Her Rocky Mountain Protector

She ran her hand over the shepherd’s soft, nearly black coat. “He’s a beautiful dog. You said he’s a military dog?”

“Yes. He served overseas until last year.”

“Were you with him?”

Another curt nod.

Gina continued to rub the dog’s fur. She found it gave her comfort, but nothing could stop the fear she felt for her son. She’d thought she’d been so careful. That Eric would never find them.

Out of the blue, Mr. Fletcher said, “Tell me about your … about Eric. How experienced is he with survival skills?”

“Really good. Every year, he’d go with his brothers during hunting season.” She had been glad when he was away because it had meant she was safe from his abuse. “Don’t put anything past him, Mr. Fletcher.” She couldn’t forget the times she had, and he had made her pay. Oh, God, Zack, she cried silently. “Eric wasn’t supposed to find us here. Destiny was our safe place.” She worked to hold it together, but wasn’t doing well. “We didn’t tell a soul that we’d moved here. We changed our names while he was in prison.” She released a sigh. “Why can’t he leave us alone?”

For a long time the man didn’t say anything, then added, “The sheriff will get him and he’ll go back to prison.”

“I pray that happens. Right now, all I’m concerned about is my son’s safety.”

Grady went across the stream, then drove several yards off-road, coming to a stop under a tree, next to some large boulders at the base of hillside. Before he could shut off the engine, Gina jumped out of the truck and had started up the hillside when she felt his hand on her arm.

“Hey, you just can’t go running off half-cocked. At least wait for the others.”

Before she could argue, a rifle shot rang out, and something hit the tree above their heads.

With a curse, Grady pushed Gina to the ground and covered her body with his. He had to get her out of there. He grabbed her close, hearing her gasp, then rolled them over and over until they were behind the tree.

Gina landed on her back and was swiftly aware of this large man. He braced his arms on either side of her head so his full weight wasn’t on her. Still, she was very mindful of the fact of his powerful size. Oddly, she didn’t feel panicked or threatened. She had her son to worry about.

He raised his head and those dark brooding eyes locked on hers. “You okay?”

She managed a nod. Again she caught sight of the scarred skin covering the side of his neck.

Another series of shots rang out over their heads. He moved her just as the sheriff’s vehicle pulled up and parked in front of them as a shield.

Reed climbed out of the truck. His men scrambled to find cover behind large boulders. The sheriff reached them. “You two okay?”

Grady moved off the woman, trying to forget the awareness he felt. Their gaze connected for an instant before she sat up. This was trouble in more ways than he could count.

“I’m fine, but my son isn’t. So I need to go up there.”

She started to stand and Grady pulled her back down. “Lady, I know you aren’t thinking clearly right now,” he growled. “And running up there isn’t going to get your son back. That maniac is holding a high-powered rife on us, and he wants you to pay.”

Before Grady could stand, Gina Williams gripped his arm. “I don’t care how you do it, Mr. Fletcher—just get my son out safely. Please.” Tears filled those mesmerizing green eyes. “My life doesn’t matter without Zack.”

“We’ll do whatever it takes to get the boy out of there.” Grady moved away, praying he could keep his promise.

I’m so scared. Mom, help me.

Wiping away more tears, Zack sat up on the blanket and began pulling at the ropes that held his wrists and feet together. He had to get away before his dad got back. Struggling with the ropes again, he wished he were strong enough to break free. With only a little light from the lantern, he glanced around the dark cave, but couldn’t see anything.

He was all alone.

He bit down on his lip, trying not to cry again. He had to get out and find his mom before Dad hurt her again.

“I got to get loose,” he whispered and began to wiggle his hands back and forth feeling the burn, but continuing to fight to get out of the ropes. Using his teeth, he loosened the knot and finally his hands came out. Excited, he untied the ropes at his ankles. He stood, careful not to make any noise. He grabbed the lantern and headed toward the light in the opening. Outside he heard rifle shots so he turned and ran off in the other direction. Far away from danger.

CHAPTER TWO

GRADY stood behind the large boulder as he scanned the rocky rim with binoculars. He followed the dark figure of a man as he moved cautiously among the trees and brush. He’d seen a picture of the suspect and recognized him.

He nudged the sheriff beside him. “Lowell’s up there, but I can’t see any sign of the boy. Can you?”

Reed looked through his glasses, then said, “No, no sign of Zack, but that’s definitely Eric Lowell. We can’t rush him. The boy could get hurt. If this guy came all this way to take his son away from his ex-wife, he isn’t going to give up easily.”

“He’ll never give up.”

Grady looked over his shoulder to see that Gina approached them.

“I thought you promised to stay in the vehicle. It’s not safe here.”

She shook her head. “He’s got Zack. My child isn’t safe with him.”

The panicked look on her face tore at Grady. It sent him a painful reminder of what he’d lost. Only he never deserved to have a family in the first place.

“You’ve got to let me go up there, Reed. Make a trade. Eric wants me. He wants to punish me. Please, Reed,” she pleaded. “Eric knows he’s going back to prison. So he has nothing to lose.” She wiped the tears that escaped her eyes. “I can’t let him hurt Zack. I can’t.”

When she started to walk into the clearing, Grady grabbed her right arm as another rifle shot rang out. He pulled her back against the rock wall and shielded her. Grady had to work to get his breathing and heart rate under control. That was too close. This lunatic was playing for keeps. “Lady, you’ve got to stop with the crazy stunts,” he growled.

She tossed him a stubborn look. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters without my son.”

“What do you think will happen to Zack if you get yourself killed? You need to let the sheriff handle this.”

“Okay, but you don’t understand. I can’t leave my son up there.” She nodded to the ridge. “I promised Zack. I promised him I wouldn’t let his dad hurt us again. Please, you’ve got to help me.”

He hated that this woman got to him. As much as Grady wanted to, it was impossible to walk away from this. He turned to Reed Larkin. “What’s your next move, Sheriff?”

“I wish I had an answer. I can’t take a chance that he’ll harm the boy.” Larkin gave him a hard look. “You know the area, Fletcher. Is there a back way in?”

Grady nodded, remembering the summers he’d tracked after old Fletch. “You can come in along Miner’s Ridge. It’s pretty narrow, and it’ll take about fifteen minutes, but if Lowell is focused on watching for his ex-wife, we might be able to catch him by surprise. Give me a little time to scope the area.”

Grady started to walk back to his truck to arm himself when Larkin stopped him. “I can’t ask you to do this.”

“You didn’t. I volunteered.”

“Then I’ll need to deputize you first. Do you have a problem with that? I can’t let a civilian get involved.”

Grady paused as he looked at this woman still gripping that floppy-eared rabbit. Suddenly memories of his past life flashed before him, the picture of the stuffed animals that lined the shelf in his infant son’s room. Toys the baby never got the chance to see or play with. He quickly shook it away. “Do what you need to do.”

After the sheriff had sworn him in, Grady hurried back to his vehicle and opened the door. Immediately the shepherd stood in the backseat. Scout hesitated. The dog hadn’t worked since Afghanistan when he’d been injured. Yet since they’d returned home, Grady had adopted Scout, hoping to get involved in some search-and-rescue operations. It was a good time to test him.