The Chill of an Early Fall

by Mary Alford

  “Let’s get you to the house.” Elam lifted her in his arms and carried her. Sadie was grateful to have him close. With her head on his shoulder, his arms around her, she felt safe. Elam opened the same door through which her abductor had snatched her. He strode through the kitchen into the living room and placed her on the sofa close to the fire.

  “Are you oke?” Mamm knelt in front of her. The tears hovering in her mother’s eyes drove home how close to dying Sadie had come. “I heard the noise. When I went to check, you were gone. I was so worried.”

  Sadie clutched her mother’s hands. “I’m safe now.” She tried to sound reassuring, but all she could think of was Gamble was still out there somewhere. He wouldn’t stop until he had what he wanted. And for reasons known only to Gamble, he wanted her.

  ◆◆◆

  Elam almost lost her. The stalker actually had her in his clutches. Thank Gott Irene had heard the commotion and called out for help.

  Elam carried over a blanket and tucked it around Sadie. He forced a smile and gently touched her face. “Rest now.” He positioned himself near the front window, where he could keep an eye on the storm and still be close to Sadie.

  Both deputies were searching for Gamble. Would they catch him this time? The sinking feeling in Elam’s gut assured him another showdown was coming—one he hoped would not end in Sadie’s death. Gamble had nothing to lose. If he was captured alive, he’d probably spend the rest of his life back in the institution.

  Jonah joined Elam near the window. “This man appears to be stepping up his game. Do you think it’s safe to stay here?” His gaze lingered on Willa.

  Elam would hate it if something happened to his bruder and Willa because of this. With his thoughts in a whirl, Elam wasn’t sure how to answer. “We should speak with Sheriff Mackenzie once he arrives. If he thinks it’s necessary, all of us can leave,” Elam assured him.

  Jonah agreed, but the unease on his face didn’t disappear. The tenderness in Jonah’s eyes as he watched his wife was another reminder of the things missing from Elam’s life. “I wasn’t going to tell you this until more time passed,” Jonah said. “But Willa is with child.”

  Surprised, Elam shifted to his brother. “This is gut news. I am happy for you both.”

  Jonah beamed with happiness. “Danki, bruder. We won’t share the news with others until later, but with what’s happened, I wanted you to know. I’m concerned about my wife.”

  Elam gripped his brother’s shoulder. “I understand. We’ll have to use extra precautions to keep Willa out of harm’s way.”

  “We will. Thank you, Brother.” Jonah eyed him closely. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to leave Sadie with the time comes?”

  Elam couldn’t pretend not to understand. “I’m not leaving her. She was never mine to leave.” The bitterness in his heart bled through to his voice.

  “Are you so sure?” Jonah asked. “I saw her face when I accidentally mentioned your move. She was deeply hurt.”

  Elam had to protect his heart. “Sadie’s my friend. That’s all. She was hurt I didn’t tell her sooner.”

  “Perhaps. You and Sadie were always close, though. But you forget, I know how you feel about her.” Heat crept up Elam’s neck. Jonah knew him well. So did Sadie. Had she seen what he couldn’t hide?

  Please, Gott, no.

  He was saved from the need to answer when both deputies appeared.

  “He had a car parked by the road and circled around to it. Sheriff Mackenzie is on his way back here,” Deputy Anderson told them.

  “Did you get a good look at the man?” Deputy Harris asked Sadie.

  Elam couldn’t take his eyes off her. Even frightened half to death, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever met, and he loved her with all his heart. It hurt to think all she could ever offer him was friendship.

  “I did,” Sadie told him. “He didn’t have on the mask. It was the same man from the photo. Adam Gamble.”

  “Do you think it’s safe for us to continue to stay here after what happened?” Elam asked. He wouldn’t risk her life again.

  “Let’s discuss it further when the sheriff returns,” Deputy Anderson told him.

  Frustrated, Elam went to the kitchen and poured himself some coffee. All he could think about was how close Sadie had come to dying.

  Someone entered the room. He turned to look. Sadie came up beside him.

  “I’m okay, Elam,” she said and touched his arm. His gaze lingered on her hand on his shirtsleeve.

  “I know,” he managed and took out another cup, filled it with coffee, and handed it to her.

  Outside, the rain intensified. Flashes of lightning followed shortly by booming thunder shook the house. Sadie jumped, and he forgot all about his problems. He moved to her side and gently tucked her blond hair behind her ear. “You’re safe.”

  The fear he’d seen in her disappeared. She believed him. His heart overflowed with love for her.

  Unable to help himself, he leaned down and touched his lips to hers. In an instant, Sadie grew rigid. She stared at him with huge, shocked eyes. Then she stepped closer and kissed him back.

  Elam framed her face with his hands as the kiss intensified. Her lips tasted so sweet. A dream come true. There was no way she couldn’t feel the way he did.

  Sadie pushed against his chest twice, before it registered and he let her go. She turned away, her ragged breathing mirrored his.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, but he didn’t feel sorry.

  Her eyes were huge pools of sorrow as she faced him. “It’s okay. It wasn’t only you. We both let our emotions get the better of us.” She managed a smile. “How about a cookie instead?”

  His brows shot up. He stared at her for the longest time without realizing what she meant.

  She pointed to the table where she’d set out some molasses cookies earlier.

  “Oh.” He chuckled and pulled out a chair for her. Once she was seated, he took the seat next to her and selected one of the cookies.

  “Who made these?” he asked, needing to change the subject.

  “I did. Why?” Sadie bristled.

  He smiled slowly. “No reason.” He munched on the cookie until the last bite was finished.

  “Are you saying they’re not as good as Mamm’s?” she challenged.

  Elam held up a hand. “I’m not saying anything.” With that he snatched another and tried to enjoy the time they had together before different paths separated them.

  Chapter Eleven

  She touched the spot where his lips had been. All she could think about was the way his kiss made her feel alive again.

  Since Samuel, she’d been living in a vacuum. She had her career. She was doing good work at the hospital, but her personal life was nonexistent.

  Sadie glanced at Elam. Why was she just now realizing what had been there all along? His dark blond hair appeared as disheveled as always. She started to reach up and brush a wayward lock of hair from his eyes but forced her hand back into her lap.

  Elam glanced up and caught her watching him. She dropped her gaze to her coffee cup, embarrassed that she’d been staring.

  A car drew near. Elam rose. “That must be Sheriff Mackenzie,” he said and headed to the living room. It took her a little longer before she followed.

  Sheriff Mackenzie came in and closed the door. He shook off the rain from his jacket and hung it on the peg by the door. “It’s sure coming down out there.” His gaze found Sadie’s. “I heard you had quite a scare. Are you okay?”

  She managed a nod.

  A grim expression replaced his concern. “This is getting bad. I’ve put a call into Doctor Lewis. I want to see if he can give us some insight into the best way to capture Gamble. He’s agreed to cooperate. He should call soon.”

  Elam asked the same question as earlier. “Should we stay here?”

  The sheriff didn’t hesitate. “Probably not. But in this weather, we’re better off here. As soon as the storm passes, we
’ll see about moving you all to the station.”

  He’d just finished speaking when his cell phone rang. Sheriff Mackenzie removed it from his pocket and answered it. “Thank you for calling, Doctor Lewis. I’ll put the call on speaker so everyone can hear.” Once he’d done so, he informed the doctor what happened. “Can you give us any insight into this guy’s thinking? As you can see, he’s stepping up his attacks.”

  “I was afraid of this. After I heard what happened, I realized that Adam had me fooled.” The doctor explained how he was the one who recommended Gamble for release. “I thought he’d fully recovered. With medication, I was positive he could manage his delusions. I was wrong, and for that I am sorry.”

  “How did he get your car?” Sheriff Mackenzie asked.

  “I have no idea. He visited my house for several sessions after I broke my leg and couldn’t get to the office. He must have taken the keys then. As I’ve said, the car isn’t one I drive much. I’ve had it since I graduated from medical school. Can’t stand to part with it, I guess. I never realized the keys or the car were missing until the police came by the house.”

  “When was the last time you saw Gamble?” Elam asked.

  “About a month ago. He said he’d met a nice young woman. They were dating. I had no idea he was up to his old patterns. As you know, there was another victim before Helen Kendrick. Thankfully, she lived. But to this day her life has never been the same. He held her captive for six hours at a cabin some ways from Ronan, Montana. I believe he’s from that area.”

  “That’s close,” Elam said to Sheriff Mackenzie.

  “It is. Can you tell us where the cabin is?”

  “Hang on, I think I have it in my records.” The noise of papers being shuffled filled the pause, then, “Yes, it’s near Flathead Lake.” He gave the address.

  “Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your cooperation.” The sheriff ended the call.

  “I’m going to call Deputies Clark and Franklin and have them go to the cabin in case this guy returns.”

  An uneasy feeling settled into the pit of Sadie’s stomach. She couldn’t stop shaking. Would it be that easy? This guy was extremely dangerous and good at hiding.

  “I’m going to check with the office and see how long the storm’s supposed to hold on. I’d like to get you all to the station for the night. Excuse me.” The sheriff moved away to make the call.

  Sadie reached for Elam’s hand, and he looked her way. She wished he could reassure her things were going to be okay because nothing felt that way.

  Instead, he held her hand, and she was happy to be with him.

  “The dispatcher says the storm’s only getting worse,” Sheriff Mackenzie said. “I’m afraid the creek nearby might flood if we wait much longer. Why don’t you folks gather some clothes, and we’ll head out now. There should be plenty of room in my Suburban for everyone.”

  “I’ll take care of the animals while you and your mother pack,” Elam told her.

  Sadie didn’t like the idea of leaving the farm with night setting in, but she tried to keep her concerns to herself for Mamm’s sake.

  “I’ll help you get your things together,” she told her mother.

  Mamm followed her to the bedroom like someone in a daze. “I can’t believe this is happening,” her mother in a tight whisper.

  Sadie put her arm around her. “I know. We should probably hurry. I don’t like the idea of this guy still being out there somewhere close.”

  Her mother retrieved her bag and placed clothes in it while Sadie reached for hers.

  “I’m ready,” Mamm said with a weary sigh. Together they moved to the living room.

  “All set?” Elam asked, his gaze finding Sadie’s and holding it.

  She nodded because words were not possible.

  Sheriff Mackenzie opened an umbrella and ushered Sadie and her mother to the cavernous Suburban, followed by Willa and Jonah. Elam slipped into the passenger seat next to the sheriff.

  With one of the deputies driving his car in front of them and another behind, they started down the driveway to the road. Sadie was grateful, but would Adam Gamble find a way to get to her despite the protection? What if he did to her what he’d done to Helen Kendrick?

  ◆◆◆

  “I hope the creek isn’t flooded. We’ll never get out of here if it is.” Sheriff Mackenzie shot Elam a troubled look.

  What if they were trapped here with a killer who was bent on getting to Sadie?

  “I know a shortcut. You don’t have to cross the creek to get to the station,” Elam said. He and his brother used that path from time to time. He pointed up ahead. “There’s a gravel road on your right. Take it.”

  The sheriff touched the microphone on his shoulder and conveyed the information to the other deputies. Brake lights flashed. The patrol car in front of them slowed to make the turn.

  Elam leaned forward. Through the sheets of rain falling, something caught his attention off to the right. Before he could point it out to Mackenzie, flashes of light broke the darkness of the night. His brain caught up with what he was seeing. The flash of gunshots.

  The car ahead swerved. One of the shots had taken out the rear tire. The deputy wrestled to control the cruiser but lost. It barreled toward the side of the road and slammed into the ditch.

  “Shots fired, shots fired,” Sheriff Mackenzie yelled into his radio. He slammed on his brakes. The Suburban shuddered to a halt.

  “Anderson, are you okay?” The sheriff’s taut expression conveyed his concern.

  “I’m okay. Where’s the shooter? I’ve lost visual.”

  Elam squinted through the pouring rain. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Harris, do you have eyes on the shooter?” the sheriff asked.

  “Negative. He could be out there waiting for us to exit the vehicles.”

  Sheriff Mackenzie watched the area where the shots were fired. “We need to get out of here. We’re sitting targets.”

  “Sheriff, you should go on ahead with the civilians,” Harris said. “I’ll collect Anderson and follow.”

  Sheriff Mackenzie debated for a second longer. “Copy that.” He eased alongside the damaged cruiser. Before he could pull past, a bombardment of shots penetrated the side of the SUV.

  “Get down,” the sheriff yelled.

  Elam ducked.

  Sheriff Mackenzie jumped from the vehicle and opened fire, along with his deputies.

  When silence followed, Elam peeked out the window. Nothing moved.

  Sheriff Mackenzie rushed back inside. “He’s on the move. We need to get you folks to the station now. My two deputies will see if they can apprehend Gamble.”

  The sheriff sped down the road. For the longest time, Elam was too stunned by what happened to say a word.

  “Where does this road come out?” Sheriff Mackenzie asked and glanced at him.

  Elam struggled to rein in his troubled thoughts. “Near the main highway.”

  The sheriff concentrated on his driving again and Elam glanced behind at Sadie’s frightened face.

  “Is anyone hurt?” he asked, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Sadie.

  She managed a smile. “We’re all fine.”

  The road ended at the main highway that ran through town. Sheriff Mackenzie turned toward the sheriff’s station.

  “Once we’re at the station, I’ll see if I can get some cots and blankets from storage. It won’t be ideal, but at least you should be safe until we can apprehend this guy.”

  The town of Polson appeared, and Elam tried to relax. They’d be staying at the police station. The safest place around, surely.

  Sheriff Mackenzie tapped the mic and checked with his deputies.

  “We’re just behind you. No luck on finding Gamble,” Deputy Anderson informed him.

  Not the news any of them wanted.

  “I’ll see you at the station. Hopefully, Clark and Franklin will have better luck.”

  Sheriff Mackenzie drove around behind the b
uilding. “Let’s get you all inside,” he said, once he’d killed the engine.

  Elam climbed out and held the door open for Sadie and her mother while Jonah helped Willa out. The cold rain pellets penetrated through the warmth of his coat.

  Once they were inside, the sheriff cranked up the heat. “Why don’t you all come into the conference room? I’ll have my dispatcher, Joe Garza, rustle up some food. Once the rest of the team arrives, we’ll get you set up with some cots.”

  Elam reached for Sadie’s hand. After what they’d gone through, he needed her close to convince himself she was okay.

  “Coffee’s hot.” A middle-aged man entered the room carrying several steaming Styrofoam cups. “Cream and sugar are on the table. I’m going to order sandwiches. I’ll bring them in when they arrive.”

  Elam picked up one of the cups and handed it to Sadie. Dark smudges had formed beneath each of her eyes. Her complexion had lost all color. The simple task of adding sugar to her coffee appeared to be a struggle.

  She smiled at him. “I could never have gotten through this without you, Elam.”

  Her words thrilled him while cutting his heart to shreds. She was happy to have him as her friend. Still, every time he was with her, all he could think about was how much he loved her. “You know I’d do anything for you,” he said and held her gaze.

  A tiny sigh escaped. “I do,” she said a little unsteadily. “I’ve always known you would do anything for me. It’s more than I deserve.”

  His mouth twisted in pain. “That’s not true. You deserve nothing but gut things.” He couldn’t help it; he touched her cheek. Watched as she closed her eyes and swallowed deeply. Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn’t she love him the way he loved her?

  Reality slipped between them once more, and he let his hand drop. Slowly, he pushed back his chair and moved away without looking at her. He’d have to guard his heart from here on out. Because all it took was one glance from her, and he’d give up his future happiness to be with her. When this ended and Gamble was caught, her life would return to normal. She’d go back to Billings. When that happened, where did that leave him?