She turned, looking, her eyes narrowing. As the signal strengthened on her mental radar screen she focused on individuals, closing in.
Then she spotted the man, a ranger not too much older than herself from his looks. He stood on the boardwalk with a metal push cart, surrounded by nearly a dozen children of various ages. On the cart were several objects—a bison skull, piece of hide, a large rock. She knew he was giving a talk about the park, probably a junior ranger program.
Taz couldn’t hear what he said but felt his thoughts. As she focused, she sent a gentle probe, not touching, just looking.
The ranger briefly turned their way and waved.
Robertson nodded. “Good job.”
He was right. Now that she knew what to look for she sensed another. She turned, seeking, quickly finding her. She was driving a Park Service golf cart on the far side of the parking lot. She stopped, looked over at them, and held up a hand in greeting.
Robertson laughed and waved at the woman. “Excellent. They work for the Park Service, as you see, but they also get a stipend from Hawthorne International. He likes having allies working in and around the park considering how much time he spends here. That way, they can afford to work here full-time.”
Taz sat back and took a deep breath. “I didn’t hurt them?”
He shook his head. “No, not as gentle as you were. They are about as strong as myself and Albert, so they could sense you.”
“Are all hybrids able to do that?”
“No. Most can’t. Many of the weaker hybrids, the ones who don’t even know, you might have a difficult time distinguishing them from a normal human. Well, you might not, but it’s very difficult for someone else. The stronger ones who are in tune with their powers, as much as they can be, are the ones you can easily find.”
“What about the three Stooges?”
“Who?” Then he realized she meant the three guards who’d spent the week with them in Yellowstone the first time. “Ah, Travis and his team. They are hybrids. They also have very specialized military and security training, which makes them invaluable for various reasons.”
She took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming after me.”
He caressed her cheek. “You are my daughter, Taz. I told you that. Perhaps not of my blood, but I’ve raised you and see you as my child. How could I not find you?”
She hugged him. “I loved my father, but you’ve always been my dad.”
He embraced her. “Thank you, Taz. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
Tim put her through her paces, very basic, simple exercises meant to build her confidence more than her skills. By dinner she was starving, but smiling. They had a good meal, and she was more talkative, not mentioning Rafe once.
After dinner, they sat and watched Old Faithful erupt before returning to the cabins.
“Would you rather sleep in my room tonight?” he asked. “I have two beds.”
She shook her head. “I’m okay, but thanks, Dad.”
He couldn’t help but smile at the term. There were times in the past she playfully and sarcastically called him that, or referred to him as that to someone else, but rarely addressed him directly in that way.
“Besides,” she continued, “I should be safe, right?”
Time to get serious again. “I hope so, but in reality whoever hired Caroline is still out there. I’d rather not take chances with your life.”
She paused, considered, and shook her head. “I’ll be okay. You’re just a few steps away.”
He walked her to her cabin. She let him check the room, just to be safe.
“You sleep well tonight, dear.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her on the cheek and waited until he heard the door lock, then returned to his room.
“He’s in the air,” Albert said.
“I’m surprised he didn’t insist on coming sooner.”
“When you have a tranquilizer gun pointed at you, you tend to give weight to what someone says.”
“Seriously? He was that bad?” Tim asked.
“He blames himself for the events more than she does. How is she?”
“I think she’s on the road to healing.” He related the afternoon and Albert burst out laughing.
“No! Crashed into the side?”
Tim laughed, recalling the sight. “You should have seen it. It was absolutely priceless!”
“Well, he’ll meet you in Mammoth tomorrow. He’s arranged for a driver in Gardiner. I’m assuming she will drive the other car?”
“I pity the man who tries to take the keys from her.”
Chapter Eleven
After breakfast, Tim waited for her by her car.
He noticed her lack of luggage. “Where are your things?”
“I’m staying at least one more day. Matthias needs to be prepared to stay here until I’m ready to leave.”
He didn’t argue with you. “I’ll follow you.”
He waited for her to pull out and was surprised to see she followed the speed limit all the way to Mammoth. Arriving early, they found an outside table at one of the cafes and sipped coffee.
She looked at the town. “Remember when we stopped here before?”
He nodded. “You and Matthias had a row while Albert and I were busy.”
“He’d given me a demonstration earlier at lunch, in Gardiner, with the waitress. Teaching me why I shouldn’t have taken control of the guard at the house.”
Robertson studied her. “Oh.” He could only imagine what Matthias did. Certainly the waitress wouldn’t have been harmed, but it seemed to have an effect on Taz.
“That’s why I was so pissed off,” she whispered. “It made me realize how stupid I’d acted, but also I was jealous. He has a whole life he lived before I was even born.”
He touched her hand. “It’s okay, Taz. He loves you. Only you. Never forget that.”
“When we got to town I was mad, but I was thinking how I’d like to walk around and explore it with Matthias.”
She jumped when Matthias gently placed his hands on her shoulders. “I can’t wait,” he said, and she looked up.
Matthias dropped his overnight bag as she stood, nearly knocking her chair over in the process, and threw her arms around him.
He buried his face against her neck, whispering her name. After a long moment she looked up at him.
“I’m sorry I left like that.”
“I understand.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Please, next time, tell me you want to leave, that you want space. I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you anything you want.”
She nodded and hugged him again.
He sat with them. She laced her fingers through his, not wanting to let go. Taz had almost dreaded the moment of his return, but now that he was with her she was glad to have him.
“So, what have you been doing?” Matthias asked.
Tim tried to conceal his smile. His timing impeccable, he waited until she took a sip of coffee. “Taz shot a bird at a bison.”
She sprayed her mouthful over the table, laughing, nearly choking.
Matthias, knowing there was more to the story considering Tim’s rare and great pleasure at telling a funny, patiently waited for Taz to compose herself. She tried to talk, dissolved in a fit of laughter, even eliciting a smile from Tim. Finally, between the two of them, they managed to get the story out, and Matthias laughed with them.
They lunched together. When Tim finally bid them good-bye, he hugged Taz and whispered in her ear, “Don’t run again, please.”
“I won’t.” She stepped away, and he squeezed her hands. They watched as he drove out of town toward Gardiner.