Page 3 of Rescue in Misty Mountain

“We needed the fresh air.”

The man scoffs. “In the rain?”

“Yep.”

“Without an umbrella?”

“The water is refreshing.”

His dark brow knits together even more. “That wasn’t your car back there? The one with the cat carrier and two-months worth of cat food in it?”

Well… shit. I keep my mouth shut. Silence seems to be my best and only defense.

He takes a step closer.

Don’t look at his mouth. Don’t look at his mouth.

“You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

My heart thunders in my chest and ears. It takes all my willpower to keep my breath steady. I have to keep myself in control in case I need to take off racing.

Or, try to stab him in the eyes with my car key fob and credit card.

“You and the cat can come with me.”

My eyes widen. “That’s okay. I think we’ll just head back to town.”

“You’re not from town.”

“How do you know?”

“I saw your car’s license plate. It would be all over the rumor mill if a woman and cat from Illinois had just moved in town.”

“We’re not moving here.” I lift my chin. “We’re on my way to Las Vegas to stay with my friend. Who is engaged to an FBI agent.”

Okay, engaged is a strong word. And her boyfriend isn’t actually an agent. Still, my would-be murderer doesn’t need to know I’m as unprotected as he assumes I am.

One of his eye eyebrows shoots up. “Good for her. Are you coming or what?”

I scoff. “Not likely.”

“Why not?”

“The first rule of not being murdered: Never let them take you to a second location.”

“You think I’m going to murder you?”

I tear my stare away from his chest, where the rain has molded the flannel to his muscles as if he’s carved from marble. “Well… yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because…. well…” I gesture around us. “This does seem like the ideal setting for a murder.”

“A wildlife reserve?”

“Exactly. I…” I trail off and cock my head to the side. “We’re on a wildlife reserve.”

“Yep. Just outside of Misty Mountain.”

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