Chapter 16

Before they reached the campsite,Cara was asleep on his lap. Ty carried her to the mess tent, but even the noise from everyone welcoming Duncan back into their midst didn't wake her. He laid her on top of her sleeping bag on her cot and placed a light blanket over her. Then he sat on his cot for a few minutes, just watching her breathe.

It was over. She was safe. Today, they'd break down the last two tents and head to the airport for the trip home. Stone had mentioned that Hank had approved a stop in San Diego to deliver Duncan to his parents. Whether Cara wanted to debark there or not was something he'd talk to her about once they were underway. He hoped to talk her into coming back to West Yellowstone with him.

Corbin settled on the cot next to him. At first, he didn't say anything.

Then, Corbin turned to him. "It kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? How much a woman can mean to you—especially when you think you've lost her."

"I nearly lost it when she was taken," he whispered. "The darkness just…it wanted to take over. I had to fight hard to keep it together." He glanced at Corbin. "But I beat it back."

Corbin's mouth curled slightly at the corners. "And now?" He jutted his chin toward Cara who still slept deeply.

"Now, I've got a different kind of battle ahead of me."

Corbin's mouth stretched into a wide grin. "Don't blow it. And don't hold back. If you're sure she's the one, give it everything." Corbin stood and patted Ty's shoulder. "Her friend Cookie says she's got tacos ready—that there's going to be a party come hell or high water since we're all going to be up for a while longer anyway, waiting on the federales to come talk to us."

Ty nodded, then stood and knelt beside Cara's cot. He pushed back a lock of hair that had escaped her loosened braid. "Cara, baby. Wake up."

Her nose wrinkled. "Do I have to?"

"Cookie says it's party time."

Cara squinted up at him. "A shower's out of the question, huh?"

"I've got a washcloth and some bath wash. We can open the lid on the rain barrel…"

She tossed back the blanket. "My footlocker?"

He pointed to her locker at the end of her cot.

Cara pushed up from the cot and gathered some clothing.

Ty walked away to get a plastic tub from Cookie that they could fill with water from the rain barrels and gathered the bath wash and a towel.

Then he led Cara to the shower tent, checking one last time for snakes before leaving her to strip while he filled the plastic tub with water and returned to her.

When he entered, she stood and waited while he set the flashlight to illuminate the room. He then sat on the bench, dipped the washcloth into the tub, and squirted a little soap on it to work up a light lather. Then, despite her complaints that she could manage it herself, he washed her head to toe.

"Be quiet," he said. And as he washed her, he was careful of every bruise on her jaw, her shoulder, the many bruises on her back, bottom, and sides. He cataloged them in his mind. If Mexico didn't keep Ramos locked up for the rest of his life, Ty vowed he'd correct that mistake with a little extrajudicial justice.

By the time he finished, she was shivering. Again, he insisted on drying her and then dressing her. When he was through, he gathered their things and led her back to the tent, where she took out a brush.

When it came time to tie her hair up in a ponytail, she held out the hair tie. "My shoulder's too sore for me to reach up," she said softly.

He gladly took over the task. Then, together, they headed toward the tables, where they were welcomed with smiles.

"I'll bring you a plate," Cookie said. Her gaze glittered a little too brightly like she was ready to cry.

Cara hugged her, patting her back. "I'm okay, friend. I'm okay."

Cookie moved back and wiped her eyes with the neck of her T-shirt. "Well, that shade of purple," she said, pointing at her jaw, "is…stunning. I'll get your food. Beer or a soda?"

Cara grinned. "Coke, if you've got it."

When Cookie moved away, Roy walked over to her. He gave her an awkward hug and cleared his throat. "I'm glad everything turned out well," he said, then winced.

"It did work out well, Roy," Cara said with a soft laugh. "And we're still on for the next season."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I…we'd all understand…"

She shook her head. "We might have to make a few changes regarding site security, but I know someone who can help with the planning," she said, glancing back at Ty.

Roy nodded at Ty. "Having onsite security might be something the sponsors would spring for after the season we've had."

Ty grinned.

Stone clapped a hand on Ty's shoulder. "I'm sure if we hit up Hank Patterson, who is the head of Brotherhood Protectors, he'd make you a deal you could afford. Give me dates, and I'll make sure this guy's schedule is free."

Cookie returned with two plates, a helper following behind her carrying drinks for both of them.

Ty looked around at the other tables filled with the dig crew and his fellow Protectors. Everyone was enjoying the food and the celebratory atmosphere.

Just as they were about to take their seats, Duncan pushed up from the students' table and made his way toward Cara.

She turned and gave him the biggest hug. Duncan clung to her for a long moment, his eyes squeezed tight. When he pulled back, he gave her a crooked smile. "I washed up as soon as I got back. Threw out my old clothes, too."

She laughed. "Well, you smell great." She cupped his cheek. "You're going to be okay, you know. You're a pretty brave guy."

He shook his head. "I sure didn't feel like it."

"You helped me when I got there. I was so scared that just talking to you helped."

He wrinkled his nose. "Are you really coming back here?"

She nodded. "I'm almost a hundred percent sure." Her gaze went to Ty, then came back to Duncan. "What about you? I know they usually bring new students, but they always have one experienced guy among them. Will you be next season's Luca?"

Duncan grimaced. "I'll have to think about that. My parents might freak out if I even mention the idea. But…if you're here, I just might apply."

They hugged again, and Duncan returned to his friends.

Ty held out her chair, and she smiled her thanks.

Gunn and Cookie sat opposite them.

"Never thought an archeological dig could be so exciting," Gunn said.

"You never did tell us the story about your time on that ice floe," Cara said.

"Well, it's a long one and involved a mystery about a murder, a polar bear, and a Russian asset…"

"Maybe you should save it for the plane," Ty said.

"Plane? Are we traveling together?" Cara said.

"We've got the company jet. It's going to take Duncan back to San Diego and the Brotherhood Protectors on to West Yellowstone. Now, there'd be plenty of time to hear Gunn's long story if you decided to fly to Yellowstone…"

Her eyebrows rose. "Are you inviting me to fly back with you?"

"I am," he said, wanting to say so much more, but they were surrounded by people who were paying entirely too much attention to their conversation.

"Hmm," she said, then turned and picked up a taco from her plate.

Cookie snorted, then laughed. "You've got to do better, man."

There was laughter at their table, and Cara grinned as well. Ty shook his head and stuffed his mouth with a taco.

The Brotherhood Protectors'plane left the tarmac that afternoon.

Cara was pretty exhausted at that point. The people in the camp had a very late night, what with the party and then the arrival of the federales.

She'd been questioned, as had Duncan and every man who had been part of their rescue. They'd only had a few hours of sleep after that before they'd had to rouse and take down the last two tents. Ty's friends had helped with dropping the tents and loading the transport. They'd also pitched in for a final cleanup of the site and a trip to the dump.

The archeologists and the students had then headed to Mexico City, where they'd spend some time reviewing what they'd uncovered during the excavation before Roy left for home in a couple of weeks.

That had left Cara to cut the final checks to the workers. Cookie was offered a ride on the plane flying back, and had an invitation as well to fly to Yellowstone, where she'd been offered a room at their lodge, free of charge, so she could enjoy a mini-vacation before heading home.

Now, they were preparing to land in San Diego. Duncan's parents had been notified and were waiting to greet him.

Cara still hadn't told Ty whether she'd be debarking in California or heading north with him—not that anyone doubted what her decision would be.

Cookie buckled her seatbelt and glanced across the aisle at Cara, who was sitting beside Ty. She arched an eyebrow.

Ty sat, frowning as they began to descend. He'd been quiet for most of the flight.

Cara wondered if he was having second thoughts. Since she wasn't one of those women who waited for a man to make the first move, she gave Cookie a hard glare and then shifted in her seat so that she faced Ty.

"I hear it's still pretty damn cold in West Yellowstone," she said. "I googled it. Average highs of forty degrees. I don't have a coat." She tapped her foot as she waited for him to respond.

His mouth pursed. Then he drew his lips inward as though fighting a smile. "I can buy you a coat."

"I can buy myself a damn coat," she said softly but firmly, goading him to say something she actually wanted to hear.

"Are you saying you'd rather be left here in San Diego because you don't have the right clothes?"

Was he being deliberately obtuse? She folded her arms over her chest. "Look, you've been pretty quiet since we woke up today. Barely a word other than to ask if I needed to use the restroom before we boarded at the airport."

"You've been quiet, too." At last, his gaze met hers. "Makes a guy wonder if you've had a change of heart."

Her eyebrows shot upward. "Are you getting cold feet?"

Ty rolled his eyes. "No. I'm giving you space, Cara—so you can decide what it is you want."

"What do you want?" Say it, dude.

He shifted in his chair and glanced around. Yeah, Cookie was pretending she wasn't listening, and Gunn's shoulders were shaking as he sat beside Corbin, who looked about to cry because he was trying so hard not to laugh. She couldn't see anyone else's expressions, but she was pretty sure they were all waiting for them to just get it over with.

Ty groaned. "We can't wait to have this talk when we're in Yellowstone, can we?"

"Nope."

He shook his head and narrowed his eyes. "When did you get this grumpy?"

"Quit stalling."

"Yeah, man," Corbin called out from behind them. "Just tell her you love her."

Chuckles followed, and Cara looked downward to hide her own twitching lips.

Ty cleared his throat. "Cara…baby…will you come to West Yellowstone with me?"

Okay, so they were words. Not the right ones, though. "Why should I go to Yellowstone?"

"To…be with me."

"And what exactly are you offering? A vacation fling?"

"I don't want a fucking fling," he said, frowning.

"That's good because we just had that."

Snorts sounded and some soft chuckles.

His eyebrows dipped. "When did you get so?—"

"Were you about to say bitchy?"

"I wouldn't."

"Good. When did I get so…um, testy? Let's see…" She wrinkled her nose. "Maybe it was when I heard you and Corbin talking over me last night. I seem to remember him saying, ‘If you're sure she's the one, give it everything.' Well, I'm still waiting."

"You were awake?"

This time, she glared.

"Good Lord. He's had hours to think about his pitch," Stone muttered from his seat near the front.

Again, Ty cleared his throat. Then he looked at the ceiling before swinging his gaze back to her. "Okay. So, here it is."

She bit back a finally.

He reached for her hand and drew a deep breath. "I love you," he said. "And I want to figure out how to make this work for both of us. If you think you might ever come to love me, too, stay on the plane. Come to West Yellowstone with me."

Everyone around them was quiet.

Tears gathered in her eyes, but she blinked them quickly away. "I won't come to love you, Ty. I already do."

He blinked. Maybe he'd only heard the first part of what she'd said.

"I love you," she repeated.

"About damn time," Cookie muttered.

"Kiss her already," Gunn said.

"Yeah, close the deal," Corbin said.

Ty's mouth stretched into a wide grin. "That actually wasn't so hard."

Cara snickered. "But now, we have that long plane ride to West Yellowstone with every one of your nosy and very loud friends."

Ty laughed. "Well, I don't give a damn. Let them talk."

Then he bent toward her.

She met him halfway.

The kiss was everything—soft then hard, sweet then sexy. When they pulled apart, cheering erupted from everyone around them.

He put his arm around her shoulders, and she leaned her cheek against him. She'd figure out the logistics of how to make this relationship work. That was her strong suit. As long as they had love, nothing would get in their way.

Thank you for taking the time to read Tyson's Mission. Feel free to leave an honest review!