Page 15 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

Nothing.

It was too soon to exhale.Too soon to believe she’d imagined the silhouette of a man almost gliding past the door.

A hard metal piece landed on top of her foot with a thud.Evie bit back the urge to yelp.The surprise, as well as the shot of pain, nearly caused her to cry out, giving away her location.Not the move, Ashworth.

She crouched down to pick up the clip, ignoring the pain, and then tried for a second time to secure the magazine.

A click sounded this time.She hadn’t heard that before.That had to be good.Right?

She held the weapon in the air to test the theory that she’d nailed it this time.The clip didn’t fall out, which she decided was a huge success.

One problem down.One to go.The intruder.

The sudden wailing sound from the bedroom had her bolting toward the kids’ room instead.

6

Owen crouched low and listened.Crickets chirped.There was a slight breeze.Evie had seen the shadow of a man pass the window.There was no sign of the intruder yet.

Turning on his phone’s flashlight wasn’t an option unless Owen wanted to be caught off guard for the second time in a matter of a few weeks.Being jumped when he hadn’t been ready had landed him in a barn, hands and feet bound.He’d been mistaken for his twin brother, Archer, who was meant to be used as bait to bring Analee Copeland, a woman from Archer’s past, out of hiding.Analee had evidence that could lock a criminal away for the rest of his life.A stress knot formed in Owen’s chest just thinking about the events.

So, no, he wouldn’t risk a repeat.Besides, the element of surprise was on his side this time.

Had the intruder realized Owen was there?Had the man been spooked?

Owen’s vehicle sat parked next to Evie’s.His presence shouldn’t be a shock to the person.Was the intruder scoping the place out?Checking out Owen?The knot tightened.Was he trying to size Owen up?Or wait until he left to strike?

Three lightning bolts shot in different directions across the sky, lighting up ominous rolling gray clouds.A storm was brewing.

He dropped his gaze to the ground to check for those size eleven tracks.If the clouds were any indication of how bad the storm would get, and they always were the best predictors, this one was going to be a doozy.

On the corner of the house between the side and front yards, there were no tracks.At least he knew what to look for.

After circling the home twice and ensuring both vehicles were locked, Owen figured the shadow was gone.He made his way around the perimeter of the yard area as well, finding nothing.

Making his way back toward the farmhouse, he checked for those shoe tracks.Underneath the kitchen window, he saw them.It was time to call his brother-in-law, Travis, the acting sheriff, and get his take on the situation.

Out here, he heard the wails coming from inside.The kids were awake.Would Evie hear him knock?

He moved outside the kids’ bedroom window and tapped out the secret knock on the pane.

A few seconds later, Evie opened the blinds enough to acknowledge him.The helpless look on her face struck a chord.Evie had always known what she wanted.She’d been strong enough to go after it.Holding a crying child, unable to soothe the babe, cut him to the quick.

He met her at the front door.She twisted the lock, and then the door opened.Aware that the intruder could be out there watching from a distance, no matter how careful Owen had been, he slipped inside and immediately locked the door behind him.

The storm kicked up a few notches as thunder rolled, the noise so loud, it covered the sound of a crying kiddo.At least the electricity was on.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said, desperation in her gaze.

He had no idea how to handle a crying kid.“Do you want me to try?”

An exasperated Evie nodded.“Can you hold her while I make a bottle?”

“I’ll do my best.”The exchange was awkward.The red-faced little girl reached for her aunt as she practically vibrated while belting out another cry.“Change of plans.Tell me what to do to make a bottle.”He couldn’t hand the kiddo over fast enough.

The little girl buried her face in Evie’s shoulder, muffling some of the sounds.The boy stayed in his room and had quieted down.

“All you need to do is grab a bottle from the rack and fill it with warm milk.”She motioned toward the drying rack as she patted Olivia’s back.The child’s cries softened to a whimper with the occasional hiccup.Some of the tension in Evie’s face eased, muscles relaxed.

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