“Go,” he mouthed.
One thing my father had taught me about being shot at was never to run in a straight line. Not that you could on a wooded mountain. But I did zig and zag as I made my way to the truck.
I skidded across the front grill to get to the driver’s side, protected somewhat from the gunfire cracking the silence with each traded shot. I covered my mouth, afraid Mitchell wouldn’t make it here. Even though I was paralyzed with fear, I forced myself to yank open the door and duck inside the cab. I had the truck in gear when the passenger door opened, and Mitchell jumped inside.
Not a second later, I put the truck in reverse. The road was slick, but I took my chances with the snow and not the bullets. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when the truck slid a few feet.
“Switch with me,” he said in a rush.
I put the truck in park and lifted my ass up as he scooted under me. I shifted into the passenger side, grabbing for my seat belt as he managed a five-point turn without us careening off the side of the mountain.
He was clearly better at driving in the snow than I was. The cracks continued until we rounded a bend. Only they wouldn’t need to go far to have us in their sights again. Mitchell cranked up the engine as I prayed to whoever would listen. No mountain was worth either of our lives. Mine was more expendable than his. He had a daughter who needed him. She couldn’t lose both her parents at her tender age.
The truck hit an ice patch, and my life flashed in front of my eyes. He didn’t seem to panic and stayed in control, riding the patch like a seasoned snowboarder. The truck slowed somewhat until the tires gripped snow again, just in time for another curve.
I couldn’t tell you why we didn’t die that day, other than I was grateful that Mitchell had shown up in my life. Had cared enough to follow me into a snowstorm to ensure I was safe. I was pretty sure I didn’t breathe until we were on the highway to town. Tears streamed down my face as the reality of what we’d survived clawed at my psyche.
Then his warm hand covered mine as the other held the wheel, steady as if we hadn’t almost died.
Zoe was waiting for us at the door when the truck pulled into the ranch drive. I gave her a hug and a pretense of a smile, but I was still quaking on the inside. I made an excuse about needing a shower when I headed upstairs.
Behind my door, I couldn’t stop shaking. What had I done? I couldn’t face her knowing I’d almost gotten her father killed. Because I also didn’t want to be a liar, I shed my clothes and got in the shower. As the water washed away more tears than any dirt, I leaned against the shower wall as the spray ran down my back.
When the water turned tepid, I got out. My eyes were bloodshot as I grabbed my bag from the closet. Then I packed in earnest.
TWENTY-FIVE
Mitchell
Zoe had been shooting me questions nonstop since I got home. Avery, amused, left me to answer them.
When Zoe asked, “Do you like Sunshine?” I hesitated.
Then I said, “Yes, don’t you?”
She gave me a knowing look. “You know what I mean.”
I touched the tip of her nose. “What do you mean?”
“Like how mommies and daddies like each other.”
It was then I realized how much her answer to my next question mattered. “How would you feel if I did?”
I’d resigned myself to falling so deep with Sunshine it didn’t matter if I ever saw daylight again. But if Zoe didn’t want us together, I would have to find a way to change her mind. Because at the end of the day, I had a duty to make Zoe happy.
“I love Sunshine. You can love her too.”
I blew out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. “You’re pretty great. You know that?” I asked my daughter.
She bobbed her head before her smile faded. “Mommy told me that too.”
Damn. I pulled her in and tucked her head against my chest. “You trust me, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said.
“I’m doing everything I can to bring your mom home to you.”
I’d gotten some news right before I tore off after Sunshine that I hadn’t really been able to think about yet. The team had locked in on a beacon signal. Only they hadn’t been the only ones to do so. There had been a war of words as to who would follow it. Haley’s boyfriend’s family had made it clear they intended to be the first to find the beacon. I didn’t want a fight to stop progress and had told my team to follow, but stay out of their way. If they felt the other team was going wrong, they would do what they needed to do to find Haley. But I couldn’t tell Zoe any of this. She was six, not twenty-six. I couldn’t give her false hope.