By the time they reached the cabin, Vin's back was hurting more than he let on and he grimaced as he stood up. He caught Larabee watching him and knew the blond had seen his face.
"Vin, why don't you go on inside and get the fire going? We'll unload the snowmobiles and put them away," the blond suggested.
"JD, take the thermoses inside and get dinner started. I'll stay here and give Chris a hand with this stuff," Wilmington offered.
"Sounds like a plan. What do you want for dinner?" Dunne asked.
"Why don't you cut up the veggies and chicken and we'll do a stir fry," Larabee said and watched Tanner slowly make his way into the cabin. "JD, get his pills and tell him to take it easy."
"Sure, Chris," Dunne said and followed the Texan inside.
"Maybe this was a bad idea," Wilmington said.
"I don't think so. Vin may be hurting right now, but he'd be the first to tell you it was worth it. He loves being out here, Buck," Larabee said as they unloaded the snowmobiles and stowed them in the shed. They stood and leaned against the house as the snow continued to fall. "I love it out here."
"I think we all do…it's a change from the city and the job," Wilmington agreed.
"I'm going to give Josiah a call and make sure he remembers to bring the supplies I ordered."
"You mean the presents don't you?" Buck asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I don't think you'll like yours although it is heavy."
"Really…what is it?"
"A lump of coal," Larabee answered with a grin. "You've been a bad boy, Bucklin."
"Yeah, right, I guess I'd better return yours."
"What is it this year? A pack of edible condoms?"
"Well, the ladies do enjoy them, my friend," Wilmington teased and slapped his arms as the cold seeped into his body. "Damn, we'd best get inside before I freeze my assets off."
"I thought you were always hot?"
"I am, but only for the ladies," the rogue said as they walked toward the cabin. They stepped inside to find Vin lying down on the couch while JD was cutting up the veggies.
Chris moved to the fire and added another chunk of wood before watching the Texan. The soft breathing told him Tanner was sleeping and he reached for the warm blanket to cover him before joining Buck and JD in the kitchen area. "JD, did he take the pills?"
"He took them and lay down and was out like a light in less than a minute," Dunne answered.
"Good, he's not sleeping much because of his back," Larabee told them.
"Maybe we shouldn't have gone out today," Dunne said.
"He'd be the first to tell you he enjoyed being outside," Larabee said and glanced at the tree in the corner. "Maybe he'll feel up to decorating the tree after dinner."
"I hope so," Dunne said enthusiastically.
"JD, you're such a kid," Wilmington teased.
"Am not," Dunne said.
"Yes, you are, JD, but I think we're all kids at heart when it comes to Christmas," Larabee told them and reached for his cell phone. He knew Josiah would have called if anything was wrong, and was glad to see he hadn't missed any calls as he dialed Sanchez's number.
"Hey, Boss, how are things in the great outdoors?"
"Cold, Josiah, but it's beautiful in the cabin. I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget anything."
"I got that special package all snug in the back of the van. There's a storm headed your way so we're going to drive up there tomorrow morning."
"Sounds good."
"Is there anything you need?"
"Maybe a bottle of whiskey and some more marshmallows for Vin and JD," Larabee answered.
"How is Vin?"
"His back's hurting, but you know Vin…he'll never admit it."
"And you do, Brother?"
"Guess we're all cut from the same cloth," Larabee said and chuckled softly.
"Chris, ask him to pick up some of those donuts from Delvecchio's," Dunne said.
"Tell him I heard him."
"He heard you, JD," Larabee said. So what time should we expect you boys?"
"It all depends on what time we get Ezra out of bed."
"So we'll see you sometime after dinner tomorrow night," the blond said.
"Hopefully it'll be earlier than that. Maybe I'll invite Ezra to spend the night and make sure he's up early."
"Good plan. I'd better go help JD with dinner. We're having stir fry tonight."
"I figured you'd be having fish."
"Had that last night," Larabee told him. "See you tomorrow."
"Take care, Boss."
"Is everything okay?" Wilmington asked when Larabee placed the phone on the table.
"Everything's fine, but Josiah said there's a storm headed our way so they're driving up tomorrow instead of Christmas Eve," Larabee answered and grabbed the stovetop wok from beneath the counter. He waited for it to heat up and added extra virgin olive oil and the chicken cubes with chopped onions and peppers. He reached for the spices and soy sauce and added a little of each before moving the wok toward the back of the stove where it wasn't as hot.
"Rice or noodles?" Wilmington asked.
"Rice," Larabee answered and used the wide spoon to stir the meat and veggies.
"Want a drink, Chris?" Dunne asked.
"Sounds good, JD…rye and coke," the blond answered.
"Buck?"
"I'll have the same," Wilmington said and reached for the box of instant rice. "Sleeping beauty is calling in the cows."
"He hears you say that and you'll be sleeping with one eye open," Larabee said,
"Why do you think I made sure he was sleeping?" the rogue said and added water and butter to the boiler before putting it on the stove.
"Smart man," Larabee said. He continued to stir the veggies and chicken before reaching for the carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli and adding them to the mixture.
"Damn, Pard, you really should cook more often. That smells great," Wilmington said.
"Thanks, I used to make stir fry for Sarah and Adam on Friday nights," the blond told them.
"I remember…Adam always wanted to help," the rogue said wistfully. "Remember that little red handled knife you gave him."
"It couldn't cut a piece of paper, but Adam thought it was great," Larabee said with a grin. "Remember Sarah's face when she walked in and thought the damn thing was real."
"She threatened to castrate you for doing something so stupid and you told her to go ahead as long as she used Adam's knife," Wilmington observed and stirred the rice into the boiling water as Larabee made the thickening for the stir fry.
"Should I wake Vin?" Dunne asked when the meal was cooked and ready to serve.
"I don't think you have to," Larabee said as the Texan shifted and sat up. "He has a built in radar where food is concerned."
"I heard that, Larabee, ain't my fault I got a high meta-whatever ya call it," Tanner groused and gingerly stood up with a hiss and a curse before making his way to the table. "Smells good…hand me some grub."
"Fine thing to call a man's culinary conquests grub," Larabee said.
"Hell, when did Ezra get here?" Tanner snapped and licked his lips in anticipation when a plate of food was placed in front of him.
"Actually they'll be here sometime tomorrow depending on what time they can get Ezra out of bed," the blond answered.
"So we'll see them late tomorrow night," the Texan offered and knew someone had already said something along that line when the others chuckled and looked at Larabee.
"Josiah's inviting him to spend the night at his place," Larabee said
"Good plan…maybe they'll get here before dinner," Tanner said and took a forkful of food.
"This is really good, Chris."
"Thanks, JD," Larabee said and watched the two younger men eat with gusto. He had never had a big appetite and watching others enjoy their meals often made him smile. Sarah had often complained when he didn't eat much, except when she made her chicken and dumplings…she never seemed to make enough to satisfy him.
"Chris, when are you going to make Sarah's chicken and dumplings again?" Wilmington asked.
"Damn, were you reading my mind?" Larabee asked with a grin. "I was just thinking that was one meal I could never get enough of."
"You and me both," the rogue said.
"How come ya never made it for the rest of us?" Tanner asked.
"Just never had the chance," Larabee said.
"Ya do now," Tanner said with a grin.
"Maybe tomorrow," the blond agreed and mentally made a list of what he would need and if they had all the ingredients and knew he could call Josiah and have him bring anything they didn't have.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Chris lay awake late into the night listening to the silence that was broken only by the sounds of the men sleeping. He'd read his book while the others played cards and smiled when he thought of some of the one-liners JD had told. The kid had a penchant for finding the strangest, and sometimes the stupidest jokes ever told and now he was concentrating on Christmas jokes.
Chris knew he should sleep, but right now he was thinking about the poachers and wondering how close they were. While decorating the Christmas tree they'd heard several shots to the north, but it was too late to search for the bastards. In the morning they were going to take the snowmobiles for a run around the edge of the lake and see if they could find were the poachers were holed up. If they found them, then they'd call the authorities and tell them where they were.
Chris snuggled down in the blankets and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. He knew people hunted for food, but this was a nature reserve and the law said you couldn't hunt here. There was also the problem of hunting season and licenses and he knew they were not given out for this area. Whoever was killing the animals was breaking the law and that was something he fought against. He felt himself drifting toward sleep and finally succumbed to the rest his mind and body needed.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
It was early morning before they were ready to head out and the newly fallen snow had crusted over. They were planning to take a different route along the edge of the lake and split off if they hadn't found anything by noon. Buck and JD were again riding together while Vin and Chris took the second snowmobile. This time they'd taken their weapons with them because they were actively searching for the poachers.
They'd been riding for nearly an hour when the early morning silence was shattered by the sound of gunfire higher up toward the plateau. They pulled the snowmobiles to a stop and looked up, but knew by the time they reached the top it would be too late and the poachers would have moved on.
The group resumed their journey and stopped a short time later when Vin spotted something amongst the trees. They dismounted and walked slowly toward it, carefully avoiding areas of deep snow that looked looser than what they stood on. It wasn't long before they found what Tanner had seen from the trail and knew it wasn't poachers they were after, but people who killed for the sake of the thrill and left the body where it fell.
"Sonofabitch," Tanner said of the majestic animal that had been felled by several bullets. There was no doubt in his mind that the bear had suffered before it finally died and he was sickened by the cruelty of such an act.
"They just shot it and left it there," Dunne said.
"Yeah, JD, the bastards are in it for sport and don't give a damn about the animal," Tanner said and looked around. "We need to find out where they're staying before they kill anything else."
"We have no idea where they could be," Wilmington said.
"They're probably using one of the other cabins. We could check them out," Larabee suggested.
"We'd need to split up to cover the whole lake area," Tanner said. "Buck, you and JD take the southeast end. Me and Chris'll take the northwest and we'll meet back at the cabin in two hours."
"Buck, if you see anything, don't go after them. Find out where they're staying and we'll contact the local authorities," Larabee ordered.
"You do the same, Pard," Wilmington said as they made their way back toward the snowmobiles. They parted ways at the small marker near the lake and Buck headed southeast toward the lower end of Lake Mary.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Buck had been steering the snowmobile around a big drift of snow and stopped when JD tapped his shoulder and pointed to something in the distance. He couldn't tell what it was from here and quickly turned the vehicle toward it. Five minutes later they pulled to a stop next to the body of a wolf. This one hadn't been shot, but was caught in a trap and bled out from the wound caused by the metal spikes that had broken its leg.
"Jesus, these bastards need to be caught in their own traps," Wilmington snarled and looked up as the snow began to fall heavily and the wind seemed to be picking up.
"There's a cabin over there," Dunne said and pointed to a dark shape hidden amongst the trees. "Maybe we should take a look."
"You stay with the snowmobile and I'll check it out. If I'm not back in ten minutes call Chris and Vin and tell them what's happening," Wilmington ordered.
"What if they see you?"
"I'll tell them we're having problems with the snowmobile and ask if they have a phone," the older man answered.
"Be careful, Buck," Dunne said and wished there was some other way, but they needed to find out what they could and this seemed like the best course of action.
Buck made his way through the trees, cursing when he sank to his knees in the snow. He managed to pull himself free and got to the cabin without further incidence. The cabin seemed to be deserted, but he knew that could be deceiving and carefully crept along the wall until he reached a window. He took a quick look inside, but nothing moved and there didn't seem to be any sign of life. There wasn't even a hint of smoke that he would associate with a cabin in the winter.
Buck moved to the door and checked it, not surprised to find it locked up tight and glanced around the front yard. Even with the snow falling he would have been able to see evidence of a vehicle if any had been there recently, but the snow was unblemished and he hurried back to rejoin JD.
"Buck, did you see anyone?" Dunne asked, relieved when his friend returned.
"No, I don't think anyone's staying here," Wilmington answered.
"I thought I saw another one south of here when we drove up the other day," Dunne said and glanced at his watch. "If we hurry we should have time to check it out before heading home."
"All right…let's get moving before this storm gets worse," Wilmington said and let the younger man take control of the snowmobile while he climbed on behind.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin and Chris had seen nothing out of the ordinary until they reached the north end of the lake. There was a dark mound barely visible at the edge of the lake and the two men moved toward it with angry steps. It was a small deer, the carcass had been left where it had fallen, but the antlers had been removed, leaving a grotesque sight that sickened both men. There were two sets of tracks leading away from the animal, and tiny droplets of blood marred the pristine white snowy terrain.
"Vin, it's almost time to head back," Larabee said and saw the anger on Tanner's face.
"We can't let them get away with this, Chris. They's takin' trophies and leavin' the animals to die," the Texan spat.
"We'll find the bastards, but it'll have to wait until this storm lets up," the blond said and frowned when he looked past his friend. It looked like whoever had done this had dropped something in the snow. Chris walked past the Texan and reached for the item, a hint of a smile forming when he realized he was holding a cell phone.
"What did you find?" Tanner asked as Larabee turned toward him. Things happened so fast that he didn't register the blond's cry until he saw him drop to the ground and grab his leg. "What the hell!"
Chris felt no pain, but yelped in surprise when something snapped around his leg. It didn't take long for his mind and body to collide with agonizing shards of crippling pain that raced along nerve endings that fired instantly. He dropped the item he'd found and clamped both hands around his right leg, breathing raggedly through tightly clenched teeth as he tried to ride out the waves of nausea that churned through his gut. He swallowed convulsively and tried to push away the hands that touched his.
"Let me take a look, Chris," Tanner ordered, but the injured blond seemed oblivious to his presence. He tried to pull Larabee's hands away, but the man was stronger than ever and fused with adrenaline. "Chris, look at me…"
"Jesus," Larabee swore and finally locked eyes on his friend.
"You with me now?"
"Ra….rather be so…somewhere else," the injured blond answered, his voice heavy with pain as he lay back in the snow.
"I know, but right now I need to see what you're caught in. Think you can stay still for me?"
"Try…no prom…promises," Larabee told him. He closed his eyes and felt the Texan's hands on his lower leg as he tried to assess the damage. He knew it was some kind of trap and briefly wondered if the damn thing had cut his lower leg off, but Vin's words told him the limb was still attached.
"It's a bear trap," Tanner told him. "I think yer boots saved ya…"
"Saved me from what?" Larabee groaned and rubbed at his eyes as moisture glistened on his cheeks.
"This thing's meant for a bear, Chris…could've taken yer leg clean off. Ya got lucky…"
"Don't feel so fucking lucky," Larabee said.
"I bet ya don't. Gotta say someone was watchin' out fer ya. Damn big stick got stuck in here and stopped it from slammin' shut. Ain't gonna be able ta see how bad it is 'til we get back ta the cabin. I'm gonna see if'n I can get it off. Ya best get real still fer me."
"I'll see wh…what I can do," the blond said, gripping a nearby branch as his friend tried to open the trap that was embedded deep in his leg.
Vin concentrated on opening the trap and ignored the panic wrapping itself around his mind. The trap was rusted; who knew how long it had been there and what kind of debris had been dragged into Larabee's body by the deadly spikes. There was blood on the snow beneath the injured leg and he was pretty sure it was broken, but right now he had to get the fucking thing off Larabee and get him back to the cabin. He glanced at the sky as the wind whipped the snow up around them and thought about heading for Red Lodge, but he knew there wasn't enough gas and there was no way Chris could hold on for that long.
Chris ground his knuckles against his side as he tried to ignore what the Texan was doing. He felt him pulling on the trap, only to have it spring back with such force that he couldn't stop the cry that escaped his throat. He could hear Tanner cursing, but couldn't speak as the pain grew to encompass the surrounding area. He felt Tanner's hand on his leg and then relief as the trap mechanism failed and it fell off. The relief lasted less than a second as his mind and body suddenly surged with the agony that surrounded his lower limb.
"Stay with me, Chris!" Tanner ordered sharply.
"Trying," Larabee answered tersely.
"We need to get back to the cabin, Chris, think you can hold on to me?"
"Don't know…fuck," the blond cursed and tried to sit up. "How bad?"
"Can't rightly tell. The boot may have helped, Chris, but how much we won't know 'til we get back. I ain't gonna take the boot off…"
"Thank God," Larabee said and reached for the item he'd dropped. "Take this."
"What is it?" Tanner asked without looking at the item.
"A cell phone…could belong to the poachers," Larabee answered and watched the Texan place it inside his jacket pocket.
"Come on, Cowboy, let's get ya off the ground," the Texan said and reached for the injured man. He helped Larabee stand and watched as tiny beads of sweat formed on his brow. "Can you move?"
"No, but let's do it anyway," the blond said and leaned heavily on his friend, cursing when he heard the sharp intake of breath from the other man. "Your back?"
"Yeah, it's okay, Chris, it's not far," Tanner said and tried to ignore the pain that tore through his lower back.
"Jesus…talk…talk about—walk…walking wounded," Larabee gasped and turned his head as bitter bile rose up in his throat with the gut-wrenching pain that spread up his right leg.
Vin waited for Larabee to signal that he was ready to move before leading him toward the snowmobile. It was a short distance, maybe fifty feet, yet it seemed insurmountable as he fought to keep from collapsing under Larabee's weight. They finally reached their destination and he eased Larabee onto the snowmobile before reaching into the small storage compartment for the length of rope.
"What's that f…for?" the blond managed.
"I'm gonna tie it around us in case ya pass out," Tanner said.
"I don't think…"
"I know, but my back's a mess Chris and if'n ya do pass out and fall off I ain't sure I can pick ya back up. It's fer both of us," Tanner said and watched Larabee nod once in agreement. He looped one end across the other man's back and then climbed onto the snowmobile before tying it in front of him. "Ya ready fer this?"
"Do I have a choice?" Larabee asked, his voice husky with pain.
"No," Tanner said. "Ya let me know if'n ya need ta stop."
"Fas…faster we get back the better," Larabee said, looking up as the snow continued to fall at an alarming rate.
TBC