There’ll be time for revenge later.” Aaron didn’t like the fact that the man could speak without raising his voice and the two men did as ordered. Jed turned his gaze to the blond man. “Cody, get on the phone and find out what the problem is. We can’t stay here forever. Start the truck and once we’re away from here we’ll figure out what to do with them.”
Cody tossed his shaggy blond hair out of his eyes and snagged his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. He punched in a number, shot them all a vicious look and backed out the door. Aaron glanced at Lance who’d also placed himself in a protective stance between the men and Zoe and Sophia. A cold feeling had settled in the pit of Aaron’s stomach. These men didn’t think anything about using each other’s names. Because they didn’t plan on anyone being able to tell who they were?
Pete stepped forward and taped Lance’s hands together then gave him a shove onto the couch. Lance landed with a grunt beside Zoe.
When Pete moved his attention to him, Aaron looked at the new guy who’d displaced Cody with his authority. Jed. “Look, if I don’t check in with my family, they’re going to come looking for me.”
“Shut up.”
“My brother is the sheriff of this town,” Aaron continued softly. “Unless you want him on the doorstep as well, you’ll let me text him and let him know I’m going to be busy all night delivering that calf out in the barn. I also have some medication for my mother I picked up at the pharmacy. My dad’s going to be calling and wondering why I haven’t dropped it off yet.”
Jed’s eyes narrowed and he cut a glance at Pete. Aaron turned his attention to him. “And in case you’re wondering, I don’t want my family coming here and stumbling into this mess. I’m not trying to put something over on you. I’m actually just trying to keep my family away from you. Less trouble for you, too, if no one else shows up.” Might as well say it like it is. Even then, there wasn’t any guarantee that Clay wouldn’t come by to check on him or take it upon himself to come get their mother’s medicine, but with Sabrina due to deliver their first child any day now, he figured Clay would stay pretty close to home once he got back from his trip. Which meant he might send someone. Either way it would involve putting someone else in danger if he didn’t let them hear from him.
Jed eyed him. “Fine.” He jutted his chin at Pete. “Text what he tells you.”
Pete’s eyes narrowed, but he found Aaron’s phone. “You’ve got four new texts.”
“Like I said, better let me answer them, or I’ll have people looking for me.” He met Pete’s gaze. “And they know where to find me.”
Pete looked to his boss for confirmation. The man nodded. “Who and what do I text?”
Aaron gave instructions, not even trying to insert a hidden message in his words. It would be too obvious anyway. He added. “One more. Text to my dad, ‘Calf due to deliver any moment. Won’t have time to drop off Mom’s meds. See if Doc Whaley will give her two pills to tide her over till I can get there probably tomorrow.’”
When the messages had been sent, he allowed Pete to duct-tape his hands together once again. One less thing to worry about. His family wouldn’t come out to the farm and find themselves in danger. He sat back on the sofa while the other two men paced and muttered and checked their phones. They were waiting on something. Orders from someone?
Cody stomped back into the house, flakes of snow melting in his hair, blistering curses on his lips. “I gotta go into town and get a part. The truck won’t start.”
“What? What happened?” Jed asked.
“I don’t know. I think it’s a spark plug.”
“Take mine.” Jed tossed Cody his keys. “Don’t be long.”
“Guess I’ll be as long as it takes.”
At Jed’s cold stare, Cody ducked his head. “But it won’t take long.” He trudged back out, and Aaron heard the vehicle start up and drive away.
He turned his attention to the boss. “You mind if I check on the heifer out in the barn?”
A heavy sigh slipped from the man. “You mind if I put a bullet through your head?”
A whimper escaped Sophia, and Aaron’s fingers flexed into fists. He forced himself to relax. “Come on, man, it’s an animal.” He gestured to Zoe and Sophia and Lance. “As long as you have them, I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
Jed studied him then nodded to Pete. “Fine. Go with him.”
“What?”
The two exchanged a silent look. “Go with him,” Jed repeated.
Pete lifted a brow. “Right.” He shot Aaron a grim smile. “Let’s go.”
Aaron figured that exchange between the partners was permission for Pete to kill him. His heart thudded a faster beat, and he sent up prayers for safety and wisdom. Truly all he’d wanted was to get in the barn and deliver the calf should the mama be ready. Now, it appeared he was going to have to fight for his life.
Zoe didn’t miss the interaction between the three men. She jumped up. “I’ll go with you. You might need some help.” Then she stopped. She wasn’t leaving Sophia behind, though. “Sophia’s a great help in the barn, as well.”
“This isn’t some country club vacation!” Pete yelled. “Sit down and shut up!”
Zoe sat, and Sophia buried her face in her side with a low cry. Zoe pressed a hand against the little girl’s head, trying to offer comfort. “Shh...”
“I’ll be fine,” Aaron said. “Just do what they say.”
She bit her lip. “But—”
“Don’t argue, Zoe,” Lance said. She frowned. Sophia pulled on her hand, so she snapped her lips shut.
* * *
Pete followed Aaron out the door and Zoe couldn’t help the prayers that slipped from her lips. She looked at Jed. “What do you want? Why are you doing this?” She glanced at his phone. “Who are you waiting for? Who’s supposed to call?”
He waved the weapon at her. “You just need to be quiet. You’ve led us on a merry chase.”
“Was it you who tried to kidnap Sophia from her school?” She regretted the question when his gaze slid from her to Sophia. He didn’t answer. “Why?”
“Shut up!”
Lance reached over with his hands taped together at the wrist, and clasped her fingers in a light squeeze. Zoe clamped her lips closed. Lance sat so quiet she’d almost forgotten about him. She shot him a frantic glance. Jed’s phone rang, and he stepped back still keeping an eye on them as he answered. As soon as he averted his gaze, she leaned toward Lance. “He’s going to kill Aaron,” she whispered. “We have to do something.”
Sophia’s arms tightened around her at her words, but she couldn’t just sit there and let Aaron die.
“Aaron has a plan,” Lance said. “I could see it in his
