Page 81 of Pick Your Spot

Surely, by now, Knox would have realized she was missing. She couldn’t let Andy get much further, but if she fought him now, the only thing she’d accomplish would be letting him know she was awake.

Without being able to use her hands and feet, feigning unconsciousness seemed to be her best current weapon.

He hadn’t gagged her, so when she heard Knox, she’d be able to yell.

And she would hear him. He’d be searching. So would the rest of their friends.

Andy stumbled and thumped against a tree, cursing her.

“Stupid, stupid bitch. All you had to do was return to work. I need the money, and you’re all those idiot farmers wanted. As if your ideas were better than mine. As ifyouwere the reason for their successful crops, and it was my fault nothing worked after you left.”

Despite the circumstances, Thea grinned. It was good to know that Andy’s arrogance and assholery had been at the root of his downfall.

She wanted to tell him if he hadn’t taken credit for her work, she’d never have left. Instead, she kept her mouth shut and her ears open, both for what Andy said and for hints of a rescue coming her way.

Because a rescuewascoming.

She needed to be ready to help.

Andy shoved off the tree and staggered forward. “It’ll all be better when we’re in Iowa. You’ll see. Everyone wants to have you back. You’ll like it and I can pay him back. There’s no reason to stay here. You don’t even have a car, so I know that’s why you didn’t want to go back. I’ll give you a ride. You’ll see. And then I can keep my job. Pay him back.”

Who was the man he needed to repay? Maybe Triple-A needed a fourth A. Absolutely-off-his-rocker. Was he completely delusional or trying to convince himself that he wasn’t acting like a deranged criminal?

Either way was dangerous.

Where was Knox?

Her heart galloped as Andy slowed again. The trees thinned, and the light brightened slightly. She definitely hadn’t been unconscious too long.

Unless this was the next day. No. It couldn’t be. No one got knocked out for that length of time. If it had been, she would have had signs of a concussion. She only wanted to vomit because Andy was touching her, not because she was queasy from the hit to the head.

“Almost there. Almost to the car. It’ll be safer if you ride in the trunk for a while. I’ll keep you safe from the people keeping you here. Once we’re out of range, you can sit up front with me. Then we’ll head home and I’ll tell you more about the new farmers we need to recruit. Having another five or six farms will help.”

Deranged criminal it was.

There was no way she was going in a trunk without a fight.

Andy dragged in a few deep lungfuls of air. “Last long stretch. Almost to the road. Almost there. We’re going to make it.”

The hell they were. But she remained still. She didn’t have a clue how to fight with her limbs bound. Knox would know. He’d have already overpowered the other man by now, even while he was tied up.

What would he do? She didn’t have a clue.

But she would scream and fight as best she could. He’d tied her hands behind her back, so they weren’t much use. But even with her ankles bound, she could lash out with her feet. Aim for vulnerable spots and scream for help.

If they were near Greg and Sally’s property, they would react to the screaming if they heard it. They’d been friendly and worried about Andy bothering her. If they heard a scream, surely they’d respond. Same with Lorraine.

Andy moved slowly, resting often against trees. His muttering grew more and more bizarre until he seemed to convince himself he was the hero in this situation. He was saving her from the people trapping her here in Vermont. And he’d soon be able to pay the man.

She didn’t think she’d be able to convince him of reality even if they were having a normal conversation. He was believing the scenario he was creating. Did he really think she would happily return to her job in Iowa and not put up a protest about being kidnapped?

The trees thinned again, and she wished she could lift her head to see where they were. Too risky yet but all bets were off once she knew they were near a house or on the road.

Her heart raced and she hoped Andy didn’t feel it. No unconscious person would be this close to panic mode.

Where was Knox? Was he close?

“Almost there. Not long now. Remember to stay quiet in the trunk. We’ll get to Iowa more quickly that way. It’ll be good for both of us. We’ll sign on new farmers. Get more money. We’ll both be safe. It’ll be good. You’ll help me and I’ll help you.”

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