Page 104 of Mountain Refuge

“Susy is wearing combat boots. Allison is wearing heels, but that’s it.”

“Then use those. They’re better than nothing.”

The girls grouped together, removing the heavier shoes, and formed a line in front of Taya.

“Don’t block my aim of the door.”

They shifted to give her room to fire at anyone who showed their face.

~

Ryan followed the others from the trees to the back of the barn. They slipped inside one by one.

“Got one down.” Snowe stood over a man with a pitchfork in his stomach. “It’s Mason Rogers.”

The man groaned. “Help me.”

“Where’s Taya Trapp?” The sheriff glared down at him. “Where are the girls?”

“No idea where Taya is. She tried to kill me and ran. The girls are in the equipment building. Call an ambulance.”

“Sure thing, buddy. Once the girls are free and your men rounded up.” Sheriff Westbrook nodded at the others. “Don’t go out there, guns blazing. Our backup is coming from the other direction. We’ll herd these men to the center of the front yard. Don’t shoot unless you have to. Boyne, you and Larson, find those girls.”

Good. That would be a lot better than the shootout he figured the others couldn’t avoid. He spared Rogers a glance. “Want me to call an ambulance?”

“Yes. Just in case someone else is injured.” The sheriff peered out the wide double doors.

Ryan placed the call to 911, verified the address, told them he couldn’t stay on the line, and then hung up as Larson darted out the way they’d come. Ryan rushed out after him.

Gunshots rang out from the front of the barn. So much for a peaceful roundup.

Larson pointed to a large metal building.

Ryan nodded, his heart in his throat. Taya, where are you?

A man came around the corner and aimed at his forehead.

Larson fired and dropped him where he stood. “I’ll keep watch. Open that door.”

Ryan pulled the side door open, wincing at the shrill shriek, then ducked inside. Larson backed in and unclicked a flashlight from his belt.

“Doesn’t look like anything’s in here but tractors.” Ryan followed the light’s beam.

“Over there. A door.” Larson shot another man who tried barging into the building.

Larson rushed to the other side of the building and turned the knob. Locked. “I need the light.”

Larson tossed the flashlight to him. To Ryan’s surprise, he caught it as it spun end over end in his direction. He shined the stream of light on the walls, locating a key ring on a hook.Come on. Work. It took him three tries before he found the right key. He yanked the door open.

A line of girls holding shoes above their heads screamed and rushed him. A bullet whizzed past his head as he stumbled back.

“Wait. I’m one of the good guys.” He held up his hands.

“Ryan?” Tracy dropped the book she held and jumped, wrapping arms and legs around him, driving him backward into a tractor.

“Hmmph.” He set her on her feet. “Where’s Taya?”

“Inside. She’s hurt pretty bad.”