Tracked Through the Mountains by Rhonda Starnes

Author:Rhonda Starnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-07-14T20:18:01+00:00

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Sawyer’s muscles ached, but he couldn’t stop now. Two more large rocks, then he’d be free. “Dear Lord, please let me get out of here. Don’t let me die. I’ve got to protect Bridget.”

He’d barely slipped back onto the ledge below the painted turtle after retrieving their newest clue when an explosion caused the rockslide, leaving him trapped beneath the rock that formed the turtle’s head.

Now, he only needed to remove one last boulder, and he’d be free. Only this was the largest one. Sawyer put his back against the solid surface behind him, placed both feet on the boulder and pushed with all his strength. The rock didn’t move. He’d have to climb over.

Getting down this mountainside safely was going to be harder than climbing up. Oh, how he wished he had rappelling equipment.

He puffed out his breath, placed his palms on the gigantic rock and heaved himself on top of it. Swinging his legs around, he sat with his feet dangling off the side and scanned the horizon. Where was Bridget? Had she stayed hidden like he’d prayed?

Sweat popped out along his brow. His heart raced. No, she wouldn’t have stayed hidden. Not Bridget. She was fearless, or so it seemed. Always rushing headfirst into combat. Hadn’t he seen that numerous times the last couple of days?

He needed to get off the side of the mountain. Patting the front pocket on his shirt, he verified the new clue was safely tucked away. Then he scooted to his right and found a foothold.

Five minutes later, he dropped to the ground. Weak from exertion. He wished he had time to sit and catch his breath, but that would have to wait until after he found Bridget.

The overhanging rock where he’d left his backpack was buried in rubble. He’d have to dig the pack out, but that, too, would have to wait.

Sawyer listened for sounds as he approached the tree line. Eerie silence greeted him. About fifteen feet into the forest, he stumbled—literally—over Bridget’s backpack.

Hadn’t he instructed her not to leave her pack behind unless it was an emergency? Hastening deeper into the forest, he whisper-shouted her name, over and over. He circled back to the spot where the backpack rested, praying he could find some clues.

From what he could tell, the only thing missing from the backpack was the satellite phone. Why hadn’t she taken any of the MREs?

Maybe Lovelorn had caught her by surprise and taken her while Sawyer was being buried under rocks and rubble. Had the serial killer triggered the slide in order to get to Bridget?

Dear God, I thought I could protect Bridget on my own, but I can’t. I realize that now. Sawyer dropped to his knees. Lord, watch over that beautiful, impulsive woman. And, please, help me find her.

A peace he hadn’t felt in almost two years settled over him. It dawned on him that he’d prayed many times the past twenty-four hours without even realizing it. He had never made a conscious decision to turn from God.

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