Night Prey. Sharon Dunn

take her mind off the gunshots, she studied the man in front of her, looking for signs of the boy who had been her summertime friend. The scar over his left eyebrow was new. She wondered what other scars he carried. Had they made him want to forget his past? Maybe for him the pain of what had happened when he was seventeen overshadowed any of the positive memories. She had chosen to remember the good things about those summers.

      “So where did you learn how to dodge bullets like that?”

      Keith shifted his feet and looked away from her. “It’s the second lesson they teach you in the marines.”

      “What is the first?”

      “How to shoot them.”

      The vagueness of his answer and the icy tone indicated that he didn’t want her probing. She stared down the hillside where she had left the cage intended for the hawk. With any luck, the bird hadn’t gotten too far away.

      Keith combed his fingers through his hair. “You think the people that just shot at us shot at your eagle?”

      Jenna shrugged. “One eagle doesn’t mean there is a pattern. I don’t know what is going on with this hawk.” She sucked in a breath as concern about the eagle ate at her stomach. Her vet friend had helped her dig out the buckshot. The female eagle, who she had named Greta, was on antibiotics. Hopefully, she would make it. But at least she was getting treatment. The hawk was still there on its own.

      He rubbed at a spot of dirt on his worn jeans. “You take care of birds?”

      “Just raptors, birds of prey. We rehab them and release them back into their habitat. I landed the job after I finished my degree in wildlife management.”

      He studied her for a moment. The corners of his mouth turned up. “You always did attract wild things.”

      Warmth pooled around her heart. “So you do remember me?”

      “I remember you liked wild things. You were the only girl in town who thought feral cats made good pets.”

      Jenna lifted her chin. “All they need is love and for their food to be in the same place every day.”

      Keith laughed. A familiar twinkle returned to his eyes.

      A connection sparked between them, and she leaned closer. “Is it all coming back now?” she teased.

      The change in mood was short-lived. A veil descended over his eyes, and he pulled away from her. “You look different, that’s all.”

      “People grow up. They change.” How much had he changed over the years? Was he still battling the same demons that had driven him to drink at seventeen?

      “Been quiet for a while. Maybe it’s safe for us to head back down the mountain, huh?” He leaned out, glancing from side to side.

      Her heartbeat sped up as fear returned at the thought of leaving their safe haven. Her stomach clenched as she wrestled with her choice. Part of her just wanted to leave, but she knew a flightless bird didn’t stand a chance. He would starve or be eaten if she didn’t catch him. If only Keith would stay with her. It wouldn’t be so frightening if she wasn’t alone.

      A shrill cry pierced the forest.

      “The hawk,” she whispered.

      Keith pushed himself to his feet. He studied her for a moment. “So how hard is it to catch a wild bird?”

      Relief spread through her. He had all but read her mind. “Not hard at all if I have help,” she gushed. Shielding herself behind the boulder, she eased to her feet. “But we need to catch him soon. He might be able to survive on bugs for a while but some creature is bound to decide he looks like a delicious main course before nightfall.”

      “I can’t leave you out here considering what just happened.” He rolled his eyes theatrically. “So I guess that means I have to help you.”

      She scooted toward him and smiled. “I guess so.”

      Keith stared at the petite, slim woman standing in front of him, her dimple showing as she smiled. One thing for sure hadn’t changed about Jenna Murphy. She was as cheerfully determined as ever when it came to rescuing wild animals. “We need to be cautious.”

      Anxiety flashed over her features, but then she squared her shoulders as if summoning courage. “I know. Let’s go get the cage. With two of us, he shouldn’t take any time at all. We can surround him.”

      Keith squinted, studying the mountain and forest. The shots had come from uphill. He suspected a long range rifle had been used. The knowledge that the shooter was far away didn’t make him any less vigilant.

      A slight breeze bent the boughs of the pines. He didn’t detect any movement that might be human. “Okay, but be ready to drop to the ground if you hear anything.” He could handle being shot at, but the thought of anything happening to Jenna didn’t sit well with him.

      Jenna ran down the hill and picked up the cage. Keith trailed behind her, assessing the landscape for any movement or sound that was out of place. He stayed close, so if he had to, he could pull her to the ground quickly. Her reflexes weren’t as fine-tuned as his, which meant he’d have to be doubly vigilant to protect her. And he would protect her.

      Of course, he remembered her. Over the years, she had come to mind more than once, but he had always pushed those memories down to some hidden place, not wanting to visit the bittersweet emotions that came with remembering.

      Seeing her again had shocked him. Jenna was a bright girl who could have done anything with her life. He had always assumed she would move away from the small town of Hope Creek. He never thought he would see her again. Memories threatened to swamp him now, but he refused to let himself get distracted.

      Keith remained tuned in to the forest, watching the trees and listening.

      Out of breath, she came up to him. “The last time I saw the little guy he was headed in that direction.” She pointed to a stand of lodgepole pine.

      “What’s the game plan here?”

      Jenna pulled a cloth from her back pocket. “If we can get a covering on his head, it will calm him. Then I can get him in the cage for transport to the center.” She untied the silk scarf around her neck. “You’ll have to use this.”

      He nodded. “Let’s get this done so you and the bird can get somewhere safe. And then maybe next time you can forego the trespassing.”

      “I have to make the birds my priority. There is not always time to inform the landowner. Everyone around here knows me.” Strength had returned to her voice.

      Keith clenched his jaw. When Jenna got an idea in her head, she was like a pit bull. She just wouldn’t let go. “We need to be careful up here from now on, Jenna, even if it was just teenagers being stupid with guns this time.” He hoped that’s all it was. That was bad enough. His grandparents were older and vulnerable. He didn’t like the idea of some town kid taking advantage of that.

      “I’ll be careful, but this is serious. Someone shot at that eagle on your grandparents’ land. That is against the law.” Her voice, fused with emotion, broke. “I don’t like it when people hurt the birds. I won’t know what’s going on with that hawk until I can get a look at him. What if someone has been shooting at him, too?” She turned and stalked up the hill.

      The scent of Jenna’s perfume lingered on the scarf she had given him. He held it for a moment before putting it in his front pocket as he followed her uphill. It would be so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of Jenna Murphy trying to save all the wild animals. Twelve years ago, the house where Jenna and her father had lived had been a menagerie of the songbirds her father took care of and all the unwanted and injured animals Jenna had adopted. He smiled at the memory.

      She stopped and turned to face him. “If you don’t want me tromping on your grandfather’s land, you can come with me each time.” Her tone was playful.

      Heat swept