Chapter 1
Light flashed behind Emmy’s eyelids, the rocking of the SUV lulling her. It was too bad she couldn’t sleep. She was bone-weary. The kind of exhaustion that sapped every bit of good out of life.
“We’re almost there.”
She opened her eyes at the sound of Deputy US Marshal Dalton Silva’s voice. Emmy straightened in her seat and glanced his way. Dalton wore a white Stetson that covered his short black hair. His deep brown eyes were solemn, intense as they met hers.
They had been on the road for over fourteen hours straight, backtracking and taking several different roads to throw off anyone who might try to track them. And someone would definitely come after them.
Emmy was sick of being in the vehicle, but it was the only thing between a future and certain death. So, who was she to complain?
“You should’ve let me drive more,” she told Dalton. “You’re worn-out.”
“It’s my job.”
She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it as she looked out the passenger window to the scenic view. The sun shone in the clear blue sky, giving her a stunning view of the white-topped mountain range. A light dusting of snow had fallen overnight, but it was already melting under the bright rays of the sun.
If she had to hide, this was as good a place as any. She hadn’t been too keen on Dalton’s idea, but when backed against a wall, a person did everything they could to stay alive.
“It’s just until after the first of the year,” Dalton said as if reading her thoughts.
“They found me in three days this last time.”
Dalton shifted in his seat and leaned his right elbow on the center console. “No one but me knows where you’ll be.”
No one should have known the times before, but they had. A chill raced down Emmy’s spine when she thought of the gun barrel that had been pointed at her head. The feel of the cool metal against her skin, her would-be murderer’s uneven breathing. Had Dalton not unexpectedly checked on her that night, she’d be dead.
“I’m going to find the leak,” Dalton vowed in a voice rife with anger and unease. “I’m going to find them and put an end to things.”
She swiveled her head to look at the marshal. “That may cost you your life.”
“We’re the good guys, Emmy. Or at least we’re supposed to be. Whoever is leaking your information needs to be reminded of that. I’m no fool, though. I’ll be careful.”
She quirked a brow. “How do you plan to do any of that if you aren’t returning to the office?”
It was one of the reasons she had agreed to this trip. After Dalton shot and killed the assassin sent after her, he had pulled her after him out of the hotel to his company vehicle and sped away. To her shock, Dalton had pulled into a parking garage and parked the car. They had jumped out and rushed away from the SUV. He then led her through the streets of Denver, telling her when to keep her head down and when to put her back to a camera so they couldn’t be picked up. That took them to an old, beat-up truck with tinted windows.
He reached into the back of the cab and pulled out a black duffle bag, tossing it onto her lap and ordering her to look through it. There were hats and wigs of all styles inside. Emmy made her choice. Surprisingly, it made her feel somewhat shielded.
Dalton swapped his Stetson for a ball cap, pulling it low. Then they drove away, Denver in the rearview mirror. On the road, he laid out a reckless, wild plan to take her to Montana. First, they would travel east, then south, then west, and finally north to big sky country.
Emmy had no idea if the plan was good or not. All she wanted was to stay alive. Dalton had saved her life. Maybe she was naïve to believe that she could trust him, but she knew she wouldn’t get very far on her own. So, she did everything he told her.
Every few hundred miles, they stopped at places he had other vehicles waiting. Inside each were three burner phones still in their packages. Dalton would open one, dial a number and simply push a button. Emmy later learned that those calls were to individuals who would make sure their previous vehicle disappeared. She didn’t ask how. She didn’t care if it meant that she lived to see another day.
She raised her brows, waiting for him to answer her question. Emmy knew if he returned to the marshals’ office in Denver, it would only be a matter of time until someone figured out what he had done with her.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not stupid.” He snorted and shook his head. “I know it doesn’t appear that way. I suppose I put too much trust in my fellow marshals, but now I’ll be looking into everyone with a fine-tooth comb.”
“Just don’t get yourself killed. You’re the only one I trust.”
He shot her a crooked grin, his eyes filled with resolve. “I won’t fail you. You have my word.”
She forced a smile and looked straight ahead. She was apprehensive about her next stop, but she wouldn’t be unarmed again. Dalton had given her a knife that she kept on her person. Would it be enough? Only time would tell.
The look of glee on the man’s face when he came to kill her had chilled her blood. She had been sport to him, and people like that would never stop hunting her. And her enemies had plenty of time to track her down again.
Which meant a living Hell for Emmy. Time spent scared out of her mind and wondering when they would come for her.
“Dwight’s place is the safest location for you. He’s ex-FBI and Homeland Security. He’ll know exactly how to keep you safe while I plug the leak.”
Emmy hoped so. But if he didn’t, then she had a plan of her own that included the weapons and one of the burner phones Dalton had given her so they could contact each other in case of emergency. She wouldn’t be at anyone’s mercy ever again. If she had to run and hide, then she would do it. Not only because she wanted to testify against her old client but also because she didn’t ever want to feel as helpless and frightened as she had when death had come calling.
The SUV slowed, pulling Emmy from her thoughts. Dalton turned off the paved road. A fence ran for miles on either side of the drive, extending in all directions. The pastures were empty as the land undulated gently, adding to the already striking scenery.
“Riverlands is an eleven-thousand-acre ranch,” Dalton explained. “Dwight has cattle, horses, and even alpacas. Portions of the land are farmed for hay.”
She licked her lips. “Sounds nice.”
“It’s been in his family for four generations.”
Emmy grunted, no longer able to find words. She was so tired. Now she wished she had slept during the drive, but she’d wanted to be alert to aid Dalton during their escape.
When the two-story log cabin came into view, Emmy’s heart started beating wildly. The closer they got to the house, the more she began to doubt Dalton’s plan. The ranch was remote, but that wouldn’t stop those coming for her. It would only put everyone at the ranch in harm’s way.
Before she knew it, Dalton had put the SUV into park, but he didn’t shut off the engine. He looked at her and covered her hands in her lap with one of his. “Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
“I trust Dwight.”
Copyright © 2021 by Donna Grant.
“Wish Upon a Cowboy” copyright © 2021 by Donna Grant.
