A killer’s out for vengeance…

unless this K-9 sniffs him out first.

When a plane carrying dangerous convicts crashes in the Colorado Rockies, Deputy Sierra Young and her search-and-rescue K-9, Samson, race to help—and discover they’re after her! With one survivor vowing revenge, Sierra’s former coworker turned PI, Bryce Elliott, is determined to protect her. But can Bryce, Sierra and Samson track down the fugitive before he succeeds in taking their lives?

K-9 Mountain Guardians

ELIZABETH GODDARD is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels and novellas. A 2011 Carol Award winner, she was a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and a 2016 Carol Award finalist. Elizabeth graduated with a computer science degree and worked in high-level software sales before retiring to write full-time.

Also By Elizabeth Goddard

Fugitive Trail

Mount Shasta Secrets

Deadly Evidence

Coldwater Bay Intrigue

Thread of Revenge

Stormy Haven

Distress Signal

Running Target

Texas Ranger Holidays

Texas Christmas Defender

Wilderness, Inc.

Targeted for Murder

Undercover Protector

False Security

Wilderness Reunion

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Fugitive Trail

Elizabeth Goddard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90636-8

FUGITIVE TRAIL

© 2020 Elizabeth Goddard

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“I’m going to check it out…”

“Hier,” Sierra commanded her dog. Here. The dog whined then moved close to Sierra.

Sierra grabbed Bryce’s arm and squeezed, tugging him back. “Bryce, be careful.”

Her tone was intense, and something else in her voice told him she did still care deeply about him.

But neither of them would act on that, each having their own reasons.

Gunfire exploded.

The bullet whizzed by his ear even as he shoved Sierra to the ground. She held firm to her dog.

“Nein!” They crept behind a van they could use for a temporary barrier.

“Cover me.” Bryce prepared to dash across the street.

“No, wait!” Sierra whispered. “Don’t go out there.”

“This is our chance to get him, Sierra.”

“You’re not law enforcement anymore, Bryce. Remember? You can’t arrest that guy—Raul or anyone else—even if you catch him.”

They’d have to work together then.

Because as much as he didn’t want her in the line of fire, he knew she wasn’t going to back down…

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading Fugitive Trail! Some of you might recognize the scenery—the ice climbing park and festival—as what takes place in the small town of Ouray, Colorado. I changed the name and county so I didn’t have to worry too much about the exact details but rather could have fun writing my story—you know, artistic license and all that! The toy store is loosely modeled after the real store there in Ouray—O’Toys, which is owned by my brother and sister-in-law! I had hoped to write a story that would include their store and the opportunity came when my editor contacted me about writing a story in Colorado. I love it when that happens!

I also love to hear from my readers. Please hop on over to my new website at elizabethgoddard.com to find ways to connect with me and sign up for my newsletter.

Blessings!

Elizabeth Goddard

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.

—2 Samuel 22:3

Dedicated to all those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us—both two-legged and four-legged creatures.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to my new editor, Shana Asaro, for asking me to write a K-9 mountain rescue story! I’ve always loved these stories from LIS and this gave me a chance to showcase my own dog (though not a K-9)—an English mastiff named Solomon. As always, I so appreciate the encouragement and support from my writing friends—we’ve journeyed long and hard to get here! All my gratitude to my agent, Steve Laube, for believing in me. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway—thank you, Dan, Christopher, Jonathan, Andrew and Rachel for your patience with this novel-writing mom.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

Extract

About the Publisher

ONE

Southwest Rocky Mountains,

Colorado

The wind picked up and whipped big snowflakes around Deputy Sierra Young’s head as she followed Samson, her K-9 mountain rescue English mastiff, up the densely wooded incline. She maintained a steady pace but her heart rate increased along with her breathing.

She hoped the small plane hadn’t crashed too high in the San Juan Mountains. That could make it impossible for her and Samson, as well as the SAR—search and rescue—volunteers, to reach the site before nightfall or the snowstorm grew worse. But they had to find the plane before they could rescue anyone.

Two snowmobilers had returned to the small tourist town of Crescent Springs, Colorado, earlier this afternoon claiming they’d seen the prop plane go down but they hadn’t been sure where it had crashed.

She’d brought Samson as far as she could before releasing him to find any human scent. Samson had been trained to find humans, whether air scenting for anyone in the wilderness or tracking a specific person. He was smart and used his skills to find whoever he was searching for. The other SAR volunteers searched downwind from Samson. It was important to spread as wide a net as possible. The victims could have escaped and gotten lost in the mountains, or they could be trapped in the plane. Or worse.

She couldn’t think about worse.

Lord, please let us find and save them, whoever they are.

Before the weather turned too harsh or night took over. Sure, Samson could work through the night, but not in this weather. The terrain and elements during the winter months here in the Rockies were currently too harsh for searching at night. Sierra worked as a part-time deputy and K-9 mountain rescue handler for the county. She knew that Sheriff Locke would protect the volunteers, and if it became too dangerous to search, he would call it off.

Samson’s massive two-hundred-pound form plowed up the hill through the deepening snow, giving credence to his aptly picked name. Snow could tire out some breeds of search dogs and limit their time searching, but mastiffs were the stronger working-breed dogs, and Samson hadn’t tired yet.

An old friend—Bryce Elliott—had given Samson to her when he was a puppy, and had even named him. After the attack when she’d been a detective in Boulder, she’d wanted a big dog, and Bryce had surprised her with the English mastiff. A pang of regret that she’d left her friend behind when she’d moved from Boulder stabbed her at the worst possible moment. She missed Bryce. But she needed to focus on this search.

The sheriff radioed he was calling the search, bringing her back to the present.

At the same moment, Samson alerted her.

“Wait, no. Sheriff,” she said into her radio. “Samson…he’s found something. Let me check it out.”

“All right. I’m on my way to you.”

Her leg muscles burned as she tried to keep up with the big dog scaling the incline until they topped it, then to a terraced ridge and a well-over-a-hundred-foot drop.

Sierra stood tall and caught her breath. Her heart lurched.

A red Cessna rested on the ledge—halfway on, halfway off. The banged-up plane looked partially crumpled on one side. She could make out a figure inside the cockpit, and another one outside, beside the plane. Both were utterly still.

Sierra radioed the sheriff. “I found it. I found the plane. I see two—” Bodies, but she didn’t want to say the word. “We need to check and see if they’re alive.”

“Good work, Sierra,” he said. “Wait there while I let everyone know to head your way. And…be careful.”

“Always,” she responded.

If the two people she spotted were still alive, it would be a difficult rescue at best, getting them down this mountain. The most difficult part would be saving the person inside that plane that teetered on the ledge. In the snow and cold, even if they had survived, hypothermia most likely would kill them if the SAR team didn’t get here quickly and get them medical attention.

She signaled for Samson to remain then she hiked closer to the wreckage in the deepening snow. A man rested face down in the snow and would soon be completely buried. Sierra removed her glove and brushed the snow away then pressed a finger against his neck. His body was cold and he had no pulse. Sorrow bled through her.

She released a heavy sigh. SAR missions with Samson always started with the hope of rescue. Of finding a lost hiker or helping someone who’d fallen by bringing them to safety. Always the hope that she would find survivors and the day would end well. But more times than she’d like to admit, the searches ended in tragedy when they found victims of an adventure gone wrong.

The wind whipped around the mountain blasting the snow at an angle and causing a near whiteout. Not good.

She eyed the small plane and from here couldn’t see the other person. Should she get closer and see if she could help?

She hoped the rest of the search team arrived soon. An eerie metallic sound resounded from the plane. Its position was precarious at best. Could the howling wind push it over? She spared a moment to wonder what these people had been thinking, taking the plane out on a day like today. The plane probably shouldn’t have been flying in this weather, and she guessed that the weather had everything to do with the crash. But she wasn’t here to question them; she was here to save them…if she could.

She crunched through the snow to get closer to the plane and look inside the cab.

The pilot remained inside, his body hunched over. It was possible that his position meant he’d remained warm enough, if he was still alive.

“Can you hear me? Are you all right?” She crept even closer to the plane.

The sheriff had said he and the others were coming. What was taking them so long?

The pilot shifted. Her heart jumped. She radioed. “Hurry, sheriff. The pilot is still alive. He’s going to need medical attention…”

Metal scraped.

The plane shifted. Fear skated across her nerves. “The plane is in a precarious position. It could fall from the ledge at any moment. I’m not sure what to do!”

The radioed squawked but a burst of static meant she couldn’t understand the sheriff. Panic built up in her chest. Sierra eyed the plane and the junk scattered around the crash site. She searched for anything she could use as a rope. Samson whined, sensing her growing anxiety.

“It’s going to be all right, Samson. You found the crash site. We’re going to save the man who’s still alive.” What was she saying? She had no idea if she could actually save him, but she could hope. And she could try.

God, please help me!

Was there anything worse than finding someone and then being completely helpless to save them?

The man groaned inside the plane. She had to reassure him so he would hang on to the will to live.

“Hold on! Help is coming.”

She peered at the wreckage. It would be too dangerous to try to get in and get him out with the plane shifting on the ledge. She had to find a rope.

The snow was quickly covering the scattered wreckage—duffel bag, sheets of metal, clothing articles. Then she spotted what she needed—a wire rope used in aviation.

She eyed the airplane then the top of the slope. Something must have held the SAR team up. She couldn’t risk waiting if they weren’t going to make it in time. She found a boulder on which to secure the rope and tied the other end around her waist. Then she edged slowly to the plane.

Sierra ducked under the broken wing. Nothing about this was safe. The plane was completely unstable, but that was the whole reason she needed to act—and act now. She had to get this guy out, even though, depending on his injuries, that could also be dangerous for him.

The mangled door creaked when she pulled it open and then toppled to the snow-covered ground. Sierra yelped and jumped out of the way. She could enter only on the passenger side because the other side of the plane was hanging near the ledge. She couldn’t reach it.

“Help,” the man called from inside.

Fear tried to seize her but she had to remain calm and focused, especially if she was going to have to do this alone. She leaned into the cockpit and inched onto the passenger seat to get a better look at the man. Blood covered his forehead and temple from a gash. It oozed from his lips. He likely had internal injuries.

“Can you hear me? If you can, give me your hand.”

Maybe she could grab onto him and pull him out through this side of the plane. Medical personnel would go at this much differently, but there wasn’t time to wait.

The man’s eyes popped open. Those eyes. They peered at her and into her and through her. His face was almost unrecognizable under the blood and bruising but she had never forgotten those eyes.

Sierra froze. Damien Novack. Air whooshed from her. She couldn’t breathe.

No. It couldn’t be. “What… What are you doing here?” The question squeaked out of her making her sound feeble.

Afraid.

Somehow, even though he was injured and probably dying, he managed to offer her a sinister, bloody smile. To her horror, he lifted a weapon. Aimed it straight at her.

Screaming, she ducked as gunfire exploded then froze in place. Where was the sheriff? She glanced up hoping she’d see him coming over the ridge. Instead, she spotted footprints, barely visible as the relentless snow continued to bury them. The prints led away from the plane and tracked along the ridge until they disappeared completely.

Someone else had been on the plane.

Then she heard what sounded like the weapon tumbling from Damien’s hand. She could hardly believe he had been able to shoot to begin with, given his obviously severe injuries. His anger and need to see her dead had been enough to drive him.

Heart pounding, Sierra peeked inside the cab again and Damien’s eyes tracked her. “Doesn’t matter that I missed. He’s coming for you,” he said.

“Who… Who is coming?” Dread filled her.

“You know who. He came for you before. This time he won’t fail.”

Raul Novack, Damien’s brother.

Moments ago, she thought there couldn’t be anything worse than losing someone she was trying to save. But now she realized that wasn’t true. There was something worse. Indecision warred inside of her. She truly did not want to help this man. He’d perpetrated countless evils and if she helped him to survive, there could be more victims down the road.

But she couldn’t serve as judge and jury. She couldn’t take a life or refuse to give her best to save someone in danger—God would know, even if no one else did. She grabbed the weapon he’d tried to kill her with and set it aside.

Regardless of the fear that tried to strangle her, Sierra reached for him. “The plane is going to fall. Take my hand or you’re going to die.”

He coughed up more blood. “I’m as good as dead anyway.”

Then his face went still. His eyes blank.

He was gone, and she knew it. He’d known he was going to die and he cared only about attacking her with his gun and his intimidating threats.

Samson barked. The plane shifted. Sierra reached for the man she knew to already be dead, but it was no use. She couldn’t free him. The plane moved and she realized she had only seconds to escape.

She backed out of the open doorway and ducked just before the remaining broken edges of the wing could hit her. Still, metal scraped her body, eliciting a cry of pain, and snagging her coat. If she didn’t get free, the plane would try to take her over the ledge too, causing serious injury when the wire rope wouldn’t release her.

“I got you!” The sheriff appeared and slashed the arm of her coat away from her body and gripped her arms. “I got you,” he said again, breathless.

She slumped to the ground, the adrenaline whooshing out of her body.

Samson licked her and whined, warming her frozen cheeks, and comforting the icy cold fear that had stabbed through her.

Damien Novack had been here. And he hadn’t been alone.

She let her gaze follow the tracks and, in the distance, along the tree line, she noticed that a man stood watching. Damien’s brother, Raul—

He’s coming for you…

Bryce Elliott checked into his hotel across the street from the Crescent Springs Toy Store—the reason Sierra had given for returning to her hometown. Her father had been struggling to keep up with the store, and needed her help. Bryce had suspected health issues were involved too but Sierra hadn’t said.

That wasn’t the only thing she hadn’t said. Bryce believed that her father was only part of the reason she’d given up her detective job with the Boulder police department. He suspected that Sierra had never gotten over the night Raul attacked her, even though she had been given the go ahead to return to work.

But no one else knew her as well as Bryce. She’d needed to escape Boulder, and maybe even escape Bryce. The place and the people served as reminders to her of what had happened. He was glad she had found a way to move on. Before she’d made that physical move from Boulder to Crescent Springs, though, she’d made an emotional move when she pushed him away. They’d been close and had been growing closer every day. He’d taken a risk with her, putting his heart on the line for the first time since being utterly rejected by Rebecca, a woman he thought he loved a couple of years before he met Sierra. But with Sierra, he’d been ready to try again. Then Raul and the night of violence happened. After that, everything between Bryce and Sierra had changed. He had sensed her slipping away from him, and had experienced the pain of rejection all over again.

He cared about her and was here for her, but that didn’t mean he would let himself fall for her. Definitely not. None of what had happened between them should matter now.

What did matter now was that she was in danger, and Bryce wouldn’t let her go through that alone.

He sucked up his nerve and crossed the recently plowed street in the throes of an ice festival, presumably the biggest event of the year for the small out-of-the-way town in southwest Colorado. Other than ice climbers, most people opted to visit Telluride and Purgatory in Durango to ski. Crescent Springs offered an ice park to celebrate the ice climbing sport—beginners and professionals from around the world came to the small town to climb the frozen waterfalls of the gorge.

Moisture surged on his palms as he drew near the toy store he’d seen only on the website before this moment. Bryce drew in a deep breath and pushed open the door. How would she react when she saw him? That question had kept him company as he traveled here from Boulder.

The smells of plastic and cinnamon and peppermint wafted over him. He had no idea if he would actually find Sierra here, amongst the toys, but it was a start. Aisles of toys blocked his view, but as he browsed, he noted the store was relatively crowded. An older man’s voice offering customer assistance drew his attention to the cash register and counter at the back of the store. A young woman he didn’t recognize stood next to the older man he assumed was Sierra’s father. She took payment from the customer and bagged toys.

“Can I help you?”

The voice. That voice. Turning to Sierra, he grinned. In a flash he took in her bright blue irises, her lithe and petite form, and the perfect lips that often turned up in an amazing smile, but which now morphed into a huge O.

She gasped. “Bryce, what…what in the world are you doing here?”

“Ah. You’re glad to see me.” He instantly regretted his slightly sarcastic tone. “It’s good to see you too.”

A frown emerged on her face and seemed to war with a tenuous grin.

“Well of course. I mean…of course I’m glad to see you. Why wouldn’t I be glad to see you?” She reached forward and hugged him. This was the Sierra he loved—well, loved to see. She was wonderful. Except he sensed her wariness.

When she released him and stepped back, he saw the fear flashing in her eyes. Her face shifted as though she was searching for the right response, though he saw a spark of amusement when she noted the section of the store he’d stopped in. “Any particular type of baby doll you’re looking for? I’m guessing this is for a niece? Or do you have…um…a daughter?” Sierra handed him a doll.

Like a fool he took it automatically.

“No. I don’t have a daughter.” It had been only a year since Sierra had left Boulder, and they hadn’t kept in touch. “I’m not married and don’t suddenly have a young daughter.” He put the doll back on the shelf. “Nor do I have a niece.”

He jammed his hand into his pockets, wishing he could go ahead and shrug out of his coat. It had kept him warm outside, but in here he was downright hot.

Sierra turned and walked away, still lacking the usual bounce in her step that he hadn’t seen since she’d been attacked in Boulder.

“You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here,” she called over her shoulder. Then she stopped at the counter. “Are you here for the ice climbing festival? I didn’t know you were a fan. You might have said something back when I was in Boulder—we could have visited my hometown together.” Sure they could have visited her hometown together while they were still “together.” A pain flitted across her features. Had she forgotten that in Boulder, after Raul’s attack, she’d distanced herself from him? No. And that made his appearance all the more awkward.

He stared too long, struggling to find the words. “I came to check on you.”

A deep bark resounded from somewhere inside the building and rattled through him. “And Samson. I…missed him.” And you, Sierra.

I’m worried about you. But he kept that to himself for now.

She eyed him, then walked around behind the counter. The man he’d seen earlier stepped from the back room. “Dad, this is Bryce Elliot. I used to work with him in Boulder. Bryce, this is my dad.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Young.”

“Call me John. It’s nice to meet you too. My daughter told me about you. You had her back when she was there in the city. Thanks for taking care of her for me. You can stick around if you like and keep up the good work.” John winked at Bryce then grinned at Sierra.

She gently elbowed her dad and scowled at him, though love poured from her expression. “Dad. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“And me. Your daughter took care of me too,” Bryce said. They had, in fact, saved each other from certain death. He had no idea how much Sierra had shared with her father about what really happened. Bryce suspected she would have kept most of it from John, choosing to spare him the pain of knowing what his daughter had gone through.

“You want to see Samson?” she asked.

“You know I do.”

“Come on back.” She led him through the door past an employee area where boxes of toys were waiting to be stocked. Then through another door into a kitchen where Samson popped up to greet them. “We have an apartment at the back of the store. It takes up two floors. It’s enough for the three of us. Me, Dad and Samson.” She rubbed Samson’s head.

Wagging his tail, he barked and lumbered over to Bryce. “Wow, he’s gained some more weight.”

“It takes about three years for them to be full grown, and he’s about four now. He could still get bigger, but I train him often and keep him in good shape.”

“I’d say that I named him appropriately.”

“Well, I kind of liked your initial suggestion of ‘Tiny’ for a name, but I think you’re right. Samson suits him.”

Bryce leaned toward Samson and ran his hands around the dog’s ear and enormous head. “Hey, buddy. How’re you doing? Did you miss me?”

He received a wad of drool across his face and shirt. Bryce smiled to hide his inward cringe.

“You’re the one who got him for me.” Sierra’s tone told him she was thinking about the reasons why.

“You said you wanted something big.” He pet Samson, then glanced up.

She crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look. “Why are you really here, Bryce?”

His stomach sank as he noticed something in her eyes. “You already know.”

“You’re here because Raul and Damien escaped prison.”

He nodded. Should he tell her that his thoughts went immediately to her when he heard the news? “I wanted to make sure you were okay. Did Captain Stephens call you?”

“I called him.” She gestured for Bryce to have a seat at the kitchen table. She grabbed mugs and poured coffee without asking. Sugar and nondairy creamer were already on the table.

“Why did you call him?”

Sierra took a seat and then placed her elbows on the table. She pressed her face into her hands. “A plane crashed yesterday.”

“Oh, no.”

“Samson and I found the crash site. The state is working to recover the bodies. One died before I arrived. One survived only minutes after I reached the plane. But before he died—” horror crept into her eyes “—Damien tried to kill me. He shot at me. I dodged that attempt, but then…then he told me that Raul was coming for me.”

“Oh, Sierra… I don’t know what to say.” He’d heard about the escaped convicts on the news like everyone else in Boulder and immediately contacted his old boss and BPD captain for the details.

“That’s not all.” Her voice cracked and, though she tried to appear unaffected, he didn’t miss the shudder that ran over her. “I saw footprints in the snow from a third person—someone who escaped the plane alive. Then I saw him, Bryce. I saw Raul. He was on the edge of the tree line. He just stood there watching. If the sheriff and SAR team hadn’t caught up to me, I don’t know if Raul would have come back to the plane and tried to kill me.”

She rubbed her arms and stared out the window to the woods. “As soon as I saw him, I tried to point him out to the sheriff, but Raul had disappeared. It was snowing hard so you could barely see anything. I wanted to go after him, but the sheriff wouldn’t let me. If the sheriff hadn’t seen the tracks in the snow before they were buried, I’m not sure he would have believed me about the presence of another man—and I’m still not sure he believes it was Raul.”

“Why not?”

“He might have thought I was seeing things. I failed to hide how shaken I was at seeing Damien.”

“What did the sheriff do? I hope he took action.”

“He sent a couple of deputies to search the area, but the storm and nightfall forced them to return before they found anything. They did retrieve the body of the unidentified deceased man though. My understanding is that a team will try to retrieve Damien’s body today. I hear they suspect the other man worked for the brothers on the outside and helped with their prison escape. I guess Raul and Damien escaped prison and thought they’d get revenge before they disappeared forever. But Raul… He’s out there somewhere, Bryce.”

And Sierra was terrified. She wouldn’t say the words, but Bryce could see the truth she tried hard to hide. She was tough and trained to protect others as well as herself, but anytime you became a target, even as a member of law enforcement, there was nothing wrong with a little healthy fear.

It was all Bryce could do to remain in his seat and not rush to her. Take her in his arms. He’d missed her since she’d walked out of his life. He’d been such a fool to let her so easily slip away.

“Sierra. I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t have to come all this way to tell me that,” she said. “You could have called.”

He continued to pet Samson, rubbing his neck and behind his ears. “I don’t have your number anymore.” She’d changed her number—and she hadn’t given him the new one. And besides, he’d wanted to do much more than say he was sorry.

“Fair enough, but you knew where to find me. You could have called the toy store.”

Bryce cleared his throat. “I did call.” And left a message that it was important and to please call him back.

“Oh. Okay. I didn’t get that message. It’s just Dad, me and Jane, our part-time help, working the store. Whoever took the call must have forgotten.” She shrugged.

When she’d first seen him, she’d hugged him as if glad to see an old friend—glad and yet edgy. Now she seemed downright irritated, like she didn’t want him here at all. He partly understood. He was a reminder about what happened. But then, Samson served as a daily reminder too, since the dog’s sole reason for being in her life was a result of the attack in Boulder.

As a detective with the Boulder Police Department, Sierra had been instrumental in putting notorious killer Damien Novack in prison. Damien had headed up an arms and drug trafficking organization and had committed numerous heinous crimes and murders. After Damien’s conviction, his brother, Raul, had come to extact revenge on Sierra, and attacked her in her home. Bryce had barely made it in time to save her. Raul had tried to kill him as well, but Sierra had saved him too.

Bryce wasn’t sure either of them had ever quite gotten over that violent night.

“Doesn’t matter.” He could shrug too. “I’m here now.”

“And so you are.” She arched a brow again.

He resisted the need to shift away from her piercing gaze. Was he prepared to stay even if she didn’t want his help? He wasn’t entirely sure how to take her reaction to his presence, but the fear in her blue eyes over the news of Raul remained.

And Bryce knew then that he would remain too—until the threat on her life was eliminated.

TWO

Sierra rose from the table and moved to dump her drink so she could hide her trembling hands. She was still working to get over what had happened yesterday—the image of Damien’s dark eyes and his intimidating words still fresh in her mind. Yesterday’s experience would have been traumatic even if the man hadn’t been an escaped prisoner who had come for her. Trying to save a man and watching him die like that had felt like a fist squeezing her heart tighter and tighter, crushing her.

And then to see Raul watching her from the trees…

As if that wasn’t enough, Bryce apparently thought he could walk back into her world and she would welcome him to save her again—as if he was her knight in shining armor? On the one hand, that he would do such a thing warmed her through and through. But on the other hand, she didn’t want to feel that way about his sudden appearance. They’d been through enough already.

Before Bryce, she’d cared deeply about someone on the Colorado State Patrol, but he’d been killed after he’d pulled a speeding driver over on the highway. His death had been senseless. It had been hard for her to get over it, but time had eased the pain enough for her to be ready to try. She had been close to letting Bryce in when Raul’s attack came. He’d almost died.

Sierra wouldn’t let herself care deeply or love someone in law enforcement again. There was too much pain to be had, something she knew from experience.

She sighed heavily. She truly had no idea how she really felt about Bryce’s appearance. The moment she’d seen him in the aisle next to the baby dolls, her heart had stumbled, then begun to beat erratically until she’d calmed herself and reminded herself why she had to guard against caring too much. But that had always been hard for her when it came to Bryce. His sturdy form, strong jaw and huge dimples when he smiled had always made her heart jump around, but adding to that, he could be tough as steel one moment, then instantly turn gentle and sensitive and caring the next. She was surprised someone hadn’t snagged and married him already.

“Listen.” He remained at the table, toying with his mug. Samson lay at his feet, taking up half the space of the nook.

It was a picturesque moment, one she wouldn’t easily forget.

“I know my sudden appearance today is a surprise to you. But I couldn’t stay away. Not when I heard about Raul and Damien.”

That news hadn’t filtered all the way to the small town of Crescent Springs—not until they’d found the crashed plane. That Bryce still thought of her, and that some part of him had remained committed to her, could melt the cold places in her heart. And that wasn’t a good thing. She’d tried to forget him and now he was here.

She’d hurt him before. She’d hurt the both of them. Could she really turn around, face him and ask him to leave? Washing the mug off, she tried to figure out what to say.

She continued to rinse the few remaining dishes in the sink. “So, what are you going to do?” she asked.

“I’m staying in town for a few days.” His chair scraped the floor as he scooted it away from the table.

Oh. Okay. Hmm.

Facing him, she crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “Don’t you have a job? Did you take vacation or something?”

“I’m taking a few days off.” He studied her as if waiting for her reaction. She kept her emotions hidden away.

Bryce turned his attention to the dog. Samson was a great distraction when one was needed. She totally got that.

“Is it always this crowded in town?” he asked. “Or is that just because of the ice festival?”

“No, it’s not usually so crowded. The town becomes an ice climbing mecca during the festival.” The timing of the prison break couldn’t have been worse. The tourists and fans that flooded the town—so many strangers here—could make it easier for Raul to hide in the chaos and get to her.

If only…

Bryce glanced up at her. Not even the hint of a smile curved his lips. And why should there be? There was nothing to smile about under these circumstances. Bryce showing up because of the Novack brothers only served to emphasize the way the horrors of the past were coming back to threaten her again. Maybe even threaten Bryce again too. Still, the look in his eyes—He wanted to know how she felt about him being here—of course, he would want to know. But she wasn’t sure herself.

“You know.” She smiled. “I have this amazing guard dog, compliments of you. Samson wasn’t there before, when the attack happened. But he’s here now so you didn’t need to come for me.”

A pained look skittered across Bryce’s face. Had she imagined it? At the sound of his name, Samson lifted his head. Bryce ran his hands through the dog’s fur. “And I missed Samson, okay? I needed to come see my buddy and make sure you were treating him right.”

Bryce’s grin ignited memories in her. She’d adored his grin before. She couldn’t let herself adore that grin again.

“I appreciate you coming to check on me, Bryce. Really. But there’s no need to worry about me. I’m fine—and I’m sure Raul will be captured soon.”

He crouched to get a better angle to rub Samson’s enormous belly. The dog was really too big for this kitchen.

“Yeah. Maybe. In the meantime, why don’t we have dinner tonight? You can tell me about life back here in Crescent Springs.”

Dinner. Two friends catching up. Not a date. As long as they were both clear on that point. “And you can share what you’ve been up to. Catch me up on the Boulder PD.” Wistfulness washed through her. While she loved working here and being close to her father, there were aspects she missed about the daily grind of detective work in Boulder.

Bryce stood to his full height, his silver-blue eyes taking her in. An old, familiar stirring hit her, and she realized how much she’d missed this man. She’d always felt drawn to him. But then, that was why she’d been deliberate about putting emotional distance between them.

“I don’t have any inside scoops for you. I don’t know what’s going on with BPD.”

She glanced at him. That didn’t sound good. “Why don’t you know what’s going on?”

“I’m not working with BPD anymore.”

Okay. That surprised her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m telling you now.” He winked. “I’ve been a private investigator for a year now. That and working security.”

She nodded, taking it in. “That had always been your dream.” She remembered that much. “Good for you, Bryce. I’m glad.”

Bryce held her gaze captive for a few breaths longer than necessary. There was so much more she could say to him.

He approached her and, in two easy steps, he stood much too close. Samson, who had stuck by Bryce’s side, decided to wag his dinosaur tail and it thumped against her leg.

“Just so you know, I’m here until Raul is back in prison. I’m here for as long as it takes.”

Sierra stared into his eyes. If only she could send him away. It would be safer for her heart. But his proclamation had the strange and unbidden effect of reassuring her that she would be safe as long as he was here. Between Samson and Bryce, no one would get to Sierra. And maybe it was okay to accept his help. After all, it had been only yesterday when she’d looked into Damien’s vengeance-filled eyes right before he died. Only yesterday she’d seen Raul watching her.

Bryce suddenly took her hand. “Breathe, Sierra. It’s going to be okay.”

She hadn’t been breathing? She slowly drew in air along with the hint of his musky cologne. “Is it? You didn’t see what I saw.” She hadn’t meant to show him how scared she was. She didn’t want to be scared. But this situation made her anxiety impossible to ignore. “You didn’t see the hate in his eyes. He wasn’t even afraid of the fact that he was about to die. All he cared about was getting to me. His last words were nothing more than evil. His brother is no different than him, and Raul succeeded in getting to me before.”

And both she and Bryce had almost died.

A shudder rolled through her.

She tried to hide it but Bryce didn’t miss the effect Damien’s words had on her. Without a second thought he wrapped his arms around her. As a friend. Nothing more. Someone who cared for her deeply—and platonically.

“It’s going to be okay. I hope some part of you knew that I would come. We’ve been through so much together. We faced off against Raul before. If he comes for you, we’ll face him again and win—together, Sierra. That’s why I’m here. To face him with you if it comes to that.”

Though uncertainty about his decision to come had plagued him, now Bryce was more than glad he’d decided to head to Crescent Springs. Whether she had realized that she needed him before, he didn’t know. But the way she held on to him now told him she would accept his presence, at least for the time being.

He eased away and gripped her arms. “I’m here for you.”

In her eyes he could see that she didn’t want to need him. He took a step back even as she did too. “See you at dinner?” he asked.

She nodded. “Okay. Sure.”

“How about the Crescent Springs Café just across the street.” That should be easy.

“It’s going to be crowded.” She shrugged. “We could eat here.”

“We could. But then your father would hear our conversation.”

She nodded. “Right. I don’t necessarily want him to know all the danger I’ve had to face or am facing now. I haven’t even told him the worst part about yesterday.” She rubbed her arms. “I need him to know. He needs to be safe and remain cautious, but I know how much it will hurt him to learn all the details of what I went through before, and that it followed me here.”

“I’ll be praying for you,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “Looks like you have a lot to share with me, then.”

Right. He’d found God. Or rather God had found him since Sierra had left Boulder.

“So the café it is.”

She smiled. “I’ll call and let them know to save us a table. I’m friends with Miguel, the owner.”

“Sounds good.” He left her standing in the kitchen petting the gentle giant he’d given her four years ago. She’d remained in Boulder for three years. When Samson had been old enough she’d trained him for K-9 work. Just before Samson had become an official part of BPD, Sierra had moved to Crescent Springs. Bryce got the feeling that the timing wasn’t a coincidence. Sierra hadn’t wanted to put Samson in harm’s way or lethal situations.

He headed out through the toy store and gave a small wave to her father and the young woman Bryce assumed was Jane. She didn’t look a day over twenty. As he exited the toy store, he realized the anticipation he felt about tonight’s dinner with Sierra felt so much like a date when it shouldn’t. She’d hurt him before, and he knew Sierra well enough…she would hurt him again if given the chance. Regardless, Bryce was only here to keep her safe. Sierra was in danger. That he found himself wrapped up in protecting her against a Novack brother again seemed surreal. But he would see it through until the end.

If only he could shake the feeling that it wouldn’t end well. They had survived the last time. Could they survive this time?

He hesitated before crossing the street and leaving the toy store. But he reassured himself that while Sierra was at the toy store and surrounded by people, she should be safe. He walked the growing crowds to see if he spotted any familiar or unwanted faces and called his old boss from the Boulder PD on his cell.

“Bryce.” The man was breathless. Traffic resounded in the background. “Good to hear from you. Since the Novack brothers’ escape, we’ve been trying to find out everything we can. Where are you?”

Three steps ahead of you. Bryce leaned against a storefront and watched the toy store across the street while he talked. “Crescent Springs, Colorado.”

“Oh, you’re staying close to Sierra then. You obviously know about the plane crash.”

“Yes. And I’m here with her until this is over.”

“Don’t forget that you sent them to the penitentiary too. You could be in as much danger.”

“I’m well aware of that, don’t worry. But I don’t think that I was their primary target since they headed straight for Crescent Springs.”

“But now that you’re there, it’s easier for Raul to get at both of you. That said, I don’t blame you for being concerned about her.” A car door opened and shut. “You’re a good man to make sure she’s all right. I’ll stay in close communication with Sheriff Locke there in Crescent Springs as the state and NTSB work through this so we’re all on the same page. I don’t need to tell you to watch Sierra’s back, but please watch your own.”

“I will, don’t worry. I’m sure someone will spot Raul soon. He couldn’t have lasted long in the elements so my guess is that he would have made the closest town.”

“Crescent Springs.”

“Which is hopping right now for a local ice festival. If he’s hanging around, someone’s going to see him.”

“On the other hand,” his old boss said, “he’s smart enough to know that, with the plane crash, we’re onto him. He might get as far away as he can rather than trying to get to Sierra.”

“Whatever the case, let’s hope he doesn’t get to Sierra.” The state was searching and local law had been called in, as well. Sierra wasn’t out there searching for the criminal for obvious reasons. Bryce was glad that Sheriff Locke hadn’t involved her.

“I’m with you. And Bryce? It’s good to be working with you again. I wish you would have stayed with the BPD. You’re always welcome to come back. We could always use another good detective.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Captain. I’ll keep that in mind.” At the very back of his mind. He ended the call.

Bryce leaned against the wall to watch the tourists entering the shops or merely window shopping.

Across the street, next to the toy store, he spotted a big man, his hood covering his face. The guy’s build was the right size. He could be Raul.

Sierra appeared in the glass doorway of the store, stepped out onto the sidewalk and turned left to walk up the street. Where was she going?

His gut tensed. Bryce started across the street. The big man turned and walked away from the store as if to follow Sierra.

Bryce trailed him, picking up his pace. If this was Raul gunning for her, Bryce couldn’t let him hurt Sierra. Nor could he let him get away.

The man increased his pace and headed directly for Sierra.

“Sierra! Watch out!” Bryce shouted but he wasn’t sure if she could hear him over the bustling crowd and the traffic.

Sierra jerked around at the same moment the man was on her. He grabbed her, then threw her against the wall. He wielded a knife, but Sierra dodged his strike.

“Hey!” Bryce called out as he weaved through pedestrians and sprinted toward Sierra and her attacker.

The man jerked his attention to Bryce then threw Sierra down hard as if she was nothing but a rag doll. He pushed his way through the tourists to escape, bumping shoulders with people as he passed, and knocking a man and his child over.

Bryce caught up to Sierra and tried to help her to her feet.

“Go, get him!” She pointed. “I’ll radio the sheriff.”

Bryce ran after the man, but the attacker climbed onto a motorcycle and sped away. The chase wasn’t over yet though. The traffic and tourists would slow the motorcycle and that would be Bryce’s only chance of catching him. Bryce pushed himself, dashing between cars and people, shouting that he was coming through. The motorcycle turned right at the corner, away from the heavy traffic in the town’s center. When Bryce made it to the corner, his legs slowed. He was good for a marathon but not for a sprint. Up ahead, he spotted the motorcycle speeding out of town.

There was only one main highway out of town, but there were numerous forest service roads. Bryce would never catch up to the man he suspected had to be Raul, but once notified, the Colorado State Patrol would ramp up their search. Bryce wanted to believe that Raul would be captured. The fact that the convict had stayed around the area this long knowing that law enforcement was searching for him didn’t reassure Bryce about Sierra’s safety.

Catching his breath, Bryce turned to make his way back to Sierra.

What would have happened if Bryce hadn’t been there, watching the toy store when she was attacked? Would Raul have gotten the best of her despite her defensive efforts?

He couldn’t bear it if something happened to her. Bryce would camp out at her place if that’s what protecting her required. He had the feeling the hotel across the street might not be close enough.

THREE

That night Bryce had dinner with Sierra as planned, in spite of the events of the afternoon. In spite of Raul’s attack on her in broad daylight. The guy had no fear.

That alone had shaken Bryce to his core, though he tried to hide that fact from Sierra. He’d also tried to dissuade her from dinner at the café.

“I won’t let him ruin my life here,” she’d said.

After chasing after Raul and failing to capture him, Bryce had found Sierra in her kitchen, calming her nerves by petting Samson.

And now here they sat across from each other in a booth, trying to pretend everything was normal. Trying, and failing.

He’d been relieved when the waiter took their barely eaten food away. Neither of them had much of an appetite, and in that way, Raul was succeeding in ruining her life, as she put it.

Add to that, here in the café, they were probably too exposed.

“I’ll see you back home,” he said. Maybe if he stuck close to her Raul wouldn’t be so bold. And maybe law enforcement had chased him far from here after today. In the meantime, he’d seen an increase in state law enforcement in town, adding to the county sheriff’s meager presence. Sierra was as well protected as she could be.

But until he heard that the criminal had been caught, he would remain on high alert.

Nodding her agreement, she eased from the booth. “I’ll need to take Samson for a walk. Want to come?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t mind spending more time with him.” He hitched a grin. “Oh, okay, and you too.”

He kept the conversation light, but neither of them was feeling it. The heaviness of Raul’s escape and pursuit of Sierra was pulling them both down.

“You know, walking Samson could be a problem if Raul is still here in town.” Walking a dog was one of those daily routines that tended to follow a predictable pattern—and that could be dangerous, even if the dog was a massive K-9 mountain search dog.

“It’s not like it can be helped.” Her eyes glistened in the low lighting of the café. “Samson has to be walked.”

“Maybe I can do that for you instead.”

She shook her head. “I won’t put you in danger like that.”

He knew, like him, she hoped it would be over soon.

Sierra paused at the door to thank Miguel, the café owner. The man’s smile and warm gaze told Bryce that he was interested in Sierra. Bryce swallowed the shard of jealousy that surged up his throat. Then he escorted her across the street and through the store. Samson’s deep throaty bark could be heard through the walls.

“It’s easier to go through the store than to walk all the way around the building and storefronts, through the alley and then back around, especially when the snow can get too deep and isn’t always plowed or shoveled. It’s a weird setup, I know. But living at the back of the store is super convenient for Dad.”

In the living room, her father sat in a recliner and flicked through television programs.

Bryce peered through the blinds at the dark woods. The light coming from the windows chased away few shadows. “It’s convenient, true, but it certainly isn’t the best setup for your current situation.”

Sierra grabbed the leash off the hook. “Good thing I’ve got my K-9 and my handgun.”

Right. Good thing. “Better keep the gun with you at all times then.” She certainly hadn’t had it with her today.

She nodded, but didn’t acknowledge his comment any further, turning to her father instead. “How was dinner?” she asked. To Bryce, she said, “He insisted on warming up leftovers—fried chicken tenders and green beans—in the microwave.”

“Probably better than what you ate at that restaurant.” Her father chuckled.

“Right. My cooking isn’t the best, I know, Dad. But the café’s food is definitely better.” Sierra attached the leash to Samson’s collar—more a formality than an actual restraint, due to Samson’s size.

She started to open the back door. Bryce touched her arm and leaned in to whisper. “I think it’s a good idea to avoid going out this back way for the foreseeable future.” He wouldn’t say more in front of Sierra’s father. He wasn’t sure how much she had shared with the man.

She frowned and nodded. “What was I thinking? You’re right.”

She led Bryce and Samson back through the storefront. She unlocked and then once again locked the door. Anxiety settled in his stomach. He shoved through the deepening snow and a snow berm to get to the plowed street. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning to shovel this away so customers can get to you.”

“It’s a problem, to be sure.”

Snowflakes coated them both but being with Sierra seemed to add warmth to Bryce’s layers, despite the cold dread that coursed through him.

As they walked, keeping to the freshly plowed street as opposed to the un-shoveled sidewalk, he didn’t want to break the silence but he needed to say the words. “Samson is a deterrent, but be cautious even when you’re out walking him. His protection isn’t foolproof.”

“And yours is?” She arched her brow again.

He almost smiled at that—he’d missed seeing her feistiness on a regular basis.

“You know what I mean,” he said. Someone bent on harming her could shoot Samson and then Sierra too.

“I didn’t thank you for today. You distracted Raul, pulling his attention from me and then he ran from you. Not me. You. If you hadn’t been there maybe I could have won the fight, but I can’t be sure. Just like before, you were there in time, Bryce. I owe you. But today drove home that you’re putting yourself in danger by being here.” Sierra turned to him, her breath puffing out white clouds. Snowflakes clung to her lashes.

“Don’t tell me that you’re worried about me?” Okay, that was just plain wrong—it sounded like he was asking her to say how much he meant to her. He wasn’t going to flirt with her.

Sierra didn’t answer.

That’s because she probably knew he didn’t want to know the real answer. Either way. He ignored the painful memories of their past and his attraction to her. Samson’s low growl drew his attention to the animal and then the woods just beyond the line of buildings. He had suspected those woods were going to be a problem.

The beast continued his growl then barked.

“Easy, Samson,” she said.

“Can you control him?” Bryce asked.

“Warten!” She commanded Samson to wait.

Sierra had used German words for her commands when she trained Samson because it was easier for Samson to differentiate the commands from her every day communications. The dog did as he was trained to do but he continued to growl.

“I’m going to check it out,” Bryce said. “Get behind that nine-passenger van.”

“Hier.” Here, she commanded Samson. The dog whined then moved close to Sierra.

Sierra grabbed Bryce’s arm and squeezed, tugging him back. “Bryce, be careful.”

Her tone was intense, and something else in her voice told him she did still care deeply about him.

But neither of them would act on that, each having their own reasons.

Gunfire exploded.

The bullet whizzed by his ear even as he shoved Sierra to the ground. She held firm to Samson who wanted to take off. “Nein!”

“Sierra, we could use his help here.” Bryce edged away from her, preparing to make a run for it and get this guy.

“I won’t send him in there to be shot and killed,” she said. “I’ve seen that happen before. I won’t do it.”

“Then don’t. Let’s take cover.” They were still too exposed.

They crept behind a van they could use for a temporary barrier. Sierra kept her dog close. Bryce could breathe a little easier now that they had some protection—but they weren’t out of danger yet. He didn’t want to get pinned here. “Contact your sheriff and let him know we have an active shooter.”

Sierra nodded and tugged out her cell. She wasn’t wearing her radio. She spoke quickly into the cell letting dispatch know about the shooter at the edge of town. Good thing the festivalgoers were mostly at the other end of town near the vendor booths.

Bryce and Sierra had both pulled their weapons out. Another shot rang out and Samson was eager to work. If he weren’t well trained, he would already have taken off.

“Cover me.” Bryce prepared to dash across the street.

“No, wait!” Sierra whispered. “Don’t go out there.”

“This is our chance to get him, Sierra.”

“You’re not law enforcement anymore, Bryce. Remember? You can’t arrest that guy even if you catch him. I’m the deputy sheriff. I need to come with you if you go.”

Bryce wanted to give her a piece of his mind, but this wasn’t the time. They’d have to work together then. As much as he didn’t want her in the line of fire, he knew she wasn’t going to back down.

Another shot rang out, this time from a different position. Pain stabbed through Bryce.

“Bryce!” Sierra shouted. Fear coursed through her.

He’d been shot. Bryce stumbled back. Then grabbed his upper arm. He lifted his bloody hand to stare at the wound. “It’s just a graze. I’m all right.”

“How do you know that? You can’t tell by looking at the blood on your hand.”

He moved his arm, though with a grimace. “See? It’s just a graze.” They moved out of harm’s way and he peered around the vehicle, his weapon at the ready.

“Well, the sheriff knows where we are, someone should be here soon.” Sierra’s voice shook.

“Stay here with Samson. You’re not going with me. Raul wants you dead, remember? I don’t need to worry about you or Samson getting shot.”

Oh, that was a low blow. Bryce knew she would want to protect Samson.

“Does he have a command for guarding you?” Bryce asked.

“Of course he does. I’ll be fine. I just need you to be safe too, Bryce.”

Wind whipped around the vehicles and sliced through her like a frozen knife, and of course—the snow had to pick up.

And just like that, Bryce disappeared around the vehicle and ran across the street.

Grrrrr!

Sierra got on her cell again for dispatch. “Where’s the sheriff? Is he on his way? Or a deputy or something. One of those state officers. Bryce is chasing after the shooter.”

“Aren’t you a deputy?”

“That’s beside the point. I don’t want to put Samson at more risk from a bullet by chasing after the shooter.” She didn’t use him as anything but a SAR dog. And sure, if someone broke into her home with intentions to harm her, then Samson was there to guard her, but that didn’t mean she’d deliberately put him in harm’s way. And yet, it didn’t sit right to let Bryce face whoever was out there by himself. Apprehension warred inside—Sierra wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing.

“Sheriff’s on his way.”

“Okay. Tell him to hurry.”

Samson yanked on his leash, pulled her away from the van. He wanted to follow Bryce to track and find the threat per his original K-9 training. That, and Samson was protective like any dog, wanting to neutralize the threat.

“Sitzen!” Samson followed her command and sat next to her, his huge form giving her warmth. “Zei Brav,” she said, then again in English: “Good boy.”

After a few seconds ticked by, Sierra tightened her hold on Samson’s leash. “Hier. Come on. I’m taking you home. I need to go after Bryce.” Just what Bryce wouldn’t want. “From now on, you’re wearing your vest when we go out.”

Because of his enormous size, Samson had to have a special vest created for him. That had been back in Boulder—over a year earlier. Now that she thought about it, his vest probably wouldn’t fit him anymore. They made their way quickly down the street back toward the toy store. Only a few people were out visiting restaurants in this cold. The vendor exhibits still open were at the far end of town.

No one reacted as if they’d heard gunfire.

Samson barked again, letting her know his displeasure. He was well trained. Samson could track the shooter, but she knew what could happen to him as well.

Raul would shoot and kill Samson.

As for Bryce, she couldn’t control him. He was a grown man—and he was fully trained in dealing with dangerous criminals. Samson couldn’t shoot back or protect himself against a deadly bullet. She pushed through the deepening snow, heading back toward the toy store as fast as she could. And away from Bryce.

Lord, please, please keep him safe.

She didn’t like that he’d run off from her, and later on she would scold him for it. But only after he was back and safe. She started around to the back, which was the entrance she usually took with Samson, then remembered the woods—the same woods Bryce had probably entered to find the shooter. She’d assured him she wouldn’t take that route.

Sierra took Samson through the front of the toy store to the apartment in back and found Dad still watching his program. He glanced up at her. “That was a short walk. Did Bryce go back to his hotel?”

“Dad, didn’t you hear those shots fired?”

He turned the television down. “What’d you say?”

Right. “Never mind. I have to go back out. Keep an eye on Samson for me, okay?”

“Always do.”

Samson growled then barked at her. He wanted to come along. He nipped at her gloved hands as if he would keep her from going back outside without him. She pressed a kiss on his massive forehead. “You’re a good boy. You know what’s going on, don’t you?”

Her weapon tucked away, she exited through the front, locking all doors behind her. The sheriff met her at the door. Great timing, but she nearly ran into him.

“I got the message about the shots fired. I couldn’t find you so hoped you were back here,” he said.

“Where’s Bryce?” she asked.

“I didn’t see him. Tell me what’s happened.”

“Walk with me while we talk.” The snow was growing deep enough to slow them down, filling her with frustration. “Someone took a couple of shots at us while we were out walking the dog. Bryce went after the shooter.”

“And you let him go by himself?”

“I tried to stop him. He wanted me to take Samson back home, which I did.”

“The dog could find the shooter. Maybe take him down too.”

“Yes, and the dog could also get shot and killed. I don’t have Samson for these kinds of circumstances, Sheriff.” Even though the fear of an attacker was the exact reason she’d wanted a big dog. “Samson is trained for mountain search and rescue.”

In response, the sheriff merely offered her a severe frown. Clearly he didn’t agree with the way she used her dog. Sierra didn’t care what he thought.

Samson wasn’t an employee of the sheriff’s department. No one other than Sierra had any right to say what he should or shouldn’t face.

She tugged her weapon out. She hoped the shooter hadn’t taken Bryce out already. Her heart ached at the mere thought of it. And if Bryce got seriously injured out there—how much of the blame lay with her?

“Now are you going to help me then?” she asked. “Because I’m not sitting this one out.”

Sheriff Locke readied his own weapon. “That, I am.”

FOUR

Bryce continued following the footsteps through the nearly thigh-deep snow. With the way the snow was falling, soon the tracks left behind would be completely gone.

The snow was to his knees, and hip-deep in some places. He tried to step into the shooter’s steps to ease his efforts, but it was still slow going. Without snowshoes, he had no hope of picking up the pace, and this kind of exertion was going to exhaust him too quickly. He wasn’t out of shape but navigating the snow-covered rocky terrain took all his effort and focus.

Bryce stopped to catch his breath and take in his surroundings. It was pitch black out here. The only illumination came from the town lights that reflected from the clouds. That reflection helped him to see the way, but it wasn’t nearly enough to let him track down the man who had shot him.

What was Bryce doing out here?

This seemed like a suicide mission.

Standing beneath the low-hanging branches of a spruce tree, he considered his options. If he didn’t silence his gasps for breath they would give him away—that is, if someone was watching and waiting for the chance to take Bryce out. Except Bryce had no doubt the shooter had come for Sierra specifically and taking Bryce out would simply be a bonus.

Anger coiled in his gut. He couldn’t let Raul get to Sierra. His efforts might fall short, but he wouldn’t stop trying.

He drew in a sharp, cold breath. Bryce wouldn’t give up so easily.

Even though Raul wasn’t the typical perp.

Shoving from the spruce tree, Bryce continued following the tracks before it was too late and the shooter was gone for good.

He pushed harder and hiked farther than he thought he could. Finally the snow clouds thinned, allowing the moon to illuminate the forest into an eerie, foreboding scene.

Glancing back, Bryce noticed Crescent Springs was growing smaller. He was putting himself in danger by going deeper into the cold without proper clothing. He wasn’t prepared to face off against the elements.

But he’d only been thinking about getting his hands on Raul, ending this once and for all so Sierra could be safe.

He caught a glimpse of the mountains that stood watch over the small tourist town. Bryce flexed his cold fingers in both hands to shake the stiffness away. He wished he’d worn ski bibs instead of jeans layered with thermals. He hadn’t thought through what having dinner with Sierra would look like—and he certainly hadn’t expected the evening to end this way, with Raul taking a shot at her.

Bryce should have been better prepared.

Regardless, he couldn’t stay out here much longer.

The clack of tree trunks rustling with the wind drew his attention to the south. A crunching sound followed. Was Raul pushing on too now that he knew Bryce would follow?

Frustration boiled through him and warmed him—good.

Just a little farther. God, the tracks are here for me to follow. Help me find this guy before he hurts Sierra!

He allowed the hot anger to fuel his steps.

A shadow moved in the trees ahead of him.

Yes!

Bryce was catching up. His weapon ready, he prepared to pull the trigger.

He aimed at the silhouette of a man in the trees. “Stop, police!”

Only he wasn’t the police anymore. Old habits die hard.

His prey fled deeper into the woods. He was so close! Bryce would get his hands on Raul. Adrenaline pushed him farther and deeper.

A force slammed into his body. The breath whooshed from him. He crashed face-first into the biting snow that rushed into his mouth and nose.

Bryce fought for purchase, grappling with the snow. Reaching for something, anything, to push the weight from him. He twisted around to face the barrel of a weapon.

Reflex kicked in.

Bryce rolled as gunfire blasted into the space where he’d been mere seconds before. Using his training, he knocked the weapon from the man’s hand. Kicked his attacker to the ground as he twisted away and scrambled to his feet, despite the snow impeding his efforts. Bryce searched, digging through the snow and found his weapon. Gasping for breath, he shoved the fear down.

Aiming his weapon, he turned in a circle looking for Raul.

No.

No, no, no.

Bryce had lost him. He’d fled into the night again. Bryce could follow the tracks farther, but the cold was making him numb and slowing both his moving and thinking. Grousing that he’d let the man get the best of him and get away on top of it, he decided to follow the footprints left behind. The cold seeped through his inadequate clothes all the way to his bones. From now on, he’d dress for unexpected treks through snow on cold winter nights. Maybe even drag snowshoes around with him so he’d be prepared.

He took one more step.

A crack resounded directly under his feet—a familiar and terrifying sound.

He stilled and listened. Gurgling water. A river? A stream? Whatever it was, he’d just stepped on the thin layer of ice covering moving water—thin and dangerous.

Another crack and then his foot plunged into the icy water.

Sierra heard the snap and the plunge into water that came after.

Oh, no!

“Bryce!” she shouted.

Gasping for breath, she pushed forward through the snow, following his tracks. She’d seen a man standing there not fifteen yards away through the trees. She had just decided it was Bryce at the moment he’d stepped on the ice.

Now she couldn’t see him at all. “We have to hurry!” she shouted to the sheriff who trailed her.

“Bryce, I’m coming.” She pushed faster, breathing cold hair into her lungs.

“We’re on our way!” Sheriff Locke shouted. “Hold on!”

Holding on when you fell into a frozen river wasn’t always an option. Oh, Lord, please let us reach him in time!

She hiked as fast as she could, wishing she could push faster. “Answer me, Bryce!”

Another splash of water resounded.

“No!” Sierra cried out.

Then she was at the river that weaved through these woods. It was wide and deep enough to be lethal.

Bryce was clinging to a frozen branch as more ice gave away again beneath him. He held tight…for now. She knew that he would soon succumb to hypothermia and would no longer be able to hold himself up on that branch.

“Stay back.” His voice was commanding, but she heard the hint of fear. The shivering in his words.

That sound shook her to the core.

“No.” She crawled along the thick snow-covered branch and scooted along until she reached him. The sheriff found a boulder nearby so he wouldn’t risk stepping through the ice. Together they hefted Bryce up and out of the river.

They dragged him away from the riverbank.

“Are you okay?” she asked. “Scratch that. It’s a stupid question. Let’s get you back.”

He wasn’t out of danger yet.

Shivering, he gasped for breath. “Thank you. But you shouldn’t—”

“Let’s get you back.” Sheriff Locke’s voice was authoritative. No nonsense.

As was Sierra. “Of course we should have. Now, let’s go and get you warm.”

“But he’s still out there. Raul is still out there.” Bryce teeth chattered. “I can’t let him get to you.”

What was it about Bryce that made him feel personally responsible for protecting her from Raul? It confounded her and warmed her heart at the same time. But she needed to stick to the no-nonsense attitude. Experience had taught her it was the best way to push past his stubbornness.

“I’ll get more deputies,” the sheriff offered. “We’ll follow the tracks until we find him, Bryce. In the meantime, you’re going to freeze to death if you don’t get out of those clothes.”

“Sheriff Locke,” she said. “It’s too treacherous to go after Raul at night. You see what happened to Bryce. He almost got swept away in the river. You can’t send deputies out there after him.”

The sheriff growled. “I’ll let the state boys know and we’ll see if they want to join in the search tonight. He’s too close to let get away. We all know the risks. Leaving him out there is also a risk.”

“I agree. That’s a big risk to Sierra.” Bryce forced the words out through his shivers.

Sierra didn’t want to argue with the two of them. They had a point, but the danger was real to anyone who was going to search for him in this terrain on a cold snowy night.

She kept her mouth shut as they hiked the rest of the way back to town, Bryce between them. His legs weren’t moving too well—numb and cold—and he was unstable on his feet.

What if they hadn’t followed him? What then? Bryce would have died out there tonight.

“Are you sure it was Novack?” Sheriff Locke finally asked.

“I fought with him. But I didn’t get a look at his face. It was too dark and happened too fast. But it must have been the same man who attacked Sierra today in town. Who else could it have been tonight?” Bryce’s words slurred as his body grew colder. “I shouldn’t have let him get the best of me.”

“Need I remind you that you’re not law enforcement? You should have waited on me and my men or the state officers in town.”

“Do we have to talk about this now?” Sierra asked. She wanted to get Bryce somewhere warm before it was too late and frostbite took his legs or worse. The sheriff could wait until later to dress him down. But he seemed to disagree as he continued his scolding.

“You can’t go chasing people through the woods and think you’re going to detain them.”

“I might not have the power of the law behind a badge,” Bryce said again through chattering teeth. “But you can bet I’ll detain them.”

Sheriff Locke finally chuckled. “At least you’re single-minded. I wouldn’t stand in your way, honestly. Just doing my duty to remind you to keep it legal. I can’t really say I object to you trying to keep our town safe. My department is spread thin with this ice festival. And we certainly don’t need a shooter scaring off tourists from our one claim to fame.”

Sierra thought they would never make it to the toy store. The cold had seeped into her bones so much her hands shook as she fumbled to unlock the door.

“I think we should get him to the clinic,” Sheriff Locke suggested.

“They’re not open this late.”

“They are with the festival. Let Doc make sure he’s okay.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. I just need to get warm.” He started to cross the street.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked.

“To my hotel room.”

She grabbed him and swung him back around. “Oh, no, you don’t. Not until I’ve made sure you’re going to be okay.”

The sheriff took this opening to back away. “Call me if you need anything, Sierra. I’m going to let the other agencies know about what happened tonight. We might start combing the woods soon. But you stay here. I don’t want you out there. Understand?” He gave her a pointed look.

“Sure.” She focused back on Bryce as the sheriff left them.

“I’m soaked through,” he said. “I need new clothes and those are in my room at the hotel.”

Despite his protests, he let her lead him through the store and into the back apartment.

She ushered him next to the fireplace. “Dad has a pair of pants you can borrow while we dry those,” she said. “And I’m going to take a look at your arm. If it’s more than a graze, then you are going to the clinic after all. Do you hear me?”

Bryce said nothing. Concern crawled over her. She should force him to go see a doctor anyway.

Dad rose from the recliner. Samson sniffed Bryce and released a low groan.

“What happened?” Dad asked. “Don’t tell me you—”

“He took a tumble, that’s all,” she said and gave Dad a warning look.

“You don’t need to sugarcoat it,” Bryce said. “I fell through the ice.”

Dad’s eyes widened. “You—”

“Dad. Will you please get Bryce some clothes?”

Dad nodded. “All right. Can you follow me?”

“Sure,” Bryce said through gritted teeth.

Was he trying to hide the chattering?

Dad led him upstairs to his bedroom. Now that both men were out of sight, Sierra collapsed into a chair, pressed her face into her arms on the table.

“Oh, Lord,” she whispered. Raul was in town and closing in. He was after her.

Samson nudged her and whined. She weaved her fingers through his fur and held on tight. Held on for dear life. Would this ever end?

If and when it did, would she survive? Would the people around her get hurt—or even killed? Bryce shouldn’t be here putting himself in harm’s way for her. Somehow she needed to find the strength to push him away for his safety, and that of her heart.

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