Page 60 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Oh, honey, I love you too.

***

Taylor had been unableto go a moment longer knowing that Colt was in terrible danger without telling him that she loved him. She read Colt’s reply and tears poured from her eyes; but this time they were tears of joy. In this terrible agony of waiting, his love was a bright light that gave her faith that somehow everything would turn out right.

She went into the ladies’ room and locked the door. Then she got down on her knees and, for the first time in a very long time, prayed to the Lord, thanking Him for Colt’s love. Then she begged God for His blessings, for Him to help law enforcement to find her baby and to bring him back safely. After that, she counted her many blessings and thanked God for them before ending her prayer.

When she stood, she felt strong and positive. She felt able to face whatever the day brought with courage.

After a look in the mirror to reassure herself that she looked calm and in control, she went back out to the clerk’s desk to listen to the scanner again.

“You look better. I’m glad,” Clarissa said.

“Thanks. I feel better,” Taylor said with a shaky smile. She clasped her hands tightly and listened hard to the scanner, determined to make sense of the chatter and to listen for Colt’s deep, resonant voice.

***

Hours later, Colt glancedat his phone. It was nearly four o’clock, and they had over fifty people out searching for the two criminals. The helicopter had arrived long before and the pilot had just announced that he had found what looked like an old log cabin that was being refitted with new lumber high up on the side of a nearby mountain. A red sedan was parked outside, so this was another indication that it was probably where the kidnappers were holed up.

There had still been no sighting of the two men. The helicopter, flying high and inconspicuous from below, was able to give directions that would lead the searchers to the cabin.

Colt radioed Hamill, who, it turned out, wasn’t far away. He’d returned to the SUV and had kept up with the searchers. Colt rendezvoused with him, and they headed toward the cabin. Along the way, they loaded up four more officers.

Twenty minutes later, with help from the helicopter above, they pulled to a stop out of sight and hearing of the cabin. According to the pilot, the cabin had both a front door and a rear door. They all got out of the SUV, with Hamill directing two officers to cover the sides of the cabin, while Colt and another officer would watch the back. Hamill and the remaining officer would handle the front.

They silently moved toward the cabin, keeping to the trees and out of sight.

As Colt hunkered down behind a tree at the back of the cabin, he heard Hamill call out, “This is the FBI. Come out unarmed and with your hands in the air.”

There was no sound from the cabin.

Again, the agent called out to the kidnappers. Again, there was no reply. Then came the sound of a baby crying. It was quickly hushed. Colt’s heart began to pound as his fears for JJ mounted. Would they hurt the baby if he continued to make noise? A quick flash of anger flushed Colt’s face. He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his Glock, ready for whoever might come through the back door.

Finally, a rough voice that could only be Jeb’s answered. “We’re not coming out. If you want this baby, you’ll have to come in and get him.”

Like the other officers, Colt wore a Kevlar vest. Hamill had a breaching tool, and it was just a matter of how safe it would be to use it at this point.

The tinkle of broken glass sounded from the front of the cabin, and Colt suddenly heard the boom of a rifle going off. Panic stabbed his chest at the thought of the men shooting with JJ in the room.

Hamill and the other officer didn’t return fire because of the infant inside the cabin. The agent called out, “There’s no need for that. We can resolve this peacefully. Just send one of the women out with the baby. Then we can talk.”

Another shot rang out, and Jeb called, “This baby ain’t going nowhere. He’s a Shelton, and he belongs right here with his family.”

Hamill answered, “Now you know we can’t let you keep that baby, Jeb. We’ve got you surrounded. Why don’t you protect your womenfolk and the little one. Send them out, and we’ll settle this like men.”

“Ain’t nobody coming out of here until you all go on and leave,” Jeb yelled.

After a moment, Hamill called, “We’re not leaving without that baby, Jeb, so it looks like we have a problem here.”

Another shot boomed from inside the house.

Colt shivered as icy fear took hold of him. The next few minutes were critical.

Suddenly the back door flew open, and Jen, the young woman they’d seen in Texas, scrambled through the opening carrying JJ in her arms. But just as she got free, Jared stepped out and grabbed her by the blouse, yanking her back towards the door. She screamed as Colt bolted from cover and snapped off a shot, hitting Jared in the shoulder. The man let go of Jen and ducked back into the house.

The officer behind Colt laid down cover fire as Colt ran to Jen and half-carried her and the screaming JJ to the trees. He took the baby from her and called Hamill. He knew this would change the rules of engagement.

Jen gave JJ his pacifier, and the baby quieted.

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