Page 46 of Cowboy Peril

“You can count on it.” Colt shuffled faster, reached the car, and yanked the passenger side door open.

The sheriff shook his head. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

“I won’t.” He pounded the hood of the car. “I need a gun.”

“That is exactly what I’m talking about.” The sheriff turned the key in the ignition as

Maverick brought him a gun and an extra clip. “Good luck, man.” He stepped back.

“Thanks.” Colt slid onto the seat and clicked his seatbelt into place. “Drive like it’s your wife we’re after.”

The sheriff narrowed his eyes. “Look, I want to get Parker back safe as much as you do.Now sit there and let me do my job. And don’t do anything stupid.”

~

As soon as they were out of sight of the ranch, Mark turned onto a side road and pulled the van over into a break in the woods. He ordered Parker into the back of the van where he handcuffed her to a bar attached to the wall. Then, he got back into the driver’s seat and sped down the mountain at a speed that kept Parker’s heart pounding.

She scanned the back of the van for a weapon or anything that would help her get free. A tire iron lay against the far wall out of reach. A couple of boxes slid when the van careened around a corner.

A cry escaped her as she slammed against the wall on a hairpin curve. “Slow down. You won’t get any money if I’m dead.”

“Shut up. I need to concentrate.”

“Where are we going?”

“I said. Shut. Up.”

Tires squealed as they rounded another corner.

Parker tried to sit, but the pain in her wrist from the handcuff made it impossible. Another curve and another slam to the wall. This time she landed on her elbow, which knocked the breath from her lungs.

Had Colt received medical attention? How did Mark get on the ranch? Questions tumbled through her mind aching to be released.

“Thank you for not shooting any of the children.” Maybe she could appeal to the human side of Mark. Help him see reason. Get him to let her go after she gave him the money. It was only money. All she wanted was a life with Colt. She couldn’t have that if she were dead.

“Wish I’d killed the cowboy.” He set his gun on the passenger seat.

Rage boiled through her, and she aimed a kick at the back of the driver’s seat, but her legs weren’t long enough.

“You should be glad you didn’t add another murder to the list.” She tried to stretch her leg to reach the crowbar.

“What’s one more dead body? If I get caught, which I won’t, one more won’t increase my prison time much.”

They exited off the mountain and sped down Main Street before rocketing onto the interstate.

“Are we really going all the way to Mexico?”

“Yep. Best place I know to hide and live the easy life on a hundred grand. I’ll find a place to hole up long enough for you to get me my money, then on we go.”

“That’s going to be difficult. I left my phone at the ranch.”

He glared through the rearview mirror. “You have to be the dumbest woman I’ve ever met.”

Or the smartest. She ducked her head and grinned. Now, he’d have to either find her another phone or stop at a bank. Both would take time which would allow Colt to get closer. She had no doubt he’d be coming for her, gunshot or not.

Mark cursed and pounded the steering wheel, muttering about needing a new plan.

Good. Parker would do her best to foil any plan he came up with.

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