She turned so she could watch him, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of the two motorcycles lying bent and twisted and smoldering on the path, two bodies next to them.
Hesitantly she began walking toward them. Her emotions volatile, ever changing. Dread and relief mixed with utter sadness.
She got to Kaitlyn first. Shuddered when she saw dead eyes staring vacantly at the sky, the charred place where a lightning bolt had struck.
Marisa moved to Ethan and knelt, tears in her eyes despite everything. She jumped when he moaned, forced herself to feel for a pulse in case the moan was only air escaping. And felt a moment's happiness that he was alive.
She wouldn't forgive him or allow him into her life again. She wouldn't let him get away with what he'd done. But he was her brother and she was glad he wasn't dead.
She stood and looked around, expecting to see Ukiah. But instead there was only the sense that he was watching from deep in the clouds, hovering close but unseen to ensure her safety.
The wind pushed against her, almost as if it was urging her to leave, to move on, toward the grove of trees and down the mountain. The motorcycles were useless and there was nothing she could do for Ethan other than to seek help. So once again she started running. Pacing herself this time. The wind against her back aiding her.
It felt like she ran for hours, though she had no idea how long it took to get to Hohoq. It seemed like a lifetime ago when she and Ethan and Kaitlyn had stopped there for lunch. Sat at the table, lingering, enjoying themselves the way people do when they're on vacation. Laughing and teasing so that others smiled with them.
Marisa closed the door on those memories. Forced herself instead to walk into town and into the first place she came to. Hohoq General Store. The thunderbird over the town name now resonating in her with the knowledge that it was one of the thunderbird's names.
She entered the store and noticed the carvings first. Small, delicately carved birds and animals. Then she noticed the man behind the counter, a silver-haired version of Ukiah though this man's hair was short.
His eyes widened with surprise when they met hers. «Which one of the boys do you belong to?»
«Let me handle this, Father,» another man said, stepping from behind a row of shelves and making Marisa's heart rush to her throat even as she hurled herself into his arms and hugged him tight, his gentle pats to her back telling her instantly that he wasn't Ukiah. «My brother misplace you?» he asked, allowing her to pull away from him.
She noticed the sheriff's star on his chest then. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that told her he was older than Ukiah.
Words tumbled from her. Parts of her story probably incoherent. But he got the gist of it. As did his father, who moved around from behind the counter and flipped the «open» sign in the store's window to «closed».
When Marisa fell silent, Ukiah's brother said, «I'll take a crew up the trail. My father will take you to Ukiah.»
Marisa nodded and let herself be led to a battered black Jeep with streaks of mud sprayed along its side. Her thoughts were in chaos. Wanting answers and yet the silence of the man driving reinforced the feeling that it was up to Ukiah to explain.
She laughed out loud when they passed a beautiful handcrafted sign. Thunderbird Lodge.
Ukiah's father spoke for the first time since leaving the store. «Sometimes it is easiest to hide out in the open.»
Before she could respond the lodge came into view. A magnificent wood structure that would be a welcome sight to any vacationer. A charming design that spoke of comfort and camaraderie. Of nights spent talking and swapping tales.
The front door opened and Ukiah stepped out onto the porch, dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt. He crossed his arms over his chest. His stiff body posture and emotionless face chasing away Marisa's joy at seeing him.
«Go now,» his father said, reaching over and clasping Marisa's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. «Whatever differences exist between the two of you, they will work themselves out. You're the wife of his soul.»
«Thank you,» Marisa said, tightening her grip on his hand before letting go and climbing out of the car. Feeling insecure now. Uncertain. Ukiah's reaction to her presence confusing her. Hurting her.
CHAPTER 5
He remained on the porch. Stoic and unmoving. Making her close the distance between them.
«Why did you leave me?» he asked, the question so unexpected, the pain she saw flicker briefly across his face so shocking that for an instant she remained mute.
But then she hurtled herself at him just as she'd done to his brother. Trusting that his reflexes would do the rest. And they did. His arms went around her just as hers did to him. «I didn't leave you!» she said. Heat rushing to her cheeks as she added, «Nature called. Then I was too scared to climb back down to the cave!»
A kaleidoscope of emotions played over his face. From chagrin to happiness to grim resolve.
«I didn't think Ethan and Kaitlyn would be anywhere close,» she rushed to assure him, guessing at the path his thoughts had taken. «The truth is, I didn't even think about them at all until it was almost too late.»
She hugged Ukiah more tightly. «You saved me-again. Just like you did before. You were the thunderbird. I wasn't hallucinating.»
Ukiah relaxed his grip so he could cup Marisa's face. When he'd woken to find her gone he'd feared the worst. That she'd run after seeing the thunderbird's shadow when he'd taken her on her hands and knees. That she'd finally guessed the truth-not only guessed it, but had been terrified by it, preferring to risk death again rather than to stay with him.
He had never known such pain. And then when his spirit had shed the temporary form and he'd taken to the air, seen her once again under attack– Only the knowledge that it might make matters worse if he killed her brother had enabled him to rein in the thunderbird's fierce desire not only to protect its mate and unborn offspring, but to destroy any who threatened them.
«Marisa,» he said against her lips. The word holding all the tenderness he felt for her.
He licked along the seam of her mouth and she opened for him, readily accepted the thrust of his tongue. Greeted him with joy and passion and need.
Ukiah swooped her up in his arms and she laughed, disengaging from the kiss long enough to remind him. «I can walk.»
«But I enjoy carrying you.»
She thought he'd do something romantic like carry her over the threshold but instead he left the porch. Stopping every several steps to kiss her. Long, sensuous assaults that left her aching and needy. Wet. Swollen. Weakened so she wasn't sure she could actually do as she'd boasted and walk if he set her down.
He took her a short distance into the woods, to a tiny building surrounded by totem poles. «Is this a ceremonial sweat lodge?»
«No. Those who stay here during the months the lodge is open enjoy it as a sauna.»
He placed her on her feet. His hands going immediately to her clothing, unzipping the torn, bloody jacket and removing it, then dropping it to the ground. He was unbuttoning her shirt when the full impact of his words hit her.
Marisa grabbed his hands, stilling them, her nipples going tight as the heat from where they rested on her breasts reached her skin. She glanced around then and saw several cabins discreetly positioned among the trees. «I can't strip here!»
Ukiah laughed, enjoying her reaction. The way she grew flustered at the thought of someone other than him seeing her without clothing.
Complete satisfaction followed his amusement. Utter masculine contentment as he remembered how she'd been with him in the cave. How freely she'd given him access to her body, let him touch and kiss every inch of it. Let him keep her naked.