Page 119 of Better Together

Camille’s quick footsteps came to a stop behind Colt. “Are you okay?”

“He had Ben. We already got Abby away from Tasha.” Well, he assumed it was Tasha. He hadn’t seen the woman who’d tried to kidnap Abby, but he’d bet his life savings on Tasha.

Camille looked over the car, drawing Colt’s attention that way. “Noah went after him.” Fear shook her voice, and understanding had Colt’s stomach dropping.

“Can you stay with Ben?” He didn’t want to leave, but he trusted Camille, and at this point, Noah was in more danger than Ben.

“Yes. Go!” She waved her hands, shooing him out of the back seat.

Colt turned to Ben. “I’ll be right back.”

Ben nodded and glanced up at Camille. “Okay.”

Colt slid out of the car and scanned the parking lot for Noah and the man. “Call the police.”

“Already on it,” Camille said.

Colt rounded the car and pushed into a run, glancing from one end of the parking lot to the other. It wasn’t a big area, but it connected to the restaurant parking lot next door. The guy had plenty of asphalt to cover.

He slid in between two trucks and caught a glimpse of Noah’s dark hair. Seconds later, Colt spotted the man. Noah had almost caught up to him.

Pushing into a quicker run with a target in sight, Colt darted through another row of vehicles. The wail of a siren split the quiet streets, urging Colt into another burst of speed.

The man reached the end of the restaurant parking lot and stopped. A row of abandoned shops blocked his path. Instead of changing course or running around the buildings, he stopped and rounded on Noah. The man raised his arms and steadied a gun at eye level.

“No!” Colt’s shout did nothing. The desperate scream was drowned out by the deafening pop of the gun and the high-pitched shattering of glass as the bullet cut its way through the parking lot.

The split-second of panic eased when Noah rose from a crouch and dove for the man. He’d ducked just in time. Colt wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes.

The impact threw the man to the ground, and the gun went flying. Noah fought to restrain the man while dodging elbows and the frantic man’s snapping jaws. With his hands tied, the guy bit at Noah’s arms until Noah flipped him onto his stomach with his hands secured behind his back.

Colt skidded to a stop and crouched beside Noah. “Thanks for going after him.” There wasn’t a doubt in Colt’s mind that the guy would have gotten away if Noah hadn’t been so quick on his feet.

“Get his shoulders,” Noah growled. Holding the man down was a constant fight.

Colt leaned his weight onto the man’s shoulders, pressing the guy’s cheek flat against the sidewalk.

Quick steps drew Colt’s attention, and he glanced over his shoulder. Jerry Lawrence panted as he approached them at a slow run.

“You okay?”

“No injuries,” Colt said as he rustled against the man’s squirming. “Can you guard the gun?” He jerked his head toward the black pistol on the sidewalk about ten feet away.

Jerry headed straight for the weapon. Colt took stock of the situation and inhaled a deep breath. He’d never been so thankful for friends as in that moment. No doubt the Lord had sent helpers. He trusted Noah Harding and Jerry Lawrence with his life, and the men had come through in Colt’s time of need despite the danger to themselves.

“I think the law is here,” Jerry said.

Blue lights flashed closer to the feed and seed, and Colt said a thankful prayer. They had Abby and Ben, and no one had been hurt. Their lives could have changed in the blink of an eye. Despite his and Remi’s best efforts, Tasha had almost succeeded in taking the kids. The thought of what she might have done if given the chance had bile rising in his throat.

Two police officers ran toward them across the parking lot. Asa and Dawson kept the same, quick speed while keeping one hand over their weapons.

Jerry raised his hands, taking one small step away from the pistol. Colt and Noah kept their hold on the man, but his squirming and shouting increased.

Colt shoved harder into the guy’s shoulders. “Give it up. You’ll never walk free again after this.”

“Everyone, put your hands where I can see them!” Asa shouted.

Colt glanced back and forth between Asa and the restrained man. If he let go, the guy would run again. Noah slowly lifted his hands, but Colt kept his grip.

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