“Nope. They found her Jeep parked in the woods. Get this beast rolling.”
Cash’s heart thundered in his chest. He breathed in deep, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he was overreacting. Couldn’t speed on that road, not even in his trusty ride. Even the most skilled could misjudge the conditions and then where would that leave Cherry? Lost. Injured. Or dead.
Get it together, Cash. The woman doesn’t want you, but at the moment she needs you. You’re the best shot she’s got. Cash shifted into reverse, whipped the Hummer around and headed toward the worst road in the state.
Chapter Two
At one of the most dangerous curves on County Road, the two officers sent earlier to search for Cherry stood beside their vehicle waving them down. Cash eased off the road and onto the shoulder. Bill’s four-wheel-drive SUV came to a stop behind him. He climbed out of the Hummer, calling Max to his side. He slid Max’s harness onto the dog and attached his leash. Grabbing the backpack of supplies he kept at the ready on the backseat, he turned to greet the officers.
Officers Abe Freely and Kevin Smyth walked over to them. They shook hands. Cash knew both of them from high school.
“Her Jeep is parked over there,” Abe spoke, pointing at the dark-green vehicle. “It was backed into the trees, so we missed it the first time by here. It’s unlocked, and the keys are in it. Her phone was plugged into the charger and turned off.”
“Any idea what happened to her?”
Kevin explained, “We found two sets of boot prints in the snow, followed them until we lost them. It appeared as if whomever she encountered on the drive home, doesn’t want her found. The tracks led to an area of hard-packed snow and ice, causing the tracks to become invisible. Good thing you brought Max.” He stroked the dog behind the ears.
“Think somebody kidnapped her?” Bill asked.
“Not sure what happened,” Abe said as they led them toward the Jeep. “We didn’t find any evidence of a struggle or blood at the scene.”
The rear hatch was open. Bill looked at his officers. “Was this open when you got here?”
“Yes sir,” Abe stated. “We didn’t touch anything. Left everything just as we found it. The keys are in the ignition. Her phone is shut off, attached to the car charger and laying on the dash. The doors are unlocked. Looks as if she left in a hurry.”
“At the insistence of another person,” Cash noted, drily. He leaned in, looking into the rear of the Jeep. “Where’s her medic bag? She went to help that woman this morning. She would’ve had her bag of supplies with her.”
With a gloved hand, Abe opened one of the rear passenger doors. “It’s not on the floorboard in back here.” Stretching inside, he said, “Don’t see it in the front either. So I think it’s safe to say she has it with her.”
“Hey, Abe, toss me that sweatshirt off the backseat.”
Cash caught it. He held it to his nose. The faint scent of vanilla with a hint of jasmine filled his nostrils, bringing back a flood of memories of the woman, and letting him know she’d worn the shirt and it hadn’t been washed yet. He knelt in front of Max. “Here you go, boy. We have to find this woman.”
The dog nuzzled his face all over the shirt, sniffing and licking the material. He immediately went into hunting mood, nose to the ground, tail straight up, and tugging Cash along by the leash behind him. Max followed the boot prints in the snow until they came to the spot where the visible trail ended. Where there were no obvious signs visible to the human eye, Max’s nose found the path easily. After a half an hour, the trail had led them deeper into the woods. Concern filled Cash’s soul. The early evening was waning into nightfall and they hadn’t found anything of significance. A broken branch, a crunched section of hard packed snow where the weight of either an animal or human had disturbed the spot, but nothing of value, at this point they relied solely on Max’s nose.
Cash gave Max the command to halt. He removed his backpack and withdrew the folding water bowl he carried. After filling it, he placed it on the ground for Max, who lapped at it heartily. While the dog drank, he rummaged in the pack for a light.
“It’ll be too dark to see soon,” he stated the obvious. “Do you guys want to turn back and leave the hunt to me and Max? Or go on with us?”
Three flashlights switched on, cutting the darkening dreariness. In unison, they replied, “We go on.”
Static squealed through Officer Bill’s radio, followed by a female voice. He unhooked it from his belt and answered, checking in with their current location and updating the station house.
Linda the dispatch operator replied, “The chopper is on stand-by in case you need it.”
“Thanks, Linda.” He signed off and secured the radio to his belt.
Cash pulled a cap with an attached headlamp from his pack and placed it on his head, then switched it on. It was easier to wear this while handling Max. It kept his hands free to control the dog. He stood and rubbed Max’s ears. “Ready, boy?”
Max yipped. Cash folded the empty bowl, returned it to the backpack and slid his arms into the straps, flipping it onto his back.
“Any idea where we might be headed?” Abe asked.
“According to the GPS,” Bill stated, holding the unit for them to see, “we’re headed northwest toward Glistening Gulch and Resplendence Ravine.”
“Damn,” Kevin hissed. “That puts us smack dab in the middle of those two feuding idiots.”
Cash cringed. Dixon Ravenger and Mathis Mason had been feuding for years. It’d been going on for so long, Cash doubted either man remembered what started this inter-family war. They were just too damn stubborn to let it go. Locals knew not to trespass on either’s property. It could get you shot at or worse, accidentally wounded.
“You think one of them took Cherry?” Cash asked.
“Why? For what purpose?” Bill shrugged. “They could’ve come to town or called for medical assistance if either of them needed it.”
“Maybe one of them finally got off a good round and actually shot the other,” Abe interjected, in a lighthearted tone as if trying to ease the dark mood of the situation. “Probably didn’t want to go to jail so they flagged Cherry down and took her captive to tend the wound.”
“Possible but doubtful,” Kevin stated. “They’d just drop the body in the gulch, never to be seen again. Besides, how would they even know Cherry was up here?”
“Good point,” Abe replied. “Just throwing out possibilities, random as they may be.”
“That’s pretty random, Abe.” Cash shook his head then gave Max the sign to move on. Abe had him thinking. If one of those two crazy ass yokels had done something stupid, would they have taken Cherry hostage? A multitude of what ifs trashed his thoughts with horrific scenarios even though he tried to remain focused on Max.
They had not gone more than two hundred yards, when Abe spotted a low glow of light in the distance. Shutting off their flashlights for a moment, it appeared brighter, as if it came from a house. Max tugged hard at his leash, wanting to go faster in that direction. Cash gave him the signal to relax and not bark. Max wagged his tail in response and stood at the ready.
“Let’s move closer,” Bill said, switching his light back on. “Keep your lights pointed on the ground and be careful. Don’t know who we might come up on or what the situation is concerning Cherry.”
The closer they got, the more frantic Max pulled at the leash. He growled, warning Cash something wasn’t right. He gave him the halt command, but the dog wasn’t happy. He wanted to forge ahead. Cash rubbed his head.
“It’s okay, boy. Stay on guard.”
This time Max didn’t make a sound. His tail was stiff, his hair was ruffled, and his shoulders pronounced, teeth bared as if readying for a fight. This was not good. Cash warned the others on a hushed breath. “Not sure what’s going on, but Max is pissed. Not a good sign.”
“From Max’s reaction, I think it’s a safe bet Cherry is in there and in trouble.” Bill held the GPS with the light dim
med. “We’re on the northern rim of Glistening Gulch. If my guess is correct, this is on the border of Ravenger and Mathis property.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll get a closer look. Stay here.” He shut off his light and made his way closer to the dimly lit building. In the darkness, he was shielded from view.
Cash crouched beside Max, soothing the disturbed animal. It wasn’t like Max to show anger. Something had him ready to attack. Cash stiffened at the idea Cherry was in danger. He wanted to rush the place, but knew it would be stupid. It seemed an eternity before Kevin returned, but in actuality, it had only been a matter of minutes.
“It looks like an old rundown hunting shack. I didn’t see any electric lines. Light is coming from a couple of lanterns and there’s a fire in the fireplace,” Kevin stated. “I got a quick peek inside.” He shifted his stance and shook his head. “I saw two men, and shotguns on the table. Looks like a third party is injured. Couldn’t get a good line of sight on that one, who was lying on a bed. Saw the back of a tall woman with red hair, and can only assume it’s our missing EMT, Cherry. Didn’t see her face. Couldn’t hear clearly what anyone said. It was too muffled.”
“Okay, not sure what we’ve got here,” Bill replied. “Did it look like a hostile situation? Were they threatening her? Holding a gun on her?”
Kevin answered honestly, “She was working on the injured party. One was handing her items from her bag. The other one was pacing. Didn’t notice if he was armed.”
They went silent for a few moments each deep in thought. Cash sat back on his haunches beside Max. “I say one of us knocks on the door. I’m sure they’re not expecting company. Might throw them off guard.”
Bill turned to Kevin. “Can you see inside the whole shack from that window?”
“Not clearly. The glass is covered in dirt,” he answered. “Did notice another window on the other side.”
“Okay, then here’s the plan. You two split up and each man a window, ready to shoot if necessary. I’ll knock on the door.” Bill nodded to Cash. “You and Max stay here. Don’t want our best search-and-rescue dog getting shot by accident.”
Cash grabbed Bill’s arm before he could move. “I think I should knock on the door. If they see an armed officer, they might just start shooting instead of opening it.” He motioned to his clothing. “They see a lost hiker, the door might open easier.”
“I’m not liking it, but you’ve got a point,” Bill conceded after several long moments. “Let’s move in silently. I’ll get in place near the door at the ready should something not go right. Try to get one of them to come outside. Divide and conquer.”
As soon as everyone was in place, Bill gave Cash the signal to approach the door and knock. Max was hidden in the underbrush directly behind Cash. He rapped on the door hard, so the sound wouldn’t be missed. Instantly, the mumbled voices inside halted. Seconds ticked by. Cash stood motionless. His heart pounded as he heard heavy footfalls closing in on the opposite side of the door. A slot slid open on the door and a light shone through it, focused directly in his eyes.
“Who are you and what do you want?” The voice sounded like that of a young male.
Cash forcibly kept his stance at ease and his voice smooth and easy going. “Hey, man, could you give me some directions? I got lost out on a hike and can’t find the road.”
Straining, he heard two male voices argue in low tones behind the door before it finally opened and one person stepped out. The door closed. The male figure stood rigid with a shotgun held loosely in his hands, as if ready to pull the trigger if provoked.
“You’re on private property, man. Ain’t no trails anywhere near here.”
Cash didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the barrel of the gun, snatching it from the man’s grip. Max lunged from his hiding place, slamming into the man, catching him completely off guard. The man landed on his side with one pissed-off dog snarling and hovering over him. His scream brought the other man to the door, leading the way with his shotgun posed and ready to fire. That man leveled the gun on Cash, but didn’t get any farther than that before Bill had his service weapon drawn and the barrel touching the side of his head.
“Drop your weapon, son. Not sure what you’re up to, but it’s over,” Bill stated clearly.
A woman’s scream pierced the air, followed by another woman yelling for someone named Marty to get the hell back in there.
Chapter Three
Cash knew that voice. Cherry was yelling for someone named Marty.
“Sir, please,” the second man out the door pleaded, dropping his shotgun. “I need to get back inside. My wife’s having a baby.”
Bill leaned, looking around the man then nodded lowering his weapon. “Get back inside.”
Cash called Max to heel. The young man on the ground wrestled himself into a seated position. Cash offered his hand but it was slapped away.
“I don’t need no help from you.”
The other two officers came around the sides to the front. Abe stated, “There’s a woman in there giving birth.”
“It’s my sister-in-law,” the young man spat out as he stood.
Bill moved to face him, holding his flashlight to get a good look at the young man’s face. “Dwayne Mason, is that you?”
“Who wants to know?”
A female scream echoed, nearly shaking the old shack walls. Dwayne jumped. All three of the officers’ heads turned toward the door. Cash pushed past them, followed by Max. Dwayne tried to stop him. “You can’t go in there.”
“Like hell I can’t.” Cash entered the shack and saw Cherry at the foot of a rickety old bed. The other young man was holding the pregnant woman’s hand and wiping her forehead with a cloth.
Max stood guard by the door as Cash eased to his knees beside Cherry. “What can I do to help?”
She looked at him for a second; surprise quickly turned to anger but disappeared with the woman’s next scream. Cherry’s gaze snapped back to the young woman.
“Claire, I need you to concentrate. I know you’re tired, but we’re in the home stretch. I can see the baby’s head. Push. Don’t scream. Concentrate on focusing that energy on pushing. If you feel like screaming, don’t. Squeeze Marty’s hand instead and push.”
The petite brunette’s hair was matted to the sides of her head. Perspiration coated her face and neck. She opened her dark-brown eyes and stared straight at Cherry. “I’ll try,” came out on a weak breath.
Her head lolled back as if she were going to scream, but instead she pushed and squeezed Marty’s hand. The grimace on his face spoke volumes about the pain she inflicted but he didn’t say a word. He supported her shoulders and encouraged her to push. Seconds seemed like an eternity before the next scream was heard from a newborn baby girl.
Cherry quickly cleaned the baby’s face, mouth and airway. Her shrill pierced the room, bringing a look of relief to Cherry’s face that Cash would never forget. Had she been afraid? Hell, if she was, he hadn’t noticed as she’d doled out orders. He hadn’t hesitated handing her whatever she’d requested. This woman was amazing and he was in total awe of Cherry’s abilities. She didn’t miss a beat, helping Claire and the newborn. Not only had he witnessed the miracle of birth, sitting beside Cherry, assisting her, it hit him hard how much he wanted to learn more about this woman who’d invaded his sexual fantasies. She was complex, intelligent, skilled and voluptuously beautiful. Cash was glad she kept his hands busy or else he might’ve succumbed to the urge to hug her. After the look she’d given him when he’d first arrived, if he touched her, he’d probably garner a black eye from it. Which he’d known he deserved for being an ass.
“Claire, can you let go of Marty’s hand long enough for him to cut the cord?” Cherry asked as she cradled the baby.
Claire released him. Marty moved into position. His hands shook but he got the job done. Cherry tied it off as best as she could with what she had available then wrapped the baby in a towel and handed her to Claire. Cash watched the young couple who
were in their early twenties at best, if he had to guess.
“She’s beautiful,” the tearful new mom whispered.
“She looks just like you,” Marty stated, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and brushing his daughter’s cheek.
Cherry rolled the dirty linens into a large ball. She nudged her chin toward the fireplace as she looked at Cash. “Can you hand me that blanket? We hung it there to warm. Claire’s body temperature might drop and I want to do everything possible to keep her comfortable until we can move her to the hospital.”
Marty’s head lifted from his family. He stood. “We can’t take them to the hospital. Claire and I are leaving the area as soon as she is able.”
Cherry rose to her full height of five-foot-eleven and stared the young man dead in the face. “She’s lost a lot of blood. There could be internal bleeding that we’re not aware of and from the looks of her, I don’t think she went for prenatal care. What your wife and child need are to be taken to the hospital and given a complete exam by a doctor.”
Cash moved to her side. “Cherry is right. We need to move them for their safety.”
Marty’s hand shook as he thrashed it through his hair. “Claire’s father,” he stammered. “Our folks, they don’t know about us.”
“I think this might be the thing to seal the rift between them,” Cherry stated as her hand landed gently on the young man’s shoulder.
It dawned on Cash exactly who the kids were at that moment. “You’re Mathis Mason’s son and she’s Dixon Ravenger’s daughter.”
“Yes sir.” Marty held himself taut as if bracing for a fight.
“It’s all right, son,” Cash replied with a smile. “Cherry’s right. I think the two of you have just given birth to the peace treaty between your families.”
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