left arm. The rough branch was poking into her armpit and her shoulder hurt. She hoped she hadn’t broken something. Finally lodging her right foot between a small branch and the tree trunk, she gingerly moved her left arm and grasped the branch she’d been stuck on, then lowered herself to a branch both feet could stand on.
“Ally!” Birch was right below her now.
She glanced down at him and smiled. “Hey. Fancy a climb in the fabulous tree I found?” She forced a British accent and tried to pretend her left shoulder wasn’t throbbing.
Birch’s face was taut and his dark eyes filled with concern. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she lied. “I slipped but I’m okay. I’ll work my way down.”
Birch looked like he would scale the tree and carry her down but that would be an insane move, even for someone as tough as Birch. She found lower footholds and slowly moved her handholds down. Her left shoulder was throbbing and it was hard to climb down and not show she was babying it. She’d at least pulled something. She was moving slowly and every time she glanced down Birch was directly below her, watching her progress anxiously.
She closed her eyes and prayed for strength to get down safe. She was close to halfway down now, about fifteen feet off the ground.
“There you go,” Birch encouraged. “You’re almost there. Great job.”
It wasn’t like he used a term of endearment or any sweet words, but the kind, concerned tone of his voice felt like a love sonnet to her.
Ten more feet, five, then Birch’s arms were around her waist and she let go. He easily caught her and held her close to his chest. Allison closed her eyes and savored the incredible sensation. The mixture of safety and excitement. She would always be safe with him near.
Her shoulder felt better already, maybe not moving it was the ticket, or maybe it was the healing elixir that was Birch Merrill’s arms. She glanced up at him and he held her firmly but shook his head and said, “Never a dull moment with you, is there?”
She laughed. “I was just climbing a tree. Abe and I have climbed hundreds of trees.”
Birch lifted one hand and smoothed the hair from her face. Her cheek warmed and tingled from his touch. “Can you imagine my fear when I came out of the shower and heard my alarm for the patio door opening? I dressed as fast as I could and ran after you. Luckily, the grass was soft enough I could see what path you took, but If I hadn’t heard you scream I might not have found you.” He cupped her cheek tenderly and Allison’s heart swelled.
“That’s why you smell so fresh and clean,” she said.
Birch chuckled, shaking his head. “Glad you’re enjoying my smell.”
“Yes, I am.” She snuggled in tighter, her fingers and palms splayed across the firm muscles in his lower back.