Page 54 of Stalked at Rescue Ridge

Surprisingly, thankfully, the animal darted back to them.

“Stay low and away from windows,” Kade said to Bree as they breached the back door. She was already on all fours, crawling toward the center point of the house. “Keep going until you get to the bedroom closet.”

“Why would he come for us now? What would make him risk getting caught?” Bree asked quietly.

“He seemed like he was sizing me up the other day at the hospital after he told me to leave, and I refused. I thought he’d put up more of a fight then. I was surprised when he didn’t. Now, I’m guessing he was cutting his losses. He had to realize it was only a matter of time before you’d wake and figure out it was him.”

The closet was located on an interior wall next to the bathroom. Rinty would protect her and provide a distraction if Carr showed. Kade scanned the small room, looking for an edge he could get over the sheriff.

Kade bellycrawled around the side of the bed. If Carr came inside, he’d most likely look for them in the closet. Of course, he could rapid-fire shots through the walls to see if he could get a hit. Spraying bullets would be one way to…

A scream sounded from the west. A female voice. A shock to Kade’s system when she shouted his name.

“I have your sister.” With those four words, Kade’s world came crashing down around him. He’d spent his entire life keeping his baby sister safe. And she was in the hands of a calculating killer. Anger was a rogue storm thrashing around inside Kade.

He moved to the closet.

“No matter what else happens, stay where you are,” Kade said to Bree. “I need to know where you are, and I need to know that you’ll be safe.”

Her front teeth scraped across her bottom lip, which meant she wasn’t on board. He crawled to her, lifted her chin, and kissed her. “I love you, Bree. I think I always have. I need you to do something for me. I know I’m asking a lot. Will you wait for me here? I’ll come back for you.”

“Be safe, Kade. I want the man I love to be around to help raise our daughter.”

“That’s a promise.” He planned to make another one after he took down the sheriff…if Bree still wanted him.

“I’m so sorry this is happening,” Bree said, and there was so much warmth in her voice.

“I know. I have to go get Chloe. I’d hoped we could wait until Travis or one of the deputies arrived. Carr will kill my sister before he lets us go.”

“I know. Go get her and bring both of you back safely.”

“Take this.” He handed the shotgun to Bree. Her eyes widened.

“You need—”

“He’ll use the trees to block my shot. If he comes in here, you’ll be ready for him.” He showed her how to hold the weapon, careful not to accidentally point it at him. He flashed a quick smile. “Look before you shoot in case it’s me.”

“I pray I don’t have to pull the trigger,” she said.

“Think of that little one of ours just waiting for us to pick her up and bring her home. That’ll give you the courage when you need it.”

“I love you, Kade.”

“Hold that thought. Okay?” One more kiss, and then Kade crawled out the window. Carr would be watching the doors, ready. Someone might die today. Kade made up his mind it would be Carr.

The last time his sister had screamed and Carr spoke, the sounds had come from the west. Kade moved to the tree line facing east, in the opposite direction. The house and truck should block him from view as he made his way into the greenery. He had no idea what kind of shot the sheriff was—he was most likely a decent one—and he didn’t intend to find out in the form of a bullet in his back.

Keeping one eye on the house, he moved stealthily through the thicket, stepping lightly so his boots didn’t get snagged on underbrush. He’d been to the cabin enough times to have memorized the land. That worked in his favor. He’d take all the advantages he could get in this situation.

It occurred to him that any hint law enforcement was about to descend on this place could set Carr off. He could take out his rage on Chloe before disappearing forever. Hell, for all Kade knew, his sister had some kind of booby trap set on her. Moving her could set off a bomb.

Kade’s lungs clawed for air as he continued to think of all the things that could happen to Chloe. By sheer force of will, he redirected his thoughts to the sheriff. One thing was certain; Carr was toying with Kade’s emotions. The sheriff knew how tight-knit the two were. He and Chloe had made no secret of being close. Secrets didn’t stay buried forever in a close-knit town like Saddle Junction. Although it had taken far too many years and cost too many lives, Carr’s secret was out.

The man was leaving here in a coffin or handcuffs, Kade didn’t particularly care which one. He stopped cold near a clearing. All hope that Carr had been bluffing exploded in Kade’s chest. Chloe was there. She was tied to a tree, a gag in her mouth.

The fact that she seemed calm—resigned?—shot fireballs through his chest.Hang on, Chloe.

In the past few days, Kade had learned just how much family meant to him. He was starting to realize why he’d had a restless feeling in his chest and what it meant. Between seeing how upset his sister was at the thought of him moving to Alaska and finding out he was about to be a father, Kade had realized that Saddle Junction was home. He would stick around, deal with his new half-brother, and find a way to transform the ranch if that was the unanimous decision.

---