Page 18 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

“Yes,” he whispered.

He crawled to the other side of the boulder and slowly peeked around. He still couldn’t see anyone.

Then a figure dashed between the trees. He glanced back at Mackenzie. “Please don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

“Alex!” She didn’t sound happy.

He dashed out from behind the boulder to another tree, pushing forward from tree to tree. Gunfire blasted the ground near his feet. He returned fire, then crawled back behind the boulder. If he was shot, then Mackenzie would be left to defend herself, but he’d wanted to apprehend the shooter.

“I couldn’t make the 911 call. I get no bars on my cell. Nobody is coming to help.”

“Good to know.” Even if she had made the call, no one would likely arrive out here in time to help. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You get a signal out here?”

He glanced at his cell. “Apparently.”

On his cell, he called 911. When dispatch answered, he explained the situation. Then he called Jack and left a voicemail. “We’re going to hide behind the waterfall and wait for you.”

He did the same on Nathan Campbell’s cell. Nathan was Erin’s detective boyfriend. Maybe someone would get here in time to help.

Until then, it was up to him.

When he ended the call, he couldn’t ignore Mackenzie’s questioning look.

“Did I just hear you tell them that we’ll be hiding behind the waterfall?” She sounded incredulous.

“You heard correctly.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“A shooter has us trapped here. But we can make it down there”—he pointed to the cascade a few yards ahead—“because we’ll be protected by the water and surrounding boulders, we’ll be safe. We can wait there for help.”

Have you lost your mind?At least that’s what he took from the look she gave him.

“I’ll cover you and protect you as we climb down.”

“Won’t we be trapped there just like we’re trapped here?”

“We’ll be protected. I know some things about those falls.”

Doubt swam in her eyes. He took in her smooth face shining with the heat of the day—and yeah, he admitted he wanted to know more about her.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been there with my dad years ago. I know how to get down there.”

“Okay, then. Lead on.” She crouched, ready to follow him on the mad dash for their lives.

He held up his hand for her to wait and peered from behind the rock, then caught sight of the shooter aiming at them.

He fired his Glock.

“Go! I’ll cover you.” Time to send the shooter running.

Together they scrambled down the riverbank and out of the gunman’s line of sight. But they’d have to hurry if they wanted to hide behind the waterfall before the shooter tried again.

He started down and realized the rocks were more slippery than he remembered, and the way more treacherous as well. She was right—he had lost his mind.

“Be careful!” he shouted over the roar and motioned for her to start down.