Mountain Hostage. Hope White

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      “Three search teams are ready to deploy once the storm passes.”

      Well, three was better than one. Still...

      “How is Shannon going to survive?” she said softly.

      “If the kidnapper wants something from her or her family, it’s in his best interest to keep her safe.”

      She kept circling back to the same question: Why Shannon? And who was going to get the ransom call? Her parents were stable financially, but not wealthy.

      She wished she had a sounding board, someone to process it all with.

      An image of Jack standing at the foot of her hospital bed flooded her thoughts. The unique man who’d saved her life. She had either been brusque with him, or an emotional tornado. She assumed he’d feel safest keeping his distance.

      But who could blame her for being an emotional basket case in her situation?

      She wondered if Jack was on one of the search teams standing by to look for Shannon.

      They had to find her. Zoe wouldn’t accept the alternative. Few people other than Shannon knew the real Zoe, understood and loved her, faults and all.

      The deputy turned into Shannon’s snow-dusted driveway leading to the charming, two-bedroom house. The snow hadn’t accumulated nearly as much down here as it had up on the mountain.

      Zoe spotted a lone figure standing on the front porch. From this vantage point, it could almost be... Shannon. Hope flared in Zoe’s chest.

      The deputy parked the cruiser and Zoe thanked him for the ride. As she approached the house, she said, “Shannon?”

      The woman pulled the scarf off her face.

      “Oh, sorry,” Zoe said. “I thought you were Shannon.”

      The visitor extended her hand. “I’m Kelly Washburn, Shannon’s friend. We work together.”

      “Zoe Pratt.”

      “No offense, but I was hoping it was Shannon in the back of the squad car,” Kelly said. “I heard what happened and had to come over. I don’t know why. I had to do something.”

      “I know the feeling.”

      “I even brought sloppy burgers, her favorite, from the resort’s restaurant.”

      “That was thoughtful, thanks.” Someone with a positive attitude. Zoe liked that. She scanned the porch. “I wonder where she keeps the spare key?”

      “It’s probably unlocked,” Kelly said. “People out here rarely lock their doors. If not, she keeps the spare under the mat.”

      Zoe twisted the door handle and it opened. Small towns were so different than urban areas. She would never leave her apartment door unlocked. They entered the modest home and Kelly proceeded to turn on some lamps.

      Shannon had decorated the open floor plan with simple, comfortable furniture, plenty of throw blankets and insulated drapes. Each of the two bedrooms had its own heater and thermostat, as did the main living area, although Shannon said she relied on the fireplace to warm that space.

      Zoe glanced at the fireplace. She and Shannon had stayed up until 1:00 a.m. the first night she’d arrived, reconnecting, talking about their careers, sharing accomplishments and disappointments. They weren’t done. They had so much more to discuss. Would Zoe get the chance?

      She felt Kelly’s hand touch her shoulder. “We need to remain positive.”

      Zoe nodded, grateful for the kind words. Although she was starting to feel the drain of the day’s trauma on her body and mind, she didn’t want to be rude. “So, you and Shannon met at work?” she asked.

      “Yes, we bonded over our love of hiking, volunteer work and snickerdoodles.” Kelly placed the take-out bag on the table.

      Zoe sat at the kitchen table but didn’t reach for the bag right away.

      “Guess this was a bad idea,” Kelly said. “I mean, it’s not like either of us is hungry at a time like this.”

      Zoe thought about the colorful snickerdoodles Shannon had packed for their hike. “I should probably eat something since my last meal was breakfast.”

      “I’ll get us something to drink,” Kelly said.

      “There’s juice and soda in the fridge. I’m good with water.”

      Kelly went to the kitchen and pulled glasses out of the oak cabinet. “How did Shannon seem today?”

      “Pretty good. Happy to be going on a hike. Why?”

      “I don’t know. She’d been distant lately.”

      “She said she was having boyfriend problems,” Zoe offered.

      “Couples always have minor bumps,” Kelly said.

      “Or major ones,” Zoe muttered.

      “Uh-oh. Recent breakup?”

      “Yeah. It’s done. I’ve moved on.”

      Kelly placed a glass of water in front of Zoe and joined her at the table. “If it was meant to be, it will work out, right?”

      “How about you? Do you have a steady boyfriend?”

      “Semi-steady.”

      “I’ve never heard that term before.”

      Kelly opened the bag of food and shrugged. “It’s still too new to define.”

      “Ah.”

      Zoe appreciated the distraction of sitting here chatting about life and guys, almost pretending as if there weren’t some larger crisis taking place outside these four walls.

      Shannon was gone. Kidnapped by a brutal man.

      “What, you don’t like the burgers?” Kelly asked.

      “Sorry, kind of distracted.”

      “Hey, give me your phone and I’ll put my number in the contacts,” Kelly said. “That way you can call me anytime and vice versa.”

      “Good idea.” Zoe handed her the phone. “Tell me more about Shannon’s behavior lately.”

      “She’d been a little withdrawn. I figured that was because of Randy.”

      Zoe nodded.

      Kelly handed Zoe’s phone back. “Call me anytime. I mean it.”

      “Thanks.” She opened the bag and pulled out a burger.

      A tinkling sound chimed from Kelly’s phone. She glanced at it. “The boss.” She stood. “I’m sorry, I have to leave.”

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