Through the Storm(62)

“No, I don’t believe you,” Conner said flatly. “Why would you come here if the gang planned to attack?”

“I don’t know this hick area!” Her face contorted in disgust. “When I travel this way I speed through on the freeway, but the pack blocked that route, so I tried the back roads. I’ve been turned around for most of the day.” Dani cursed. “And I didn’t know your place was right next to Riverbank. Just my lousy luck. Can we keep moving?”

“Yeah.” Neal pointed. “We’re near my farm. It’s right—”

“I hear them.” A man shouted in the darkness. “This way!”

“Get down.” Neal pointed to a low spot nearby. “Stay quiet.”

Twigs snapped and leaves crackled all around them.

Dani looked left and right into the darkness but remained standing.

“Hello, Dani. I’m glad we found you.”

She dropped the satchel and took several steps toward the voice. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” she pleaded.

Neal froze. Why hadn’t Dani fled or hid? He didn’t want to leave her to an uncertain fate.

A flashlight clicked on, revealing a man with a goatee holding a pistol. “What kind of father would I be if I let you run off?”

“Father?” Neal looked at Dani and then at the man.

“My daughter has authority issues.” The man grinned. “But what’s a dad to do?” The grinned faded. “Take my daughter home.”

Two men emerged from the darkness. She shouted curses and fought, but they dragged her away.

Roark pointed the pistol at Neal. “I don’t like people messing with my family.”

Another gang member stepped into the light. “Someone’s coming. I heard movement and voices.” He fired two shots into the darkness.

*

Evans Family Farm, Tuesday, September 13th

As sunlight turned to darkness, Drake lay on the couch, thinking of his parents. Even after all these years, he longed to see his mother again. Now his father had vanished and he ached to see him. Tears welled in his eyes and anger hardened his heart. Why had they left him?

He knew it was stupid, and wrong, to blame his mother for dying. But the pain of her going still lingered. Perhaps it always would.

Ashley walked into the room with a book and sat reading it.

He wiped his eyes and pretended to yawn.

Before his mother had died, his father rarely left Riverbank, but the last few years, conferences had become more important, more frequent. Drake felt his father’s need to get away from the house—away from him. Conner had needed to get away too.

As Ashley read, Drake gazed at her long, blonde hair that draped over her shoulders and along her pink blouse. With each breath, her breasts rose and fell, gently stirring her curls.

She had been the sole bright spot in these recent terrible days. In her moment of need, she had thought of him … ran to him. Unlike his father and brother, Ashley had stayed with him and helped him.

Deep down, he knew he would always protect her … always want her.

He stood and stared at her glistening skin sparkling in the lamplight. His heart pounded in his ears.

She glanced up from her book and turned off the lamp. “It’s getting dark. You should probably shut off the generator.”

“Oh, yeah. I will.” But he didn’t move. “Would you ever leave here … leave me?”

“If my parents return, I guess I’d have to go.” Her gaze drifted down to the book. “But I want to stay here until then.”

Drake trotted away with his thoughts still fixed on Ashley.

As he rolled the generator back into the garage, he heard the rumble of vehicles somewhere in the east. When he returned to the living room, Ashley had her face close to a side window.

She turned as he entered. “I thought I heard cars.”

“I think you did.” Drake found his night vision monocular, still on the tripod, and slung an AR-15 rifle over his shoulder. Then he grabbed an ammo can and stepped onto the porch.

Ashley followed with her shotgun and Gruff at her side.

Using the monocular, Drake scanned the area. “I don’t see anything.”

“Let’s stay out here.” Ashley settled onto the porch bench. “It’s cooler.”

Drake sat close and held her hand.

Gruff circled a couple of times and lay on the porch nearby.

“It’s a nice night.” Drake didn’t really know what to say.

“Quiet. Peaceful.” Ashley leaned against him. “Perfect.”

What should he do next? Drake’s mind raced for an awkward eternity. Should he put his arm around her? He wanted to kiss her, but should he just do it or say something meaningful about her first?

He decided to just do it and leaned close.

Gruff stood, looked toward the forest, and growled low.

Drake glanced at Gruff as he continued to growl, and then he heard it also, angry voices in the trees.

“Take Gruff in and lock the door.” Drake grabbed the tripod, and with the rifle bobbing on his shoulder, darted to a small knoll near the house. Lying there, he would have good cover and remain nearly invisible. He set the tripod up beside a large alder and peered into the forest.

Two armed groups moved through the trees toward the farmhouse as if they knew exactly where they were going. Were they all bad guys?