Page 67 of Allie's Shelter

“You’re impossible.” Determined to give Ross an opening, she tangled her feet with Bradley’s as he tried to shove her into the vehicle. They both tumbled to the ground.

Bradley leaped up, kicked her in the ribs, and aimed his weapon at Ross.

No!

She struggled for breath as men shouted threats at each other and orders to stand down. Voices she couldn’t distinguish ricocheted all around her as she threw herself at Bradley’s legs. She clawed at him, threw an elbow into his ribs, and screamed as gunfire erupted. Allie lost count after the first three shots. With her ears ringing, she wasn’t sure if the fourth was real or a violent echo in her mind.

Bradley’s body jerked and he slumped, pinning her to the pavement until someone pulled her free.

Chapter ten

Ross .

Her hearing temporarily impaired, she couldn’t make out his words, but she understood the worry and relief in his eyes and in his touch as his hands skimmed her body for any sign of injury. “I’m fine.” She couldn’t tell if she was talking too loudly or not at all. “How is Eva?”

Ross held her close, and she felt as if she’d fallen under water while people moved around her without the normal accompaniment of sound. For a moment, she reveled in the solidness of him and the amazing feeling of his steady heartbeat under her cheek.

He led her to a waiting ambulance and she saw Eva was more irritated than injured. Thank God.

Eva sat up on the gurney, to the dismay of the paramedics. “Did you get him?” she demanded, loud enough for Allie to hear. When Ross nodded, Eva relaxed again and they drove her away.

Ross led her to the sheriff’s personal car and wrapped her in a blanket before he settled her on the front seat. “I’ll be right back,” he promised. With a light kiss on her forehead, she watched him stride away.

He looked so capable and determined as he spoke with Cochran and another man in a suit. Probably his FBI friend. Then she closed her eyes, leaning back onto the head rest.

She could stop running. It was finally over.

* * *

Ross had finished with the legalities and kept Allie waiting in the car until Roberts was in FBI custody. Then he’d rushed Allie back to his house by the lake to recuperate.

In the following days, they’d had visits from Dale and Sheriff Cochran and given statements to several agencies regarding Roberts’s illegal activities. A search of Roberts’s car turned up a rifle, false IDs, and items he’d used to disguise himself at the jail and around Haleswood. The box of Clark bars sealed the case as far as Ross was concerned.

They’d only ventured out once, visiting Eva in the hospital, who, upon her release, insisted a quiet hotel room and a stack of good books were all the company she wanted until further notice.

Ross arranged for people to check in on her anyway.

Jeannie had brought out enough food to feed several recovery teams, guaranteeing his secluded retreat was no longer a secret. A ship to shore call from Aunt Ruth confirmed she was enjoying the final days of her cruise.

Now, watching Allie head out for another walk to the lakeshore, he realized it was time to let her go because he wasn’t sure he could find a way to keep her. He wanted her, desperately and forever, but he felt their differing goals tugging them apart once more.

* * *

“Hey.”

Allie turned as Ross joined her in the sunshine at the lake’s edge. She braced herself for another warm kiss, but he stopped just out of reach. She watched the measured rise and fall of his chest and knew what was coming. Don’t cry.

Since they’d returned to his house, things had been comfortable, but not quite settled. She didn’t blame him that he couldn’t give her what she realized she wanted most. He was antsy to get back to work with his team. Rick and others she hadn’t met were already working a new case.

“You should stay,” he said, breaking into her dismal thoughts.

“Here?” He couldn’t mean the house. She was afraid her eagerness, her hope that he was offering his heart, was too obvious.

“No. With me.”

Her heart swelled with delight and love as she reached for him.

“And the team,” he added, pacing away. His gaze drifted out over the lake. “We could use better PR.”

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