Читать книгу Trained To Defend - Christy Barritt - Страница 17

What was taking so long? What was Colton doing out there? Sarah wondered.

A few minutes ago, it had sounded like the front door opened. Had Colton gone outside?

What if he was hurt right now? Hurt because Sarah had brought danger into his quiet life, the life that was supposed to keep him from situations like this one.

She glanced down at Buzz. The dog stared at her, as if trying to communicate, before letting out a bark.

“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she murmured.

Buzz barked again.

Sarah shushed him, trying not to draw any more attention to them than necessary. Buzz’s barking could alert an intruder that they were here. Since she had no idea what was going on outside this room, she had to be cautious.

Taking a tentative step, Sarah went to the window and peered out. Just as she shoved the curtain aside, she saw a car careen toward Colton at the end of the lane.

She braced herself for whatever would happen next while frantically praying.

Please, Lord, help him. Keep him safe. Please!

Just before the car hit him, Colton dove into the woods. The black sedan did a swift U-turn. Then it sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind it.

Was Colton okay?

Sarah couldn’t stay in here any longer. She had to check on him.

If he got hurt because of her, then she’d never forgive herself.

“Come on, Buzz,” she called.

The dog remained on Sarah’s heels as she ran outside. Her bare feet crunched in the thick snow, and a painful ache began because of the cold. Her wet hair slapped her face before the strands froze together in clumps. Icy air invaded her lungs.

She didn’t care.

Colton could be in danger right now.

Moving as quickly as she could, Sarah hit the gravel road. Her feet were already numb now as they hit the rocky soil.

All she could think about was Colton and whether or not he was okay. That driver had tried to run him down.

The seriousness of the situation hit her again. Whoever was behind all of this wasn’t playing games. He’d rather kill again than risk being exposed.

Sarah pushed down a sliver of fear.

Just as she reached the end of the lane, Colton emerged from the woods. He rubbed his head and his eyes were narrow with irritation, but he otherwise looked okay.

Thank goodness.

She rushed toward him, stopping just short of touching him. She paused there, a bone-chilling wind sweeping around her, sending clumps of snow from the branches above down on them.

“Sarah, you shouldn’t be out here.”

“Are you okay?” she asked, still worried about him and studying his features for any sign that something was wrong. “I couldn’t leave you.”

“I’m okay. But I don’t want that man to see you if he comes back.” He took her elbow and turned her around. “Come on. Let’s get inside. Besides, you’re going to freeze out here.”

She ignored the charge of electricity she felt rush through her at his touch.

This was no time for electricity. Besides, she and Colton were finished. Done. There was no going back to fix what had happened between them.

Colton might forgive, but he didn’t forget.

Not that Sarah would ever want to get back together with him. It didn’t matter that she’d missed him and his companionship. Missed the kisses they’d shared. Missed the possibility of spending the future with someone.

But everyone she’d ever loved had disappointed her. Why should Colton be different?

Sarah had so many questions she wanted to ask about what had just happened. But she held them in.

For now.

Instead, she listened for a minute. She didn’t hear the car. Didn’t hear footsteps or yells. Buzz seemed calm.

Those were all good things, but she didn’t know how long they would last.

As soon as they stepped into his cabin, Colton locked the door and then peered out the window again. His entire body looked tense and on alert.

“Is the man still there?” Sarah demanded, a surge of anxiety rising in her. What if he came back? What if he killed all of them, just like he’d killed Loretta?

Colton’s gaze remained focused out the window. “I don’t see him. Was that the car that followed you?”

“I… I don’t know. Maybe. It was so dark that I could really only see headlights. But whoever was driving the car just now left. What does that mean? If he knew I was here, wouldn’t he have stayed?” Sarah walked toward the fire, unable to ignore just how cold she was and how badly her feet hurt.

“He may have been feeling this area out. If he lost you as you came down the road, then he may have come here looking for your car. He may be looking for confirmation.”

“My car…” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. It had been out front, hadn’t it? She hadn’t been paying attention, but that was where she left it.

Colton looked back at her, his gaze softening. “I moved it behind the house, so he didn’t see it. I don’t think he saw you when you ran out either.”

“He could have killed you.” The words caught in Sarah’s throat. No matter what had happened between the two of them in the past, she couldn’t live with herself if something happened to Colton because of her.

“He could have. But, most likely, he doesn’t know with certainty that I know you. If he knew you were here, he would have kept on going right to the house to find you and complete his mission.”

“You think?” She shuddered. That had been close. So, so close.

“He was aggressive. He wouldn’t have let me stop him.”

“Maybe he’ll move on now…” Sarah walked over to the window and glanced out also, half expecting to see the car again.

Instead, the peaceful woods stared back, the early morning sky stretching above the frosted evergreens.

Colton’s expression remained grim, as if he didn’t want to give her false hope. “If he suspects you’re in this area, then he’ll keep on looking.”

Sarah trembled again. “So what should I do?”

His jaw tightened with resolve as he continued to stare out the window, not saying anything for a minute. “We don’t have any choice but to get out of here. We have to operate as if this is a worst-case scenario. That guy could come back—we don’t want to be here if he does.”

“We?” The words came out as a squeak, and Sarah’s hand flew to her throat.

Colton nodded. “I can’t send you out there alone, Sarah.”

“I… I don’t want to put you at risk.” She’d pulled him into danger with her. What had she been thinking? Why had she come here? She would have been better off driving until her car couldn’t make it any farther.

But when she’d thought of safety, Colton was the first person who had come to mind.

Colton stepped closer and lowered his voice. “You’re not. I’m going with you, Sarah. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

She didn’t want to feel pleased. Didn’t want to feel the shiver that rushed down her spine. Didn’t want to find benefit in the thought that someone else was in harm’s way.

But Sarah did feel relief wash through her.

Because she knew she couldn’t do this on her own. And Sarah could do it with Colton by her side. But their history was going to be their biggest obstacle.

Colton’s eyes continually scanned the road as he traveled from his cabin into the majestic countryside. Snowcapped peaks surrounded him, along with rocky terrain and what in the summer months was a rollicking river.

These were the things he’d moved to the area for—the peace and serenity of wide-open spaces and clean air.

But right now, he found no joy in his surroundings. Not knowing what he did. Not with everything he’d learned that was going on with Sarah.

He hadn’t seen the dark-colored sedan since he’d left his cabin twenty minutes ago, but he still didn’t let down his guard. Someone who was determined to kill Sarah wouldn’t give up that easily.

They’d left quickly. Sarah had packed up some of her old clothes, as well as a few extra supplies for Buzz, including a water dish. Colton had also packed a bag, as well as some snacks and water. He’d slipped Sarah’s bloody clothing into the bottom of his duffel, just in case. He didn’t want to leave them there for just anyone to discover.

Glancing in the backseat, he also saw that Sarah had grabbed the bag from her car. She didn’t act suspicious, like she felt guilty about whatever was inside.

But Colton couldn’t stop thinking about it. Maybe Sarah had sold a painting. Maybe she had a good explanation for having that kind of cash.

But what if she didn’t?

He would ask her. Soon. When the time was right.

“Where are we going?” Sarah’s arm snaked into the backseat of his double cab, and she rubbed Buzz’s head. She’d done that often since they left, and the dog’s presence seemed to calm her.

She wore some old jeans and a blue flannel shirt. Her hair—wet when they’d left—had been pulled back into a bun. She had no makeup on, but she didn’t need any. Her skin looked perfect just the way it was. Colton had given her an old jacket of his—a thick black one that would keep her warm outside. She’d also found some old boots in that trunk, back from when they used to go hiking together.

Colton glanced at Buzz again. He liked having the dog with them. The canine had perceptive eyes, and he always stood on guard. Without ever witnessing it, he could tell that Buzz would do whatever it took to protect Sarah.

“I think we should go back to Spokane,” he told Sarah.

Sarah’s wide eyes focused on him. “Spokane? Why would we go back there? Shouldn’t we get as far away as possible?”

“A couple of reasons. First of all, I doubt this guy would think you’d go back.”

“That could be true, I guess.” She shrugged, still looking uncertain.

“Second, I think we need to figure out what happened to Loretta ourselves.”

“Why would we do that?” Sarah’s voice climbed with anxiety. “I mean, the police are looking for me. Won’t they be more likely to find me there in Spokane?”

“I realize that, so we’ll need to be careful. But I think the only way we’re going to put this behind us is to find answers ourselves.”

She gasped and paused before she said, “You think we should find the killer? Is that what you’re saying.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m saying.” Colton knew it sounded crazy, but he’d worked in law enforcement for more than a decade. If he trusted his instincts, he knew this was the right plan.

“How are we going to do that?”

Colton stared straight ahead as the sun peeked just over the trees, the new day settling in for a while. “We need to talk. I need more information.”

“I can do that but…what about your work? I know you have a job. You can’t just leave.” Sarah sounded halfway panicked and halfway guilt ridden.

It was kind of her to be concerned about him. Sarah had always been sensitive and intuitive. It made her a great artist. She picked up on things that others didn’t.

At one time, Colton had loved that about her.

“I’m just doing some woodworking right now, Sarah. I’m on sabbatical from my work in law enforcement.”

“But—”

He glanced at her and shook his head, trying to nip this conversation in the bud. “No buts about it. Now, tell me more about your boss.”

Sarah shifted, pulling her arm back into her lap and staring straight ahead at the road. “Loretta? I hardly know what to say. She was…she was esteemed in the medical community. She was a real genius.”

“Did she have enemies?”

“I… I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t work for her that long, so I didn’t get to meet many people who knew her. She was demanding and a perfectionist. I guess that’s why she was good at her job. But she also had ALS. She was in a wheelchair. She didn’t even have a chance to defend herself…” Sarah’s voice broke as tears streamed down her face.

“I’m sorry, Sarah.” Colton’s heart squeezed with compassion. This situation would be a lot for anyone, but for someone as tenderhearted as Sarah it would be devastating.

“I just keep picturing her. I keep seeing her in her room, on the floor, with the man standing over her. It was so horrible, Colton.” She sniffled again and used her sleeve to wipe beneath her eyes.

He reached over and squeezed her knee. Colton hadn’t intended on touching Sarah, but he couldn’t stand to see her looking so alone, especially considering what she’d been through. No one should have to be so isolated in their suffering—not when they had someone right beside them.

“Seeing that would be hard on anyone,” he murmured.

Using her sleeve, Sarah wiped beneath her eyes again. “I’ve always known that there’s danger in the world. But seeing it firsthand… I just can’t stop thinking about it.”

“We’re going to get through this, Sarah.” There Colton went again, promising Sarah things. Promising a future—no matter how potentially long or short. Their paths were intertwined, for now, at least.

Just as he said the words, a black sedan came into view behind him.

Colton pulled his hand back from Sarah’s knee and gripped the steering wheel, his law enforcement training kicking into gear.

“What is it?” Sarah asked, glancing behind them. “Is that the car?”

“I don’t know. But I’m not taking any chances.”