I have taken inspiration from Auntioaty's question as to whether Vic is really there or just in Walt's head and am going to provide two possible paths to this story, kind of like a choose your own adventure book. If you want to follow the story line that flows from Walt actually hearing Vic say the words "Be careful Walt" then read the chapters marked with an A. If you want to follow the story line that flows from Walt hearing Vic say the words in his head, then read the chapters marked B. Please let me know how you think this works. If it gets too complicated, I can end In my arms at chapter 14 and make two different stories that head out in different directions on their own.
Walt stops in his tracks. It's as if his thoughts have brought her here to him. He turns in the direction of her voice to find her leaning against the railing at the far end of the porch. He'd been so focused in the cabin he hadn't heard her truck. His heart rate immediately begins to speed up as soon as he lays his eyes on her and he has to consciously take slow deep breaths to keep from going over to her and taking her in his arms.
"Where are you headed with that rifle?"
"Vic, what are you doing here?"
"I came by earlier and couldn't find you. Since your truck was here I assumed someone had picked you up. But then you weren't at Henry's party either and while I thought that in and of itself wasn't that unusual, I did find it odd that neither Henry nor Cady had heard from you since you left the Red Pony earlier today. You weren't answering your phone so I decided to head back out here to track you down myself."
"Been busy." Stay the course Walt.
"Doing what? You weren't at work. You weren't celebrating with your family. Just what was it that kept you so occupied?"
"Vic, you should go"
"Where do you want me to go Walt? Home to sit by myself and worry about you? Back to the party where I can be surrounded by people and worry about you? Or maybe you just want me to go to Alaska and be with Shaun as his dutiful wife for the rest of the week. Even there I'll still be worried about you."
Walt tenses when Vic says her husband's name. With Shaun is the last place he wants her to be but he realizes that is exactly what he should encourage her to do: Take the rest of the week off and go be with her husband on his trip. Then she wouldn't see what he's about to do anymore than Martha would. Besides, with Vic not around it will be easier to keep his thoughts in line, to stay on track.
"None of those choices seem overly pleasant, because each involves you having shut everyone out again. You can take a break you know. Allow yourself to feel some relief before you go charging headlong into trying to nail Jacob Nighthorse. I know that has to be the next thing that's consuming you and pulling you away from everyone who cares about you. He was too close to Ridges for him to have not been a factor in Martha's murder. We'll figure out what role he played and how you're going to get that bastard, but for now why can't you just rest in the knowledge that Henry is safe. He's free! You did that. Relax and enjoy it for a minute. Nighthorse isn't going anywhere."
"If it weren't for me Henry wouldn't have had to be freed. I'm the one that got him into that mess in the first place and I need to end it once and for all."
"Bullshit! Henry would be insulted to hear you say that and Martha would be angry too. He got himself into that mess because he loves you and he loved her, because he's been your best friend for 39 years. He made the choice to help you. He made the choice to keep Miller Beck's teeth to keep you honest."
Walt can hear Vic's cell phone start to vibrate but she ignores it as she slowly walks toward him.
"Walt, you can't do this. If you go after Nighthorse now, like this, what was all this crap for?"
The phone stops and Vic continues to inch forward, the way she would approach an injured animal.
"Walt, think about Cady. She's lost her mother, sacrificed her career to stay here in Durant with you. She doesn't need to lose you too. You need to be here for her. You owe her that. She doesn't deserve to have to visit her dad in prison."
He steps off the porch and moves toward his truck. She's right, but he can't have that distraction right now.
"Think about Henry, he was willing to give up everything for you."
He pulls open the door of his truck and sets the rifle inside.
"Think about Branch, who's going to help him climb out of the abyss he's been sucked into the last several months? God knows his father can't help him."
Her phone starts to vibrate again.
"You should really answer that, " Walk away Vic.
He climbs into the seat and starts to pull the door closed when she is suddenly there beside him, keeping the door open.
"Dammit Walt, what about me? Chance would have killed me if you hadn't been willing to sacrifice yourself in my place. Without you I'd be dead."
She's too close. He can feel the warmth rolling off her body and it's taking away his ability to focus on the next steps he needs to take.
Once again the sound of the vibrating phone breaks the silence, filling the small amount of space left between them. She yanks it from her pocket, glances at the screen and punches a button "What?!"
As she listens to the voice on the other end of the phone her expression shifts from frustration to shock. She turns her face to Walt's and he can tell something is wrong. He catches a glimpse of an owl sitting on the fence behind her. Something is definitely wrong.