“It’s going to be okay,” Elise told the girl, trying to keep her calm. “We’re going to get out of here.”
Brooke sniffled back a tear but nodded her understanding. “Did—did Candace get away?” she asked.
Elise smiled and nodded. “She’s safe.”
“Bobby! Bobby, it’s Chief Mills.” His voice reverberated through the empty cabin as he stood outside surrounded, Elise was certain, by the Rangers. “We need to talk this out, Bobby. The cabin is surrounded. There’s no way out.”
Elise saw him tighten his grip on the gun at Brooke’s head. “Stay back,” he hollered out to Chief Mills. “I’ll kill them. I swear I will.”
“Tell me what you want, Bobby. How can we end this without more bloodshed? These boys out here, they’re just itching to take you out. You just killed one of their own. It’s all I can do to keep them from barreling into that cabin guns blazing.”
Killed one of their own?
Elise’s blood went cold. She knew he was talking about Josh. Bobby had killed Josh. She couldn’t hold back the sob that broke through her. Josh had died trying to rescue her.
“You tell them to stay back,” Bobby hollered to Chief Mills. “I have hostages!”
“There’s no way out now except by negotiating through me. You know me, Bobby. You know I won’t let anything happen to you if you cooperate by releasing the hostages and coming out peacefully.”
She looked at Bobby, who was studying the scene outside. This man had betrayed his friends. He’d hidden like a snake in plain sight. He’d plotted and schemed to hide his criminal endeavors and then exploit young girls for money. And now he’d murdered Josh.
She wouldn’t let him get away with it.
She leaped from her chair, rushing him and knocking him to the ground before he realized what was happening. The gun fell from his hand as he hit the floor, but not before he fired off a round. Brooke screamed but broke free and ran out of sight.
She vaguely heard a commotion outside and knew the gunshot had grabbed their attention, but Elise was more focused on scrambling to reach the gun that had slid across the wood floor before Bobby could reach it and use it on her.
She kicked him and lunged for the gun, coming up several feet short when he gripped her leg and jerked her back toward him. He grabbed a handful of hair and dragged her back to him before pinning her to the ground. He smacked her hard across the face. Pain ripped through her and the floor seemed to move with the impact of his hand. She groaned and tried to focus on Brooke moving quickly out the back door of the cabin with the aid of an infiltrating figure decked out in ranger gear. The image blurred and she wasn’t even sure of what she’d seen as she forced her eyes to try to focus. Had it been an illusion? She hoped not. She hoped Brooke was safely out the door.
Bobby grabbed Elise by the chin and forced her to look at him. “You’ve been nothing but trouble to me since you came to town.” He pressed the gun into her head. “Any last words?”
Everything around her blurred except the gun’s barrel. She tried to push it away without success. “Don’t kill him.” She addressed her words to Josh, who stood behind Bobby, his rifle trained directly on the man’s head.
“What the—?” Bobby glanced behind him and Josh slammed the butt end of his rifle into Bobby’s face, sending him sprawling across the floor.
Josh picked up the gun Bobby had dropped. “Why can’t I kill him?”
“Because I need to question him,” Elise said, trying to sit up. The floor spun again and she felt herself falling. Before she could, Josh was beside her, cradling her in his arms.
“Take it easy. You’re safe now.”
She tried to focus on his face, on those blue eyes, but nothing made sense to her. She’d seen him on the ground, unmoving. She’d suspected he was dead, and Chief Mills had confirmed it. How could he be here now? Was she hallucinating? She reached up to touch his cheek, to feel flesh and confirm what she was seeing. He covered her hand with his and kissed her palm.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered. “Everyone is safe.”
She leaned into his arms, no longer caring if her eyes were lying to her. Whatever the truth was, she was in Josh’s arms, hearing his voice whisper sweet words to her. There was no place else she’d rather be.
She slipped blissfully into unconsciousness.
* * *
“The ambulance is on its way,” Colton told Josh as he sat holding Elise in his arms. “It’ll be here within minutes.”
He’d wanted nothing more than to kill Bobby when he’d seen him with a gun to Elise’s head. Instead, Bobby was outside, being cuffed and read his rights by Daniel. He would stand trial for his crimes. He would pay for his betrayal.
Josh heard the wail of the ambulance sirens and carried Elise outside, stretching her across a gurney as the EMTs took over her care. He’d seen the blow Bobby had given her and was surprised she’d remained conscious as long as she had. She’d fought for Brooke, and he’d expected nothing less from her.
He checked on Brooke, who was sitting on the edge of the other ambulance, an EMT treating her wounds.
“How is Agent Richardson?” she asked, her voice young and innocent and frightened.
“She’s going to be fine,” he assured her.
“She saved us all,” Brooke said. “She saved us all.”
The EMT from Elise’s ambulance stepped over to him. “She’s awake, and she’s asking for you.”
He headed to her side, and when he saw her awake and recognition in her eyes, he leaned over and kissed her long and hard, rejoicing when she matched the intensity of his kiss. He broke from her and gazed at her, his hand stroking her hair and face.
“I thought I’d lost you there for a minute,” he said.
She gazed up at him, her hazel eyes filling with tears. “I thought I’d lost you, too. I thought you were dead.”
He saw the pain in her eyes and wished she hadn’t had to go through that, but knew the ploy of having Daniel announce he was dead had thrown Bobby off, giving her an opportunity to get Brooke away from him.
Then her face set obstinately. “Remind me to read Chief Mills the riot act when I see him.”
Josh didn’t envy his friend when Elise got through with him. He’d seen how tough she could be when crossed. He glanced back and saw Bobby being led away by two city officers. Anger bit at him again at the betrayal they’d all endured because he hadn’t seen Bobby for what he was in time.
“Tell me again why I couldn’t kill him,” Josh said, motioning to Bobby.
“He kidnaps young girls and sells them to a buyer. I need to know who that buyer is. My human trafficking case just got a huge break.”
“And if he refuses to give up his dealers?”
She smiled at him sarcastically and patted his arm. “Then you can kill him.”
He shook his head at her wit. “You FBI types are always making promises you can’t keep.”
She touched his face, turning it toward her as she stroked his stubbled chin. “I promise you this and I intend to keep it. I love you and I will never leave you again.”
Josh reached for her and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her like a man who’d been denied water and finally found a spring.
EPILOGUE
“Are you on your way?” Josh asked over the cell phone mounted to her dashboard.
Elise smiled and assured him she was nearly to Westhaven. She’d had to return to FBI headquarters to explain about the trafficking ring she’d uncovered. Because of Bobby’s cooperation, they now had several good leads to follow and evidence of a human trafficking ring that spanned multiple states.
She had news about Brooke, as well. She’d been identified as a child abducted seven years ago from a small town in West Virginia. Elise couldn’t imagine a
ll the girl had been through, but she would soon be reunited with her real family in time for Christmas.
When she arrived at Patti’s house, she noticed several other cars parked out front. The Christmas lights had been rehung and in the darkness hid most of the damage to the house. Elise knew this house, like this family, would be repaired and continue on. They were strong and they would endure.
Elise caught a glimpse through the window of the family decorating the Christmas tree. Candace looked happy, smiling and horsing around with Josh while Daniel and Patti held hands as they watched.
Josh spotted her through the window and stepped outside, pulling on his coat. “Hey, you made it.” He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. “What are you waiting for? Why don’t you come inside?”
She’d had a lot of time to think on her drive over and one question continued to bother her. She couldn’t spend any more time with this family until she knew the answer to it.
“I’ve been reinstated with the FBI and they’ve picked me to head up a task force on this trafficking ring.”
“That’s great news, Elise. Congratulations.” He bent to kiss her again, but she pushed him away. “What’s wrong?”
“You said you couldn’t be with someone who would purposely put themselves in danger. My job, heading up this task force, could be dangerous.”
She knew this wasn’t the best time to bring this up, but she just couldn’t—she wouldn’t—walk into that house and pretend everything was wonderful if she knew after Christmas would bring her heartbreak.
“When I look at Candace, I know that you risked your life for her. Max risked his life for you. My ranger brothers and I risked our lives every day, but it was for a reason. I’ve always known that, but I suppose I lost the realization that there are things worth risking your life for. You do that every time you go after someone like Bobby. You brought home my niece. You restored this family, Elise. How can I fault you for putting yourself at risk when you saved someone I care about?”
“But that won’t always be the case, Josh. Most of the time, these cases don’t end well.”
“It doesn’t matter. If there’s a chance you can help someone else the way you helped Candace, you have to do it.”
“But can you love someone who continually places herself in danger?”
He smiled. “I can, and I do. I love you, Elise, risks and all.” He leaned in and kissed her then smiled. “Now will you please come inside? It’s cold out here all alone and this family isn’t complete without you.”
She snuggled against him and followed him inside, comfortable in the realization that she would never have to be alone again.
God had guided her home.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from PROTECTING VIRGINIA by Shirlee McCoy
(Book One of CAPITOL K-9 UNIT CHRISTMAS)
Dear Reader,
Thanks so much for reading Yuletide Abduction, the first in my Rangers Under Fire miniseries. I hope you enjoyed reading Josh and Elise’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Several years ago, when my dad was unexpectedly taken from us, I watched my family members dealing with grief in so many different ways. Now, when I envision the Rangers, I see a group of men struggling over their shared losses each in their own unique way before ultimately realizing that true healing comes from the Lord. It’s a lesson we all have to learn, and I’m excited to be sharing each of their journeys in upcoming books. I hope you’ll join me, too!
I would love to hear your thoughts, comments or stories of restoration. You can visit my website at virginiavaughanonline.com.
Blessings!
Virginia
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.
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Protecting Virginia
by Shirlee McCoy
BOOK ONE OF CAPITOL K-9 UNIT CHRISTMAS
ONE
The house looked exactly the way Virginia Johnson remembered it—a hulking Victorian with a wraparound porch and gingerbread trim. The once-lush lawn had died, the wrought iron fence that separated the yard from the sidewalk was leaning inward, but the ancient oak still stood at the right corner of the property, a tire swing hanging listlessly from its branches.
Even with dead grass and darkened windows, the property was impressive, the beautiful details of the house highlighted by bright winter sun. Most people would have been thrilled to inherit a place like this.
Virginia was horrified.
She walked up the driveway, her throat tight with a hundred memories that she’d rather forget, her hand clamped around the key that had come in the mail three weeks ago. It had been in a package with a letter from a lawyer who’d been trying to reach her for two months, a check for more money than she knew what to do with and the deed to the house.
She hadn’t wanted any of it.
She’d torn up the check, tossed the deed and the key in the trash. Would have gone on with her life and pretended her grandmother-in-law, Laurel, hadn’t left her everything the Johnson family owned. Except that kids were nosy, and Virginia’s job as assistant housemother at All Our Kids Foster Home meant that she lived and worked with children all the time.
Most days, she loved her job. The day little Tommy Benson had taken the letter, torn-up check, key and deed out of the trashcan and delivered them to Virginia’s boss, Cassie McCord, Virginia found herself wishing that she worked in a tiny little cubicle in a sales department somewhere. Because Cassie wasn’t one to let things go. She couldn’t understand why Virginia would let a beautiful home rot.
If you don’t want it, why not sell it? she’d asked. You haven’t had any time off in three years. Take a couple of weeks off, contact an auction house. Have them auction what you don’t want to keep, then you can put the house on the market. Imagine what you could do with the money, how many kids you could help.
The last part had been the catalyst that had changed Virginia’s mind. She could do a lot with the money from the estate. She could open another foster home. She could help hundreds of children.
And maybe...just maybe...going back to the place where she’d nearly died, the place where every one of her dreams had turned into a nightmare, would help her conquer the anxiety and fear that seemed to have taken over her life.
If it didn’t kill her first.
She shivered, the late November air cutting through her coat and chilling her to the bone. Her legs felt stiff as she walked up the porch steps. It had been eight years since she’d seen the property, but it hadn’t changed much. The door was still brick red, the porch and railing crisp white. The flowered welcome mat had been replaced by a plain black one. If she lifted it, would she see bloodstains on the porch boards?
She gagged at the thought, her hand shaking as she shoved the key in the lock. The door swung open before she could turn the knob, and she jumped back, startled, afraid.
Of what? her rational self whispered. He’s not here. Won’t ever be here again.
She stepped inside, closed the door behind her, stood there in the foyer the way she had the very first time she’d seen the property. Kevin had been beside her, proud of what he had to offer the woman he’d said he loved.
She gagged again, the scent of blood filling her nose. Only there was no blood. Not on the foyer floor. Not on the cream-colored wa
lls. Someone had washed things down, painted them over, hidden the horror that had happened in a house that should have been filled with love.
“Just get it over with,” she muttered, forcing herself to walk down the long hall and into the kitchen. She’d start her itemized list there.
The house had been in the Johnson family for five generations. It was filled to the brim with things that had been passed down from one family member to the next. The line had ended with Kevin’s death. There were probably cousins of cousins somewhere, and Virginia wished her grandmother-in-law had found one of them to hand the property and the money over to. Instead, Laurel had passed the property on to Virginia. A guilt offering? It didn’t matter. All Virginia wanted to do was get rid of it as quickly as possible.
A floorboard above her head creaked, and she froze, her hand on an old pitcher and bowl set that dated back to the nineteenth century.
“The house settling,” she said aloud, the words echoing hollowly in the quiet room.
She knew the old house well, had lived in it for two long years. It creaked. It groaned. It protested its age loudly. Especially in the winter. She knew it, but she was still terrified, her hand shaking as she set the pitcher down.
The floor creaked again, and every fear that haunted her dreams, every terror that woke her from sound sleep, filled her mind. She inhaled. Exhaled. Told herself that she had nothing to be afraid of.
Another board creaked. It sounded like someone walking through the upstairs hallway, heading toward the servants’ stairs. The stairs that led straight down into the kitchen.
The door to the stairwell was closed, the old crystal doorknob glinting in the overhead light. She cocked her head to the side and listened to what sounded like the landing at the top of the stairs groaning. Her imagination. It had to be.
She opened the door, because she was tired of always being afraid, always jumping at shadows, always panicking. The stairwell was narrow and dark, the air musty. She glanced up, expecting to see the other door, the one that led into the upstairs hallway.
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