Page 10 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

From behind, she heard a heavy snort. No way could she risk turning around to see what had made the noise. Was it an animal? A human? Hell, if she knew. What little distance separated her from the predator chasing her would evaporate if she glanced back. Based on the sounds coming from behind, the predator was closing in.

Could she get to her vehicle before being caught?

Lights ahead said she was getting close. She most likely never would have found her way back without them, which meant she couldn’t have been gone long. Didn’t they automatically shut off at some point?

The random thought was joined by others, like who was really after her and how in the hell was she going to get out of this alive?

Racing toward the headlights, her heart battered the inside of her ribcage. The pinch in her side was back, along with the fear she would always be running from something or someone. When would it end?

Annalee’s toe caught in scrub brush, causing her to face-plant. Her head landed dangerously close to a tree trunk. Hopping to her feet, there was no time to survey the damage, no matter how much her arm shrieked in pain. She’d been jabbed by something. She could figure it out later.

Arms pumping, she realized she’d left the backpack behind while in her current panicked state. With a curse, she resolved to go back and get it once she was out of danger from the predator chasing her.

The heavy snorts suddenly stopped. Did that mean her pursuer had fallen? Given up? It would be too lucky and too easy if the latter was true.

The lights were close, and she hadn’t been snatched yet despite the fear a meaty hand would grab her and jerk her backward. It was too soon to hope she could somehow get out of these woods without serious injury and still alive. Two thoughts plagued her at the thought of dying. The first was of her mother. What would happen to Becca if Annalee couldn’t deliver on her promise to keep the evidence safe until her mother could figure out a plan? The second was of Archer. A piece of her heart crumbled at the thought of never seeing him again, never being able to rectify the past and tell him how sorry she was for being such a jerk. Would he believe her if she confessed that lying to him had been the only way she could walk away from him?

The man had most likely moved on a long time ago. He probably barely remembered her name at this point.

Gasping for air in her lungs, Annalee used her frustration and anger to fuel her. It gave her the strength to push a little harder and run a little faster.

Until a male figure stepped out of nowhere, blocking her path to the vehicle.

Running smack into him, she hit a solid walled chest and bounced back a step. Strong, familiar arms wrapped around her, keeping her from falling flat on her backside.

“Annalee?” Archer’s deep timbre was as smooth as whiskey over ice, and it caused the skin on her arms to rise in goosebumps.

But she couldn’t focus on the reaction her body was having to this man right now. “We have to get out of here, Archer. It’s not safe.”

“We aren’t going anywhere until you tell me what the hell’s going on,” came the response. His tone said there was no room for argument.

“My life is in danger,” she said, hating that she was practically pleading as she risked a glance behind her. Had he scared off the predator? Or was it regrouping? “And so is yours as long as we’re together.” She blinked at him. “Let me go so I can get out of here. I’m trouble for you, Archer.” She left out,and I always have been.

Archer’s gaze scanned the area behind her. Considering the man’s height, it was easy to look over her head. “I don’t see any threat, so why don’t you come with me, and you can explain why you’re in Saddle Junction.” He was leaving something out. Something he wanted to say to her. She’d always been able to read him when they stood toe-to-toe.

The reason dawned on her.

“Tell me you know where Owen is,” she said.

“That’s the problem.” Archer released his grip on her arms. “My twin has disappeared, and I have a feeling this is somehow connected to you, considering I highly doubt you came back to town to pay respects to Harrison Guidry or Beaumont.”

She gave a small headshake to confirm his theory and considered her options.

Whatever had been chasing her seemed to think better of showing itself now that she was with Archer. The termsafety in numbersmight apply, and she could exhale the breath she’d been holding now. Plus, she clearly didn’t have the evidence on her.

Annalee needed to take Archer up on his offer. Would he lower his guard? Could she ditch him and circle back to the woods?

Right now, he might be the only thing keeping her alive.

“We can’t stay here,” she said. “Where do you want to go?”

5

Archer ignored the electrical current running through his body, seeking an outlet as he held Annalee upright. “We can go to the cabin. You already have the keys.”

“Sorry about that,” she said, those blue eyes looking right into his soul. “It was the only way to make sure you couldn’t follow me.”

“Your antics caused a dustup with my siblings.” His suspicions were confirmed. Annalee was, in fact, back in town, and she’d taken his keys so he couldn’t go after her.

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