Jonah gathered his strength to help his brother, despite the throbbing in his nose. Together they could pin him down.
Patsy.
Was she alive? Or was he too late?
Let Patsy live, Lord. Please.
Maybe he moved too slowly.
Maybe the broken nose had dulled his instincts. Before he could focus enough to see the man on the ground, Sampson shouted.
Metal flashed in the dim light, and Sampson fell back, twisting onto his side, away from the man.
Jonah honed his focus on this vile man who seemed to have more lives than a cat.
The cad brandished a knife, fisting it high, its bloody blade aimed at Jonah. “Don’t move or you’ll be the next to die.”
Next?
Who was dead? Sampson? Patsy?
“I’m a perfect aim with this blade,” the enemy said, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.
Jonah pushed his fears aside. He had to be smart about this next move—it might be his last. It had to be the one that stopped this murderer forever.
This guy was familiar. The last time Jonah saw him, they’d fought in the dark. Except that time, the scoundrel had skulked away into the forest.
Douglas.
Jonah should have killed him then.
Surely Sampson hadn’t been working with him?
Didn’t matter. Right now, he had to get themall out of this.
Sampson lay curled on his side, cradling his arm, blood soaking his hand. Which mean he was alive.
Did that mean Patsy was dead?
He couldn’t see her, nor could he hear her breathing.
God, please…
If only he’d spent more time with the Almighty. Then this wouldn’t be simply the desperate plea of a man who had nowhere else to turn. God would be accustomed to hearing from him. Maybe He’d be more willing to hear and help.
Please, Lord. Don’t hold my sins against her. Save her so she has a chance to turn to You. I’ll do a better job of telling her about You.
Patsy had seemed to know so little about God. Jonah might be the one God had brought into her path to bring her to faith, and he’d only had the nerve to speak of Him one time.
I’m sorry, God. Please. Give me another chance with her.
The man shifted, drawing Jonah’s focus back to the present.
Jonah needed a weapon. His rifle probably lay somewhere near the spot where he’d knocked the man off Patsy. Could he reach it? He didn’t dare turn and look. He couldn't risk provoking the man, not with Sampson bleeding out and Patsy…
Don’t think about that.She was in God’s hands now.Please, Lord.
The killer’s malicious eyes darted between Jonah and Sampson. "Looks like your brother ain't doin' so well." His mouth curled into a cruel grin. "That means you’re next. I shoulda killed you before.” The man shifted to his feet though stayed in a crouched position. "I’ll get it done now.”
