Mountain Captive. Sharon Dunn

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       FOUR

      Lacey awoke. She turned sideways. Jude was no longer in his chair. Even though he might have just slipped out to get something in his room, she felt less safe when he wasn’t close. His agreeing to sit watch was the only reason she’d slept at all. Early morning light shone in from the window. The storm had let up, improving visibility, but it was still snowing.

      She heard a noise outside her door.

      Her heart beat a little faster. “Jude, is that you?” She ran to the door and flung it open expecting to see him. There was no one on the mezzanine. Now she realized that maybe the noise had come from downstairs. She stepped toward the banister. Down below, she watched as a tall thin figure hurried through the lobby and slipped outside. He’d been wearing a hat, so she couldn’t see what color his hair was.

      That had to be her attacker.

      She stood on the mezzanine as she reached out for the wall for support.

      Lacey’s heart thumped in her chest. The man had taken advantage of the letup in the storm to escape. Fear permeated her whole being.

      A heavy silence enveloped her as she fought the terror that raged through her. Seeing the man brought back the trauma of the attack.

      Jude came up the hallway and she fell into his arms.

      “Hey, Lacey, what happened?”

      “I saw him. He left the hotel. He was here all night.” Her voice must have given away how upset she was.

      “Hey.” Jude gave her a tight reassuring hug and then stepped back to look at her. Jude led her over to the plush velvet chairs that were outside the hotel room on the mezzanine. “Sit down and catch your breath. How long ago? Maybe I can catch him.”

      “It’s been a few minutes. I’m sure he’s gone by now.” She placed her hand on her heart and took in a deep breath. “Where did you go, anyway? I woke up and you weren’t there.”

      “I just went down the hall to use the facilities.” The hotel was so old that there was only one bathroom per floor. He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

      His hand lingered on her shoulder, and the warmth of his touch soaked through the fabric of her shirt. She’d always thought of herself as a free spirit, someone who didn’t need anyone. But given what had happened to her, she kind of liked having Jude around. Just his presence seemed to smooth over the agitation and fear.

      “If he is connected to the kidnapper, why hasn’t he come after me?”

      She turned to face him. “There you go again being a detective.”

      “I’m trying to figure this thing out.” Jude shifted in his chair.

      She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe I’m just the easier target.” She slumped back in the chair. “I do know one thing. I don’t like feeling like I’m trapped in this hotel.” But going outside meant the tall thin man might come after her.

      Ray walked into the lobby holding a box. He shouted up at them. “Storm won’t be the worst of it. It’s the aftermath. Be a few days before the plows dig us out and the roads are passable.” Ray must have heard what she’d said.

      Jude let out a heavy breath.

      Ray rested the box on the counter and pulled out a package. “Got some beef jerky here if you folks are hungry.”

      Jude rose, leaned over the railing and held up his hands. Ray tossed him a package. “Fine dining at its best.”

      Ray pointed to the box. “There’s more food in here if you want to top off the meal with some granola bars. Bottled water is in the kitchen.” Ray pointed to a door on the other side of the checkout counter. “Eddie and son have already helped themselves.”

      “So they are both still here?” said Lacey.

      Ray drew his head back, so his chin touched his neck and a look of confusion crossed his features. “Sure, why wouldn’t they be?”

      Lacey shrugged.

      Ray walked over to the window and placed his hands on his hips. “Four or five more hours. This should clear up enough to walk around town at least.” He turned back to face them, rubbing his chin. “Still won’t be any electricity.”

      Ray, the bringer of bad news, ambled away.

      Jude rose to his feet and held out a hand for Lacey. “Might as well make the best of it.”

      She took his hand, feeling the strength of his grip and the calluses on his palms. She met his gaze for just a moment, his soft eyes resting on her.

      After finding food and water in the kitchen, Jude and Lacey returned to the ballroom to wait the storm out by playing a game of chess. They played two games.

      “That’s it. You beat me,” Jude said.

      “So we’re even. You beat me last time. Want to go for a third game to see if we can determine who the true champion is?”

      Jude yawned. “You know I think I might just close my eyes for a minute. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

      “Okay.” Of course, he was tired. He’d stayed up half the night watching over her.

      She got up and wandered the ballroom toward a far wall where other books and games were stored on shelves. She pulled a book from the shelf that looked like it might hold her attention and then sat down in the easy chair opposite Jude, who was already snoring. He looked kind of cute sleeping with his mouth open. His wavy hair flopped over his forehead.

      She’d never spent this much time with another person. Other than her little brother when he was alive. Pain shot through her as though a sword had been driven through her chest. So much had been ripped from her life. She knew that there was a part of her that just didn’t dare open her heart again to ever caring about another person.

      She liked being with Jude. He was funny and easy to be with. But theirs was a temporary and fragile arrangement. All she needed was God, her job and her beat-up truck.

      She thanked God for the brief reprieve she’d gotten from his company.

      She read for a while, threw another log on the fire and then dozed herself. Her nap was interrupted by Ray towering over her.

      “Put your snow gear on if you like. People are starting to dig СКАЧАТЬ