Her conversation with Trent drifted back to her. He made sense. Maybe her faith in God should be more than something that changed based on her emotions.
The one thing she appreciated about Trent was that he didn’t make promises based on emotions. He didn’t manipulate. What she saw was what she got. She admired that, especially after being around Leo.
Just then, Trent muttered something. Tessa stepped closer and saw that he was still asleep. He was obviously having some kind of dream.
His shoulder jerked, as if he was fighting some kind of unseen force. He grunted again.
Tessa looked away, feeling as though she was being intrusive.
Just as she stepped back toward the window, Trent said something discernible.
“Laurel.”
He’d said the name Laurel.
Who was Laurel, exactly? Was Trent’s heart already taken?
How could Tessa have been so foolish? Of course someone like Trent would be taken. Here she’d been letting her feelings grow for a man who was unavailable. She should have known better.
More than ever she needed to stick to her plan: accept his help but keep her distance. Her emotions had been heightened; in the process, they’d grown out of control.
Experience should have taught her the danger of letting her emotions roam free. It was never a good idea. In fact, in the past it had only led to heartache.
Suddenly, she stepped back from the window as a chill washed over her.
She didn’t know what had caused it. Her imagination? Caution over everything that had happened? Or was there real danger out there, getting closer and closer?
She wasn’t sure.
But she decided to go back to the couch where she’d watch and wait...and try not to think about the handsome man who’d stuck by her through thick and thin.
* * *
Trent took the second shift, noticing as they switched roles that Tessa seemed a bit more distant than she had earlier. Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe the stress of the situation was getting to her. He didn’t know.
As she lay on the couch, he couldn’t help but marvel at how peaceful she looked in the middle of all of this craziness.
Laurel had always looked so peaceful and hopeful. She’d been a kindergarten teacher, something she’d dreamed about since she was in elementary school herself. His heart still sank when he thought about how her life had been cut short.
He wouldn’t let that happen to Tessa. He’d sacrifice his life if he had to in order to protect her.
He peered out one of the massive windows lining the lodge again. Only darkness stared back. Were the men out there? Were they watching?
His gut told him no. Not yet, at least. It was only a matter of time before they found them. As soon as it was daylight, Trent needed to check out the rest of the property and see if there were any resources here that could help them.
At least the snow had stopped. Forecasters had been correct. There was more than a foot piled up outside.
He glanced at his phone and briefly thought about calling Tessa’s family to give them an update. But telling them that he’d found their daughter while he and Tessa were on the brink of so much danger didn’t seem wise. Still, he knew her loved ones were waiting, still hoping, that Tessa would be okay. They’d lived with so many doubts and uncertainties for so long.
He’d wait, he decided. He wanted to hear back from Zach. He wanted to get somewhere safe and have a few more reassurances. Then he’d make the call.
“Hey,” a groggy voice said.
He looked over and saw that Tessa was awake. His heart skipped a beat at her tousled hair and sleepy eyes. Even in this state, she was a vision, one of those natural beauties who needed little help to look good.
He glanced at his watch and saw that she’d gotten a few hours of shut-eye. It was better than nothing. “Morning.”
“I feel as if I’ve been hit by a truck.”
“Days like yesterday can do that to you.”
“Has it really only been less than two days since all of this started? It feels like weeks.”
“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” He strode over to her and handed her some the last package of crackers. “Here you go. Eat up.”
She didn’t argue. Instead, she shivered, pulled the covers closer around her and then ripped the package open. “Anything new?”
He shook his head. “Sun should be coming up soon. I’ll fix some hot water for us so we can stay hydrated. Then I’m going to head out.”
“Head out?”
He nodded. “I need to see what else is out there. We won’t get very far on foot, Tessa.”
“So you’re suggesting we cross-country ski instead?”
Her light tone made him smile. When he nodded at her leg, his smile faded. “Not with your injury.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Well, see if you say that after you put some weight on it.”
She took a bite of her cracker then swallowed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Her tone indicated this was serious.
“How is my mom paying you? You’ve been working this case for a while. If you charge an hourly rate, I can only imagine how high the cost of your investigation is. I know my mom doesn’t have that much money.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Please tell me Leo isn’t helping?”
“Leo put up money as a reward.”
She frowned. “Go figure. But that doesn’t explain your fees.”
“I’m waiving them.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? But why?”
“Because I’ve grown rather fond of your family. I couldn’t give up on them. I couldn’t squeeze them dry for this case.”
“That’s...that’s kind of you.”
He shrugged. “Your mom has me over to eat about once a week. I’ve been invited to church with them, to birthday parties. They’re starting to feel like my family.”
A sentimental smile feathered across her lips. “That sounds like my family. But how are you managing to pay your bills?”
“I still receive some money from the army. Plus, I take on odd jobs here and there. Things that aren’t really that interesting but that pay the bills. I have some savings.”
“That’s really kind of you, Trent. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Not until we get out of this situation.” He stood. “Speaking of which, I think I see some daylight peeking over that mountain. I’m going to go see what I can find.”
“Be careful,” she said softly.
“I will.”
The snow was deep and cold outside. Trent sank in it up to his knees, which made the walk treacherous. He had little choice, though. In the first building he came to, he found a snowmobile. With some tinkering, he discovered it was still operational. He also found an old can of gas and filled it up. This could definitely come in handy later.
Throughout the rest of the building searches, he found a few more cans of food, some changes of clothes and more things he could use as firewood.
In the back of his mind, he thought about both the men after them and the caved-in ceiling. By all appearances, Tessa was safe right now. The structure seemed sound. But he had to stay watchful.
Remaining in one of the old cabins, he checked his phone. No messages from Zach.
He rounded the back of the lodge on his way back. He wanted to make sure the building looked out.
What he saw froze him in his tracks.
There were footprints. Leading right to the back window and...to one of the doors.
* * *
Tessa mindlessly straightened blankets and stoked the fire and paced—in the name of physical therapy. At least that was what she told herself.
Really, she was anxiously waiting for Trent
’s return. What had he found? Anything? The results of his outing could mean the difference between hope or despair.
She was praying for hope.
As she paced to the window, she squirmed at the pain in her leg. The good news was that it wasn’t broken. The bad was that the cut was deep and it would slow her down. Talk about bad timing.
As she stared outside, she thought about Trent spending time with her family. The realization was so bittersweet. She could easily see him fitting in.
And his kindness in taking on this case for little to no pay warmed her heart.
Then she remembered Laurel. It was best if she didn’t let her heart go crazy and start daydreaming about what it would be like to hold Trent’s hand or pretend he might care about her away from this crazy situation they were in. It had just been so long since she’d felt a connection with anyone. She realized she missed being part of a community, a tribe, a team.
Maybe there were people out there worth trusting.
Suddenly, she paused as a foreign sound teased her hearing. It had almost sounded like a footstep. Had Trent come back?
She swirled away from the window and scanned the room around her. It looked the same as always. Nothing suspicious.
If Trent had returned, he should be here any minute. He always used the same door down the hallway to keep the cold air in the room at bay.
She waited a few minutes, but he didn’t appear.
Apprehension crept up her spine. If not Trent, then what was the sound?
The caved-in roof, she remembered.
Maybe that was what it was. Was more of the ceiling about to collapse on them? Or maybe the part that had already been destroyed was crumbling more?
No, she told herself. She could have been hearing things. After all, everything seemed silent right now.
Why couldn’t Trent be back? She hated to admit it, but she felt much better when he was close by. Again, those crazy emotions of hers were leading her astray, causing her to toss back and forth between trust and distrust, dependence and independence.
She scanned the area behind her, which was the hallway leading to the old kitchen, according to what Trent had told her. Again, nothing looked out of place. What was going on?
Just as she reached for her gun, she heard the footstep again. She turned around just in time to hear something click beside her. A man stood there.
An evil grin spread across his face. “You didn’t think you’d get away from us that easily, did you?”
At the sound of his heartless voice, her blood went cold.
FIFTEEN
Just as he feared—someone was inside with Tessa. Trent ducked behind the corner. How had the man found them? It wasn’t important. All that mattered was figuring out how to get out of this situation. He’d worry about the other details once Tessa was safe.
Moving quietly, he crept inside, making sure to stay concealed and out of sight. From where he stood, he had a perfect view of everything that was happening. A man—he recognized him as one of the men who’d confronted them at Chris’s house—stood in front of Tessa. He had two things that frightened any warmth right out of Trent: a gun and a diabolical smile.
“I radioed my other men,” the man said, flaunting his Smith & Wesson in front of Tessa.
The man wanted to invoke fear; he enjoyed scaring other people. He was the kind of person Trent despised. It took everything in him to remain calm.
“They should be here any moment,” the man continued. “The snow slowed us up. But all of this was just a matter of time. We never lose our guy—or girl. That’s not going to change now.”
“What do you want from me?” Tessa stared at the man, not fear in her eyes as much as anger. Her hands were braced on the couch behind her and she favored her uninjured leg. But she wasn’t shrinking. Trent could admire that.
“I’m just doing a job. Leo wants to handle you himself.”
She leveled her gaze at the man. “I take it you’re okay with a man beating up on a woman.”
The man grinned, not even a speck of goodness or mercy in his eyes. “I’m okay with getting paid for a job I was hired to do. Well paid, at that.”
“I hope there’s enough money for you to live with yourself when this is all said and done.”
His smile slipped some. “Enough talking. We just need to wait here until the rest of my guys arrive. Where’s the man you came here with?”
“There was...an accident as we walked here. He didn’t make it.”
The man stared at Tessa a moment, as if trying to read her. “You don’t seem too broken up about it.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “What can I say? We weren’t close. He was hired to find me, just like you were. However, he was ten times the man you are. He’d never hurt a woman.”
Her words warmed Trent, but only for a moment.
“Too bad he’s not here now. He might have been able to help you out.” He reached for her, his gun still drawn. “Now, I need to figure out what to do with you to bide my time. I can think of a few ideas.”
Tessa gasped as the man squeezed her arm and pulled her toward him.
Fire coursed through Trent’s blood. He drew his gun from his waistband and aimed. In one clean shot, Trent hit the man’s shoulder. The man cried out in pain and dropped his gun. Tessa scrambled to retrieve the weapon, and she raised it toward her attacker, also.
Trent’s heart slowed. But he knew the battle wasn’t anywhere near being won.
Tessa gasped for air as Trent grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the man. They’d tied him to a chair, knowing his friends would arrive soon enough to help him. In the meantime, he’d be indisposed.
Trent reached down and grabbed something from the ground. “Put this on.”
She held up the puffy white snowsuit. “Where’d you find this?”
“One of the cabins. It’s going to be cold where we’re going.”
She didn’t ask any questions. At least it sounded as though he had a plan. That was more than she could say for herself. He pulled another coat on over his own and then pulled on a hat. He handed another to Tessa.
“When they find you, they’re going to kill you,” the man in the chair grumbled. His gaze looked haggard and every once in a while he moaned with pain. But he was still angry and determined.
“I’d worry about yourself right now,” Trent said.
The man let out a deep growl before his face squeezed with pain.
“Now, come on,” Trent said, turning his attention back to Tessa. “We’ve got to get out of here before the others arrive. We don’t have much time.”
She lifted a two-way radio that had been clipped to her attacker’s belt and listened for a brief moment. “It sounds as if the rest of the guys are within eyesight of the lodge.”
He nodded, as if impressed that she’d thought ahead enough to grab the device. “Good to know. This way we can stay a step ahead of them.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her outside. The cold air was brittle and frosty. It took Tessa’s breath away for a moment. But she had no time to dwell on it. Trent pulled her forward and she let him. A few flakes from the treetops scattered downward and chilled her cheeks and eyelashes even more.
The wind slapped her cheeks as they rushed through the snow. Of course, rushing through the snow was like rushing through quicksand. Each step tried to suction them to the ground. They trudged forward regardless.
Another building came into sight. Tessa hoped that was where they were headed, because her legs were becoming numb again. At least that meant she couldn’t feel the throbbing ache from her wound.
“In here,” Trent urged. He pulled her into the building.
Just as they stepped inside, the radio at her waist cackled to life. “I see the building, Windwalker. What’s the situation inside?”
Tren
t took the radio from her. “Targets are constrained. Waiting for help escorting them.”
“Roger that. Should be there in less than five.”
Trent and Tessa exchanged a look. They had to hurry.
“Come on,” Trent urged. He climbed onto a...snowmobile?
“Where did this come from?” Tessa asked, climbing on behind him with a touch of trepidation.
“It must have been left here when the resort closed down. I found some gas and finally got it hot-wired so it works again. All I know is that I’m not complaining. Hold on tight.”
Her throat constricted at her nearness to Trent. “I am.”
He took her hands and pulled them tauter around his waist. “Don’t be shy.”
Her cheeks heated but only for a minute. She didn’t have time to dwell on the solid muscle beneath her hands or the broad back her cheek was pressed against. She had to focus on survival.
The radio crackled again. “Where are you, Windwalker? We’re inside the building.” A curse followed. They must have found their guy tied up.
Wasting no more time, Trent burst through the door of the garage. The vehicle hit the snow and sprinkled flakes around them. Any other time it would be amazing. Right now, it seemed like a blur.
Just as they sped down the slope, three men stepped from the building, guns in hand. Keeping one arm around Trent, Tessa reached into her waistband and pulled out the Glock. Using her best aim—which was difficult because of the speed and the movement—she took a shot. Even if it didn’t hit them, maybe it would scare them off some and buy them a little more time.
Finally, they cleared the lodge. The men were no match for their speed on the snowmobile.
“Where are we going?” Tessa asked as reality set in.
“I have no idea.”
“To the main road?”
“Too dangerous. They’ll look for us there.” He headed toward the woods instead.
“And this is going to be better? You know there are cliffs around the gorge here, right?”
“Now I do.”
She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. No, she couldn’t afford to close her eyes. She stole a glance behind her instead. The men were still chasing them, coming on foot. It was good they weren’t on the road—they’d likely be located much easier. But still, the thought of journeying into the white wilderness ahead of them was unnerving.
Deadly Mountain Refuge: Mountain Ambush ; Mountain Hideaway Page 33