Chapter 24
Ellie drifted in and out of sleep as she nuzzled up to Nash during the drive back to Montana.
Wyatt had taken the first six-hour shift, and Nash had offered to take the next while his brothers slept as best they could, cramped up in the back seat.
The night was as black as it could get on the freeway, seeing that it was three in the morning, but driving through the night—made easier since they could rotate shifts—seemed a safer option than stopping at a motel.
"How ya doing?" Nash asked as he checked his side and rearview mirrors.
"Better, thanks to you guys. It really did help to hear about everything your family has overcome. I never would've guessed it." While each story was amazing in its own right, the final story they’d shared about Cash stood out the most. Ellie had been shocked to learn that someone had wanted an innocent baby dead. It wasn’t enough that the predator had killed both of Baby Jane’s parents in cold blood for having an affair.
He wanted the product of that affair—innocent as she was—dead too.
But the family had rallied around Cash and the baby, and they’d all come out alive.
Also helpful was the video sent by their soon-to-be house host, a retired Marshal named Earl Emerson.
"Mind if I watch that video again?" Ellie asked, reaching for Nash’s phone. It was charging next to Ellie's.
"Be my guest,” Nash said.
Ellie secured his phone, tapped in the code he'd given her to open it, and scrolled to his latest text.
The video popped up, revealing a man who looked a little like Lloyd in stature, though he was slightly older, it seemed.
The man’s kind eyes put Ellie at rest as she set her gaze on him.
“Why hello there, Ellie. Boy, am I sorry to hear about all that you're going through, doll. What a terrifying ordeal.
For years now, my home, along with my brother Grant’s, has been a place of refuge for people like you. People who need a safe place to hide away while the danger passes by. And I want to assure you, doll, that it will. It has every time.
“Meanwhile, we have plenty of beds, plenty of food, and plenty of love to share too.
We've done this before, and we’ll be happy to do it again as often as the Good Lord needs us.
It's disheartening to hear about the evil deeds and scheming that goes on in the world, but thanks to the Good Book, we already know who comes out victorious.
“You’ll be safe. Nash and his family will be safe. And all will be well." With that, he pinched the brim of his hat. "See you soon."
Ellie couldn't explain what the man's reassuring words did for her heart. It was everything she could ask to hear, and she thanked the heavens above for watching out for her once more.
Of course, there was one man who hadn't been mentioned in Earl’s message.
The very man who'd inadvertently set this into motion. But inadvertently seemed too generous a word now. Because while her dad hadn't known the other end of the deal was dirty, hadn’t known how dangerous these guys really were, he had, in fact, gotten in over his head yet again. Beyond that, he’d gone into business with men he'd been warned to steer clear of.
"It's probably a weird time for this," Nash said as he eyed the rearview once more, his voice no more than a whisper. "But, I’d like to get this out before it comes out another way.”
Ellie lifted an eyebrow. "Oh? This sounds like a confession. Should I be worried?"
Nash shook his head. “It is a confession, and the only one who should worry is me.” He let out a deep sigh and eyed the rearview.
Ellie didn’t have to glance back to know what he saw; she could tell by the deep, staggered breathing behind her that both of them were asleep.
“I wasn't volunteering at Wild Buck’s Ranch out of the kindness of my heart,” Nash said. “Grandma C saw a tabloid that said you were coming to town, and I saw that as my chance to shoot my shot with you."
He’d gone there for her?
Ellie couldn't stop the grin that spread over her face. Or the thrill that spread through her center. Sure, if he had told her this in the beginning, she might not be so flattered, but knowing the incredible man that Nash was, hearing that he’d had his sights set on her, went there hoping to meet her… it was actually sort of romantic.
“Aww…” she said, “that is so sweet!”
Nash chuckled and shook his head. "It is? You’re not ticked off or creeped out?"
"I know you too well to be either of those things. I'm flattered, actually. I wouldn't have thought I was on the radar of the horse guy at Rehab Ranch. You signed up to put in all those hours for little old me?"
"Heh, you don't even know the half of it." Nash went into story mode, telling her about the unexpected steps required to become a volunteer. When he got to a part about referral letters, Ellie had to stop him.
"Wait, you got a referral letter from your pastor?"
Nash groaned, glanced at the rearview, and did a shushing motion over his lips.
"This is serious,” she teased while snuggling into him. "When I meet him, I'm going to tell your dear pastor what you were really up to.”
"That would serve me right, I guess. But it's hard to be sorry now.” He leaned over to press a kiss to her head. "Go on and get some rest before the sun comes up. I can tell you need it.”
She fought back a yawn. “What do you mean you can tell I need it?”
“You’re slurring your words,” he accused.
“I am not,” she said as the yawn won out.
He must've sensed the slowing of her breaths, not to mention the heaviness of her head on his shoulder as she relaxed into him.
Before resting her eyes, Ellie offered one final sentiment. "Thanks for everything, Nash, really." She lifted her head to press a kiss to his cheek, then murmured against his skin, "I love you.”
A dimple formed in his cheek beneath her lips. "I love you, too.”
Just as the words left his mouth, a set of glowing lights flickered over the cab. Ellie straightened up to glance behind them, the sight quickly verifying what she suspected.
“Crap, you're getting pulled over.”
Nash cursed under his breath and checked his speed. “Why? I’m going like, two over the speed limit.”
Another knot of fear twisted in Ellie’s gut. They were vulnerable out here, not a car or stop within miles and with no place to hide.
“What’s going on?” Wade asked from the backseat.
Nash eyed the rearview and shook his head. “I’m getting pulled over, but I don’t know if I can trust it. If this guy was already behind me, he was driving with his lights off or something because I’ve been checking the rearview this whole time.”
Ellie peered at the car behind them, heart racing as the lights flashed wildly. A siren sounded out a short, warning bleep.
“Were you speeding?” Wade asked.
“Barely.”
Wade jostled Wyatt. “Wake up, man, we’re getting pulled over.”
“Is your registration up to date?” Nash asked, slowing slightly but still not pulling over.
“Of course,” Wade said.
“Well…should I pull over or not?” Nash’s voice was tenser now.
“Not under circumstances like this,” Wyatt said, already lifting his phone to his ear. “Keep going. I’m calling 9-1-1 to verify it’s a cop.”
“Aren’t you supposed to at least pull over first?” Wade asked, his gaze darting from Wyatt to Ellie.
Ellie shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“This guy literally came out of nowhere,” Nash insisted.
“Well, maybe you have a taillight out. Or a headlight,” Wade said. “The last thing we need is for you to get arrested.”
Wyatt shushed them and began stating his first and last name, which meant a dispatcher had already picked up the call. He went on to answer a few questions, what interstate they were on, where they were—somewhere between Texas and New Mexico, heading toward Denver.
Thank heavens; hopefully, they’d have an answer soon. But something told Ellie they may not get the answer they were looking for. She’d welcome a highway patrol officer about now. At least that was someone interested in serving and protecting.
“I’m calling Rem,” Wade announced. “I’m scared they’re going to shoot out a tire or something.” Soon, Wade was repeating the details Wyatt just shared with the dispatcher.
Nash’s foot grew heavier on the gas. “What do you think I should do?”
Ellie tried to think rationally, but panic was getting the best of her, causing her breaths to come short and fast. She shook her head, ears ringing, chest aching, mind racing toward one terrifying direction.
She’d heard of people impersonating officers before. What if it wasn’t an officer trying to pull them over? What if they were the people Wolf had warned them about? What if they’d been following her all along?
But Ellie already knew that wasn’t possible. They’d driven miles upon miles without so much as another car in sight. Still, she couldn’t ignore the terrifying fate she’d face if she fell into the wrong hands.
“I don’t think you should pull over yet either,” she finally said, knowing it was risky to keep going. She tried to peer into the vehicle behind them. It looked like there were two people up front. Was that normal?
The siren sounded again, more than just a blip. This time, it rang out full blast—a whining, whaling loop as the lights flashed on.
“Yes, that’s them,” Wyatt said. “They’re sounding the siren now. Can you verify that it’s someone in law enforcement before we pull over?”
Wade spoke up next. “Rem’s looking into it too.”
Nash cursed under his breath and lifted his foot off the gas the slightest bit. “Maybe Wade’s right. But if it’s really a cop, he should be able to send for backup, right?”
Ellie managed a nod, not fully sure what she was agreeing to. She wasn’t all there anymore.
“Until backup comes,” Nash declared, “I’m going to keep going.” He committed to that by speeding up once more.
Ellie’s head went light. The tips of her fingers grew prickly and numb at the same time— like an appendage falling asleep. I’m going to pass out. She didn’t want to say it out loud, but she could definitely feel herself slipping.
“No?” Wyatt blurted from the backseat, pulling Ellie back to consciousness enough to analyze his response. He sounded surprised.
“They don’t think it’s any of their officers,” Wyatt said, “but they have a few more to rule out. Keep going.”
Ellie sucked in a deep breath. She had to breathe, to tell herself it would be okay, but what if it wasn’t?
“Rem says an old patrol car went missing from a station in Dalhart last week,” Wade said. “Can you see the plates?”
Nash hunched closer to the wheel, eyes squinting as he checked the side view. “They’re too close.” He punched down hard on the gas pedal. “Wyatt,” he urged, “can they verify this guy or not?”
“Not yet. They’re sending their nearest officers this way.”
Ellie’s heart was beating so fast it felt like it might blow. “It’s them,” she said, “it’s got to be them.”
“Just keep going, Nash,” Wyatt instructed. He switched his phone to the other hand. Ellie had forgotten that he and Wade had guns. Forgotten, that is, until Wyatt pulled his from its holster.
This couldn’t be happening. They couldn’t have possibly found them.
That thought was knocked from her mind as the patrol car revved up and rammed into the corner of the bumper.
The truck spun off course at the impact, its tires peeling out in a hot screech that rang through the cab louder than the sirens.
The unrelenting inertia slammed Ellie against the locked straps of her seatbelt, but her neck was still trying to keep up, head spinning, gravity swaying, their fate, spiraling out of control.
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her hands, waiting for the motion to stop, knowing once it did, a world of commotion would begin.