Page 40 of Valor

* * *

Emily was giddywith relief when she entered the forest ranger station. This was going to work! She and Owen would be safe here.

A large woman sat at the front desk, eyeing her curiously. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I need to borrow your phone.” Emily offered a smile. “I lost mine, and it’s important that I contact my brother.”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t allow tourists to use our phones.” The woman frowned, looking at her with disdain. “I’m sure if you head back to one of the local restaurants, someone there can help you.”

“No, I can’t do that.” Emily’s nerves were starting to fray. She shifted Bear in her arms and slapped one hand on the counter. “We’re in danger and have been running from gunmen for the past thirty-six hours. So don’t tell me to go somewhere else. I plan to use this phone right here to call my brother so that we can be safe until he can pick us up.”

“Danger from gunmen?” The woman scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Come on, you really expect me to believe you’re on the run from guys with guns? For Pete’s sake, you’re standing there holding a puppy!”

“Yes, I do expect you to believe me.” Emily couldn’t control a flash of temper. “I have a puppy because we were forced to rescue him after his owners were brutally shot and killed. Do you have any idea what it’s like to see dead people up close? It’s not pleasant.” She stepped closer to the counter, narrowing her gaze. “I’m not exaggerating the seriousness of our situation. I came here for help. I need to use your phone.”

“What’s going on?” a male voice asked. A tall, lean man wearing a red western-style shirt with the name tag Campbell over his left breast pocket emerged from an office somewhere behind the woman. His weathered features indicated he spent the bulk of his time outdoors, and his salt-and-pepper hair made her think he was in his early fifties. He propped his hands on his hips and frowned. “What’s this about danger?”

Emily did her best to dial back her temper. “Ranger Campbell? My name is Emily Sanders, and this is Owen”—she belatedly remembered that she had no idea what Owen’s last name was—“uh, my friend. My brother is Doug Bridges. He’s a DEA agent covering the state of Wyoming. I really need to call him as soon as possible.”

“And you’re really in danger?” Ranger Campbell pressed.

“Yes, I’m not lying to you. The danger is real.” An idea popped into her mind. “If you don’t want to let me borrow your phone, you should make the call. My brother will confirm my story about the danger we’re in. And as a fellow peace officer, I’m sure he’ll appreciate your full cooperation.”

Ranger Campbell glanced from her to Owen, then back. He stepped forward and reached for the phone receiver. “Okay. What’s the number?”

Relieved, she rattled it off. She knew Doug would answer because she’d called from a variety of phones over the past few hours. Angela’s number, Pastor Luke’s number, and now the ranger station.

Still, it seemed like an eternity before Ranger Campbell said, “This is Ranger Campbell calling from our station in Sheridan. I have an Emily Sanders here who claims she’s been in danger and needs to talk to you.” Another long pause as the ranger listened to whatever Doug was saying. Then he nodded. “Yes, I understand, thanks for explaining that. She’s right here. Hang on.” He stretched the phone receiver past the large woman who didn’t look happy that her opinion had been overridden.

“Thanks.” She brought the receiver up to her ear. “Doug? How quickly can you get to Sheridan?”

“Are you okay?” Doug demanded. “You’re killing me, Em. I went nuts when you weren’t at the church. Especially after I heard how Owen shot a man in the lobby! What in the world happened?”

“We’re both fine,” she said, putting emphasis on the plural. “Owen shot him in self-defense, just like the others.”

“Others?” Doug shouted. “How many others?”

She didn’t want to admit she’d lost count. “Doug, please. I need you to remain calm. How soon can you get to Sheridan?”

“I can be there in twenty,” Doug said, his tone curt. He sounded angry and frustrated, and she couldn’t blame him. She felt bad about the wild-goose chase he’d been on since her very first call. He sighed. “Twenty or less, okay?”

“Sounds good to me.”

There were muted voices in the background, then a car door slammed, and the car engine roared to life. Easy to imagine Doug getting into his SUV. “You need to be waiting for me there at the ranger station, Em. I mean it. No more chasing from one city to the next.”

“I promise we’ll be here. Thanks, Doug.” She quickly handed the phone back to Ranger Campbell. “I appreciate your help more than you know.”

“You can both come back here to wait,” Campbell offered.

She glanced over at Owen, who stood as still as a statue, his face expressionless. She sensed he wanted desperately to leave, but he didn’t.

“I need to take the puppy out first.” She smiled. “I don’t want to risk him making a mess. He’s been good so far, though.”

“Don’t take too long,” Campbell said. “If even half of what your brother said is true, you’re in grave danger.”

She wished she knew exactly what Doug had told him. “I know, trust me, I’m ready for this to be over. We’ll only be a few minutes.” She turned and walked to Owen. “Come outside with me?”

He didn’t say anything but held the door open for her. Together, they walked into the bright sunlight. She caught Owen’s hand, tugging him toward a corner of the parking lot where Bear could do his business.

---