Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (12 page)

A tear slid down her cheek and she swiped it away with a flick of her hand. “The bull's hoof came down on his head. Everyone was in the ring trying to get that bull away from Daniel, but...” Her words trailed away and were followed by more tears. “I'm sorry. I need to walk a minute.”

In one smooth move, she slid off the horse and started heading down the trail. A loud crack sounded and bark flew from the tree in front of Seth's horse's head.

TWELVE

S
eth dived for the ground. Another bullet spit up the dirt in front of him. “Tonya!” Fear coursed through him as his leg protested the harsh treatment. But that was his last worry. Right now he just wanted to avoid a bullet and make sure Tonya was safe.

“I'm okay,” she called. “We need to get in the woods behind a tree!”

He rolled and found her standing beside him, hand out. “Are you crazy? Go!” His heart thudded as he grasped her hand and let her help haul him to his feet. Together they stumbled into the protection of the trees. Underbrush crunched beneath his feet. His leg screamed at him and he limped to crouch behind the largest trunk he could see. He pulled Tonya down with him.

“You have your phone?”

“Yes.” She already had it pressed to her ear. She gave information to the dispatcher in a breathless whisper while he glanced around the trunk of the tree trying to get a location on the shooter. He couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that this was happening. Just six months ago his family had been held hostage and almost killed, and now this. He had to get to the rifle in his saddle's scabbard. The idea of aiming it at a human made his stomach turn.

He glanced at Tonya's scared white face and tightened his jaw. He'd do what he had to do to protect Tonya and himself. Another peek around the trunk of the tree and he spotted movement to their left. Headed straight toward them. He grabbed the phone and Tonya started to say something. He held a finger to his lips and nodded in the direction he'd seen the figure.

She went silent but held the phone so it wouldn't disconnect. He gripped her hand and prayed help would arrive fast. There was no way he could move quickly or quietly.

But the approaching figure indicated Seth was going to have to try or die where he sat.

* * *

Tonya knew help was on the way, but that didn't mean they'd get there in time. The dispatcher had told her that she'd relay the emergency to Clay and the other deputies on duty. She'd heard the last shot and demanded to know if they were all right. Before she could answer, Seth had made her stop talking.

And now they were being stalked. Hunted like prey. Nausea churned, but she was going to have to ignore it and do something. She could probably outrun Hank by herself, find a way to hide and wait him out. But she wouldn't leave Seth to the man's murderous intent. She glanced in Hank's direction. He'd moved a little to their right. She leaned in to press her lips against Seth's ear. “What do you want to do?”

She turned her head to keep an eye on Hank's moving form and Seth mimicked her. “It's going to take too long for help to get here. I need to get the rifle from the scabbard.”

“Or if we could get on the horses, we could ride out of here.”

His frustration with his inability to move as he was used to was obvious. A muscle jumped in his jaw and his narrowed eyes tracked Hank. Fortunately, Hank continued a search that led him away from where they huddled, but he wasn't far enough away to allow them movement or any real noise. She squinted. At least, she thought it was Hank. The ski mask hid any features, but the build was right. Maybe?

“Just sit tight,” Seth whispered. “Let's see what he's going to do.”

“Or I can go get the rifle.”

That muscle in his jaw bounced harder. His hand squeezed tighter. Tonya flexed her fingers and he loosened his grip. She pulled her hand from his and moved, silent, like a shadow, around to the other side of the tree trunk. If Hank came their way, he'd see Seth but not her. She reached around and gripped his fingers to give a tug.

He tucked his good leg under him and rose. When he took a step, a branch snapped. Seth froze. Tonya flicked a look around the trunk at Hank. He, too, had stilled, his head cocked.

Seth remained rigid. She could see her stalker but knew he didn't see them. Not yet. But if he moved a little to the right, he might. She kept her fingers wrapped around Seth's and he slid around beside her. His pale face and clenched jaw spoke of his pain. But he didn't make a sound. Sweat dripped from his brow and Tonya knew her face was wet, as well. The humidity pressed in thick and hot. That mask had to be sweltering. The black-gloved left hand gripped the weapon.

“Stay here,” she hissed. “I'll get the rifle.”

“The horses may not even still be there.”

She could barely hear him but caught enough of his quiet words to understand. “I know, but we don't have a choice.”

They were on a remote part of the ranch. Even when the police arrived at the ranch house, they'd still have to figure out where she and Seth were. She glanced at the phone. The dispatcher was still with her. Tonya lifted the phone to her ear. “Where are they?” she whispered.

“One mile away.”

Tonya risked a look at Hank. He'd moved closer but had his back to them. Right now he was stopped, listening, turning one way, then the next.

Tonya pressed the phone into Seth's hand and motioned toward the horses. He frowned and shook his head. She frowned back and set her jaw. It was because of her that he was in this danger; it was up to her to get him out of it. “I have to. It's our only hope.” She barely breathed the words, but he understood and after a brief hesitation gave a short nod.

“You're right.” A look she couldn't decipher crossed his face. “If he comes this way, I'll be able to buy you enough time to get on the horse and get away. Just be careful.” He squeezed her hand and gave her a look of such profound concern she swallowed hard. She read the silent message and touched his cheek. She appreciated his willingness to sacrifice himself, but as far as she was concerned, that wasn't an option. They were both getting away. She turned and studied the area she'd have to navigate before she'd reach the horses.

She darted to the next tree and slid behind it. She glanced back. Hank didn't turn her way, so she dashed to the next and the next. Finally, she was at the edge where the trees ended and the open pasture began. The horses had moved, spooked at the shooting, no doubt, but now grazed about twenty yards away.

Tonya looked back to see movement just behind her. She wouldn't have thought it possible, but her heart thundered even harder in her chest. Then she caught sight of Seth and her knees wobbled for a moment. He broke through the tree line, limping, face ashen, but waved at her to go.

Her gaze immediately went behind him, but there was no sign of Hank. Tonya spun and started her approach to the horses. Thankfully, with the reins spilling on the ground, they didn't protest too much when she pulled their noses from the grass and led them toward Seth, who now limped as fast as he could in her direction.

A shot cracked the air and she gasped as a bullet spit up the dirt in front of her. She spun around to the other side of the horse for protection, praying the man wouldn't shoot the animal to get at her.

Seth reached the horse, yanked the rifle from the scabbard and dropped to the ground with a grunt. He lifted the weapon to his shoulder and looked down the scope. But didn't fire. Tonya dropped beside him. Another bullet whizzed over her head and she dropped her face into her palms. “Cover your ears,” he commanded. She did and Seth's rifle snapped back a reply to Hank's fire. The horses shied and shifted but didn't run.

The world fell silent. They waited. Thirty seconds. One minute. Two. Five. Seth stood using the horse as a shield. Nothing happened.

“I think he's gone. If not, we need to get out of here while he's not shooting.” He grasped the reins and moved around to the right side of the horse to mount with his good leg. He hauled himself into the saddle with a pained grunt and looked at her. “Should have done that the first time.”

Tonya bolted onto the back of her horse and they didn't waste any time pulling the horses around and heading off at a gallop toward the ranch. Tonya breathed a prayer of thanks for their deliverance from the danger once again. As they crested the first hill, she spotted two vehicles headed their way. Seth pulled his horse to a stop and she let her horse step up next to him. “Is that the cops?”

“That's them. They had to stop and get vehicles that could navigate this terrain. Their police cruisers would have gotten torn up trying to drive over this land.”

One of the reasons they'd been so long in getting there. They waited for the vehicles to approach. “I thought you were going to wait on me to get the rifle,” she said.

“I was, but he started walking away from me about thirty seconds after you left. I waited for him to disappear through the trees and decided to make my move. Guess I made too much noise and he heard me and came after us.” Seth's horse shied away as the vehicle in the lead pulled to a stop next to them.

Clay rolled his window down. “Are you all right?”

“We're alive. Shooter's still out there.” Seth jerked his thumb toward the forested area they'd just escaped from. Clay used the radio attached to his shoulder to give his deputies an update.

“Did you recognize him?”

“He had a mask on,” Tonya said, “but I've no doubt he was Hank Newman. I think it's safe to assume the man at the grocery store was Hank, too.”

“I've got a deputy at the house. Y'all get back there and stay put. I'll give you an update as soon as I have one.”

Clay and the others took off. Tonya looked at Seth, whose tight jaw and narrowed eyes said he wanted to join in the search. Instead he gave a slight shake of his head and clicked to his horse. The animal gladly headed toward the barn.

As they approached, she could see the police cruiser parked under the tree in between the barn and the main house. Seth rode his horse into the barn and she followed. Once inside, the officer joined them. “Clay radioed that you were on the way in. It's been quiet since I've been here.”

“Good,” Seth said. “Thanks, Ronnie.”

“Sure thing. Hate that you all are having trouble again.”

“Yeah, me too.”

As she dismounted and pulled the saddle from the animal, Ronnie stepped just outside the door to keep watch. Tonya brushed the horse down and her mind spun while Seth worked beside her. Leave? Or stay?

“You're not running again,” he said gruffly.

“What do you mean?”

“I can see your brain working.” He led his horse to the side of the stall, where he clipped the lead rope to a hook screwed into the wood.

“It's working, all right. I can't figure out how he knew to come out here, how to find me.”

Seth shook his head. “I don't know either. Clay followed us practically all the way to the house. He said no one tailed us and I believe him. Did you tell anyone you were coming with me?”

“No.”

He brushed the horse down and sprayed him with fly repellent. “Okay, then we're missing something.”

“Unfortunately, I can't think what it might be.” Tears gathered behind her eyes and she looked away. Not fast enough apparently. He snagged her arm and pulled her into a sweet embrace. She inhaled the scent of sweat and that musky cologne she'd grown to love.

“Just keep trusting me, Tonya. I'm here for you and I'm going to keep you safe,” he whispered in her ear.

“I know,” she whispered back. Then lifted her head to look him in the eyes. “And I'm really glad you are.” Guilt nearly smothered her. “But the danger I've brought into your life, your family's lives, I—” She shook her head. “I'm so sorry. But I'm glad you're with me. I can't say I'm not.”

“Tonya, I want to—”

She pressed her finger against his lips. “Later, Seth. When all of this is over.”

He hesitated, his struggle between wanting to speak his mind and accede to her wishes clear. He finally nodded.

* * *

She followed out of the barn, moving slow in order to stay next to him. Ronnie brought up the rear.

As they moved close to the house, Seth's mother unlocked and opened the kitchen door, her face pinched and worried.

Ronnie gestured to his car. “I'll be out there, watching. I might drive around the house every so often, so if you don't see me sitting there, just give me a minute or two to get back.”

“Thanks again.”

The deputy left.

“What happened out there?” his mother demanded. “Clay stopped long enough to tell me to lock the doors, get my rifle and stay put.”

Seth sighed and told her what had happened. Afterward Tonya ran a hand through her disheveled hair. “Larry fixed my motor home. I'll leave first thing in the morning,” she said softly.

“Leave?”
Julianna looked at her, a frown creasing her forehead. “You're not leaving just because you're in danger. You need to stay here so we can watch out for you.”

“It's not just me. It's you and your family, too.” She blew out a frustrated breath. First Seth refused to hear of her leaving, and now his mother?

The woman waved a dismissing hand. “We've lived through it before. They'll catch him.” She turned back to finish her lunch preparations. “The doors are locked and we'll put our ranch hands on alert to take precautions. Clay will send some of the deputies out here more often. We won't be stupid, but we won't be bullied either.”

Tonya lifted a brow at Seth and he shrugged even as he scowled. He tried to pace but couldn't because of his bum leg, so he grabbed the rifle and went to lean against the wall beside the window. The tension in his shoulders made her want to weep. She'd brought this to them.

She controlled her raging emotions and went to the sink. She washed her hands and turned to Seth's mother. “What can I do to help?”

His mother gave her a quick hug. “You're a dear, but I think I've got it.” Then she looked in Tonya's eyes and whatever she saw made her pause. “Actually, the glasses are in that cabinet next to the refrigerator. If you'll put some ice in them, that'll help.”