Alaskan Mountain Pursuit Elizabeth Goddard (best short novels .TXT) 📖

But if they were on their own, if help wouldn’t come soon enough, Will would cover ground, as much as possible. Then he’d lie in wait and make the kill if it came to that.

“We need to keep moving.” He hoped they hadn’t rested too long. “You ready?”

“No, I’m not. How long do we keep running?”

“Until it’s over.” His tone had turned brusque. He didn’t recognize himself at the moment. But he didn’t like the feeling that death was swooping down on them like a raptor just waiting for the right moment to stick its claws in.

He peered from behind the boulder. Watched and listened. Patches of light dappled the woods. At least it wasn’t raining at the moment. The thick greenery was tranquil except for birdsong and skittering small animals through brush. A red squirrel darted into Will and Sylvie’s hiding place between the boulders then back out. They probably stood too near where the creature had stashed acorns. They’d leave soon enough and the squirrel could get to his stash.

If the woods could be trusted, there didn’t seem to be any sign of their assailants.

In the distance a twig snapped, and a hush fell over the forest. Even the breeze dropped. Another snap and it almost sounded as if the man had taken a wrong turn. Was going in the wrong direction. That would give Will and Sylvie a chance.

After he positioned Sylvie so they could make good time, he crept quietly, slowly, from behind the boulder. Relief washed through him. No answering gunfire was there to meet them. And yet he couldn’t afford to let down his guard for even a second.

They were still a few minutes away from making their original meeting place. He could have asked help to come to the cabin, but he and Sylvie couldn’t outlast a gun battle there and would be long dead by the time help arrived. So he’d kept to his original plan, hoping he could evade their pursuers and arrive around the same time as their rescuers.

He’d asked that they come as soon as possible.

Now he wished he would have begged.

Come on, Chief Winters, where’s the helicopter? Where’s our rescue? Didn’t I make it clear we were on the run from killers?

Not clear enough, apparently. Will’s back and legs ached, but he kept moving toward the rendezvous point and in the opposite direction of the men after Sylvie. At least he hoped.

Finally, Will was spent. The muscles in his arms had been cramping for an hour. Still, even carrying a woman on his back, over rough and difficult terrain, they had made good time.

He let Sylvie off his back and nestled her against the thick trunk of a Hemlock. Moss grew at its base along with the vast greenery found in the temperate rainforest. He wished for the bluff with the boulders. That had been good, quiet and safe cover. But they could hide here, too, melt into the forest and wait it out until their rescue helicopter came.

Will leaned against the tree and hung his head to catch his breath. Gather his composure before she looked too long and hard at his face and saw the truth. Sylvie reached up and squeezed his arm. Reassurance?

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He peered at her. Those hazel eyes would get to him every time. “Don’t thank me yet.”

“Are we going to keep moving? What’s the plan?”

“No. We stay here. This is our rendezvous point—or near enough. But we need good cover until help comes. When we hear our helicopter, we’ll make a run for the meadow up a ways where it can land. From here, though, if we must, we hold our ground.”

She held up Snake’s weapon, a grin contrasting the somber expression in her eyes. “Like in an old shoot-’em-up movie.”

“Something like that, but let’s hope we don’t have to get into a shoot-out.” He hoped all that was left to do was wait and watch. Wait for the rescue helicopter. Watch for their assailants. He perused the woods. Heard nothing. Saw nothing.

“Right, because I’m no marksman.”

“I don’t know how many there are but I suspect two. Three at the most, but I’m hoping for one. I should be able to pick them off if I see them in time.”

Admiration filled her eyes, surprising him. Something warm tugged at him, fighting to get inside, but Will wouldn’t let it. He didn’t like that he cared what she thought about him. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized her opinion of him mattered. He wouldn’t let himself give in to the draw of her beauty, both inside and out. No, Sylvie wasn’t a manipulator like Michelle had been. Far from it. But that didn’t mean Will would allow himself to be vulnerable again.

“You’re full of surprises, Will Pierson.”

“There’s more where that came from.” He didn’t just say that.

“What do you mean?” She angled her head.

He paused before he answered, listening to their surroundings and watching the forest for signs of the men after them. Prickles crawled over him.

A bullet pinged against the tree above Will’s head. “Get down!”

Then another cracked the bark.

Will peered around the tree.

Aimed.

Fired twice.

The man ducked out of sight.

Again, Will watched and waited. He prayed they could get out of here without facing off with the men, but that was not to be. How many men were out there? Just the one he’d spotted, or were there more? He couldn’t be sure. After too much time had gone by without any more sound or movement, he thought he should check and see if he’d injured the man. He hadn’t shot to kill, would only take that step if there was no other choice. Instead, he was holding on to that one last hope their help would arrive and capture the men. He and Sylvie could get their answers that way.

But he’d protect her at all costs.

“Sylvie,” he whispered.

She didn’t answer.

“Sylvie?”

Will held his weapon steady but glanced behind him. She was slumped over. Will dropped