Page 41 of Smokescreen

Finally, the arm of the gate swung completely open. Reid drove through and yanked the wheel hard as he slammed on the brakes.

The back of the truck fishtailed until they faced the gate—and the approaching truck.

Reid pressed the remote button again, and the gate began to slowly close.

The truck continued to speed their way.

The gate moved forward at a snail’s pace, making Olive’s nerves tighten more and more with each second that passed.

She held her breath, hoping for Reid’s sake that the gate closed in time.

CHAPTER 17

Right before reaching the stream, the other driver threw on his brakes.

The person behind the wheel seemed to contemplate his options.

Olive tried to stare through the windshield, desperate to see who the driver was.

But it was no use. The windows were too darkly tinted.

She would have to wait.

“What is that guy thinking?” Reid stared intensely at the other vehicle.

“I guess we’re about to find out.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her gun.

“You have a gun?” Surprise laced Reid’s voice.

“Of course. You don’t?”

His hand disappeared beneath his seat and emerged with a pistol. “Of course, I do.”

She tilted her head. “Good to know. Let’s hope we don’t have to use these.”

Finally, the gate clanged closed.

Olive let out the breath she’d been holding.

At least one safeguard was in place.

But that gate wouldn’t block a bullet from getting to them.

“You might want to get us out of here,” Olive suggested.

“Hold on. Let’s see what this guy decides to do.”

She almost insisted Reid turn around, to keep going back toward the ranch—or wherever this road led. But she appreciated the fact he didn’t want to keep running. He wanted to know who was inside that vehicle also.

If the driver thought he could smash through the gate, then she and Reid would be able to see exactly who was behind the wheel.

But after staring at the gate for several moments, the driver finally backed up.

“Is he . . . ?” Reid started.

“Turning around?” Olive finished. “That’s what it looks like.”

They watched as the driver did just that.