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Across the canopy, Harold raised his voice.
“The helicopter is a go for today. Five-minute briefing. Everybody who’s going to an observation point, over here.”
People picked up their plates and cups to stack in a bin to be washed later. Jodie stood and collected hers. Goblin got to his feet too. He trotted over to Jodie, much to her surprise. She took the last piece of toast from her plate and held it out. Goblin took it without hesitation. Jodie smiled as he swallowed it nearly whole.
When she started toward Harold, Goblin tried to follow.
“Nope.” She pointed toward the shade. “You stay there.”
He stared at her for a moment, then followed her command and returned to the shade where he sat.
Good dog.
“He’s a smart one,” Mac said as they walked toward Harold.
A large map had been clipped across one of the folding tables. Jodie recognized the roads, property boundaries, and access points immediately, but someone had added heavy crosshatching across several sections. Harold tapped one with the back of a pen.
“Reminder. Crosshatched areas are off-limits to volunteers. Some are private property. Some are closed for gather operations. Either way, nobody goes in without authorization.”
Willow folded her arms. “Even if horses get chased through there?”
“That’s right. But they won’t be.”
“And if they are?”
“You stay out of the crosshatched areas.” Harold looked around the group. “Nobody follows. Nobody decides a boundary doesn’t apply because you think you can get a better photograph from the other side.” He looked at Sandra, who held his stare, face carefully blank.
“This is as much for your safety as anyone else’s,” Harold continued. His gaze moved over the group without lingering on anyone else. “Stay where you’re assigned. There will be livestock, vehicles, personnel, and horses moving around today.”
“Frightened horses,” Jodie murmured.
She studied the map. One of the crosshatched sections covered part of Virgil’s property. Another took in the temporary holding area and the land beyond it.
Reasonable. Annoying, but reasonable.
Harold pointed out their observation stations and went over radio channels, check-in times, and where FHDH’s identification people would stand once horses began moving into holding.
Jodie listened, making mental notes even though she already knew most of it.
Finally, Harold folded the map. “Let’s move.”
Jodie nudged Sandra beside her. “What was that about? That look he gave you.”
Sandra rolled her eyes. “Oh, I guess I was accidentally wandering out of bounds yesterday. Excuse me, but there are no crosshatches on the actual ground.” She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for her vehicle.
Jodie looked back once at Goblin. He was still beneath the canopy, watching her leave, but now he tilted his head as if to say Hey, where you going? We were just getting to know each other.
“Stay there, good boy. We’ll be back soon.”
Then she followed Mac toward the vehicle. He took one look at her face and grabbed her hand. He didn’t need to say a word—it was all in his touch.
I’m here for you. Always.
Halfway to the site, Jodie’s phone buzzed in the pocket of her jeans. Surprised to even have a signal, she pulled it out and looked at the screen, expecting Willow or Sandra.
Instead, Kyle’s name appeared on the screen.
We need to talk when you get back.
