“The Sheriff is trying to find the spot where he took the shot.”

“Don’t know how much good that’s going to do.”

“Agreed. We need to draw the bastard out without making her a target.”

“I’d rather make her disappear.”

Abby crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I’m not giving up my practice.”

“That’s not what I’m suggesting, sweetheart,” her dad said. “What I mean is disappear for a few days. Force whoever is shooting at you to break cover.”

“Make him come to you,” Smitty added. “It could work. Especially if we lay a trap for him.”

She winced. She was about to say something both men were likely to react badly to but it still had to be said. “It was only one shot. Maybe it was a stray?”

Her dad and Smitty looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

“One shot is one shot too many,” Smitty said.

“A stray?” Her father sounded appalled.

“We have to assume there will be another shot,” Smitty said.

That captured her attention. “Why?”

“Because if we don’t and it happens anyway, the second shot might be successful. I’m not willing to risk your life.” He turned to her father. “Do you have a vacation or hunting cabin somewhere hard to get to?”

“We’ve got a cabin on a great fishing lake a few miles into the bush north of our place. It’s on our land, so no one but family goes there.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“You should take her there today.”

“Today?” she blurted out. “But it’ll be dark in a few hours.”

“You can pack fast. I’ve seen you,” Smitty said without an ounce of sympathy.

“I’m not in the military anymore.”

“I think you just got conscripted,” her father said. He glanced at Smitty. “I’ll go home and prepare some supplies, food, etc. Do you have a weapon?”

“I assume you mean something other than a handgun.”

At her father’s nod, Smitty grinned. “I brought my baby with me.”

Abby crossed her arms over her chest. “I always knew you liked your rifle more than me.”

“Well, she’s only got me to take care of her.”

“She is an inanimate object.”

“Enough banter you two, get busy,” her dad ordered.

Smitty’s grin got wider. “Yes, sir.”

“He didn’t mean that.” Abby rolled her eyes. “You’re such a guy.”

“Thanks for noticing.”