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An idea hit her. She climbed into the bed of the truck and pushed at the rear sliding glass. The thing never operated smoothly, but it didn’t lock right either. The glass budged. Just barely. She slid her hand in the narrow space she’d created and strained as she pressed her palm against the edge of the stubborn window, trying to force it open. A breath escaped as it gave way. Her sore ribs rubbed against the sides as she squeezed through the tiny space. She pushed through the pain, wincing as her hips went through and she toppled head first onto the seat.
Once inside, she righted herself, straightened her shirt, and searched her glove box for her inhaler. She found two of them stuffed inside. She inhaled, letting the medication fill her lungs, and held her breath to give it time to do its work. Stuffing it into her pocket, she exhaled and her chest expanded as she took another deep breath and let herself out of the truck. A second draw on her inhaler would have to wait until she was behind the wheel. Time wasn’t on her side, so she needed to get going. Her brother’s life might depend on it.
Branches swayed and the leaves that littered the side of the road rustled when the wind picked up as if hurrying her along as she hoofed it back to her brother’s Bronco. His vehicle would fare far better on the logging road than her work truck would. It was made for off-roading. And this definitely qualified.
Malachi’s jaw hardened as he kept his weapon pointed at Reece Mclean. He forced his teeth to unclench and relaxed his stance. If he needed to shoot, tense muscles could cause him to miss his target. Relax and squeeze. His instructor’s simple commands replayed in his mind.
“Drop your weapon, or I’ll put a bullet hole in your buddy here.” Reece smiled. The creep seemed to be enjoying the standoff.
Lord, now would be a great time to intervene. “What’s keeping you from shooting us both once I drop my weapon?”
Reece chuckled. “You have something or rather someone I want.”
“And whom would that be?”
“Rebecca Groves. I think your life for hers is a fair trade. I’d send you to get her, but something tells me you’d call all your law-enforcement buddies. So, since my man has your little girlfriend, I’ll send her to get your mother and bring her back. I don’t think she’d do anything so dumb as call in reinforcements.”
Malachi’s jaw clenched, and he tightened his grip on his weapon. “Leave Cate alone.”
“Sorry, no can do.”
Something moved on the periphery of Malachi’s vision as he held his gun hand steady. Another cardinal call. No. It wasn’t a bird at all. Gavin was to the east of the gunman. Might’ve been nice to know ahead of time that he’d planned to communicate with bird calls.
“What do you want with Becky, anyway?” Malachi swallowed hard as he tried to keep Reece focused on him, so he wouldn’t notice Gavin’s approach.
Malachi stepped back but kept his weapon trained on Reece as he waited to see what Gavin had planned.
“Set the gun down, Mr. James.” Reece’s voice was calm and smooth. Like someone discussing contracts in a boardroom. “I may be persuaded to let you live if you cooperate.”
“Place yours on the ground first.” Malachi focused on Reece’s face. The last thing he wanted on his conscience was Grayson’s death. And allowing Reece to gain the upper hand would guarantee disaster. As long as they both had weapons, Malachi retained some control. Reece wouldn’t shoot Gray as long as he knew he’d be killed the moment he did.
Malachi’s pulse raced when a flash of ginger hair appeared just behind and to the west of Reece’s location. His eyes widened, his mouth dropped open, and his spine stiffened. Why would she put herself in danger if she’d escaped? If he could grab her and shake her without lowering his weapon, he would. But right now, he had to trust that Gavin had a plan. Some way to put an end to this standoff. He watched Gavin through his periphery, afraid if he glanced that way, he’d give away his position.
“I’m here!” Cate’s voice gave away her location, ending any hope Malachi had of her presence going unnoticed. “I don’t know what happened to Clarence. I jumped out of his truck while he was driving.”
“And you came back here?” Reece laughed and raised an eyebrow at Malachi. “Not the brightest bulb, is she?”
Malachi’s nostrils flared, and he tightened his grip on the pistol.
“Well, be a good girl and come out in front so I can see you without turning my head.” Reece winked.
Malachi’s blood turned to lava. He could strangle him with his bare hands and think nothing of it in that moment. Lifting a prayer, he took another deep breath and forced his hand to remain steady.
“I’ll surrender, but I won’t help you get Becky. I’m not willing to endanger anyone else.” Cate raised her trembling hands above her head and moved forward, positioning herself between Reece and Grayson. She planned to protect her brother with her own body. Her bravery was incredible. And aggravating. A shift in the wind brought a dark cloud in to cover what little sun they’d had. A storm was moving in.
“Well, love, you’re not the one I want, so while it’s noble of you to surrender yourself, if you aren’t going to get Becky, I might as well kill the lot of you. You’re no good to me.”
The first fat rain drop fell on Malachi’s nose as someone crashed through the trees near where Gavin was positioned. “I’m the one you want. And I’m right here! Don’t hurt anyone else.” Becky dropped to her knees facing Reece. She held a gun of her own, but her gun hand was raised in the air as she positioned herself between them. This couldn’t be happening. His girlfriend and his biological mother both trying to give up their lives to save him and the Garrison men. That kind of sacrificial love was rare. Not something he’d felt often in his life, but he’d sensed it from his Lord and Savior. He tried to stay focused enough to keep his gun hand steady as the weight of it grew heavier the longer the standoff continued. He drew in a measured breath and lifted another prayer as the muzzle of Reece’s handgun changed targets from Cate to Becky. The sky opened up in a downpour, lowering visibility and magnifying the threat. Even if they made it out of this alive, they needed to make their way down the mountain along a twisty logging road that wasn’t suitable for quads let alone vehicles.
A sudden shift in Reece’s demeanor warned Malachi that it was now or never. He lifted a prayer even as he squeezed off a round. Then another. His hands shook as he lowered his weapon. Simultaneously, two men joined the melee. One man he didn’t recognize tackled Reece to the ground and subdued him while Gavin cuffed him. But Malachi stood frozen in place, letting the rain water wash over him. He’d never shot a man before. The shot had been textbook center mass as he’d been trained and had drilled into him in practice. Nothing had prepared him for the reality though. He may have taken a human life.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Becky’s heart leapt into her throat as she awaited the gunshot that would end her life. The crack of a weapon filled the air. Nothing happened. She wasn’t hit. Another shot. Her pulse raced as Clarence crashed through the underbrush and jumped on top of Reece. A flash of blood. Malachi took a step forward. Understanding dawned. Malachi had taken the shot. Gavin joined Clarence and grabbed Reece’s hands, twisting them behind his back, pinning them in place, then wrapping zip ties around them.
It all happened faster than the space of two breaths, but she felt like she watched it all happen in slow motion.
Reece was hit. She wasn’t. Clarence appeared at her side and helped her to rise to her feet before crushing her to his chest. He was here. Hadn’t left with the others. “Don’t ever do that again, woman, or I’ll shoot you myself.” She smiled at the strain evident in his voice. He truly cared about her. Maybe Clarence was her future. It was time to let go of the memories of her life with Zeke. Look to something new with the man who’d been right there beside her all along.
