LITMIR.BIZ

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I check on the heifer out in the barn?”

      A heavy sigh slipped from the man. “You mind if I put a bullet through your head?”

      A whimper escaped Sophia, and Aaron’s fingers flexed into fists. He forced himself to relax. “Come on, man, it’s an animal.” He gestured to Zoe and Sophia and Lance. “As long as you have them, I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

      Jed studied him then nodded to Pete. “Fine. Go with him.”

      “What?”

      The two exchanged a silent look. “Go with him,” Jed repeated.

      Pete lifted a brow. “Right.” He shot Aaron a grim smile. “Let’s go.”

      Aaron figured that exchange between the partners was permission for Pete to kill him. His heart thudded a faster beat, and he sent up prayers for safety and wisdom. Truly all he’d wanted was to get in the barn and deliver the calf should the mama be ready. Now, it appeared he was going to have to fight for his life.

      Zoe didn’t miss the interaction between the three men. She jumped up. “I’ll go with you. You might need some help.” Then she stopped. She wasn’t leaving Sophia behind, though. “Sophia’s a great help in the barn, as well.”

      “This isn’t some country club vacation!” Pete yelled. “Sit down and shut up!”

      Zoe sat, and Sophia buried her face in her side with a low cry. Zoe pressed a hand against the little girl’s head, trying to offer comfort. “Shh...”

      “I’ll be fine,” Aaron said. “Just do what they say.”

      She bit her lip. “But—”

      “Don’t argue, Zoe,” Lance said. She frowned. Sophia pulled on her hand, so she snapped her lips shut.

      * * *

      Pete followed Aaron out the door and Zoe couldn’t help the prayers that slipped from her lips. She looked at Jed. “What do you want? Why are you doing this?” She glanced at his phone. “Who are you waiting for? Who’s supposed to call?”

      He waved the weapon at her. “You just need to be quiet. You’ve led us on a merry chase.”

      “Was it you who tried to kidnap Sophia from her school?” She regretted the question when his gaze slid from her to Sophia. He didn’t answer. “Why?”

      “Shut up!”

      Lance reached over with his hands taped together at the wrist, and clasped her fingers in a light squeeze. Zoe clamped her lips closed. Lance sat so quiet she’d almost forgotten about him. She shot him a frantic glance. Jed’s phone rang, and he stepped back still keeping an eye on them as he answered. As soon as he averted his gaze, she leaned toward Lance. “He’s going to kill Aaron,” she whispered. “We have to do something.”

      Sophia’s arms tightened around her at her words, but she couldn’t just sit there and let Aaron die.

      “Aaron has a plan,” Lance said. “I could see it in his eyes. Let’s let him play it out.”

      “What if it backfires? What if he needs help?”

      “I know Aaron, he’ll be all right.”

      Zoe saw the worry in his eyes and wondered if he really believed it or was just trying to ease her mind. She feared the latter. “But—”

      “Hey! Zip it!” Jed’s shout made her flinch, and she blinked back a surge of tears. Lance’s hand stayed clamped around hers and she sank back against the couch even as she looked for a way to secure a weapon—or something to release Lance’s hands with.

      * * *

      Aaron went straight to his truck and pulled his vet bag from the passenger seat. It was awkward with his hands taped, but he managed. Pete didn’t say anything, just watched him. Aaron ignored him and headed for the barn, his mind spinning. God, help me, please. Don’t let him kill me. Let me be ready to fight back when he strikes.

      Once inside he went to Lily’s stall and saw the heifer pacing. The area had been extended so it was double the size of a normal stall. Lily lay down then got up. After repeating this for several minutes, she finally stayed down. She lowed, a painful groan that Aaron knew would grow in intensity in the next few minutes.

      Aaron looked at Pete. “I need my hands. She’s ready.”

      “Not a chance.”

      With his hands still taped in front of him, Aaron got the heater and turned it on. He placed it in the stall and watched the heifer get up then lie down again. This time she let out a loud bellow that shook the rafters of the barn.

      Pete watched him, his dark eyes hard. Cold. His right hand held his weapon in an easy grip. His finger played with the trigger.

      Aaron gave a shudder as fear swept through him. But he kept his cool. He had to. Zoe, Sophia and Lance were probably going to need him. The gun swung up. A Glock.

      All it would take to end his life was the twitch of the man’s finger. “If you kill me before she delivers, this cow is going to put up such a holler she’ll bring the neighbors down on you.” As if to confirm his words the heifer let out another moan. Louder this time than the last.

      Pete frowned then scoffed. “What neighbors?”

      “There’s the Garrett farm to the left and the Hunt farm to the right.” He lifted his chin to the north. “Up that way just behind the tree line, there’s a pretty big general store. The owner is there every day and he’ll hear the cow bawling if I don’t deliver this calf. The owner of the store is Michael Richardson and a good friend of the Updikes. He’ll be here within minutes to find out what’s going on. You want that?”

      Aaron’s words seemed to sink in. Pete cursed and spit on the ground, but at least he removed the gun from Aaron’s face. “I saw that store. Stopped to get gas there. Dude asked twenty questions and wouldn’t shut up about wondering who I was visiting and spending the holidays with.” He scowled.

      “Yep, that’s Michael.” He paused. “Or you can kill me, I guess, and deliver the calf yourself.” The heifer chose that moment to make her presence known with a screeching groan that morphed into a low grunt. Pete flinched, his eyes darting to the barn door as though he expected someone to start pounding on them at any second. “At least if I’m here if someone shows up,” Aaron said, “I’ll be able to reassure them that everything’s all right.” He met Pete’s gaze. “Trust me, I don’t want anyone hurt. If someone shows up, I’ll make sure they think everything is just fine.”

      The heifer bellowed again.

      “Or I could just shoot her.”

      Aaron winced. “Yeah, you could. And again, bring attention to the fact you’re here. True, this is the country and people carry guns. And use them. But we’re mostly civilized and neighbors around here still respond to gunshots.”

      “No one came when I shot at that pretty little lady in there.”

      “You’re fortunate. You want to push it?”

      Still glaring, Pete pulled a large knife from his front pocket and flipped it open. “Guess I could just use this then.”

      Aaron winced. “Yes, I supposed you could.” He sighed. “Come on, man, let me deliver the calf and be done with it.”

      Pete hesitated, and Aaron really didn’t like the look in the man’s eyes. The cow groaned, and Pete muttered a few choice words. He leaned toward Aaron, and Aaron braced himself, expecting to feel the knife sink into his flesh.

      One swipe was all it took to split the tape holding Aaron’s hands together. Aaron hissed as the blood rushed to his fingers and he flexed them even while his brain scrambled for an escape route. He needed to do something and fast before Cody came back—or Pete decided to throw caution to the wind and exact his revenge.

      He

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