earn money for travel.
The thought of her traveling alone didn’t sit well with Nate or her big brother, Aiden. If she could stumble into trouble in her own hometown, Nate shuddered to think what could happen to her in a foreign country.
But she wasn’t gone, not yet. She was in danger right here in Echo Mountain. Nate pressed down on the accelerator and flipped the lights. It might get folks talking, but he didn’t care.
All he cared about was getting to Cassie. Making sure she was okay.
His phone rang, and he recognized Aiden’s number.
“Chief Walsh,” he answered.
“Sorry to bother you, but my little sister was supposed to stop by Mom’s and she’s late and hasn’t called.”
“I’m heading up to Reflection Pass now.”
“Reflection Pass? Why?”
“Cassie called 911,” Nate said.
“What’s wrong? Is she okay?”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I get to her. Just hang tight.”
“Where is she? I’m coming.”
Just then, sounds from Cassie’s phone echoed over the radio.
“I’ve gotta go.” Nate ended the call. He held his breath as he listened.
“Deep breathing, doggie,” Cassie’s gentle voice whispered through the radio.
Nate’s fingers wrapped tighter around the steering wheel.
“Just like REI,” she said.
He realized she was climbing down the mountain to get away from danger.
“Cassie, no,” he ground out. She didn’t have proper gear and wasn’t a seasoned climber.
A few seconds later, a soft shriek echoed through his car. His heart pounded against his chest. What happened? Did she fall?
“Where did you go?” a male voice called.
The perp was there? Stalking her? Nate slammed his palm against the steering wheel.
“Cassie McBride?” the man called.
How did he know her name? Nate grabbed the radio. “Dispatch, how close are the patrol cars to Reflection Pass Drive, over?”
“About a minute out, over.”
“Tell them to hit the sirens.”
“Copy that.”
A woman’s moan floated across the inside of his truck. He glanced at the radio, then back at the road. Two minutes; he had to be only two minutes out.
“Is that you down there?” a man said.
Nate flipped on his siren and floored it.
The next few minutes were a blur. It took all of Nate’s self-control to keep the panic from turning him into a raving lunatic. He reined in his temper. Locals had been worried about giving the chief’s position to a thirtysomething like Nate, from a big city. Folks didn’t think he had the patience for being chief of a small town.
He was determined to prove them wrong. Echo Mountain had become his home. He’d moved here three years ago to support his sister and her teenage son. He’d been absent from their lives far too long, playing protector for the rest of the world. He’d been pretty good at it, until he’d failed Dean.
He would not fail Cassie.
As he pulled onto Reflection Pass Drive, two patrol cars turned the corner up ahead. Nate sped toward the house, parking behind Cassie’s little red car. He whipped his door open and motioned to officers James “Red” Carrington and Ryan McBride. “Red, search the house. McBride, you’re with me.”
Nate hoped that seeing her cousin Ryan McBride might comfort Cassie. Red drew his weapon and entered the house.
Nate grabbed rope from his trunk, then called dispatch. “I need the last known location for Cassie McBride, over.”
“Quarter of a mile south of the cabin, over.”
The ambulance peeled up the driveway and the paramedics hopped out; one was Cassie’s cousin, and Ryan’s sister, Maddie McBride.
“Wait until Officer Carrington gives the all clear.” Nate took off toward the trail, Officer McBride right behind him.
Nate withdrew his firearm. The guy still had to be here, right? Jogging up the trail, Nate steadied his breath, occasionally glancing over the edge. She could be anywhere down there.
The trail forked, and Nate pointed for Officer McBride to go left. Nate continued another few minutes.
The sound of a barking dog echoed from below. Nate knelt to look over the edge.
“Cassie! Cassie, you down there?”
The barking intensified, but there was no response from Cassie.
Had the guy climbed down there and...
Nate would not allow himself to go there. He holstered his gun and secured the rope around a tree trunk nearby. He had to get down there and make sure she was okay.
Because if she wasn’t...
Something slammed against Nate’s back and he lurched forward, over the edge.
Nate had experienced his share of falls, and that experience taught him how to survive even in impossible situations. As he tumbled off the trail gripping the rope he’d secured to the trunk, his back smacked against the mountain wall. He clenched his jaw against the pain. He glanced up, but didn’t see his attacker peering over the edge.
“McBride!” he called out to his junior officer, as Nate clung precariously to the rope.
Silenced echoed back at him. He planted his boots against the mountain wall and lowered himself. A few seconds later, a splash of bright blue caught his eye below, in contrast to the rich green surroundings.
Cassie. It had to be. She usually wore bright colors, much like her bright personality.
Totally inappropriate time to be thinking about her fashion choices, Nate.
“Cassie?” he said, getting closer.
Nothing. He released the rope and dropped to the ledge. He was desperate to check on Cassie, but needed to alert his men.
“This is Chief Walsh,” he said into the radio. “The perpetrator is still on the premises, over.”
“Are you okay, over?” Red said.
“Affirmative. McBride, check in, over.”
Silence.
“Red, we need backup. Call County, over.”
“Ten-four.”
Although Ryan McBride was an exceptional police officer, Nate worried that the perp had surprised and attacked Ryan before coming after Nate.
The dog growled, protective of the woman he guarded.
Nate knelt beside Cassie. “Good dog. Now let me have a look.”
She lay on her side, unconscious. “Cassie?”
He hesitated before checking her pulse. Don’t be stupid. She’s a young, healthy woman. A fall like this wouldn’t kill her.
Pressing his fingers against her neck, he caught himself wanting to ask God for a favor, not for Nate, of course, because he knew better, but for Cassie.
Her pulse tapped steadily against his fingertips. He took a deep breath. With a trembling finger, he trailed golden-blond strands of hair off her cheek.