Trained To Defend. Christy Barritt

      What was taking so long? What was Colton doing out there? Sarah wondered.

      A few minutes ago, it had sounded like the front door opened. Had Colton gone outside?

      What if he was hurt right now? Hurt because Sarah had brought danger into his quiet life, the life that was supposed to keep him from situations like this one.

      She glanced down at Buzz. The dog stared at her, as if trying to communicate, before letting out a bark.

      “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she murmured.

      Buzz barked again.

      Sarah shushed him, trying not to draw any more attention to them than necessary. Buzz’s barking could alert an intruder that they were here. Since she had no idea what was going on outside this room, she had to be cautious.

      Taking a tentative step, Sarah went to the window and peered out. Just as she shoved the curtain aside, she saw a car careen toward Colton at the end of the lane.

      She braced herself for whatever would happen next while frantically praying.

       Please, Lord, help him. Keep him safe. Please!

      Just before the car hit him, Colton dove into the woods. The black sedan did a swift U-turn. Then it sped off, leaving a trail of dust behind it.

      Was Colton okay?

      Sarah couldn’t stay in here any longer. She had to check on him.

      If he got hurt because of her, then she’d never forgive herself.

      “Come on, Buzz,” she called.

      The dog remained on Sarah’s heels as she ran outside. Her bare feet crunched in the thick snow, and a painful ache began because of the cold. Her wet hair slapped her face before the strands froze together in clumps. Icy air invaded her lungs.

      She didn’t care.

      Colton could be in danger right now.

      Moving as quickly as she could, Sarah hit the gravel road. Her feet were already numb now as they hit the rocky soil.

      All she could think about was Colton and whether or not he was okay. That driver had tried to run him down.

      The seriousness of the situation hit her again. Whoever was behind all of this wasn’t playing games. He’d rather kill again than risk being exposed.

      Sarah pushed down a sliver of fear.

      Just as she reached the end of the lane, Colton emerged from the woods. He rubbed his head and his eyes were narrow with irritation, but he otherwise looked okay.

      Thank goodness.

      She rushed toward him, stopping just short of touching him. She paused there, a bone-chilling wind sweeping around her, sending clumps of snow from the branches above down on them.

      “Sarah, you shouldn’t be out here.”

      “Are you okay?” she asked, still worried about him and studying his features for any sign that something was wrong. “I couldn’t leave you.”

      “I’m okay. But I don’t want that man to see you if he comes back.” He took her elbow and turned her around. “Come on. Let’s get inside. Besides, you’re going to freeze out here.”

      She ignored the charge of electricity she felt rush through her at his touch.

      This was no time for electricity. Besides, she and Colton were finished. Done. There was no going back to fix what had happened between them.

      Colton might forgive, but he didn’t forget.

      Not that Sarah would ever want to get back together with him. It didn’t matter that she’d missed him and his companionship. Missed the kisses they’d shared. Missed the possibility of spending the future with someone.

      But everyone she’d ever loved had disappointed her. Why should Colton be different?

      Sarah had so many questions she wanted to ask about what had just happened. But she held them in.

      For now.

      Instead, she listened for a minute. She didn’t hear the car. Didn’t hear footsteps or yells. Buzz seemed calm.

      Those were all good things, but she didn’t know how long they would last.

      As soon as they stepped into his cabin, Colton locked the door and then peered out the window again. His entire body looked tense and on alert.

      “Is the man still there?” Sarah demanded, a surge of anxiety rising in her. What if he came back? What if he killed all of them, just like he’d killed Loretta?

      Colton’s gaze remained focused out the window. “I don’t see him. Was that the car that followed you?”

      “I… I don’t know. Maybe. It was so dark that I could really only see headlights. But whoever was driving the car just now left. What does that mean? If he knew I was here, wouldn’t he have stayed?” Sarah walked toward the fire, unable to ignore just how cold she was and how badly her feet hurt.

      “He may have been feeling this area out. If he lost you as you came down the road, then he may have come here looking for your car. He may be looking for confirmation.”

      “My car…” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. It had been out front, hadn’t it? She hadn’t been paying attention, but that was where she left it.

      Colton looked back at her, his gaze softening. “I moved it behind the house, so he didn’t see it. I don’t think he saw you when you ran out either.”

      “He could have killed you.” The words caught in Sarah’s throat. No matter what had happened between the two of them in the past, she couldn’t live with herself if something happened to Colton because of her.

      “He could have. But, most likely, he doesn’t know with certainty that I know you. If he knew you were here, he would have kept on going right to the house to find you and complete his mission.”

      “You think?” She shuddered. That had been close. So, so close.

      “He was aggressive. He wouldn’t have let me stop him.”

      “Maybe he’ll move on now…” Sarah walked over to the window and glanced out also, half expecting to see the car again.

      Instead, the peaceful woods stared back, the early morning sky stretching above the frosted evergreens.

      Colton’s expression remained grim, as if he didn’t want to give her false hope. “If he suspects you’re in this area, then he’ll keep on looking.”

      Sarah trembled again. “So what should I do?”

      His jaw tightened with resolve as he continued to stare out the window, not saying anything for a minute. “We don’t have any choice but to get out of here. We have to operate as if this is a worst-case scenario. That guy could come back—we don’t want to be here if he does.”

      “We?” The words came out as a squeak, and Sarah’s hand flew to her throat.

      Colton nodded. “I can’t send you out there alone, Sarah.”

      “I… I don’t want to put you at risk.” She’d pulled him into danger with her. What had she been thinking? Why had she come here? She would have been better off driving until her car couldn’t make it any farther.

      But when she’d thought of safety, Colton was the first person who had come to mind.

      Colton stepped closer and lowered his voice. “You’re not. I’m going with you, Sarah. Nothing you say will change my mind.”

      She didn’t want to feel pleased. Didn’t want to feel the shiver that rushed down her spine. Didn’t want to find benefit in the thought that someone else was in harm’s way.

      But Sarah did