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Marcus’ breath froze in his chest as he watched the now familiar green car with the distinctive front-end damage slowly cruise the parking lot where there were only a handful of cars, including their van. The blonde driver was taking his time scrutinizing each one. “Mayhap ’tis just a routine drive-by,” he whispered, hoping ’twas true. “They probably check a few times a day.”
A growl came from deep in his throat as the car stopped in front of the terminal and the shorter, dark-haired man went inside.
“ ’Tis only a matter of time before the ticket-attendant gives him yer name and my description and tells him he’s only minutes behind me. We’re going to have to chance it,” Marcus said, starting the van. “I’m going to ease out of here, like anyone else would do and hope they don’t connect us. I cannae bloody well ken how our timing could have been any worse,” he growled as he started to pull away. “Stay down, Tait. Dinnae move until I tell ye.”
“Marcus?” she questioned, wide-eyed.
“Ye have tae trust me, Tait. I willnae let them harm ye.” The stone in the pit of Marcus’ stomach grew as he scrambled for ideas of how, exactly, to ensure that. His last brilliant idea had just backfired!
Slowly exiting the parking lot, he glanced in the mirror to see the dark-haired man race from the terminal to the waiting car, his arm pointing toward the van, the only vehicle leaving the lot. Seconds later, Marcus heard the squeal of their tires.
After everything they’d done to conceal themselves, he’d just blown what little disguise they had. Mayhap he wasnae the man Tait needed. Mayhap someone wi’ better instincts would prove a more capable guardian.
“Get up and buckle in,” Marcus snapped as he stomped on the gas pedal and fishtailed onto Airport Road. He needed to reach Gallatin Highway, get back through West Yellowstone and into the park before those thugs caught up with them. Which—he glanced in his mirror at their close pursuit—would be a miracle.
“If ye’ve any notions of how tae lose them, now’s the time tae speak up, lass.”
A quick glimpse revealed Tait’s stricken face with one hand clutching the handle above her door and the other braced against the dash. “No… No, I don’t.”
White-knuckled, Marcus turned his full attention to keeping the van on the road. Learning to drive on Wickham’s ranch hadnae included tips for evasion during dangerous pursuits. And now, ’twasnae just his life he was riskin’. To fail meant certain disaster for Tait. He couldnae let that happen.
“Marcus,” Tait whimpered as they approached the outskirts of West Yellowstone. “Please. Slow down. We can’t risk hurting innocent bystanders. Even getting caught isn’t worth that. I couldn’t bear seeing anyone else hurt.”
Slowing down, Marcus grimaced as the Camaro quickly closed the distance between them.
“Cop!” Tait cried, pointing to a patrol car parked alongside the road.
Marcus glanced at the speedometer. Seven miles over the speed limit. His gut tightened as the patrol car’s lights came on but stayed where it was—until the Camaro raced passed. They’d slowed some as well, Marcus noted, but not soon enough. The cop pulled in behind them and hit his siren.
“By the Saints,” Marcus breathed continuing down the street. “Ye’ve a guardian angel up there somewhere, Tait.”
She turned to him, white-faced and wide-eyed and unclipped her seatbelt. “Yes, I do,” she said shakily, leaning out of her seat toward him. “But he’s not up there somewhere. He’s right here.” Her lingering kiss on his cheek was soft and warm. “I’m afraid that will have to do until I can think of a better way to thank you.”
He gave her a regretful smile, taking the turn toward the west entrance to the Park as fast as he dared. “As much as I’d like tae help ye decide, love, we’re no’ out of harm’s way yet. That officer bought us a little time, ’tis all.Verralittle time,” he grumbled, seeing the long lines at the entrance gate. He stopped behind the shortest one. “Come on,” he mumbled, watching the cars coming to the gate, willing them to pull in behind him to create a buffer.
Inching their way toward the booth, Marcus kept an eye on the cars, tensing as he saw the Camaro come to a stop six cars back, in the adjacent lane. “They’re here.”
Tait gasped, straining to look behind them. “What should we do? Surely, they see us. What if they exit their car and come straight to the van?”
He could hear the panic in her voice. “There isnae much they can do right here, lass, wi’out everyone seeing them. We’ve only the one car ahead of us. We’ve still got a chance tae get away.”
“A chance.” She turned to him, panic straining her features. “That should be enough. It’s enough, right?”
The plea in her eyes was heartbreaking. He wanted nothing more than to gather her in his arms and shield her from the world. The least he could do was lie to her. “Aye, Love. ’Tis more than enough.” He reached out to cup her cheek, just as the car in front of them pulled away from the booth, letting them move forward.
“Would you like a map and some information about Yellowstone Park?” the ranger asked as Marcus handed her the entrance fee.
“Yes! Thank ye,” he replied, accepting the multi-page newspaper as he glanced behind them for the green car—still six cars back. Mayhap, that wee chance might be enough, after all.
Nodding at the ranger, Marcus handed the paper to Tait and hurried to blend into the cars moving into the Park.
“I dinnae ken my way around in here. See what the map will show us.”
Tait flipped through the pages. “This one shows all the park roads,” she replied, a hint of hope returning to her voice. “Five entrances and exits. And a road that forms a circle in the middle.”
“I dinnae ken they’ve marked any good hidin’ places with X’s on there, have they?” he teased, trying to put some light back in her eyes.
“No,” she offered him a weak smile. “But some of the smaller area maps show what amenities are available at all the different sites. Camping, restrooms, gas, etcetera.”
