Page 17

She ran faster. She’d always liked distance running at school. She stumbled over some overgrown tree roots, flailed, but managed to catch her balance. She fumbled to get her phone out of her pocket, breathing heavily.
She swiped the screen, then pressed it to her ear.
He answered on the first ring. “Hollis?”
“Sawyer, oh God…” She gripped the phone tightly.
“What’s wrong? Did you set your toaster on fire?”
“Sawyer…” A sob escaped her.
“What is it?” His tone sharpened.
“I’m on a hiking trail. Someone’s chasing me.”
He cursed. “What trail?”
She tried to think. Some of the Hawaiian names sounded so similar. “I’m just north of Paia. Um at…the Ho’okipa Beach trail. Near the lookout.”
“I’m not far from you. I’m coming.”
“Hurry.Please.”
“Get to your car.”
“I’m trying.” She glanced back, and could hear a body moving through the vegetation. “I can hear them.”
“Get to the trailhead, Hollis. You can do it.”
“All right.” She tucked the phone back in her pocket, and lifted her chin.Get to her car.She sure as hell wasn’t going to let some asshole terrorize her.
Sawyer stepped on the gas,his department SUV roaring down the road toward Ho’okipa Beach.
He gripped the wheel. He had to get to Hollis.
Maybe an overzealous fan had recognized her? Maybe whatever she was hiding from had caught up with her?
The thought of her, alone, in danger, had his heart pounding. He pushed the SUV for more speed.
Finally, he saw the sign for the trail and lookout, and wrenched the wheel. The tires crunched over gravel, and he pulled to a stop.
As he got out, he noted there were no other cars in the lot except for Hollis’s rental.
Where was she?
He strode forward, scanning around. Then he heard a sound, and Hollis sprinted out of the trees.
Panic was written all over her face. When she saw him, relief was like the sun breaking over the horizon.
“Sawyer,” she panted.
Then she was in his arms.
He caught her, his arms wrapping around her. “I’ve got you.”
“Sawyer…” She was out of breath.
“Take it easy.” He ran his hand up her back. “Just breathe.”