Free Relentless Pursuit by Kathleen Brooks Page B

rope.
    “I’m a country girl. Doesn’t everyone carry one?” She asked as she slid the blade down the duct tape tied around his ankles.
    The crackle of the fire drew Pierce’s attention away from her work. “Tammy, I don’t want to pressure you, but can you hurry?”
    Tammy looked over her shoulder as the flames licked the hall wall. The front door was now engulfed in flames and they were running out of ways to get out. She sliced the tape and went to work on his wrists. In seconds she was able to free him.
    Tammy backed away from the fire and looked around the living room. “Can we open the window?” Tammy asked as she rushed to the large plate glass window at the end of the house.
    “You bet we can.” Pierce rolled Gus’s large metal cage across the room and with a shove, it fell into the window. The glass cracked and burst under the force of the cage’s impact. “Ladies first.”
    Pierce held out his hand and Tammy took it. Gus’s nails clung to the tiny strap of her shirt and dug into her skin as she climbed on top of the cage and crawled out into the fresh air. In the distance she heard the old wood house crackle as Pierce climbed his way out of the living room. He jumped to the ground and pulled Gus’s cage through the window.
    “Looks like this may be all I can save. It’s a good thing I hadn’t moved any of my good stuff into this house yet.” Pierce held out his hand and Gus jumped onto it as Pierce put him on his perch. “Tammy, you saved me. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
    The house groaned suddenly and Pierce leaped on top of Tammy, forcing her to the ground. The house heaved and the windows exploded from the heat of the fire around them. Lights from the local Keeneston Volunteer Fire Department and the sheriff’s department reflected off the grass as they pulled to a stop on the dirt driveway.
    Tammy sighed. After all these years of throwing herself at Pierce, he finally jumped her. And he was half-naked! She felt his bare legs against hers and his solid chest was pressed tight against her back as he cradled her head in his arms. Too bad Marshall’s booted feet came into view as cops and firefighters surrounded them.
    “Pierce! Tammy! Are you okay?” Marshall asked as he skidded to a stop next to Tammy’s head and helped Pierce up.
    “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks to Tammy.” Pierce held out his hand and helped Tammy from the ground.
    Annie rushed over with some water and towels. “Yes, thank goodness she was driving by, saw the smoke, and called 9-1-1. Here, to wash your face and drink.” Annie handed Tammy the water and towel.
    “She didn’t just place the call. She saved my life!” Pierce told them as he poured a bottle of water on his face, the ash and soot running down his bare chest and sliding over his abs. Tammy stared and ran her tongue over her lower lip. Thank goodness her face was covered in soot or else everyone would see that she was flustered for a whole other reason than the fire.
    Noodle and Emma Francis hurried over along with Dinky and Chrystal, Annie’s cousin. Apparently, the two couples were getting serious. Dr. Francis took in every inch of them as she stood there, trying to ascertain if they were injured. Chrystal was staying close to Dinky’s side as he alternated between pride at having her there and embarrassment because he arrived at Pierce’s farm wearing camouflaged pajamas and duck slippers.
    Within minutes, the whole herd of Davies family members were there, along with Henry and Ahmed. As always, Henry was somehow dressed in a suit, even though it was now almost four in the morning. Marcy fussed over Pierce, Jake looked on worriedly, Paige hugged her brother tightly, and Katelyn checked on Gus.
    “Why don’t you start at the beginning,” Marshall told him, stepping further away from the house as the fire hoses were turned on the burning structure.
    Tammy cleaned up her face as she listened to how Pierce was attacked and tied to the