Page 18 of Valor

He winced, knowing he deserved the verbal jab. “Kidnapping you wasn’t my idea, but I did go along with the plan. I knew I couldn’t go to the hospital as the staff would have called the police to report the gunshot wound.”

“I’m well aware of the rules, but you had a cop on your payroll.” She turned in her seat to face him. “I always wondered why you didn’t just take the chance and make sure the right cop came to take the report?”

“Because the right cop wasn’t on duty and wouldn’t have come alone. Cody isn’t that big, and if a formal report of a gunshot wound was made, the entire police force would have been on me.” He couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. “I’m sorry you were taken against your will. That was a lousy thing to do.”

“Yeah, it was. Although I’m glad you only needed my nursing expertise.” She glanced back down at Bear. “I wonder if the Sullivan K9 ranch can help me train Bear to be a search and rescue dog.”

“I’m sure they can. From what I hear, the Sullivans are the experts in that realm.” There was no reason for him to be sad about Emily making plans for her future. One that didn’t include him. That was exactly what he wanted for her.

Right?

Right.

He steeled his resolve to get her to safety as he navigated the winding highway. The sooner he dropped her someplace where her brother could pick her up, the better. He kept an eye out for signs indicating other towns they may be approaching. There was one for a ski hill that obviously wouldn’t be in use this time of the year.

Sure enough, he didn’t see a single car as they drove past.

“I think I’d like to learn how to search for lost or missing people.” Emily’s tone was wistful. “I love being a nurse, but it would be nice to do something more fulfilling.”

More fulfilling than caring for sick people? He couldn’t imagine a more rewarding career. And wasn’t that the biggest difference between them?

He’d joined the drug trade to find the man who’d killed his brother, while she’d chosen to dedicate her life to helping others. His purpose was fueled by revenge, hers by kindness and compassion.

He struggled not to show the depth of his emotions. Going soft wouldn’t help. He needed to stay on edge long enough to make sure Emily would be safe. “You can do anything you put your mind to.”

“So can you, Owen.” Her comment struck his heart like an arrow. “You don’t have to keep running. You can work with my brother to put the real bad guys behind bars.”

“I don’t even know who they are.” His voice was harsher than he’d intended. “So no, Emily. That’s not an option for me.”

“Finding the bad guys is Doug’s area of expertise,” she insisted, undaunted by his comment. When he sighed, she threw up her hands. “Okay, fine. Just promise me one thing, Owen.”

He tensed, sensing this would not be an easy request. “What?”

“Just think about it.” Her voice softened. “Take the time to consider what you could accomplish if you weren’t working on the wrong side of the law and running from danger.”

He wanted to nod in agreement but managed to hold back. “There are things you don’t know. Things I haven’t told you. What you’re suggesting is not as easy as it sounds.”

She was quiet for a long moment. “I never said it would be easy, Owen. I know nothing about your past, how you got mixed up in all of this in the first place. The point is, you’ve been given a second chance. God spared your life for a reason. You have to think about what’s more important. Your past or your future?”

Her words hit hard. And once again, he found himself wishing he had a future. One that didn’t involve spending the next ten to twenty years in jail. Longer, if he was pinned with a first degree murder rap. Life without the possibility of parole?

No way. It was too late for him. He’d chosen this path. He would see it through to the end.

The only deviation would be to ensure Emily did not go down with him.

* * *

When Owen’sexpression went from pensive to hardened resolve, Emily knew she was talking to a brick wall. Why she kept beating her head against it was beyond her.

Kissing him certainly hadn’t helped. What had she been thinking? Yet even if she could go back for a do-over, she’d probably still do the same thing. In her heart, she’d thought a kiss might change his mind.

Instead, it seemed to have cemented his determination to stay on his current path.

And when this was over, all she’d have was the memory of their hot, toe-curling kiss.

At least now she understood why she wasn’t attracted to other men. Not one of the guys she’d dated in the past few months had made her feel the way Owen had with one kiss.

Her warped mind apparently wanted something she couldn’t have.

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