“Not usually. He’s got his property posted and doesn’t like trespassers, but...” He paused. “Something’s going on over there lately. I usually mind my own business when it comes to his property, but maybe it’s time to have a few friendly words. I’m certainly going to make sure he doesn’t drive people off public land, or scare them. Maybe I can even find out why he was bothered by you at all.”
“He called me a spy.”
Craig turned his head and looked straight at her. “Really?”
“His word, not mine.”
He fell silent as they continued to walk. The sound of the horse’s hooves were almost entirely muted by the deep pine needles under the trees, then would become louder again as they scuffed through leaves. “How often have you been out there?”
“This was the third day.”
“Do you use that camera a lot?”
“Like I said, to capture the light as much as anything. It’s changing constantly, and sometimes there’s something about it I really want to catch for later.”
“I wonder if the camera got to him. Well, I’ll find out. Either way, if you want to come back to this spot, you can. I’ll make sure of it.”
“You may have a lot of guns, but they won’t be around when I’m out there alone.”
That elicited a laugh from him. “True, but I don’t think Buddy runs to violence. A little nutty maybe, but I never heard of him hurting anybody. But if you like, I know some other vantages as good as that one I can show you. Well away from Buddy.”
“I may take you up on that.” Although the idea of ceding ground to a crank annoyed her no end. She knew perfectly well that she could deal with that guy. He hadn’t even been armed that she could see. She just didn’t want the conflict. This was supposed to be a break.
“Feel free. Just leave a message for me with Lucy at the station. She’ll radio me.”
“Thanks. So you’re a biologist, too?”
“Focused on wildlife mostly.”
“What kind?”
“If it walks, crawls or flies, I’m probably on it. Our mission is to protect everything in these forests for future generations. It’s not always easy. We humans seem to have some problems getting along with nature.”
“No kidding! So I bet you know the names of all the wildflowers?”
“Sure. You want to know what they are?”
“Actually no,” she admitted. “I see them a different way, categorize them by colors and shapes. Names might change what I see.”
“An artist’s eye?”
“Maybe so.”
“Then why did you ask?”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “Because you’re the first person I’ve ever met who might actually know the official names of everything in the woods.”
He flashed another truly attractive smile as they reached the service road and her battered sedan came into view. He helped her load her car, then closed her door after she climbed in. She rolled down the window and started the engine.
“Drive slow. We’ve got some logging trucks driving a little crazy up here.”
She looked up at him, drinking in again his good looks. “I didn’t see any.”
“We’re doing some thinning to prevent disease and clearing some deadfalls. If you stay around awhile, you’ll see them. Drive safe.” He gave the top of her car a friendly rap, then stepped back, remounted and watched her drive away.
Glancing in her rearview mirror, she saw him. Dang, that man looked good enough to eat.
As soon as there was nothing left but a cloud of dust, Craig pulled the radio off his belt to call his boss. “Hey, Lucy.”
“What’s up, Craig?”
“Buddy. He’s done it again. I’m going to have to go talk to him, probably in the morning. Night’s drawing near.”
“Want me to send someone to meet you?”
“I doubt that’s necessary. I’m just going to remind him that the public has a right to be on public land.”
“What’s going on with him?”
“Damned if I know, but maybe I can find out. I told a lady artist to let you know if she wants me to find her somewhere else to paint.”
“He bothered her? Craig, I don’t like it. I can see him getting mad at a bunch of rowdy campers, but a woman alone who’s just painting?”
“And taking photos.” Craig paused. “It’s the photos that might have been the problem, and that’s what worries me. Why would that bother him?”
“Are you sure you don’t want some backup?”
“I never had a problem with Buddy before.”
“Nobody had a problem with him before. But don’t forget that dead