A Shadow in the Desert

Chapter Ten

Laurel woke early on her last day off. The muted light of a partly cloudy morning greeted her. She took more time than usual enjoying two cups of coffee and scrambled eggs for breakfast. She leisured in a hot shower and listened to the local news while slipping into jeans and a new denim shirt she had purchased at Outfitters. Satdo sat in the bedroom door watching her as she tied her hiking boots.

"We'll go out after I finish a few chores, okay?"

He cocked his head at the words he understood, 'go' and 'out'.

Laurel moved through the little house quickly making her bed and washing the breakfast dishes she had set in the sink. After putting a load of clothes in to wash she told Satdo they could go for a hike. He gave her a look that said, 'finally!'

Laurel threw on her hooded sweatshirt and bounced out the door behind him. A few seconds later she was back, shedding her hoodie and putting on her down jacket. Satdo stood half in and half out of the front door waiting patiently.

"Why didn't you tell me it's so cold out there?" she asked. "Let's go. I'm ready."

Satdo turned and bounded down the steps and onto the trail with his nose to the ground, leading the way. Laurel took a deep breath and felt the cold air fill her lungs. There's been a definite change in the weather.

Once autumn caught up with itself in the Sierras, the 'turning' happened overnight. In response everything from clothes to bedding to cozy fires appeared by magic – a spell cast by Mother Nature, herself. Even the morning's soft light that struggled to push its way through the high clouds couldn't dull the brilliant colors of the leaves as they danced on the branches, led by an overzealous breeze.

Laurel zipped her jacket all the way up to her chin. She noticed the difference in the feel of the frosty ground under her feet. It felt hard and unyielding, making it easier to walk on than the soft, dusty trail of late summer. Even Satdo was more animated as he ran off the path and back, spurred on by the cool air and the new smells of fall.

Lulled into a steady rhythm, Laurel found her thoughts wondering on their own track as she moved towards the base of the canyon. Fall Canyon, she decided would be her name for it.

She began to think about Jake. She doubted she would see him out here this early or this soon after their last encounter. A girl can hope, she thought with a crooked little smile. She shook her head in an attempt to dislodge the daydream and focus on the beauty around her.

Satdo's bark pierced the serene curtain that gently spread out over the landscape. Laurel jumped to attention letting everything else fall away. She had an unfettered view in all directions since they were still a quarter mile or so from the trees. Maybe a deer or coyote, she told herself.

"Satdo, what is it?"

A low growl erupted from his throat and sent a chill through her.

"Satdo?"

Laurel scanned the trees, but she was too far away to see or hear anything.

An animal, that's all.

"Onward and upward!"

It took a while to regain the easy rhythm they had started out with. By the time they reached the trees, they had gotten it back.

Laurel raised her head towards the bright sun that had fractured the clouds and sent sharp strands of golden light sporadically across the valley. She sat on a downed tree trunk and opened an energy bar she had tucked into her pocket. Satdo took off after a squirrel that easily stayed safe by scampering up a tree.

Peaceable kingdom she thought, forgetting all about the earlier tension she had felt.

*

He had climbed up higher, off the trail away from that damnable dog. He had on a scent spray he used for hunting. As long as he stayed far enough away it wouldn't notice him, unless he got careless and that would never happen. He was too smart for any of them. They were all targets, human or other – if they breathed and bled they were fair game.

He could take these two now with his rifle, but that would be too easy. He had plans for both of them, and it didn't involve a bullet.

*

"Come on Satdo, let's head back," she called.

She had seen him trot up the trail. He was enjoying running after squirrels and chipmunks. She would have liked to go up farther, but a nagging voice was telling her to head back.

"Satdo, let's go!"

Suddenly he came bounding down the path full speed heading right for her. He stopped just inches from where she stood, looking up with what appeared to her to be a big smile.

"Oh you think you're funny, do you?"

He continued to smile and she bent down to pet his head and scratch his back.

"Well old friend, it's time to get home."

She started down the trail feeling a strange sensation. All of a sudden the woods had taken on a creepy atmosphere. She felt as if she were about to have an anxiety attack. She hurried to get out into the open, knowing the claustrophobic feeling that was pressing in on her would subside.

Once clear of the trees, Laurel felt relief flood over her. Wow, that hadn't happened in a while. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she saw him heading up the trail at a steady pace. Jake waved when he caught sight of her. Satdo ran down to greet him.

"Hi, Satdo."

Laurel's heartbeat began to speed up again, this time without the anxiety she had been feeling.

"You were smart to wait until it warmed up a bit," she said. "Satdo and I started out when it was still frosty."

"I would have liked to have gotten out earlier, but the livestock won't allow it."

She smiled, "Well Satdo starts begging to go the minute my feet hit the floor."

She again noticed his handsome features and steel blue eyes. He was tanned from the long, hot summer that had just gotten over. Today he wore a baseball hat and carried a backpack. She wanted to linger, but couldn't think of anything to say.

"Well, I'll let you continue on your way. Have a nice hike."

"Thanks," he replied, giving her one of his smiles.

She loved the way he smiled, with his mouth closed and dimples showing. It was genuine but somewhat impish at the same time.

She began to head down when he called after her.

"Hey, Laurel, would you like to go riding up here sometime. I could bring a couple of my horses over."

"Sure."

"Great, how about Monday? Around 10:00 am?"

"Perfect, I'll see you then."

She floated the rest of the way down the path – even Satdo had a hard time keeping up.