Free Sawyer by Delores Fossen Page A

wife was due any day now, Sawyer expected this to be the call, saying they were headed to the hospital.
    It wasn’t.
    “We might have a problem,” Mason said. “Something or someone tripped the security sensor on the fence gate at the back of the property.”
    That instantly put a knot in his gut. “The fence near my house?”
    “Yeah.” There was a lot of concern in Mason’s one-word response.
    The fence was a recent addition. It had been added to block off an old trail that coiled around that part of the ranch. Sometimes the hands used it to get to livestock that had broken fence or to drive to some of the better hunting spots.
    But Sawyer figured they weren’t that lucky.
    Especially since it hadn’t been that long since someone had used that very trail to launch an attack on his brother and his wife. That’s the reason the fence had been put up in the first place.
    “It could be nothing,” Mason added, “but as soon as I get a visual on one of the security cameras, I’ll let you know.”
    Sawyer thanked him, ended the call and shoved his phone into his pocket. In the same motion, he slapped off the lights so it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to spot them in the house. He also took his gun from the top of the fridge and hurried to the window over the kitchen sink. That would give him the best view of the trail and the fence.
    The sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, but it was still dark enough that he couldn’t see much. It didn’t help that beyond the gate were some trees that would make easy hiding places for anyone trying to get onto the ranch.
    “Is it the kidnappers?” Cassidy asked. She was already breathing through her mouth. Already terrified. And she had the baby clutched protectively in her arms while she rocked her.
    Sawyer had to shake his head. “It might be nothing.” And he prayed that was true.
    He kept watch, but the only movement he saw was the wind rifling through the tree branches. Still, that didn’t mean someone wasn’t out there.
    Sawyer had no idea how long it had been before Mason or someone in the house had noticed a triggered sensor. Maybe minutes. But even seconds were plenty long enough for someone to break the lock on the gate, get onto the ranch and take cover so they wouldn’t be spotted.
    Because he had his attention nailed to the area by the fence, he got a serious shot of adrenaline when his phone vibrated again. Without taking his eyes off the fence, he answered the call.
    “Bad news,” Mason said. “Two men dressed all in black. They’re hard as hell to see, but they’re out there. I got several hands on the way now to help you.”
    “Thanks,” Sawyer mumbled, and he glanced back at Cassidy. There were too many windows in the kitchen. Too many in the bedrooms, as well.
    “Take Emma into the hall bathroom,” Sawyer instructed her. “Get in the bathtub with her and stay put.”
    “But what about you?” she asked.
    “I need to stay here. Don’t worry. Both the front and back doors are locked. Windows, too. Plus, the security system is still turned on. If anyone tries to get in, the alarm will sound.”
    The assurance had barely left his mouth when he heard a sound he didn’t want to hear. A soft thump. Not at the back of the house but at the side where there was a line of bedroom windows.
    And the bathroom.
    “Change of plan,” Sawyer told Cassidy. “Get on the floor on the other side of the fridge.” It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than sending Cassidy anywhere near those windows.
    She hurried to the fridge and sank onto the floor with her back against the wall. The baby started to fuss even more, and Cassidy continued to rock her while she mumbled something. A prayer, from the sound of it. Good. Because Sawyer wouldn’t mind a little divine intervention. Anything to keep Cassidy and the baby safe.
    The waiting began, and Sawyer tried to tamp down the adrenaline that was already sky high. His body was in fight mode, but it