Page 29 of Valor

“Or you give up searching for Hernandez and let me call Doug to bring us both in safely.”

He scowled. “I told you to drop it.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t do that, Owen.” She wanted to grab him by the shoulder to shake some common sense into him. “I care about you. And I don’t want you to be hurt.”

He shook his head. “You can’t stop me, Emily.”

Angela took that moment to return with their breakfast. It seemed awfully fast, but they were the only customers in the place.

“I’d like to say grace.” She knew Owen wouldn’t necessarily appreciate it, but she bowed her head. “Dear Lord Jesus, please guide us on Your chosen path. Please show Owen the way to God’s love and to accepting Jesus. Please bless this food we are about to eat. Amen.”

He didn’t echo the sentiment but was quiet for so long she had to wonder if the prayer had found a way through the towering walls surrounding his heart. Then he dug into his meal with gusto.

She picked at her eggs but forced herself to eat.

When they finished, Owen sat back. “How’s Bear?”

“Good.” She glanced around for Angela. “Don’t give us away. He’s been quiet enough that she hasn’t noticed him.” After a pause, she added, “Owen, will you please reconsider your plan? I wish you would trust me when I say Doug will treat you fairly.”

“No. Excuse me.” He abruptly stood and headed toward the restrooms. He passed Angela who was coming over to refill their coffee cups with their bill in hand.

“More coffee?” Angela held up the pot.

“Yes, but I need a favor. Can I borrow your phone?” She darted a glance over her shoulder. Owen wouldn’t be in the restroom for long. “Please, it’s important.”

Angela frowned. “Are you in trouble, hun? Is that man gonna hurt you or something?”

“No, he won’t hurt me, he’s saved my life several times. But I still need to borrow your phone.” If Angela kept dawdling, then she’d never get a call through to Doug in time. “I’m begging you.”

“Yeah, sure, hun. That’s fine.” Angela drew the phone from her pocket, placed it in front of her face, then handed it over. “You take as long as you need.”

She quickly entered Doug’s number. He answered on the second ring. “Bridges. Who is this?”

“Emily. We’re in Dayton, Wyoming. A gunman found us at the Elk Horn Lodge.” She spoke fast without giving Doug time to say anything. “We’re in a gray truck with altered plates. This is someone else’s phone. I’m sorry I have to go.”

“Em, wait...”

She pushed the red “end call” button, then quickly turned Angela’s phone off and handed it back. “Don’t say anything,” she pleaded.

“I won’t.” Angela slipped her phone away just as Emily heard the bathroom door open and close. She stroked Bear’s fur, hoping and praying she could keep Owen in Dayton long enough for Doug to find them.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Owen noticedAngela standing beside the table with a concerned look on her face, and for a moment, he worried Emily had confided in the woman. Telling Angela that she was being kidnapped and held against her will. Then he pushed the doubt aside.

Emily was the only person he could trust. She understood he was only trying to keep her safe. When Emily mentioned how she cared about him, his foolish heart had done a little flip in his chest. A sense of keen longing hit hard. If things were different...

But they weren’t. He couldn’t change who he was. Or the things he’d done. Owen steeled his resolve to be noble enough to let her go.

Sooner rather than later.

He eyed the bill and pulled cash from his pocket. “Ready?”

“Uh, yes of course.” Emily slid out of the booth and pushed the puppy into his arms. Angela’s eyes rounded in surprise when she saw the dog. “Hold Bear for me. I need to use the restroom. Then we’ll need to find a quiet place to feed Bear.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she brushed past him and headed to the restrooms.

“You’re really not supposed to have dogs in here.” Angela glanced nervously around. “You’d better take him outside.”

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