Texas Rancher's Hidden Danger by Karen Whiddon

Author:Karen Whiddon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-12T17:51:15+00:00

* * *

When Ted came into the kitchen before heading out to work the ranch, Amelia could tell his mood had darkened from the tight line of his jaw and the grim look in his eyes. She marveled that she already knew this man so well, and then asked him what was wrong.

He eyed her for a moment without speaking. Then, shrugging off his jacket, he took a seat at the kitchen table. “Neither of the girls has turned up. Rayna pinged both their phones, but it turned out they’d left them at a friend’s house. They weren’t there, just their phones. Which kind of makes Rayna think they took off deliberately.”

“I hate to point out the obvious, but what teenager goes anywhere without her phone?” she asked. “I’m not even sure they’re aware that they can be traced.”

“I thought the same,” he agreed. “I stopped at the Tumbleweed this morning and speculation is running rampant. Half the people think the girls ran off with boys and the other half are convinced another serial killer has taken them.”

Amelia nodded. “At least they’re not worried the Coffee Shop Killer has come to town.” She shuddered, unable to help herself.

“Oh, I heard that one too.” His phone rang. Digging it out of his pocket, he blanched when he saw the screen. “It’s the school. I wonder what Yvonne’s done now.”

After answering, he listened and ended the call without speaking. “Automated,” he rasped, worry creasing his brow. “The high school has been placed on lockdown. There might be an active shooter.”

Amelia’s stomach twisted. “Oh no.” Hand to her mouth, she tried not to picture how terrified the students and teachers must be.

Ted hesitated. “I want to text both of them to make sure they’re safe, but what if they’re in hiding and the sound gives their location away?” Shaking his head, he shoved the phone back into his pocket.

“My first instinct is to go out there and make sure my girls are safe,” he said. “I’m sure every other parent has had the same reaction.”

“Are you?” She wanted to ask if she could go with him.

He appeared torn. “The recording specifically asked us not to. I’m sure every worried parent who received that call is heading down there. Rayna will have one of her men set up a roadblock.”

Amelia eyed him.

“Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand. “That is, if you don’t mind coming with me for moral support.”

“Of course I don’t mind.” She slid her fingers into his and squeezed his hand once before letting go. “I’m worried too.”

As Ted had suspected, one of the Getaway Sheriff’s Department squad cars had parked sideways in the drive leading to the school. Numerous other vehicles had pulled over and parked, lining the curb on both sides. A large group of people had gathered on a grassy area that afforded a good view of both the school and the parking lot.

“Let’s join them.” Ted pulled up behind another pickup. He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.