Cassie Miles - Snowed In

She envisioned many long, uncomfortable silences with the two men snarling at each other. “Do you have any ideas? I’d guess that you and I don’t have much in common. What would we talk about?”

“Mountain rescue,” he said. “How did you get started with that?”

“I took a search and rescue course a long time ago. And I was already into rock climbing.”

“Me, too.”

It seemed that they actually did share some interests. “Do you ski?”

“Skiing and snowboarding, but I like cross-country best.”

As did she. She’d learned cross-country skiing as soon as she could walk. “What about rodeo?”

“Not a big fan,” he said. “My family used to have a farm in Wisconsin, so I got enough of horses and cows when I was growing up.”

With that kind of background, she knew that he was familiar with livestock. “I’ve always been concerned about animal cruelty at rodeos,” she said. “I cheer for the bucking bronco instead of the cowboy.”

“Cowboys aren’t your thing?”

“Not really.”

The light from the dashboard outlined his high cheekbones and sharp jawline. When he grinned again, she noticed that his lower lip was fuller than the upper. “You know, Sarah, I don’t think we’d have a problem finding things to talk about.”

When she first started talking, she hadn’t been on a fishing trip, trying to find out more about him. But that was what had happened. She’d learned that they had similar interests and small-town backgrounds. In that way, they were compatible.

And in other ways, too. Emily noticed Sarah’s first reaction when she met Blake. A glowing blush that spread from her neck to her hairline. Sarah had always preferred big men with broad chests and long legs. Seeing Blake in action was, well, it was kind of thrilling.

She ripped her gaze away from his profile and squinted down at her lap, pretending interest in the bra she held in her hands. She didn’t want to be attracted to him. This weekend was going to be difficult enough.

“Take a left up here.” They were making good time. No other vehicles on the road. And the pavement was dry. “We’re about ten minutes away.”

“Put on your blindfold.”

Grumbling, she took off her cap and tied her bra around her forehead. When she flipped the front down, the black fabric covered her eyes, but she could still see through. She eased it up on her forehead. “This had better be worth it.”

“If we catch this guy, we’ll be on our way to ending the threat, and the wedding can go forward.” He took Farley’s cell phone from his pocket and held it toward her. “I should make contact with our mystery man. Press the redial button and hold the phone while I talk?”

She did as he asked and listened as the kidnapper answered on the first ring.

Using his fake drawl, Blake said, “I’m getting close. Where should we meet?”

“Changed my mind,” the kidnapper said. “This project is over.”

“What’s your problem?” Blake shot her a worried glance. “I did what you wanted.”

“Changed my mind,” he repeated, angrily. “Never contact me again.”

“You can’t just cut me off like that. You owe me.” Blake put a convincing whine into his voice. “What am I supposed to do with the girl?”

“Get rid of her.”

A shudder ran through her. This man had called for Emily’s death as casually as he’d order a pizza.

Playing along, Blake drawled, “Are you telling me to kill her? ’Cause that’s going to cost you extra.”

“Do whatever you want with her. Do it slowly, painfully. You boys can have yourselves some fun making her squeal. That will be payment enough for your services.”

A muscle in Blake’s jaw twitched but he kept his voice flat and emotionless. “You promised cash. Half up front and half now.”

“Let’s cut the crap. I know who you are.”

“Is that so?”

The kidnapper’s voice turned cold. “Don’t play games with me. You’re out of your league.”

Abandoning his fake voice, Blake said, “We should talk.”

“Oh, we will. Not today but soon. Good night, Major Randall.”

The phone went dead.

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