Page 20 of Snowbound Threat

“Because he ran from them!”

Pops set his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure it will all get sorted out once Simmons calls the sheriff and more investigation is done. We wouldn’t want your father alone out there, in danger.”

She knew he was emphasizing those facts for Deputy Simmons’ benefit. However, it struck a pang in her that squeezed her heart. Until she remembered that Caleb was out there, with all those weapons and his skills. Ready to take on the bad guys and get her father back.

Sure, he didn’t want her help, but it wasn’t like he was leaving her stranded.

She lifted her chin and zeroed her gaze on Simmons. “I suggest you take a look at the car. My father wouldn’t abandon his vehicle without a good reason.”

She twirled around and tried not to stomp back over to her car. At the end of the day, she was a female. Having an attitude was often the simplest way to explain to annoying men how she felt. Sometimes it even made them wake up and listen to her.

And why did she think that Caleb wasn’t necessarily the guy she would need to do that with?

It wasn’t manipulation, because whatever they did it was their choice. But they did it knowing how she felt about things. Still, it seemed more like he would hold her hand and try to helpher instead of realizing how she felt and doing what he wanted anyway.

Tessa climbed in the front seat of her car, determined not to get sucked under by the fantasy of a strong man with big shoulders who swept into her life. A guy who put everything on the line for his work. To save people and bring justice to the world. A guy like that wasn’t going to stop and take notice of her.

Life just didn’t work that way.

Even if he held her hand it was only because he knew she’d been worried about her father and was trying to comfort her. It wasn’t because he had any kind of feelings for her outside of that.

No new messages, or calls.

No updates from Caleb.

Just a couple of app notifications she had never gotten around to turning off, and an email about a sale at JC Penney.

Where is my dad?

God knew—and it was the only solace she had.

She waved to Pops and flipped her car around on the highway, heading back to town. She could try to call Caleb and find out if he’d seen anyone else out there in the woods. But she didn’t want to disturb him if he was in the middle of a dangerous situation.

Tessa really did want to be the one out there protecting her father, making sure he was safe. Wasn’t that part of her role as a daughter? But she really didn’t know how, even if she wanted to do it. She would probably just end up getting herself and anyone else killed.

See, she didn’t have to like that Caleb had dumped her off. But if she were honest it really was the best way to resolve the situation.

She let out a long sigh, shifting in the seat enough to feel the bruises she had sustained earlier. With all the adrenaline andthe walking and meeting up with Pops she really hadn’t had a chance to assess her own situation. Side of her hip smarted, like she had banged her bone there. Maybe she even had some road rash.

Tessa drove, praying in her mind that her father would be found safely. That he wouldn’t be injured or killed today or because of these people.

Usually she felt pretty equipped to do what she needed to do—the things she was called to do in her life. But this was a situation where she was completely in over her head.

Lord, help us all. Give Caleb the skills and the wisdom to find dad. Keep dad safe until Caleb gets there. And show me how I can help with any of it.

As she drove back to town, her phone rang in the little clip on the dash.Dadappeared on the screen. She tapped it and put the call on speaker. “Are you okay? Dad, what’s happening?”

“Tessa?” His voice croaked. He sounded tired, or even in pain.

She’d checked his phone location again when she had signal earlier, but it hadn’t been transmitting. Caleb had told her it was probably turned off.

“Where are you? What happened?” Sure, she was repeating herself. But she needed all the information she could get right now.

“I’m…safe. I made it as far as my hunting cabin.”

He didn’t sound convinced that he was safe, but maybe he was still just scared from so much running. “Do you want me to come get you?”

He didn’t answer right away, but finally said, “Yes. Come get me, Tess.”