Page 39 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

“Please,” he begged. She didn’t dare look into those eyes for fear her resolve would melt, and all those feelings would come charging back. “I have to get Owen.”

He was right. Whether her mother was on her way to safety or not didn’t mean Owen was. No way would she step in between Archer and that barn if Owen was still inside.

“Go,” she said before stepping behind the largest trunk she could find.

Archer hesitated.

“We’ll take care of her,” Hudson promised his brother. This was the closest she’d come to having a family look out for her. Walking away was going to be hell. The only way she would be able to do it without making a fool out of herself would be to rip the Band-Aid off once this was over.

She would give her statement, grab her mother, and get the hell back to Austin. Becca could stay with Annalee while her mother got back on her feet. Annalee wouldn’t mind having company after this ordeal.

Archer was staring at her. She didn’t need to look directly at him to know. She could feel his gaze on her, always could. The man had a physical presence that could fill an entire room by just entering it.

As she kept her gaze fixed on the ground, he must have given up after a few quiet moments that seemed to stretch on for minutes. A chill swept over her the second he stepped away.

At least she could look up now.

Panic gripped her. First off, her mother’s warning—and it had to be from her—freaked her out. Should she stay rooted to the spot? Or should they all move and get out of sight? How had her mother secured the phone?

Annalee swept the area, searching for a sign her mother was out there and on the move. Would she come to Annalee? Could she?

Run.Becca’s message had been clear.

Beau moved beside Annalee, positioning himself behind a tree.

“I don’t see her,” she whispered as Travis led the way to the barn door. Was her mother peeking at Annalee from in between a crack? And why tell her to run? Was the suspect onto them? Had he caught sight of them in the woods? Gone back to talk to his partner? Had Annalee’s mother managed to grab the cell when no one was looking? Did that mean she wasn’t bound and gagged like Owen in the picture?

More questions assaulted her. Had her mother gained the bastard’s trust? Was she free to walk around?

Why wouldn’t she untie Owen and set him free if that was the case?

The answer came quickly. Becca must not have been able to. Her mother had gotten involved with creeps and lowlifes, but she wouldn’t sit back and watch one of those bastards harm an innocent person, would she?Maybe. If her life depended on it. Or if Annalee’s life depended on it.Would the bastards have threatened to harm Annalee if Becca made a wrong move?

The woman clearly wanted to protect her daughter. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have risked everything by sending the text. Annalee could only hope her mother hadn’t put herself in worse danger out of a sense of misguided protectiveness. Annalee had all the protection she needed to stay safe. Who did her mother have?

The answer came quickly.Me.

Panic gripped her as she watched Travis and Archer zigzag their way toward the barn door. In theory, a few more feet and they’d be knocking at the door. In practice, Travis would be with the property owners who gave consent to enter. He had a flashlight along with his weapon, both out in front of him. He was ready to shoot.

Travis positioned himself behind a massive oak that stood a few feet from the barn, thinking better of barging in. Archer was right behind the sheriff.

“This is the sheriff. Come outside with your hands where I can see them.” Travis’s demand came in the form of an authoritative voice.

Would it work?

“I repeat, I’m an officer of the law, and I’m commanding you to come outside with hands high, where I can see them at all times.” The second barked order netted the same result as the first.

Annalee had to suppress the urge to respond to her mother’s text. Would it make a sound? Give Becca away? She wished like anything she could call and hear her mother’s voice again. Be reassured that everything was going to be okay. Calm the rising panic—panic that caused bile to burn the back of her throat—and go back to their lives.

The last part sounded more like punishment after being with Archer. He’d been clear. He didn’t want to be anywhere near her. Did he finally blame her for this mess? She wouldn’t blame him if he couldn’t get over the past.

The voice of reason kicked in, asking how many more times did he have to reassure her that none of this was her fault before she would believe him?

If she believed that, she might end up believing life ended like fairy tales with happily ever afters. She’d learned at a young age not to believe in any of that nonsense. Life was hard. It kicked. It punched. It made her want to scream.

Except when she was with Archer.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, he had a way of calming her in ways she hadn’t known she needed. Annalee had believed she was complete without a relationship. She’d never bought into the BS that she needed another person to feel whole. However, being with Archer was something else, something better. It was like puzzle pieces that fit together to form this beautiful new picture. He made her want to rise up to be her best self.

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