The Hunter

By Ronna Bacon

When undercover officer Shay Gillmore is found, injured and unconscious in the woods, Breckon Steele and her brother, Brody, rescue him. Shay and Breckon are both drawn into the hunt for the assailant, finding that somehow they are connected, only they have no idea how or why. Falling in love, they decide that time is too precious and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ronna Bacon
• Release date: Jul 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781989699768

Book preview

The Hunter

His Dreamseekers

Book 3

By

Ronna M. Bacon

Copyright © 2021 Ronna M. Bacon

ISBN 978-1-989699-76-8

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart

NKJV

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Epilogue

Dear Readers

Chapter 1

Disoriented, confused, his mind not working as it usually did, Shay Gillmore reached out a shaky hand to rest against the rough bark of a pine tree. He had no idea where he was. Or what had happened to him. In fact, he really wasn’t sure that he was him, if that made any sense, and he certainly didn’t seem to be making sense with his thoughts. He looked around, his vision cloudy with pain, as he tried to think where he was. In a forest, he thought. But why and just where?

Shay’s feet took him forward on a stumbling trek, his hand on his head to try and ease the pain. He looked up, blinking against the shaft of sunlight that just had to hit him in the eyes. Late afternoon, he thought. But what day? And how long have I been like this?

Finally, he could go no further. He dropped to his knees, his arms wrapping around his abdomen to try and ease the pain but that didn’t work. Shay fell forward, to land heavily on the pine needle-strewn path and then lay still, in a sprawled pile of man, his arms stretched over his head, his right ankle laying across his left leg. The forest critters that he had disturbed gradually crept back out, their eyes and noses twitching as they tried to determine if this large body was a danger to them. Life returned to normal for them, as they moved around Shay and kept on their normal activities.

Early evening brought some relief from the heat of the day but not a lot. The mid-summer day had been a very hot one and Shay’s shirt was soaked in sweat. H e shifted, raising his head a fraction of an inch before it dropped back and his movements stopped.

Dusk was settling down as footsteps sounded on the path, quiet and light, a lady Shay would have said. She paused, her conversation with her companion halting before she gave a cry and sprang towards Shay’s body. On her knees, Breckon Steele reached for his wrist, a breath of relief sounding from her.

Brody? He’s alive. But who and how? Breckon looked up at her twin brother, Brody. Can we move him, do you think?

Brody was on his knees as well, assessing Shay as best he could before he looked over at his sister, pausing at the look on her face. Lord? What’s with Breckon? Something is going on here and I have no clue what.

I believe that we can, Breckon. I don’t recognize him. Do you?

Breckon tilted her head to study Shay. I don’t know his name but he’s been around our village in the last day or so. Sherry from the diner said he was on holiday from what little he did tell her. She looked up at Brody. What did we walk into?

I have no idea. Brody looked around and then reached to draw Shay to his feet, Breckon helping to balance him. Let’s get him across my shoulders and then home. Thank goodness it’s not that far a walk.

I am thankful, Brody. And that Mom is home and not at work. She can assess him. Their mother, Brianne, worked as a physician in a local hospital. And Dad will help. I know that. But he’s been working so many hours on that investigation. Their father, Bevan, was a invetigator and had been drawn into an investigation involving illegal hunting.

I know, Breckon. Brody nodded, pointing with his chin. Off you go, love. Let’s get him home to Mom. Thankfully, it’s not that far.

Shoving the door to their kitchen in a hurried manner, Breckon was through it and heading for the guest suite on the first floor. She reached to pull back the covers, her eyes worried as she watched her brother carefully lower the man down onto it and then reach to pull off the man’s boots, setting them tidily into the cupboard.

Breckon? Brody? You’re home? The twins could hear their mother’s footsteps approaching before she appeared in the doorway, stopping in shock to see them. And just who is this?

We don’t know, Mom. We haven’t had a chance to check for any identification yet. Breckon reached for the wallet that Brody had pulled from Shay’s front shirt pocket. She hesitated to open it.

But that doesn’t explain this. Her mother pointed at the bed. Where did you find him?

In the woods, Mom, about fifteen minutes from here. He hasn’t moved at all, not even when we checked him over. Breckon chewed at her lip before she handed the wallet back to Brody and was away, returning with a basin of water, towels, and the first aid kit tucked under her arm. Here, Mom. I’ll let Brody help you. I’ll see what I can find for you. Water?

Yes, that would work. Brianne turned, finding Brody returning with her doctor’s kit. Thank you, son. Now, close the door. Let’s see what we have.

Stopping in the kitchen as he arrived home, Bevan studied his daughter as she moved between stove and cupboard, preparing their meal, a frown on his face. She was disturbed, scared, and uncertain. That much he could pick up. But there was something else, something he just couldn’t read.

Breckon? His voice held the question he didn’t ask.

Breckon spun, a hand to her mouth, to face her father, fear briefly crossing her face. What caused that, Bevan was determined to find out.

Dad? You’re home. You’re early? Breckon squinted at the clock on the stove. No, I guess not that much early.

Breckon? You’re not yourself. Why?

Breckon sighed. Brody and I had found a man in the woods, Dad. He’s hurt. Mom and Brody are with him. I don’t know who he is unless he’s the stranger that has been seen around town.

And why would you think that? Bevan reached for their plates from the cupboard, setting the table, all the while keeping an eye on his daughter. He just knew that she was in danger, that much he had determined today, and wasn’t even sure why or from whom.

Breckon shrugged. Just because I don’t know him. And he fits the description that I was told. She looked up, concern on her face. Dad? I f he’s been hurt, who did it and why?

That’s what we will look into. I’ll give the police a call shortly. Let’s wait to hear what your mom has to say. He draped an arm around her shoulders. But for now, let’s pray for him. I am sure God has him in His hands but we need to pray for healing for him.

Breckon nodded, knowing her father was right, but also sure that this man would change her life and that she was afraid of.

Brianne stood back, a frown on her face, even as she watched Brody pull the covers over the unconscious man who had suddenly appeared in their lives.

Mom? Brody stood beside her, his eyes on the door, knowing that Breckon would want answers.

Brody? He was unconscious, you said? It doesn’t look as if he was beaten, more that he fell or was hit by a vehicle. We really should be taking him into the hospital, but I don’t want to move him. Not tonight. We’ll see what tomorrow bring.

Brody nodded. And how do we contact his family? His wallet is almost empty, just some cash, his driver’s license, a credit card, debit card. No next of kin names that I can see. Brody paused. I wonder if he’s undercover or something.

Brianne shook her head at him, finally sending him from the room, before she stood, her hand on Shay’s wrist before she tucked his arm back under the covers. She was worried, she had to admit. The young man was hurt, just how bad she wasn’t sure. Her eyes turned to the door. And my daughter is involved, just because she found him. Lord, protect these two. I fear for them. I just know that Breckon will not step back from this Shay but will want to help him. And that scares me more than just about anything.

Chapter 2

Her bare feet skiffing quietly over the dark oak hardwood floors, Breckon heading for the spare room, seeing the low light that had been left on. Something drove her there, to stand and study Shay as he lay quiet, not moving. That fact worried her, even though her mother had told her that was to be expected. Breckon dropped to her knees beside the bed at long last, her hand reaching for Shay’s, resting gently on it even as her head bent in prayer. God was with him, she knew, but she still worried. She wanted him to awaken and then leave. Breckon just knew that he would change her life and that scared her.

Moving his head slightly in a restless manner, his tongue licking at his dry lips, Shay struggled to open his eyes, just not making that happen. He heard a soft voice near him, a lady, he thought, but he could not make out her words. His free hand moved, almost without his thinking about it, to reach and cover hers. Shay felt the slight jump that the lady gave before the darkness drew him back into the depths.

Breckon’s eyes popped open as she felt Shay’s hand reach for her. She jumped and then froze in her movements, her eyes fixed on his face. No, she thought, he hasn’t really awakened, and I need him to do that. I need to know why he was in the woods on our property and how he was hurt. And it doesn’t look as if that will happen any time soon.

Bevan stopped just outside the door to the room, his eyes on his daughter, his heart raised in prayer for her. He could feel evil approaching her, just as he had found out the day before, and he needed to talk with her. Only it didn’t appear that would be happening. Breckon had been avoiding him since their supper the night before, and that was unlike her.

Breckon’s head turned as she heard her father’s steps and sighed. She knew that her father had wanted to speak with her. It was so unlike her to avoid him, but she really didn’t want to hear what he had to say. There was something in the way that he was watching her, concern and all that evident, that scared her. Her eyes turned back to Shay and she studied him, taking in the dark red hair. She knew his eyes were a slate gray. She had seen them just a few moments ago when he had tried to awaken. Her own hand reached to pull at the black waves of her own hair, her green eyes shadowed with just what, she wasn’t sure of.

Bevan moved forward, his socked feet as quiet as his daughter’s had been. He touched Breckon’s head gently as he moved past her, to sit in the easy chair in the room, angled to watch both Breckon and Shay.

Breckon? Bevan’s voice was quiet. We need to talk, love.

I know, Dad. I know. You wanted to last night. Breckon refused to look at her father.

We do. And I know that you were avoiding me. You can’t. Not now. The forcefulness of her father’s voice brought Breckon’s head around and she stared at her father.

Dad? Her voice held a quiver of fear in it.

Bevan sighed. This would not be an easy conversation, and certainly not one to have in front of a stranger. Bevan’s eyes traced to Shay and he frowned. Shay looked familiar, but he had been in contact with just so many people over the years that he wasn’t sure who it was. But he knew it was someone that he had met at some time. He had a good memory for faces. T he names to the faces would come eventually, that was how his brain worked.

We need to talk. He repeated himself. The men that I am investigating? Somehow, you have been connected to me and to them. How, I am not sure just yet. But I need you to be very cautious when you are out and about.

Breckon sank back against the bed, her eyes still on her father.

I don’t get that, Dad. How? S he didn’t feel Shay’s hand tightening on hers as he roused to her voice, his face turning towards her.

Bevan caught Shay’s movement and frowned as he studied the younger man before his face cleared. He knew someone who looked like him, but he had to think it through. He didn’t think that Shay was fully awake, not just yet, but he was rousing and turning towards Breckon. Lord, protect these two. I fear for them, especially for my girl. I don’t want to see either one hurt but I fear that is exactly what will happen.

Breckon shook her head at her father.

I don’t get it, Dad. I still don’t. Why would you say that? Her eyes drifted back to Shay, finding his face turned towards her. She frowned at that before she looked back towards her father.

My investigation? You have been named in it, Breckon. I am just not sure why. Bevan nodded towards Shay. And so is he. He’s a stranger to town. That I don’t understand, and I am not finding out a lot of information on him or why he would be named. Whoever it is has covered that well.

Was he here just on holiday then, Dad? Or some other reason? Breckon turned back to Shay, noticing for the first time his hand on hers. " When did he do