Closing his eyes, shutting out her tender sympathy, he warned, “Phoenix—”
She half sat up, her hand gliding up to the back of his neck, the chill of her palm a shock against his sun-heated skin. “I’m not trying to pry. You asked and I answered. That’s what I’m curious about.”
“Not sex?” Even as he asked it, he felt like a coldhearted bastard.
But she grinned. “Oh, definitely that, too.” Her fingers stroked the nape of his neck. “That most of all, actually.”
He was contemplating ways to take her, how to make it work here, right here, when the baying started. They both looked up, searching for the source of the awful sound.
Laughter carried through the trees, followed by another pitiful cry.
Coop scowled, starting to stand, but Phoenix beat him to it. She was on her feet in an instant, trudging barefoot along the stream, going from rock to rock at a precariously fast pace.
He jogged after her.
They both spotted the dog on the trestle at the same time.
Some asshole was there, threatening it, laughing at its terror.
Phoenix stiffened on a sharp inhale, one hand covering her mouth. “Oh, my God.”
She whispered the words, so faint that Coop barely heard them.
But the man must have heard their splashing approach because he moved to the side of the trestle, scowling down at them. “Mind your own business.”
At the harsh words, Phoenix jerked back, her gaze jumping back and forth from the man to the dog, painful indecision in her eyes. She opened her mouth, but said nothing.
Abuse of any kind had always set him off, so Coop was already pissed. Seeing Phoenix like this, reserved in her fear, really pushed him over the edge.
6
Worry had carried Phoenix to the bottom of the trestle. She’d expected kids and had fully intended to reprimand them. Instead, she found a rough-looking man.
Sudden fear turned her blood to ice...but the poor dog. “You’re scaring it,” she accused, meaning a forceful shout and only managing a weak protest. What am I going to do?
He threw another rock, which thankfully missed the poor animal. “He killed one of my chickens.”
She was trying to find her voice, trying to think of a reply, when Cooper stepped up behind her, saying over her head, “Hurt my dog again and you’ll be sorry.”
Until that moment, she’d forgotten he was with her. She looked up, seeing him as the man might: big, solid, pissed off.
A massive deterrent to abusive jerks.
Oh, thank God. She faced the man again, then looked for a path up to the trestle. Cooper’s hand on her arm kept her still. “Stay here.”
Ignoring his bare feet, he climbed the slope, up and around weeds and bramble, then she saw him emerge at the edge of the trestle. Wooden ties were missing in places, leaving gaping holes big enough for a body to fall through. Paying no attention to the seething creep, Cooper maneuvered easily until he reached the dog.
He glanced down at Phoenix. “He’s okay. Just scared.”
It meant a lot that he’d take the time to reassure her, but she badly wanted him and the dog away from the threat. “Can you get him?” she asked. If the dog lunged away, they could both end up falling from the trestle.
“Yeah, I’ll get him.”
The man stood at the other side where the trestle butted into the hill and stopped. “You owe me for the chicken.”
Still Cooper ignored the guy and, stripping off his shirt, carefully bent to the dog. Moving slowly, he bundled up the muddy animal, then stood with it cradled in his arms. The dog tucked its snout against his neck.
Cooper said, “Come by the manager’s office at the RV resort tomorrow and I’ll give you what you’re owed.”
Phoenix heard the menace in the words, but either the creep didn’t notice, or he was too stupid to take heed.
He spit toward the creek. “I want my money now.”
Ignoring him, Cooper turned, making his way carefully back to land.
Finally regaining rational thought, Phoenix turned and hurried back down the creek where they’d left their things. She tucked the phone into her pocket and hastily donned her socks and boots. Leaving them unlaced, she snatched up Cooper’s things, turned, and almost ran into two more men.
Her heart shot into her throat. She couldn’t see past them and had no idea where Cooper had gone. She didn’t mean to, but she backed up.
“You heard him. Harry wants his money now.”
She heard a rushing in her ears and realized it was her own racing pulse. Cooper couldn’t be far away, but how much help would he be against three men while holding a frightened dog?
She carefully inhaled, then asked with admirable calm, “How much?”
“Fifty ought to do it.”
Outrageous, especially since she didn’t believe that small dog had eaten a live chicken—not that it mattered. She’d left her purse in her cabin and only had five dollars in her pocket, put there in case she needed a drink or a sandwich from the camp store.
Unsure what to say, she backed up another step, stumbled over her laces, and barely kept herself from falling. Her glasses slid down her nose and she made a frantic grab to keep them in place.
The man speaking to her grinned.
They were both dirty, boldly looking her over. The talkative one was shirtless, the other wore a too-big, greasy black T-shirt.
This is not like the attack at the store, she promised herself. It’s not night, I’m not alone, and—
“Ah, look. I think you’re making her nervous, Frank.” The second man gave her a malicious smile. “Cat got your tongue, baby?”
Frank stared at her mouth. “Speaking of tongues—”
Suddenly Cooper was there, his big body casually moving between them, forcing the men back as he handed her the dog.
“I don’t think it’ll try to run, but be careful just the same as you head back to the park.”
He wants me to leave him? Rationally, Phoenix knew it made sense. If she left, she could at least send others to help—if it wouldn’t already be too late. She should hurry...yet she couldn’t seem to get her feet to move.
The dog, a smallish beagle mix with a bloody ear and big, frightened brown eyes, immediately stuck his nose over her shoulder, crowding as close as he could. The animal’s need for comfort helped her composure. She automatically crooned to him, backing up again to give Cooper some room while she tried to decide what to do. Stay or go? Try to help or keep out of the way?
She had no idea where the first man had gone and that worried her enough that she gave a quick look behind her, but all she saw was the rushing creek and woods.
They were well away from the resort...with three thugs threatening them.
Trying to be subtle, Phoenix cradled the dog in one arm and bent down to pick up a round, fist-sized rock. It wasn’t easy juggling everything, but the dog helped by curling as close as he could get.
No one paid any attention to her.
Cooper, his posture loose, his attitude unconcerned, faced the men. “I strongly suggest you boys run along now.”
Boys? That had to be a joke, but then, to a mature, responsible man like Cooper, they might seem young. She guessed them to be her age, maybe a little less, which would make them around ten years his junior. Still, men in their early twenties weren’t boys, especially when they reeked of trouble.
“Did you pay Harry?” Frank asked.
“Your chickenshit friend who likes to mistreat animals?” Cooper shifted closer to him. “Is that who you mean?”
Both punks bunched up.
Cooper continued, “I gave him a time to come to the RV resort tomorrow to get what he’s owed. Until then, I’m done talking to any of you.”
Had he and Harry spoken again after she’d run back to get their things? If they were politely conversing, maybe the worst of the threat was over.
Sadly, she realized it wasn’t when Frank, copping an attitude, poked a finger hard against Cooper’s chest.
Sneering, Frank said, “I suggest you—”