On Deadly Ground by Lauren Nichols Read Free Book Online Page B

and never flinched when he had to draw his sidearm. But Rachel was another matter.
    “No, we don’t need to talk. I understand why you said no.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yeah,” he returned honestly. “I’m sorry. I was lousy company tonight.”
    “It’s okay. You had a long day.”
    Yes, he had, but that wasn’t why he’d been distant. And it wasn’t okay. “Look,” he said quietly, “on Thursday, a wildlife biologist, wildlife vet and I are taking a bunch of sixth graders out in the field, hopefully to collar and tag a couple of elk calves. I think I told you about the four-year mortality study the game commission’s doing.”
    “Yes, you mentioned it.”
    “Would you like to join us? I know you have a lot to do before your opening, but if you can get away for a couple of hours, I think you’d enjoy it.”
    The relief in her voice was nearly palpable, and once again, he felt like a jerk for making her worry.
    “I’d like that. What time and where should I meet you?”
    The sun was still trying to burn off the morning fog Thursday as Rachel stood with biologist Tom Keene and veterinarian Chaz Haskell, watching Jake line up fifteen smiling, excited sixth graders at the top of a grassy field. Alex Liston and another teacher took their places at the opposite end of the long horizontal line.
    “Okay,” Jake instructed. “We’re all going to walk slowly, quietly and carefully down through the highgrass—all the way to the road. While their mothers are away, newborns lie flat on the ground in ‘hider position’ so they don’t reveal their presence to a potential predator. Sometimes they don’t even blink an eye. If you spot one, say, ‘Calf on the ground.’ Then we’ll all circle the calf to discourage it from running, and Dr. Haskell, Mr. Keene and I will take over. Any questions?”
    A ponytailed girl raised her hand. “Can we touch the calves?”
    “Sorry, but no. We don’t want to traumatize them any more than we have to.”
    “We can take pictures, though, right?” a freckle-faced kid in a baseball cap asked.
    “Sure, that’s what you’re here for. To learn and have fun. But wait until I give the word.”
    To Rachel’s delight, it didn’t take long for the first calf to be located—all splayed out and stone-still against the ground. They walked toward it. Suddenly, it scrambled to its feet—tried to run. At a quick sprint, Jake restrained it, then eased it back on the ground. He gave the word, and a dozen cameras came out of pockets and fanny packs.
    He was a cutie, Rachel decided, liking the gentle way Jake and his crew covered its eyes, then laid the spotted, copper-colored calf on a net and hooked the net to a suspension scale to be weighed. Jake lifted the calf off the ground. Amazingly, the little guy remained relatively calm.
    “Forty-two pounds,” Haskell said.
    “Pretty big baby, isn’t it?” Jake said to the elated kids. “And he’s only a few days old.”
    He sent Rachel a private smile, and she smiled back. Like wild horses out west, the massive elk and theiroffspring were natural treasures, and brought a vital majesty to the county forests … just as the tall man sharing this moment with her brought something vital to Rachel.
    Jake turned the calf over to the vet and biologist, then moved to Rachel’s side. He addressed the teachers and kids again while Haskell and Keene examined the calf, and fitted him with an ear tag and a yellow radio collar. “Every collar transmits a different signal to the game commission’s telemetry equipment. Now we’ll be able to pinpoint his location and check him periodically—make sure he’s healthy and doing well. Questions?”
    A hand went up. “He’s going to get big. Won’t he choke if the collar gets too tight?”
    Jake smiled. “He’ll be fine. The collar’s expandable. The stitching will break away as he grows.”
    After the kids had snapped a few more photos and named their calf, Rachel smiled along with the