“We’ve got company.” Duncan’s terse tone filled him with dread.
“How many?”
“Just one SUV that I can see. But we have to assume they have reinforcements nearby.”
Farm fields stretched on either side of them, and Ryker second-guessed his decision to bypass Beloit for Delavan. But it was too late to change direction now. He pressed on the gas, increasing their speed. “Where’s Miles? Can he meet us?”
“Yes, he’s on his way. We’ll take care of the tail. You get Olivia and Aaron to safety.”
“Got it.” He tightened his grip on the wheel. When he saw an abandoned field without crops, he knew it was the best option. “Hang on, we’re going off-road.”
“Off-road?” Her appalled echo was cut off as they bounced off the highway and headed straight through the empty field.
“Hang on.” The vehicle bucked and rolled over rocks and chunks of earth. The four-wheel drive helped keep them steady, and he took the shortest route directly toward another road he could just barely see off in the distance.
He darted a quick glance at the rearview mirror. Mike and Duncan were farther back now, and he knew they would do whatever was necessary to keep the guys from Blake-Moore from coming after them.
The sound of gunfire had him clenching his teeth. He didn’t normally pray, but it may be that the Callahans’ and Hawk’s faith was rubbing off on him, because he found himself asking for help and guidance now.
Lord, if You can hear me, please give me the strength I need to get Olivia and Aaron away from the Blake-Moore Group. Help me keep them safe!
NINE
Liv clutched the door handle in a tight grip, trying not to cry out at the way the SUV jolted and rolled over the dirt and rocks of the field. With the other hand, she held her stomach, as if willing the baby to stay put.
No premature labor. Please.
“Mommy!” Aaron’s fearful cry stabbed her heart.
“Isn’t this fun?” She glanced over her shoulder at her son and forced a reassuring smile. “Mr. Ryker is taking us four-wheeling.”
“No! Don’t wanna go four whee-ing.” Aaron’s lower lip trembled and he tucked his thumb into his mouth, a sure sign he was upset. “I’m scared.”
“It’s okay. There’s no reason to be scared. Mr. Ryker is getting us to safety.” A quick glance at Ryker’s grim expression was not reassuring. “How about we sing nursery rhymes?”
Aaron seemed to consider her idea then plucked his thumb from his mouth. “Humpty-dumpty sat on a wall,” he sang.
“Humpty-dumpty had a great fall,” she chimed in.
Ryker raised a brow, but didn’t interrupt their singing as they finished the nursery rhyme. She was glad to see the highway was getting closer now, and thought it was possible that he’d make it to safety.
Pop! Pop!
Liv sucked in a harsh breath and turned to look through the back window. The men from Blake-Moore were shooting at them? An SUV that looked much like the one they were using had followed them onto the field.
Why wouldn’t they just leave her alone?
Because of the numbers? Numbers she didn’t know anything about. She didn’t understand. It didn’t make any sense.
Ryker’s jaw was tight as he pressed harder on the gas, the SUV swaying even more as he obviously tried to shake off whoever was following them.
And what about Duncan and Mike? Were they okay? Or had the Blake-Moore Group gotten to them? She closed her eyes and prayed for all of them.
Dear Lord, help us! Protect us! Show us the way out!
Time seemed to move in slow motion. Each jerky, rocky movement of the SUV made her feel sick to her stomach. She prayed she wouldn’t throw up her breakfast.
Then abruptly, Ryker reached the end of the field, going up and over the ditch to the highway. The moment the SUV was on level ground, he hit the gas hard, going from fifteen miles per hour to fifty, then more.
“Mommy, let’s sing another one.”
Her son’s request helped keep her from screaming in frustration. She darted a glance behind them, realizing the pursuing SUV was far back, still in the field.
“Hey, how about ‘Three Blind Mice’?” Ryker’s suggestion had her gaping at him in surprise.
“Three blind mice, three blind mice,” Aaron sang. “See how they run. See how they run.”
When Ryker joined in, tears pricked at her eyes. He was so understanding, so sweet. So kind and gentle toward her and Aaron.
She didn’t know what she’d do without him.
Ryker didn’t let up on the gas for several miles. When Aaron grew tired of the nursery rhymes, Ryker handed her his phone.
“See if you can reach Duncan.”
Her fingers were slick from sweat, but she managed to call Duncan, placing the phone on speaker. Her throat grew tight as the phone rang several times without an answer.
Finally, she heard Duncan’s voice asking, “Are you safe?”
“Yeah, for now.” Ryker glanced again at the rearview mirror. “But I think both of our vehicles have been compromised.”
“Ya think?” Duncan’s droll tone almost made her smile. “We’ll stick with the plan to meet in Delavan for now. We’ll find a way to get new wheels once we get there.”
There was a moment of hesitation before Ryker agreed. “Yeah, sounds good. You and Mike are okay, too?”
“Yep. We took out their tires. Should slow them down.”
“Thanks. We’ll be in touch.” Ryker turned his attention back to the highway.
She blinked. “You mean, that was Duncan and Mike shooting? Not the Blake-Moore Group?”
He met her gaze for a brief moment. “I was hoping so.”
She slumped in her seat as relief washed over her. “I thought—” She abruptly stopped, glancing back at Aaron.
“I know. I’m sorry.” Ryker reached over to take her hand in his. “The good news is that we managed to get away unscathed.”
“Yes.” She had to force the word past her constricted throat. He was right, and she knew God was continuing to watch over them.
But those moments when she feared a bullet would
