Chosen

by Denise Grover Swank

  “So you’re willing to give up your life for me?” She sounded incredulous.

  “I’m willing to do what I need to do so we both survive.”

  She relaxed. “So what do we do?”

  “Do you know how to shoot a gun? With accuracy?” He knew she had a gun and shot the man in the rest stop, but that was at close range.

  “It’s been awhile, but I’ve practiced in a shooting range before.”

  “Handgun?”

  She nodded.

  “What about a rifle?”

  “No, but I’m willing to learn.”

  “Good, because tomorrow morning you’re starting target practice. But first,” he lifted the bowl forgotten in her lap. “You need to eat because I’m not carrying your sorry ass through the woods anymore.”

  Her expression softened. “Yeah, thanks for that.”

  “You can show me your appreciation. Later.” He winked and stood up.

  “Playing the ‘I’m your slave’ card now?” she asked with a snort.

  “Emma, I assure you, I won’t need it.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Emma woke the next morning, disappointed. She had hoped Jake would visit her dreams again. In the end, it didn’t matter. She was still determined to find him.

  She had slept more in the last day and a half than she had in weeks, so it surprised her that she hadn’t woken sooner. Although she had missed some sleep the night before. Will definitely lived up to his hype. She wondered if sleeping with him was such a good idea, but it seemed a little late to change her mind and selfishly she didn’t want it to.

  Will was asleep and he lay on his side, rolled toward her. Even asleep he looked on edge, his brow furrowed. His hair was wild and unruly and smooshed on one side. She resisted the urge to reach up and smooth it. A couple of day’s worth of stubble covered his face and she resisted the urge to touch it as well, which made her smile in spite of herself. It was hard to believe she wanted to touch him at all. His bare arm curled over the top of the blanket. She studied the muscles and the tan line that stopped mid bicep. His arm rested over the other, his mark only partially covered. Emma didn’t know what to make of his mark. She couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Jake had made it, although she knew it was true. Just as she knew Jake had given her the new one on her back.

  “Good morning.”

  He looked at her with one eye open. A slow grin spread across his face.

  “Good morning.”

  He reached around her and pulled her close. “There, that’s better.”

  “Don’t we need to get up and start some target practice?”

  “Not yet. We’ll get to it soon enough.”

  She expected him to make some type of move, but he didn’t. To her amazement he just held her. He actually seemed content. Will was full of surprises the last few days. Plus he smelled like a dirty dog. She knew she didn’t smell much better.

  “I need a shower,” she mumbled into his chest.

  His laughter rumbled in her ear. “Well, good luck there. We don’t have a shower.”

  “What am I supposed to do? I can’t go around stinking like this.”

  He laughed again. “We can heat some water and use a washrag. I volunteer to wash you.”

  “Will, be serious.”

  “Seriously, Emma, we have to hand-bathe.”

  “What about my hair?”

  “We can heat enough water to wash it in the kitchen sink. There’s water in the faucet, but it’s only cold.”

  “Okay, that’s first on the agenda. After that breakfast, then target practice.”

  “A list-maker, huh?”

  “You forget I was an accountant. I’m all into details and order.”

  He pulled her even closer and kissed the top of her head. “Does that mean you’ll do my taxes?”

  “Something tells me your taxes would be a mess.”

  “Hmm…” His hand entwined in her hair, flooding her with a sense of belonging.

  Belonging? With Will?

  She had no delusions this was anything other than a temporary arrangement, but she had to admit, something about being in his arms felt right, in a visceral way. She nearly snorted the moment the thought popped into her head. But it hung there anyway, defying her to ignore its existence. It was dangerous to let her mind wander that direction. She already allowed this to happen, so she might as well enjoy it while it lasted, as long as she acknowledged what it really was: temporary. It occurred to her she still had no idea what his job was. In fact, she hardly knew anything about him at all.

  “Will?”

  “Yeah,” His voice was lazy and sexy, sending a thrill racing through her blood.

  “What do you do? Really?”

  She felt him tense, barely noticeable, but there all the same.

  “I told you, I’m a computer consultant.”

  “Who travels with guns?”

  “Sure, why not? You’re living proof that you never know when you need to protect yourself.”

  “Why won’t you tell me the truth?”

  He didn’t respond, but she felt his right bicep twitch against her arm. After a moment, he finally spoke. “Emma, neither one of us is who we used to be, so it doesn’t matter anymore. We can actually use this opportunity to become something else. I’m thinking about becoming a carnie.” She heard the grin in his voice.

  “I don’t see how we can work together…” He cut her off by tilting her head up and giving her a kiss that left her dizzy and breathless.

  He pulled back, grinning. “I think we should start heating some water so I can wash you.”

  “We need to talk about this.”

  “Emma, drop it.” He kissed her again, leaving no doubt in her mind that he was in control at the moment. “I used to be a gigolo. Women used to pay me for what I’m giving you for free.” His hands moved down her body and she soon forgot the question.

  After they got up and washed, Will helped wash her hair in the sink. They dressed in their original clothes. Emma was thankful that Will had cleaned and hung them outside to dry the day before. Their shoes were still damp, as were their jeans, but only slightly. They decided to eat some of the canned goods for breakfast and use the empty cans for target practice.

  Will showed her how to load one of the rifles and then had her try. Once he was satisfied with her progress, they moved outside with the cans.

  The mid-morning sun was welcome after the rain and warmed the chill she felt from her damp hair. Emma paused and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the sunshine on her face and the chirping birds in the forest. While she waited for Will to set up, she thought of Jake. She prepared for the familiar fear to flood back, but a strange sense of peace filled her. She closed her eyes tighter and called out to him in her mind. Focused on reaching him in the distance, she nearly jumped when a dim light came into view and she saw his face. She couldn’t believe it worked.

  Mommy it’s not safe for you to call me.

  Jake, I have to know you are safe.

  Mommy, I’m fine. I’m safe. You need to worry about you. He frowned. You’re in…

  “Ready?” Will called, shaking Emma out of her trance.

  Her eyes flew open and she jumped. She quickly squeezed them shut, focusing on Jake, but he was gone. She sighed in disappointment.

  Will dragged a fifty-five gallon metal drum between two trees and tipped it over. Four cans lined up along the top. He took the rifle and showed her how to stand and aim. After he warned her about recoil, he shot a can on the end, sending it flying off the metal drum. The birds in the trees scattered in all directions, screeching in protest. He turned to her with his smug grin. “See? Easy.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. He handed her the gun. She adjusted her stance and held the rifle up, looking through the sight at a can thirty feet away. Will stood behind her and reached around, lifting her arms.

  “Hey, I was doing it right. I think you just wanted to put your arms around me.”
r />   Will chuckled in her ear. “And your point is?”

  “My point is I have a gun and I might not be afraid to use it.”

  He dropped his arms, laughing. “The lady has spoken. Just be prepared for the recoil.”

  Emma viewed the can through the gun sight again, prepared herself and squeezed the trigger. She missed the can and the rifle jerked her back.

  “Shit!” She rubbed her shoulder.

  “That’s okay, I would have been surprised if you got it the first time. You have to get used to the kickback.”

  She repeated the same maneuver several more times, missing each time.

  “Son of a bitch!” Emma lowered the rifle and wheeled around to face Will. “Why can’t I just use the pistol?”

  “Because you can’t shoot as far with it. You need to be able to use the rifle with some accuracy.”

  “This is going to take all friggin’ day at this rate.”

  A slow smile lit up his face. “Lucky for you we have all friggin’ day.”

  She glared. “No we don’t. We need to leave.”

  “Not today we’re not. You need another day to rest and you’re already getting worn out with target practice.”

  “If I shoot the fucking tin can will you agree to leave today?”

  Will folded his arms and shook his head with a look of exasperation. “Emma…”

  “Can we or can't we?” She considered leaving without him, promise or no promise to Jake. Besides, if she took off,Will would probably follow her.

  “Only if you shoot the cans five times in a row.”

  “There’s only three cans left.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Now that’s a dilemma, isn’t it?”

  She let loose a string of profanity that made him belly-laugh. She marched over to the drum and found the can on the ground and set it on the drum, turning it so that the side without a hole faced her. Will watched with a smirk as she walked back to her spot. Emma spun and glared at him in defiance. She aimed through the sight and braced for the recoil and squeezed the trigger. Plink. The can shot off the back of the drum onto the ground.

  Emma grinned at Will. He crossed his arms and he nodded his head toward her. “Bravo. Now you only need four more in a row.”

  “You don’t think I can do four more in a row?”

  He shoved his hands in his front pockets and shrugged, his lips pressed tight to keep from smiling. “Dunno, why don’t you show me if you can?”

  She turned back to face the drum and shot the next can.

  “Lucky shot.” Will said.

  “Hmm, we’ll see.” She shot the remaining two cans.

  “Well, well, all you needed was a little motivation. You still need one more.”

  “Why don’t you be a dear and walk over and pick up one of those cans for me?” Emma pouted her lips and batted her eyelashes.

  “I don’t even think so,” he laughed. “Seriously? Walk over there with you pointing a gun at me? No thanks.”

  “Afraid I’m going to shoot you?”

  “The thought crossed my mind.”

  “You’re safe— for now. I need you to get me out of here.”

  He walked over to her and pulled her in his arms, looking down into her eyes with a teasing glint in his eye. “Is that all I am to you, Emma? A trail guide?”

  “A trail guide with perks.” She reached up and kissed him. “Now about that can…”

  He dropped his arms, grumbling as he walked to the metal drum, arms raised in self-defense. Emma kept the gun tip pointed to the ground, weight shifted to one side. Will picked up all four cans and set them back on the drum. He turned around and paused, a stunned expression on his face.

  “What?” Emma asked.

  “God, do you know how sexy you look right now?”

  “Yeah, every man’s fantasy— a woman with a rifle. Get out of the way.”

  Will chuckled and strode toward her. “I bet you can’t shoot all four.”

  “What the hell? I only have to shoot one.”

  “True, but I bet you can’t.”

  “And why would I want to? I’m not a guy, in case you hadn’t noticed last night and this morning. I don’t really get into pissing contests.”

  “We could wager on it.”

  “And what do you have that I would want?”

  He held his hands out from his sides and flashed his cocky grin. “You’re looking at it, sweetheart.”

  Emma snorted. “Please, like you’re withholding yourself from me? All of a sudden you’ve become Virgin Will? Whatever. You’ve got nothin’.”

  “Don’t be so sure about that. What do you want from me, other than my body and my ability to help you escape the woods?”

  Emma stared at him, thinking. “Answers,” she finally said. “I want some answers.”

  He looked sullen, but not surprised. “Agreed. You get three questions answered. Now, what do I get?”

  “What do you want?”

  A slow lazy smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

  “Seriously, do you think of nothing else?”

  “What can I say? I’m a guy.”

  “There’s nothing else?”

  He hesitated. “Yes, but you might not like it.”

  “What is it?”

  He paused. His jaw tensed and his eyes grew serious. “At some point in the future, I’ll ask you to do something and you have to do it, no questions asked. No balking, just do it.”

  She tilted her head, suspicious. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know yet. But I need to know that if we’re in danger you’ll do it, whatever it is.”

  She studied his face, all teasing gone. “You know that if I agree to this, I have to trust you.”

  “I know.”

  “That’s hard for me. I don’t know if I can.”

  “I know. It’s a lot to ask, but I swear, Emma, I would never ask you to do anything that would hurt you. You’ll just have to trust me.”

  He was completely serious. His seriousness worried her, made her wonder if he knew something she didn’t. But he wouldn’t tell her, even if she asked. It all depended on how lucky she felt.

  Emma put her hand on her hip and lifted her chin. “You can’t interfere in any way when I take my shots.”

  “You’d accuse me of cheating?” He didn’t appear very offended, in fact looked like he lost his loop-hole.

  “And I get my answers as soon as I ask the questions, no cheating and saying ‘one a week’ or something completely bull shit.”

  “All right, I’ll answer the question when you ask it.”

  Emma stuck out her right hand. Will put his hand in hers and they shook, staring into each other’s eyes. This should have been fun, they should be laughing, but Emma understood the gravity of the situation. They both offered something they weren’t willing to give.

  Emma took her stance and aimed, centering the tin can through her sight. She took a deep breath, released it, and shot. Plink. The can flew off the metal drum. She didn’t turn around and gloat. There were three more cans to shoot to get her answers. She shot the second and third. Only one left.

  Will stood silently behind her, although she could feel his nervousness. How was that possible? Could you feel nervousness in someone six feet away? She rolled back her shoulders and shook the feeling away then focused on the can. Her finger lightly looped the trigger, about to squeeze when her stomach cramped in an unexpected wave of nausea. She pulled the trigger instinctively as she doubled over in pain. Her shot missed the can and hit the metal drum.

  “Emma?” Will was immediately by her side, hand on her back.

  “I’m okay, I just felt sick all of a sudden.” She twisted to glance at Will, who looked like he had the same fear.

  “Can you walk to the cabin? We have to be prepared.”

  “No, go.” She waved him away as she fought another surge of nausea and dropped the gun on ground next to her. She fell on her hands and knees in the grass. “You’re wasting t
ime,” she moaned.

  “No way I’m leaving you out here. You’re coming with me.”

  “Sorry, but I’m a little busy right now.” The nausea won out and she threw up on the damp grass, her hair falling around her face. “Damn it, I just washed that.” She felt Will pull her hair back behind her back.

  “Emma…”

  The nausea seemed to have passed, if only temporarily, and she sat back on her heels, taking gasps of air. “I’m hurrying as fast as I can. Some freaking bizarre kind of alarm system this is. Why can’t I just get a headache or something?”

  Will grabbed the rifle then helped Emma to her feet. “I don’t know. It worries me that it strikes out of nowhere and it’s so debilitating. This could be dangerous.”

  “It’s not a helluva lot of fun for me, either. Let’s go.”

  Will took her hand as they walked toward the cabin. “We need a plan. I hadn’t actually come up with one. I never thought they would find us here.”

  “That’s reassuring.”

  “It is what it is. Let’s get the guns and ammo and hide in the trees. We can use the element of surprise on them. If the other day is any indication, we don’t have much time.”

  Will grabbed the other guns and some ammunition from the gun cabinet and laid them on the table as Emma’s eyes still adjusted to the dark. He handed the pistol and several clips to Emma. “Here, this is your gun, load it.”

  “What about the rifle?” she asked as she inserted the clip into the base of the gun and the others in her jeans pocket.

  “You’re going to have that, too, but only use it as a necessity. I’m going to hide you in a tree and you will shoot only as a last resort. You don’t have any practice shooting a moving target and I’m not having you draw attention to yourself.” He handed her the rifle she had used and a clip. “Load this one too.”

  Will loaded the other rifles and stuffed extra clips into his jeans pockets. They walked out into the morning sunshine as another wave of nausea began to hit. “Oh no…” she moaned.

  Will grabbed her arm and dragged her along behind him. She fought to stay upright. “Come on, hang in there until I get you up into a tree.”

  She doubled over as they reached the tree line.