Page 33 of Valor

She belatedly understood his intent was to stay pressed along the church while taking a long look at the car that had been behind them on the highway. The speed limit was low enough that he should be able to get a good look at the driver. She was tempted to get out to stand beside him, as she’d probably recognize her brother faster than he would.

But Owen clearly intended for her to stay in the truck. When she spied the key he’d left in the ignition, she unlatched her seatbelt. She lifted Bear and set him on the passenger seat beside her, then levered herself up and over the center console. She had to move the seat forward to accommodate her shorter frame. Once she was set, she gripped the steering wheel tightly and waited.

The seconds ticked by slowly. Had the car already gone past? Or had Owen decided to take off on foot? He’d stolen this truck; she had no doubt he would steal another.

And if he did that, would she ever see him again?

Apprehension had her pulse surging into the triple digits. She took several deep breaths, trying to remain calm. But when two full minutes passed, she couldn’t help but think something was wrong. Surely it wouldn’t take that long for the vehicle behind them to swing past their location.

Suddenly Owen was sprinting toward the truck, scowling when he noticed she’d gotten behind the wheel. Rather than jumping into the passenger seat, he yanked the driver’s side door open. “Get out.”

She frowned without moving. “Did you see who was driving the car?”

“I couldn’t get a good look at the man, but he fit the general description of your brother.” He grasped her arm and tugged. “I’m not kidding, Emily. I really need you to get out of the truck.”

“I think we should stick togeth?—”

“No!” He shouted so loudly that he startled Bear, who scrambled to his feet and stared at them, watching with dark eyes as if trying to figure out if something was wrong.

Without warning, Owen yanked her from the driver’s seat. She was so surprised he’d physically grabbed her that she didn’t resist, stumbling a bit as he forced her out and away. Then he leaned into the truck, picked up Bear, and shoved the dog into her arms. Lastly, he removed the bag of dog food and the bowl, dropping both items at her feet. “Take Bear’s things and go inside the church. Borrow their phone to call your brother and stay there until he comes for you. Understand?”

Her mouth dropped open at his no-nonsense directive. “You’re leaving me here?”

“Yep. The church will provide the cover you need until your brother gets here.” With that, Owen slid in behind the wheel and slammed the car door shut. She reached out to grasp the door handle to stop him, but it was too late. He already had the truck in motion, backing out of the parking space so fast she had to jump back to avoid being hit.

Holding Bear close, she stared in shock as Owen drove away without looking back.

CHAPTERNINE

There wasno reason for him to feel guilty for leaving Emily and little Bear behind. Owen couldn’t imagine a safer place for Emily to wait for her brother than at the church. Especially since Doug was already on his way to Ranchester, thanks to her contacting him via Angela’s phone.

So why was driving away so difficult?

Because he’d allowed Emily to get too close. To get in his head.

No, actually, it was his heart that she’d taken. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d feel this way for a woman like Emily. She was beautiful on the outside, sure, but more so on the inside. Her sweet caring was something he hadn’t experienced in a really long time.

Doug was right, though; Owen wasn’t good enough for her. He’d been involved in a criminal enterprise and had killed two men. Even if there was some miraculous way to avoid being arrested, that didn’t mean he had a future to offer her.

Going their separate ways was for the best, regardless of how much it hurt to know he’d never see her again.

With resolute determination, he drove through town toward the interstate. He frowned when he noticed a black SUV coming toward him. It looked exactly like the vehicle that had passed the church earlier. The one in which he couldn’t get a good enough look at the driver to distinguish between friend or foe.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as the two cars passed each other. This time, Owen could see the driver’s face.

The man behind the wheel was not Doug Bridges.

When the guy glanced over at him, Owen quickly averted his gaze. He tensed, half expecting the SUV to brake and turn around to come after him, but it didn’t.

He tried to relax. Maybe it wasn’t the same SUV he’d seen earlier. Using the rearview mirror, he tracked the path of the car. It continued heading straight across town.

Toward the church?

No, the guy could be anyone. An average citizen coming into town to get a bite to eat. Not the gunman. Anyone!

Swallowing a curse, he knew he couldn’t just leave. Not without making sure Emily was safe. He knew he was probably overreacting, but that didn’t stop him from hitting the brake to turn around. All he needed to do was to make sure the black SUV wasn’t at the church. Then he could head back to the interstate.

Owen’s heart thumped in his chest when he lost sight of the SUV. But then he saw the flash of brake lights. The driver was slowing down!

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