When she thought she couldn’t take another step, she felt Ryker’s hand on her shoulder. “See the rock over there? We’ll stop there for now.”
She wanted to sink instantly to the ground but managed to find the strength to take the necessary steps toward the large boulder protruding from the mountain.
“Sit here, beneath the edge of the rock.” Ryker’s whisper along with the fact that he wanted her to hide beneath the boulder indicated they weren’t safe yet.
Gratefully, she sat down and scooted as far under the outcropping as possible. Then she lifted her hands for Aaron.
“I don’t wanna play hide-and-seek anymore,” he complained. “I’m hungry.”
Ryker set her bag beside her. “I need you to stay here. I’ll be back soon.”
Despite her bone-weary exhaustion, she lunged for his hand. “Don’t leave us.”
He knelt so he was eye level with her, his thumb lightly caressing the back of her hand. “I won’t be long. I need to get up higher, to see the trail.”
She knew he meant he needed to see the men who were desperate to find them.
To find her.
Clutching Aaron close, she tried to keep from falling apart. “Okay,” she whispered. “We’ll be fine.”
Ryker nodded and released her, rising to his feet. He moved silently away, leaving her and Aaron alone beneath the rock, surrounded by woods.
Closing her eyes, she noiselessly prayed the way Willa had taught her.
Dear Lord, please give Ryker the strength he needs to keep us all safe. Watch over us and guide us on Your chosen path. Amen.
Her eyes pricked with tears when she thought about Willa. The woman had willingly opened her heart and her home to a pregnant stranger, and Liv knew she’d be forever thankful for the way Willa had brought her into the church and shown her the way to God.
Why had the kind woman died? Was that really part of God’s plan? She sniffled and tried to brush away her tears. This wasn’t the time to wallow in pity. Willa would want her to be strong for Aaron and her unborn child.
“I’m hungry,” Aaron said again, making her realize she’d forgotten.
“I have your breakfast bagel.” She rummaged in the bag, finding the slightly squished sandwich. After opening it for Aaron, she gave it to him. The egg and cheese were more than a little melted, but he ate with gusto.
Knowing she needed to keep up her own strength, she unwrapped her sandwich and forced herself to take a bite. She wasn’t hungry, but could feel the baby kicking and knew they both needed fuel if she were to keep going.
The idea of climbing the mountain again made her swallow a moan. She wasn’t sure her legs would last for much longer. Even at rest, her thigh muscles were quivering. Not only was she carrying the extra weight of her pregnancy, but she’d never been one of those women who worked out in the gym. She’d always preferred long walks to running or lifting weights.
But now she realized just how out of shape she really was. And that her lack of physical endurance could easily get them all killed.
Silently promising to join a gym once the baby was born, she finished her sandwich. Aaron finished his, too, and then began to squirm in her lap.
“I wanna walk.” He leaned forward, in an attempt to crawl off her lap.
“Shh.” She squelched a surge of panic that Aaron might throw a temper tantrum that would lead the bad guys straight to them. “We’re still playing hide-and-seek. We’re hiding beneath the rock so that no one will find us.”
For a moment, he seemed agreeable to continue the game. Aaron crawled off her lap and went farther beneath the rock. She didn’t stop him, hoping that allowing him some ability to move around would help keep him quiet.
A pair of black-denim-clad legs abruptly dropped down on the ground in front of her. She almost screamed, until she recognized Ryker.
She put a hand over her racing heart, swallowing the urge to snap at him. He’d been so quiet, she hadn’t heard him approach. “You scared me,” she accused in a harsh whisper.
“Sorry.” His hazel eyes looked at her for a long moment, and she put a hand to her disheveled hair, wishing she didn’t look like a sweaty whale. “I want you to take my phone.”
Confused, she looked from the cell phone in his hand back to him. “Why?”
He hesitated. “I called a couple of friends for help. I’m hoping they’ll call back soon. The phone is on vibrate, so it won’t ring.”
“Friends?” Warily, she took the phone, the device warm from his touch. “Are you sure we can trust them?”
“With my life.”
And mine? The words hovered on her lips, but she managed to hold them back. Ryker had protected her and Aaron over and over again. There was no reason to doubt his loyalty now. “Okay.”
He nodded. “They’re in Milwaukee, so it will take them at least eight to nine hours to get here by car.”
Eight to nine hours? The spark of hope in her chest withered and died. “That’s a long time.”
“I know.” The corner of his mouth quirked in a smile. “I’m planning to meet them halfway.”
“How?”
“Trust me, okay?” She wanted to ask more, but Ryker rose to his feet. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
With that, he was gone, melting into the brush as silently as he’d arrived. It occurred to her that he must have been an incredible soldier.
She picked up the phone and stared at the screen, willing it to flash with an incoming call.
Friends of Ryker helping them would certainly level the playing field, yet she couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty.
Ryker and now his friends were putting their lives on the line for her and Aaron. It was noble of them to protect her like this.
And for the moment, all
