He hated being proven right.
Fear and disappointment radiated off Chelsey in waves. He glanced at Slade, who wore a grim expression.
“Darkness is still at least three hours away.” Slade pulled out his phone and held it up. “I have two bars and can call for reinforcements.”
“Like who?” Duncan asked. “Does Moose have any sort of law enforcement?”
“Many park services employees live there,” Slade responded. “For all we know they’re heading this way now after hearing the gunfire. June is not exactly hunting season.”
Chelsey perked up at that comment. “We’ll be rescued soon?”
“If I can get through to the park services.” Slade lifted his phone and pulled up the number for park services. When he dialed the number, a smile creased his features when the call went through.
“This is US Marshal Slade Brooks requesting backup,” he said. “The gunfire you heard was intended for a woman I’m trying to protect.”
It went against Duncan’s instincts to bring more people into this, but they obviously didn’t have a choice.
“We are only about a half mile from the outskirts of Moose, hiding in a thicket of trees. We’d appreciate your assistance.” Slade listened, then added, “That would be great, thanks.”
“They’re coming to get us?” Chelsey asked hopefully.
Slade grinned. “With a four-wheeler.”
Duncan nodded his approval. “That’s good. Hopefully the shooter will realize that making another attempt at Chelsey with park rangers surrounding her is a bad idea.”
“Hasn’t stopped them from trying while you and Slade are beside me,” she pointed out dryly.
“True, but the shooter doesn’t know I’m a cop, and maybe doesn’t understand that Slade is a US marshal,” he pointed out. In his experience most bad guys didn’t make the decision to take out a law enforcement officer lightly.
Yet for all they knew, these guys who’d come for Chelsey couldn’t care less as long as they successfully executed their mission. Guns for hire? Maybe.
“I don’t hear the music anymore,” Chelsey whispered.
“Listen for the sound of a four-wheeler,” he suggested.
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Her face was streaked with dirt, twigs and leaves in her hair, and her clothes, but to his eye, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world.
Strong, too, considering how well she was holding it together despite her entire world being turned upside down.
No point in blaming Brett since their childhood friend had paid for his mistake with his life. All Duncan could do was focus on saving Chelsey.
He wondered if she realized that she would need to go into witness protection to keep safe. He wasn’t sure she’d thought that far into the future, but he had.
The thought of never seeing Chelsey again made his chest tight. While it was the right thing to do to keep her safe, he didn’t like it.
Not one bit.
Although he wasn’t interested in a relationship, he was still her friend.
They sat in silence for several long moments before the sound of a rumbling engine reached their ears. Still, they remained hidden in the brush, waiting for the four-wheeler carrying two park rangers to arrive.
Slade emerged from the brush first. He flashed his credentials. “I’m US Marshal Slade Brooks.” He gestured to Duncan and Chelsey. “And this is Chelsey Robards and Duncan O’Hare. Duncan is a police officer with the Milwaukee PD.”
“Milwaukee?” One of the park rangers lifted a brow. “You’re a long way from Wisconsin.”
“Tell me about it,” Duncan muttered. He helped Chelsey to her feet. “We appreciate your assistance. I’d like to make sure Chelsey arrives in Moose without being injured.”
The park ranger riding shotgun jumped down and crossed over to them. “I’m Ranger Paul Davidson, and the driver is Eric Connolly. We plan to get all of you safely into town.”
Duncan, Slade and Paul hovered around Chelsey as they escorted her to the four-wheeler. Duncan helped her inside, then took a seat beside her.
“Keep your head down, Chelsey,” he advised. “Bend over, so that you’re as small a target as possible.”
She did as he requested as Slade climbed in on the other side of her. Paul returned to the front seat of the four-wheeler. The back was crowded, but Duncan didn’t care. Between his broad shoulders and Slade’s, the shooter wouldn’t get a clear shot at Chelsey.
Duncan swept his gaze over the forest as the rangers drove them toward Moose. No gunfire rang out, no sudden rush of wildlife indicating an intruder.
The sniper was either hunkering down until nightfall or was already gone.
Over the roar of the engine, he could hear the sounds of country and western music starting up again. Must be some sort of live band that had just returned from taking a break.
When they’d gotten into the very small, unincorporated town of Moose, Wyoming, Duncan lightly stroked Chelsey’s back. “You can sit up now.”
She slowly unfurled herself, looking around at the various small cabins with a look of unfettered relief. “We made it.”
“Yeah.” Duncan longed to pull her into his arms. “Paul, do you have a motel nearby?”
“Yes, we’re taking you there now.” The ranger glanced at them over his shoulder. “Looks like you all could use food and clothing, too.”
“A shower, clothes including soft shoes that fit and food...in that order,” Chelsey said with a sigh.
“Soon,” Duncan promised.
The park rangers pulled up to a small, ten-unit motel. Duncan glanced at Slade. “I have cash. It wouldn’t be smart to leave a paper trail.”
“Agreed, I have cash too, and can get more if needed.” Slade waved a hand. “Stay here, I’ll get the rooms.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were settled in two rooms located right next to each other. Duncan would have preferred connecting rooms, but Moose was too small to offer those accommodations.
“They have a two-bedroom cabin that will be available starting tomorrow,” Slade said as he unlocked the door to Chelsey’s room. “I’ve asked them to hold it for us.”
“Great.” Duncan followed Chelsey into her motel room as Slade moved on to open the next door. It looked like every other hotel
