Panic gripped Mike around the throat. He hadn’t been able to tell where the shooter was located and feared the gunman was already making his way toward them.
“We need to get out of here.” He shoved open his door and scrambled out of the SUV. He hurried around to the other side of the vehicle, no easy task in the mud, to join Shayla. She’d pulled Brodie out of his car seat, holding his bag of cheesy crackers in one hand. The child’s hiccuping sobs tore at Mike’s heart.
“This way. Hurry!” he urged, indicating they should take cover beneath the stone bridge.
“I…can’t,” she protested, struggling to maneuver through the mud while carrying the added weight of her son. The mud was sucking at her feet, keeping her rooted to the spot.
“Brodie, I need to carry you for a while, okay? You’re too heavy for your mom.”
Shayla’s stricken gaze caught his but she nodded and handed Brodie over. The little boy was frightened enough at the situation not to be concerned who was holding him. Brodie wrapped his arms around Mike’s neck, holding on tightly.
Shayla stayed close as well, curling her fingers into the back of his waistband. Without the added weight, she was able to pull her feet from the muck. He moved slowly but surely through the water until they were directly under the bridge. The sound of rushing water was louder there and he hoped the sound was enough to keep them from being overheard.
“It’s okay. We’re going to be fine.” He spoke to Brodie and Shayla in a low voice, trying to keep them both calm. He was grateful for the shelter of the bridge and the towering trees overhead that offered some additional protection, too.
But their discarded SUV was like a beacon for the gunman. That and their muddy footprints along the shore.
“We can’t stay here…” Shayla whispered as they huddled beneath the stone arch.
“I know.” Mike reached into his pocket for his phone. He tried Hawk’s number first but the call went to voice mail. Next he tried his brother Matt, who worked as a K-9 cop, and was relieved when Matt answered on the first ring.
“What’s up, Mike?”
“We’re in danger. I need you to pick us up ASAP,” he said quickly. “We’re hiding under a stone bridge roughly five miles off Highway 68 near the town of Cranton. We’ll be on the north side of the bridge, across from where the SUV is located. Bring Duchess and a spare weapon because we’ll be on the move.”
“Will do.” To his brother’s credit, Matt didn’t ask a lot of questions. “Keep your phone handy.”
“Understood.”
Mike’s feet were growing numb from the cold river water and he knew Shayla must be feeling the same way. He wanted desperately to cross the river, but the water was deep enough that they’d have to swim. The May temperatures were mild but he knew being in the icy river could result in hypothermia.
Especially for Brodie.
But staying where the gunman could find them wasn’t an option, either.
“We need to get away from the SUV,” he told Shayla. “We can swim across and the water will carry us to that cluster of trees roughly twenty feet from the other side of the bridge. I know it’s cold, but I don’t think we can risk staying here.”
“Okay. I can swim.” What Shayla’s tone lacked in confidence was countered by the steely glint of determination in her eyes. “Will you be able to manage with Brodie?”
“Yes. But he’ll get wet.”
“I know, but he’ll be okay.” She shivered and glanced up at him. “Ready when you are.”
He nodded but then remembered his phone. “Wait. I need the bag of fish crackers for my phone.”
Shayla nodded and handed it over. He carefully inserted his phone and zipped it shut. Then he put it in his breast pocket, hoping to minimize the risk of it getting wet.
Shifting Brodie in his arms so that the upper part of the child’s body would be out of the water, he sent up a silent prayer for strength and waded into the river. Brodie cried because he was cold and gripped Mike even tighter.
“Shh,” Mike cautioned. “We need to be quiet, okay?”
Brodie pressed his face into Mike’s neck, muffling the sounds of his sobs. Mike knew it was the best they could do. When the bottom dropped away, he performed an awkward sidestroke, kicking with his feet to propel him across the river.
Shayla was beside him, doing her best to keep up. Ignoring Brodie’s crying wasn’t easy and he could tell it was bothering her. He wished he could have carried her across, too, but there wasn’t enough time to make two trips.
They needed to get someplace safe and soon.
“I—I’m c-cold.” Brodie was clutching him so tightly around the neck Mike found it difficult to breathe.
“Almost there,” he said in a low whisper. “Remember, we need to stay quiet, okay?”
Brodie nodded but the sniffling sobs continued. Mike glanced around the river, scanning the shoreline for signs of activity. For several minutes they would be in full view of anyone nearby.
Was there enough time to get across without being seen?
He kicked again and again, fighting the current to stay on track to reach the cluster of trees.
His feet suddenly hit the bottom and he floundered for a moment until he could get his feet under him. Then he waded quickly up the riverbank to the base of the trees.
“We’re safe now,” he said, setting Brodie down on the ground. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed Shayla was struggling to get out of the water. He rushed over to help pull her to safety.
“Hold Brodie on your lap,” he instructed. “And sit between these two trees. You need to share your body heat until Matt can get here.”
“Wh-what a-b-bout y-you?” Shayla’s teeth were chattering loudly.
“I’m going to take a look around.” He glanced around, believing they were out of sight from anyone on the bridge, but still reached up to pull down a few branches, using them as cover for Shayla and Brodie.
“Don’t go.” Shayla reached out to grasp his leg. “Please stay with us.”
“I won’t go far,” he promised.
Her fingers reluctantly dropped from his sodden jeans and he forced himself to move away.
After pulling his weapon out of its holster, he grimaced as water drained out. He’d learned while attending the police academy that a submerged gun may still fire, but without much accuracy. He shook the river water out and carried the weapon anyway. Accuracy may not be great, but he figured the gun might act as a deterrent. He crouched behind a clump of bushes, peering through the branches to see if the gunman was heading over to find them.
He listened intently, trying to pick out sounds different than the river. A movement along the shoreline on the other side of the bridge caught his eye and he narrowed his gaze when he realized someone was making their way through the trees toward the bridge.
Other than tightening his grip on his weapon, he didn’t move. Tracking the gunman wasn’t easy since he disappeared from time to time behind trees and brush. From this distance Mike couldn’t even tell what the guy looked like.
Had the gunman seen them in the water? Maybe not, since it appeared the guy was heading toward their stuck SUV.
Unless there was more than one gunman. The thought made his blood run cold. Two gunmen would split up, each taking one side of the river.
Mike faded silently back into the brush, his heart pounding with adrenaline. He needed to get back to Shayla and Brodie. He’d protect them with his own life, if necessary.
Thankfully they were in the exact same spot tucked between the bases of two trees. With a frown, he realized they were shivering and instantly crossed over to kneel beside them.
“I caught sight of one man making his way to the SUV,” he whispered, his mouth near Shayla’s ear. “We need to stay very quiet in case there’s more than one man looking for us.”
Shayla nodded, although it was clear she was doing her best to keep her teeth from chattering.
“Let’s sit together to stay warm, keeping Brodie between us.”
She didn’t argue, shifting her position so that Brodie was sandwiched between them. Mike wrapped his left arm around Shayla’s shoulder, keeping the gun in his right, wishing he could do more. He hated knowing Shayla and Brodie were in danger. He knew they hadn’t been followed and wondered if the construction ploy was nothing more than a carefully laid trap.
One that he’d driven right into.
He should have turned around and found a different place to stay. But it was too late for regrets. He needed to stay focused on their current situation.
Although he knew, only too well, that if anything happened to Shayla or their son, he’d never forgive himself. So he did the only thing he could.
He bowed his head and prayed.
* * *
Despite their soaked clothing, Shayla reveled in the warmth radiating from Mike’s arm curled around her shoulders. And with Brodie warming up between them, she was relieved and thankful the boy had stopped shivering.
Sitting on the hard ground was far from comfortable, but she forced herself to ignore the rocks and twigs poking at her.
Mike’s report of seeing the gunman moving toward their SUV was sobering. Especially if there was more than one of them out there. She couldn’t hear anything above the rushing of the river and the thundering beat of her heart.
Why was this happening? Shayla could feel a surge of panic bubbling up inside and took several deep breaths in an attempt to ward it off.
Sensing her distress, Mike gently squeezed her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her temple in wordless support. She didn’t want to consider the possibility that the three of them could die here.
Praying like the Callahans didn’t come naturally to her, but that didn’t stop her from trying. She wanted to believe that God cared about her and Brodie, despite their lack of formal religious teaching.
Please keep us safe, Lord. I’m sorry I never attended church, but I do believe in Your strength and grace. I hope You provide me a second chance to do better, raising Brodie to believe. Amen.
A low humming noise broke into her thoughts and she sucked in a harsh breath, glancing around in horror. Had they been found? Would the gunman silence them forever?
Her heart was beating so fast she felt weak and shaky. Then she saw Mike pull the plastic bag with fish crackers and his phone from his breast pocket.
“It works,” he whispered in an awed yet hushed tone. He quickly pulled it from the bag and lifted it to his ear. “Matt? Where are you?”
Shayla couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but just knowing Matt was calling brought a sense of relief. Help was on the way and she continued praying that Mike’s brother would get there in time.
“Matt will be here in a few minutes.” Mike opened the bag to replace the phone when Brodie lifted his head, staring at the crackers.
“I’m hungry,” he whispered.
If not for still being in mortal danger, Shayla may have laughed. Trust Brodie to be distracted from his fright by food.
Mike dropped several fish crackers into Brodie’s hand, promising him more if he was a good boy and stayed quiet. As Brodie’s mouth was full of food, the being silent part of the deal wasn’t difficult.
“Stop! Police!” Matt’s sharp tone, accompanied by a dog barking, made her jump. She glanced around but still couldn’t see anything from their cocoon within the trees.
“Take Brodie,” Mike whispered, pressing their son more fully into her lap. He took his phone out and handed her the bag of crackers. “I’ll be back with Matt and his K-9 partner, Duchess, soon.”
“Okay.” Shayla hadn’t known that his brother was a K-9 cop, but that explained the dog barking. She rocked Brodie back and forth, feeding him crackers until she heard the sound of footsteps.
She froze but relaxed when a large German shepherd came running over to them, sniffed the ground around them and then plopped down on its haunches, looking at her, tongue lolling to one side.
“Good girl,” she whispered, trying to remember the animal’s name. Queenie? No, Duchess. Having the dog was an added layer of protection and it was only another couple of minutes before Mike and his brother arrived.
“Doggy,” Brodie said, reaching out to the German shepherd.
“She’s not a pet,” Mike quickly interjected.
“It’s okay. Duchess is good with kids.” Matt set a blanket down and knelt beside the K-9. “Friend, Duchess. Friend.” As he spoke, he put a hand on Shayla and then on Brodie.
Duchess leaned over to sniff at them, her tail wagging. Then she licked Brodie, making him giggle.
“It’s all clear,” Mike said.
Shayla gratefully stood, grunting with the effort. Mike took the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “You okay?” he asked.
She nodded and leaned into him. “Thanks to you.”
He drew her close, making sure not to squish Brodie, and planted a kiss on her temple. She found herself wishing he’d kiss her properly although, of course, he couldn’t do that with Brodie between them. “Time to get out of here,” he said in a low tone. “Unfortunately they got away.”
“‘They’?” she echoed. “Two of them?”
“I only saw one.” Mike glanced at his brother. “What about you?”
“One perp, wearing black. And I only saw him from a distance. After I identified myself as a cop, the guy took off. I considered sending Duchess after him but worried he’d shoot her. Besides, it was more important to make sure you were safe. The minute I saw the cluster of trees, I headed over, figuring this is where you’d be hiding.”
“Thanks, I appreciate you getting here so quickly.” Mike clapped his brother on the shoulder and the look they exchanged, silent sibling communication and appreciation, made her wish Duncan was there.
“Let’s get out of here,” Mike said. “Matt, you’ll need to lead the way to your car. I didn’t see it anywhere.”
“That’s because I hid it and came in on foot.” Matt’s tone was smug. “Duchess does her best work on foot. Don’t you, girl?”
Duchess wagged her tail again.
“Doggy.” Brodie shifted in her arms, trying to reach down to pet the animal.
“Not now, Brodie.” She shifted his weight in her arms in an effort to ease her sore muscles. “Later.”
“Brodie? May I carry you for a while?” Mike asked.
Brodie immediately shifted toward Mike, raising his arms in wordless agreement.
The minute Brodie’s weight was lifted from her arms, she wanted to snatch him back. Mike gazed at Brodie with a mixture of wonder and joy, making her eyes sting with tears.
Guilt washed over her, filling her with regret over the way she’d kept Brodie from his father. Oh, blaming Mike had been easy; after all, he’d pushed her away. He’d become obsessed with finding the person responsible for his father’s death.
Accusing her father and brother of being involved in killing the chief of police had been the final straw. Even after that, she’d tried to call him.
But after that disastrous and one-sided conversation, she’d given up. She’d stayed in Nashville, rather than come home to force Mike to acknowledge the truth.
Worse, she’d convinced herself that she and Brodie were better off without Mike Callahan.
But she’d been wrong. So very, very wrong.
Tonight, she promised herself. Once they were warm and dry and safe, they’d tell Brodie the truth about Mike being his daddy.
Postponing the conversation wasn’t fair to Brodie or to Mike. And the way he’d taken care of them, not just today but each time they were in danger, proved Mike would never do anything to harm them.
At least, not physically. Emotionally? She still couldn’t say for sure. He’d agreed to listen to her brother’s side of the story, yet she was convinced he believed Duncan was intricately involved in the Dark Knights.
She told herself she and Mike would work things out. They’d be fine, as long as she didn’t give him her heart. Which meant no more dreaming about kissing him.
“Almost there,” Matt said encouragingly. “I left my car behind those trees.”
Catching a glimpse of Matt’s SUV reminded her of the one they’d left behind. She turned to Mike. “We’ll need Brodie’s booster seat and may as well get the bag of groceries, too.”
“Not a problem,” Mike agreed. “Once you’re all safe inside, I’ll head back.”
“I’ll go,” Matt offered. “I have a nonwaterlogged gun and a K-9 partner. Won’t take but a minute.”
“I thought you brought me a spare?” Mike asked.
“In the glove box.” Matt tossed the keys in the air, grinning as Mike scrambled to catch them. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Crawl into the back seat,” Mike told her. “We’ll crank the heat until Matt returns.”
She wasn’t going to argue with that plan. Water still ran off their clothing in a seemingly endless stream, but she slid into the back seat anyway, then reached for Brodie.
“No. I wanna stay here.”
She was surprised by Brodie’s sudden attachment to Mike, although it made sense, after everything they’d been through.
“I’ll start the car, then crawl in back with you,” Mike offered.
She appreciated his gesture and scooted over to give him room. They huddled together, soaking up the warmth from the hot air blasting through the vents.
“I wish you were my daddy,” Brodie said, leaning against Mike. He let out a sigh, his eyelids fluttering closed as exhaustion claimed him.
“Me, too,” Mike whispered. His gaze clashed with hers and the hint of moisture there was almost her undoing.
“You will be,” she whispered back.
“Really?” His expression filled with hope. “How? We live in different states.”
“I don’t know, but we’ll find a way to make it work.” They had to.
Her son deserved a father. And he’d clearly chosen Mike to fill the role.