The Target (8 page)

“Okay.” Jaime leaned forward too. She met the blue-green eyes across from her and held them captive. “The truth is, I think you’re cute as hell and I find myself extremely attracted to you.”

Sara’s breath caught. “Excuse me?”

“Besides, I have a great view from the back of the line. I think you have a very sexy walk.”

“
Excuse
me?”

“You said you wanted the truth.”

Sara was at a loss for words. Jaime Hutchinson had to be the most conceited, arrogant …
flirt
she had ever met. All she could do was stare at her.

“No comment?” Jaime finally asked. “You’re not going to tell me the feeling is mutual?”

Sara smiled and shook her head. “I’m not sure I even like you.”

“You’ve got to give it time. I’m sure I’ll grow on you.”

“I don’t think we have that much time.” Sara stood and brushed off her jeans. “Make sure the fire is out.”

Jaime nodded and watched as Sara retreated into her tent.

“Damn, but she’s cute. Sexy and cute,” she murmured as she stirred the fire again.

Three days later, they were crossing the Mt. Harvard trail at ten thousand feet. They had explored a large rock formation for nearly an hour and everyone sat on the edge of the cliff, feet dangling over the side as they enjoyed the views. Everyone except Sara, who insisted they were entirely too close to the edge.

“Well, while you’re standing back there, Sarge, why don’t you take our picture?” Jaime suggested.

“You’re insane.”

“It’s not that bad, Sara,” Abby said. “It’s a gradual drop-off.”

“This would make a great picture,” Sandra said, turning around to hand Sara her camera. “Make sure you get all of us.”

Sara took a step closer to grab the camera, too embarrassed to tell them that she had a slight fear of heights. She walked backward, trying to fit them all into the frame. They turned their heads and leaned into each other, the same smiles on all their faces, Jaime included.

“One, two … three,” she called, snapping the picture. She lowered the camera. “Happy now? Will you please come away from the edge?”

“I think she’s worried about you,” Celia teased quietly.

“I think she’s worried about a lawsuit,” Jaime said which caused Sandra to burst out laughing.

Sara scowled at them. Jaime was a troublemaker, she decided.

But Sara was as excited as the rest of them. They were within an hour of the springs Jaime had been telling them about. Springs as large as a swimming pool, she promised. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have to share it with bears.

“And you know, Sara, if we stayed for two days, we could do laundry,” Jaime suggested, remembering Celia’s request for an extended visit.

“Laundry? God yes,” Abby said. “I’m afraid if I take these jeans off one more time, they’re going to walk away on their own.”

They all laughed and Sara looked down at her own dirty jeans.

She’d instructed them all not to bring more than three changes of clothes. Yes, probably a laundry day in the springs would be a good idea. That and a bath.

“Okay. I suppose we can stay two nights there,” she agreed. Her announcement was met with cheers.

“I like her more and more every day,” Jaime said. Sandra was a few steps behind her and she turned to wait for her when something caught her eye. A reflection, perhaps, high up on the ridge behind them. As she watched, it disappeared. “You going to make another hour, Sandra?” Jaime asked, her eyes still scanning the mountainside behind them.

“No problem. Not when I know we’ll have two days to play.”

Jaime nodded. What could have caused the reflection? Glass?

Metal? Could be anything. She turned to walk on but she had a nagging feeling that it wasn’t just anything. She stopped and scratched her head, then turned back again, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, just the scattered spruce and fir trees that had found footholds in the rocks. She had convinced herself that these threats against Sara Michaels were bogus. Hell, even the FBI suggested they were. But what if they weren’t? What if someone had been following them the whole time? Watching them? And all the while, she’d been more concerned with having a good time and teasing Sara, not protecting her.

“Goddamn,” she murmured.

“You coming?”

Jaime looked back at Sandra and shook her head. “You know what? You go on ahead. I’ll catch up. I know the way. I want to do a little exploring around here, maybe chase up a bird or two.”

“A bird?”

Jaime grinned. “Yeah. It’ll be quieter without all you guys running your mouths.”

Sandra waved. “Okay. Go on. But I’ll expect you in the hot springs later.”

“It’s a date.”

Jaime’s smile faded as soon as Sandra walked away and she turned back toward the trail, wondering where to start. Up this high, the vegetation was thin. She decided to go down between the two ridges, trying to conceal herself as much as possible behind the boulders that dotted the area. She slipped once on a rock and landed on her ass, stopping her downward slide by grabbing a tree.

“Nice and quiet, Jaime. You’re doing great,” she murmured sarcastically, getting to her feet again. She circled around, constantly watching the mountainside for movement. Then there it was, the reflection again. She whipped out her binoculars, scanning the trees and rocks, seeing nothing.

“Shit.”

She studied the area, wondering what it could be. She looked up. The sun was at her back, shining directly on the mountain, no doubt reflecting off of … something. Then she looked at her binoculars. Could be reflecting off of the glass of a binocular lens or spotting scope. Her eyes widened. Or off of the scope on a rifle.

She shook her head. She was letting her imagination get the best of her. If they’d been followed for the past six days by someone with a rifle, surely they could have taken a shot by now.

“I hate this job.”

She waited another half-hour but saw neither movement nor the reflection again. Well, regardless, it was time she let Sara Michaels in on it. It was only fair. After all, she was the target of this supposed threat.

As Sara walked, she noticed something was missing. The constant chatter at the back of the line. She stopped and turned around, looking for the laughing brown eyes that were normally there waiting for her. She found none.

“Where’s Jaime?” she asked. Everyone turned around and looked at Sandra.

“She went off by herself,” Sandra said as she tried to catch her breath.

“Off where?” Sara demanded.

Sandra shrugged. “Just off. She was looking for some bird or something.”

“A bird?”

“That’s what she said.”

“Is she coming back?”

“Yeah. She said she knew the way, Ms. Michaels. I think maybe she just wanted a little alone time.”

“Uh-huh.” But Sara shrugged. She shouldn’t really care. It wasn’t like she invited her on this trip to begin with. She started walking again. According to the map and Jaime’s directions, they should be at the river any minute.

And fifteen minutes later, they heard water cascading over rocks. At the water crossing, Sara turned upstream as Jaime had told her, easily finding the well-worn trail between the trees.

Apparently, these hot springs were popular. A short while later, she saw the steam rising.

“Oh my God,” Abby said. “It’s beautiful.”

Yes, it was. Practically an oasis stuck high up in the Rocky Mountains. The river dropped some twenty feet onto boulders that were strewn about then flowed into a pool that was nearly bubbling as hot thermal water escaped the cracks underground and formed the springs. It was as Jaime had said, the size of a swimming pool.

“I vote we stay three days,” Sandra said.

Sara smiled and dropped her pack, her eyes still glued to the water. It was absolutely beautiful. One of the prettiest sights she had ever seen. Again she turned, looking around for Jaime. Damn the woman. She’d only been with them six days. How could she possibly have gotten used to her being around in that short of time?

After the tents were set up, everyone changed and hurried into the hot springs. Sara noticed that not one woman discarded her swimsuit this time. She, too, changed into her one-piece suit and joined them. They were all enjoying the water, but not like they had the last time. Conversations were quiet and she realized that in only a few short days, Jaime’s presence, or lack thereof, was a major influence on the group. Again, she looked down the trail, hoping to catch sight of her.

Submerging into the warm water, she let out a satisfied moan as her body was enveloped. She, too, missed the chatter of the other woman—and the unlimited stories she seemed to have at her disposal.

Jaime was able to reach them on a different level, Sara realized.

Instead of telling them not to leave food out, she told them of a time a bear had come looking for food. Instead of simply telling them not to drink the water, she told them of a time when someone had taken a drink. Sara knew with this group, and with all the others, she had missed connecting with them on that level. She was their counselor, teacher … but never friend. And she, like the others, missed Jaime’s presence now.

Finally, after nearly thirty minutes of quiet talk, she spotted the familiar figure walking up the trail. A relieved smiled touched her face before she could stop it.

“It’s Jaime,” Celia said and pointed.

“About time,” Sandra yelled.

Jaime waved and tossed her pack on the ground, then bent to untie her boots. Sara knew that she was about to be confronted with another display of nakedness. So did the others. Jaime walked slowly toward them, hands on her hips.

“What have I told you about the rules, ladies? Clothing is
not
allowed in hot springs. Jesus, what am I going to do with you?”

Sara stared as jeans were dropped and T-shirt was flung. Then, almost in slow motion, black panties this time were shed and a completely naked Jaime Hutchinson stood on a rock and executed a perfect shallow dive into the hot springs. She rose out of the water like a goddess, her eyes finding Sara’s immediately.

“I thought you were in charge,” Jaime teased. “Why do they all have clothes on?”

“Not for long,” Abby said loudly as she dipped below the water and came up flinging her swimsuit upon the rocks. Soon, nine others followed and the pool was reduced to a playground for eleven naked women.

Sara laughed at their exuberant play, especially Sandra, who was floating on her back in the middle of the pool, not at all self-conscious as she splashed water on Jaime only to have the other woman dunk her under. Sandra came up spitting and laughing.

“God, I love this.” She splashed down again. “I feel almost thin in this water.”

“Sandra, honey, you look great just the way you are,” Jaime insisted.

Sandra beamed a smile at her. “Now why can’t I find a man just like you?”

Jaime’s eyes widened in mock disbelief. “A
man
? You’re comparing me to a man? I’m very offended.”

“If I was into women, I’d already have you wrapped up, young lady,” Sandra teased the other woman.

Everyone laughed, including Sara. It was only then that Sara realized they all must know Jaime is gay. And even then, here they were, all stripped naked without a concern in the world. She never would have thought it possible. Not with this group.

“Sarge? Why don’t you join us?” Celia asked.

Jaime walked closer, eyebrows rising mischievously. “Yes, Sara? Why don’t you?” Jaime playfully captured her hand and tried to pull her deeper into the water.

“Behave or I’ll be forced to hurt you,” Sara said.

Jaime laughed but did not release her hold. “What if I promise I won’t look?”

Celia laughed and clapped her hands. “Don’t believe her!”

“Hey, whose side are you on?” Jaime asked.

“Yours, of course.”

“I see. Ganging up on me, huh?” Sara tried to pull her hand away.

“Yes, we are.” Jaime smiled, refusing to let her go.

Jaime stood up, the water reaching only to her waist. Sara’s breath caught at the sight standing before her. Droplets of water clung to her breasts and Sara stared as one slowly traveled down Jaime’s breast to her nipple. The hand that was still holding hers tightened and she brought her eyes up, colliding with Jaime’s. The brown eyes darkened and she felt her heart quicken its pace.

“Take it off,” Jaime whispered.

Sara shook her head.

“Please?”

Sara was aware of how quiet it was, aware that the others were watching them with anticipation. She knew it was pure insanity but she wanted to be a part of their group. So, she took one hand and slowly slipped her straps off her shoulders. She saw Jaime’s breath catch and she smiled.

“Turn around,” she instructed quietly.

“What would be the fun in that?”

But Jaime released the hand she had been holding and obediently turned around, pausing to wink at Celia. The other woman smiled broadly at her. Jaime finally heard a splash and quickly turned, just in time to see a nicely rounded backside dip under the water. Sara resurfaced in the middle of the pool, water up to her shoulders.

“See? Isn’t that better?”

“Much.” Sara slicked her hair back and let out a contented sigh.

Yes, it was glorious. But as Jaime came closer, Sara laughed and splashed water in her face. “Behave.”

The other women laughed and Jaime splashed back at Sara then moved a safe distance away.

“Ms. Michaels? Are you dating anyone?” Celia innocently asked.

Jaime hid her smile as Sara stared at Celia.

“Actually, no. I’m not.” Sara cleared her throat. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, just … curious.”

“Uh-huh,” Sara murmured. She slid her eyes to Jaime, raising an eyebrow. Jaime only shrugged and dipped below the water again.

They stayed in the pool for another hour, then one by one they started getting out, most to grab dirty clothes to rinse out in the springs. It was only then that Sara realized her position. Her swimsuit was flung on a faraway rock. And Jaime was still in the water, a satisfied grin on her face.

“Now what are you going to do?” Jaime asked with a laugh.