Page 40 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

And foolheartedly as it might have been, she had a sense that he felt the same. Her heart wanted to argue that he hadn’t had relationships with other people all these years because he still held space in his heart for her.

Even if it was true, Archer would never forgive her.

Would he?

Annalee saw a flash of yellow come from around the back of the barn. Yellow was Becca’s favorite color. She wore it most of the time, saying it reminded her sunnier days were ahead.

Had her mother escaped?

Annalee intended to find out.

15

The temptation to step aside and charge the door was almost too much to restrain. Archer reminded himself that his action might put his brother and Becca in more danger. If the suspect decided to hold hostages to negotiate a getaway, more damage could be done.

At least Annalee was safe. He was still pondering the message from her mother. Had Becca seen them? Other questions joined that he would process later, like, how did she still have the cell? Or was she putting her life in even more danger by trying to protect Annalee?

“On my count, we head to the door,” Travis said. “Stay behind me.”

“No.”

“I have a vest,” Travis said. “You don’t. Stay behind me or risk taking a bullet.”

When the sheriff put it like that, Archer decided he would listen. When the time was right, he would take a calculated risk, but he couldn’t help Owen or Becca if he got shot before entering the barn.

“Okay.”

“One. Two. Three.”

With that, they were on the move. Travis walked at a brisk pace, weapon in front, leading the way. Archer followed suit, his weapon aimed at the door opening. He held the weapon in front of Travis by positioning himself just to his left and extending his arms.

With the barrels of two guns aimed directly at the door, they inched forward. Moving away from the tree trunk exposed them. Travis might be wearing a vest but it wouldn’t matter with armor-piercing bullets. Archer had no idea what they were facing and had no law enforcement experience. In fact, he had done his level best not to interact with the law at all before gaining a sheriff for a brother-in-law.

At the door, Travis shouted, “My deputy and I are coming inside. Put your hands up. Now!”

The demand was met with more silence.

He had no idea what they were about to walk into, but assumed the worst. The only scenario that he couldn’t consider was that he was too late. They were so close to the building that Archer could reach out and touch it if he wanted to.

Travis stepped aside and motioned for Archer to follow suit. He did.

The sheriff opened the door, staying to one side. The wooden barn wouldn’t offer a ton of protection if a shot was fired. Better some than none.

Before Travis could make his move, Hudson stood on the edge of the trees waving his hands in the air to get their attention.

“Keep an eye on your brother, okay?”

“Will do,” Archer said, wondering what the hell was up with Hudson.

Once again, Travis shouted into the door, identifying himself and demanding anyone inside come out with their hands up.

No response came.

A grunt sounded from inside. Owen?

Archer started to move but was stopped by Travis’s arm. The lawman was shaking his head vigorously.

It took everything inside Archer to stand still.

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