The Target Read Online Free PDF Page B

and one bright yellow—dotted the trees. She took her own a little ways from the group, thinking she’d give them some privacy. Maybe Sara Michaels had some sort of session planned for later. Although judging by their conditions, most would be asleep as soon as the meal was done, campfire or not. She pulled over a flat rock and brought out her tiny propane burner.
    She soon had water heating and sorted through her freeze-dried meals, trying to find one that seemed appetizing. Spaghetti? Why had she bought spaghetti? She hated freeze-dried spaghetti.
    Leaning back, she took a long drink of water and watched the others. The dark-haired Abby was hanging on Sara Michaels’
    every word as she showed them how to light their stoves. Buddy system again. She counted only five stoves.
    “Need some help?” Jaime finally called as only one stove was burning.
    “No. They need to learn,” Sara said, turning her back to Jaime and watching the women.
    “I see.” She shrugged. Apparently Michaels was still not too thrilled by her presence here. Well, she wasn’t exactly having the time of her life either. If she was alone, she would still be hiking.
    There was at least another hour of daylight. Then she’d set up camp, eat and maybe read a little. Camping was the only occasion that she took time out to read. Her busy days left little time for such pleasures.
    Conversation was sparse as everyone settled down to eat and Jaime kept her distance, allowing them their time. Even Sandra seemed completely exhausted as she quietly ate, sitting by herself on a downed tree, a little ways from the small campfire. She’ll never make two weeks, Jaime guessed. What in the hell was Sara Michaels thinking?
    “I know what you’re thinking,” Sara told the group. “You’ll never make it two weeks.”
    Jaime looked up. Could the damn woman read her mind?
    “But you will. The first day is always the hardest. Tomorrow will be a short day. We’ll camp by some hot springs. You can soak for hours, if you like. We’re going to take it nice and slow. I know the hike up today was hard. I only saw Abby pull out her camera, although I know you all brought one. But trust me, in the days to come, you’ll want to stop and take pictures and just enjoy the scenery. And before you know it, we’ll be walking up Monarch Pass and you’ll wonder where the time went.”
    Jaime wondered if this was a pep talk she had to relay to each new group when they started out. But, she’d been doing it for three years. Apparently, she knew what she was doing.
    “How high up are we?” Celia asked. “It’s already starting to get cool.”
    “Eighty-five hundred, maybe nine thousand feet.”
    Jaime fingered her watch, then pushed one of the side buttons, reading the digital altimeter. 8,794. She shrugged. The Sarge was pretty good.
    “Well, ah … anyone need a pee break?” Lou Ann asked. “I’m going.”
    Jaime smiled as four women got up. Just like at a bar, there was safety in numbers. Well, she’d take her own break in private, thank you very much.
    She was just wiping clean her dinner pot when Sara Michaels walked over. Jaime met her eyes for a moment then went back to her cleaning.
    “May I … may I have a word with you?” Sara asked.
    “Sure. It’s your party.”
    Sara nodded. She sat down cross-legged opposite Jaime and waited until the woman looked up again.
    “I need to apologize. About earlier. And also, I wanted to thank you.”
    “Thank me?”
    “For being such a good sport about Sandra,” Sara said quietly.
    “Ah, hell. I like the woman. She’s got spunk.”
    Sara nodded. “Yes, she does.” Sara hesitated, wondering how to approach this woman. She took a deep breath. “Look, I wanted to tell you a little about our group. Let you know why we’re up here.”
    “Well, you’ve got quite an assortment, that’s for sure.”
    “I’m their counselor. Sort of a therapist.”
    Jaime grinned. “I know what the word means.”
    “We have a