Page 2 of Seeking Shelter

I need to get the hell out of here before they get any closer. Marty is to my left and through the trees. Too much open space between here and there means too much risk. Behind me, more boulders, and not a direct route out of the canyon, but it’s probably the safest. The ranch maintains a line shack up there that I can use if necessary. I’ll make my way through the boulders, then cut through the trees to Marty.

Before I can move, two more shots in rapid succession have me ducking again, a fragment of rock nicking my cheek. He’s trying to keep me pinned down. I try to hear past my heart thundering in my ears. I’ll fire off a couple rounds to hold them back and give myself a chance to escape.

Resting the barrel of my rifle in the groove of a boulder, I find the red parka through the scope, adjust my aim, hold my breath, and squeeze the trigger. The rifle kicks hard into my shoulder as I breathe again.

I give a mental fist pump at Parka guy’s yelp, his rifle shattered in his hand.

I widen my field of vision and have another oh shit moment.

I’ve lost track of Camo guy.

Hastily, I reload, then whip my head around, looking for him, fighting my rising panic.

I screwed up. I should have gotten out while I could.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

I catch movement. There he is. Camo guy’s crossing the creek. He’s heading for the trap. Or, if he keeps going, to me. And he’s got a pistol in his hand.

No telling if Parka guy has a backup weapon.

I need to move. Now. And hope the gunfire hasn’t scared Marty into hightailing it back to the ranch.

A bare whisper of sound comes from behind me. Before I can look back, a hand clamps over my mouth, the other over the hand holding my rifle, and I’m pulled against a hard body.

I hadn’t considered there could be three of them.

CHAPTER TWO

Jonah

An elbow rams into my gut and I grunt. Angel shoves me hard, and I stagger back but keep my footing, wrenching the rifle from her grip. I barely dodge the booted foot to my shin, then suck in a breath when she gets her teeth around my finger.

I hold her tight. “Evangeline, cut it the fuck out. It’s me. Jonah.”

Her breath exhales sharply, her body sagging against mine. But she’s sneaky so I don’t loosen my grip.

She smells like peaches. A stupid thing to notice. That and her soft ass cradled against my crotch.

My mouth’s next to her ear, and I growl, “I’m gonna let you go. Don’t bite me. Got it?”

She nods, and I release her.

I haven’t seen her in at least a year. She whips around to face me, and those silver-flecked gray eyes wallop me all over again. Perfectly shaped lips. Freckles scattered over the bridge of her nose. I’m right back where I always am with her with attraction buzzing through me like a swarm of killer bees.

Not the time.

“What are you doing here?”

“Saving your ass.” I tamp down the desire to vent all the fear I’ve been holding in since hearing about her harebrained plan from her brother Hayes. Follow that up with assholes shooting at her and I’m hanging on to control with sweaty fingers.

“I was working on a plan to save myself, but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Grab your rifle and follow me,” I bite out. “We’re getting the hell out of here.” I pull down my hat and survey the area to ensure we’re clear. “Stay low,” I say, taking her hand.

Crouched down, I lead her back the way I came, winding through boulders and brush that provides cover.

More gunfire and I haul her behind a boulder. A curl of tawny hair escapes from her braid and blows against my lips. A shot echoes off the canyon walls, followed by another, then another. Handgun, not rifle, and from a distance. I’d seen Angel’s shot destroy Abel’s rifle, which means he’s switched weapons or Denny’s shooting.