How to Switch a Groom Page 7

  They both strained to listen to what the men were saying but only certain words from their low rumbles came through. From what Cally had caught so far, they’d given their parents until tonight at midnight to have the money to them. If her parents actually came through, would they let her go or would they kill her or rape her like Kaimbrey had suggested? She didn’t want to stew about it, but it seemed to be all she could think about.

  “Yeah, baby,” Kaimbrey whispered, and then Cally felt the ropes binding her wrists loosen. She wanted to yell but settled for a relieved smile.

  The ropes fell to the tent floor, and she was so thrilled to bring her arms around to the front and rub her wrists for a second. “Thank you,” she whispered back, and then scuttled behind Kaimbrey to hopefully loosen her bonds. She cursed herself for the hundredth time for biting her fingernails. It was a horrible habit she was always trying to quit, and right now she desperately needed a sharp edge.

  Picking at the knots with her fingers, she despaired that they were never going to move. Even though she could hear the rain increasing outside, the tent was sticky, hot, and humid. Sweat rolled down her neck and back and made her fingers slick. Kaimbrey didn’t move, and Cally wished they could talk. She could really use some of Kaimbrey’s spice and humor right now.

  The zipper slid open and fresh rain-scented air oozed in. Despite the fresh breeze, Cally’s stomach plunged. She slid around to Kaimbrey’s side as her friend scooted over and sat on top of Cally’s ropes. Cally held her hands behind her back as if they were tied.

  Bull bent over and shuffled in. He had an open bottle of water in his hand. “You two are as quiet as any women I’ve ever met.” He blew out a breath. “Sheesh, it’s a sauna in here. You want a drink?”

  “Yes, please.” Cally tried to sound agreeable and not terrified. As hot as it was in this tent, he’d be suspicious if they didn’t take a drink. Yet if he got closer and discovered her ropes were off … would he use that knife on her or simply retie her? Though he’d given her a few leering looks, he seemed like the nicest one here. Not that that meant much among putrid men.

  They each tilted their head back in turn and took long gulps of the cool water. Cally was grateful for the fluid. If they could escape, the water would help them keep moving faster and longer.

  “Thanks,” Cally muttered. She didn’t dare glance at Kaimbrey, but her breath was coming in quick pants. She knew they were in a delicate situation.

  “You need to pee?” Bull asked.

  “I’m good,” Cally said too quickly. Her heart was racing uncontrollably. He couldn’t notice her hands weren’t tied, or they were in so much trouble.

  Bull raised an eyebrow.

  “I can wait,” Kaimbrey said.

  He looked between them. “Never met a woman who didn’t need to pee constantly.”

  Cally gave a nervous giggle. What if he insisted they use the restroom? The air that was so hot and humid seemed to get thicker.

  “It’s really hot in here.” He wiped at his forehead. “If you’re all right then?” His voice carried suspicion, but he obviously wanted to get out of the sweltering tent.

  “We’re good. Thanks for the water,” Cally said. Did she sound too nervous and like she just wanted him out of here?

  A few seconds ticked by as Bull’s eyes roved over her, lingering on her legs where her skirt had slid up. She felt dirty and disgusted by his leering look and had to resist the urge to tug her skirt down. Thankfully, the terror of him realizing her ropes weren’t on was stronger and kept her from reaching for her skirt. He stared for so long that she had a hard time controlling her breath and meeting his gaze as if nothing was wrong. Finally, he backed out of the tent and zipped it closed.

  Cally deflated, her shoulders rounding and her heart beating furiously.

  “Sheesh,” Kaimbrey muttered. “I about peed my pants.”

  Cally laughed, and then hoped it didn’t raise any suspicion. She waited a few more beats then turned to Kaimbrey again, working the knots faster. They had to escape, they just had to.

  Her fingers started to cramp, and the tips felt like they were being rubbed raw. She laid down on her side and pushed at the rope with her fingers to try to loosen it before biting at the knot with her teeth and tugging. It tasted foul, and she hated to imagine where it had been, but she blocked that out, gritted her teeth, and pulled back with her head while still pushing with her fingers.

  The knot slowly, slowly loosened, and it was all she could do to not cheer. Releasing it with her teeth, she spit out the foul disgusting taste in her mouth and then pulled the rope free of Kaimbrey’s wrists with her fingers. Kaimbrey whipped around and hugged her fiercely.

  “So disgustin’ with the teeth thang,” she whispered, “but you gave me an idea.” She drawled the sentence out and gave her a sassy wink. Cally really wanted to be this girl’s friend. If they survived.

  The rain was falling steadily on the tent now. Would that help their escape or hurt it? Cally didn’t want to say anything discouraging as they seemed to be finally catching a break, but without shoes, she wasn’t going to be able to run very fast. Could Kaimbrey run ahead and find help? Cally had no clue where they were, but being lost in the mountains was dangerous with wildlife and cliffs to fall off, and the rain could give them hypothermia, even in the summer. She pushed it all from her mind and focused on Kaimbrey.

  Kaimbrey bent down to the corner of the tent, pushed it together to give it some slack, and then clamped her teeth on it and ripped a hole.

  The tearing of the tent fabric seemed to shriek through the air. They both froze, and Cally’s heart was racing again. Kaimbrey released the tent and whirled around, pretending her hands were still tied. Cally did the same, and they listened and waited. After several tense seconds, she could hear one of the men talking, but no footsteps pounded their direction. It must have just sounded loud to them because they were so pent-up with worry. She let out a long breath and glanced at Kaimbrey.

  “Let’s do this.” Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously, as if they were sneaking out of detention. She turned back to the hole and tore it wider with her fingernails. It was slow going as the tent material was strong.

  Cally judged a distance that would give them a hole big enough to fit through then followed Kaimbrey’s example of bunching the material and ripping at it with her teeth. They both listened to make sure the men didn’t stir outside as they slowly either opened a bigger hole or bit through a new one. They worked their way together, inch-by-inch, and Kaimbrey grinned up at Cally as she gave a final yank, and a decent hole was formed.

  “Go,” Cally urged, excitement and hope racing through her. Their exit was hidden from their captors, and the forest was thick around them. They might be able to slip into it quietly and get away. Lost in the forest, without shoes to boot, was a horrible idea, but it sounded so much better than being held hostage by these disgusting men and waiting to see what happened at midnight.

  Kaimbrey wiggled through, pushing herself across the muddy ground. Cally watched and prayed she could fit. She was thin but not as petite or small as Kaimbrey. As soon as Kaimbrey was out, Cally listened but couldn’t hear anyone approaching. Kaimbrey held the hole wide as Cally started sliding through. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching the front of the tent.

  Pulling back into the tent, she whispered harshly, “Go, get help! I’ll distract them.”

  Kaimbrey’s eyes were wide, and she mouthed, “No!”

  Cally stood and approached the tent flap as the zipper slid up. Her heart raced, and her palms were sweaty. How long could she distract them? What would they do to her? Everything in her wanted to chase after Kaimbrey, but without shoes she would slow Kaimbrey down, and they would be caught in seconds. She prayed that Kaimbrey listened and was running away as the tent flap opened. Bull poked his head in. He reared back, probably surprised that she was standing so close to the opening.

  Cally stuck her hands behind her back and her head out thr
ough the opening. Rain plinked on her head. “I need help,” she gasped out. Help with what? What was she going to say or do to stall them?

  Bull smiled and eased toward her, his eyes lingering on her legs, and then her chest. “I can help.”

  Her stomach revolted at the thought of him touching her, and the idea came easily, “I’m going to puke!”

  Bull scuttled out of her way. She shimmied out of the tent, facing the men and shuttling to the side toward the trees. All three men were staring at her. Bull and the bald-headed guy eyed her with confusion and disgust, but the thick, blond guy’s eyes were narrowed suspiciously. She couldn’t let them see her hands weren’t bound, so she dropped to her knees in the mud, still facing them, and pretended to retch, making as horrific a sound as she could.

  Bull cursed, and she saw him move farther away. She moaned and glanced up at all of them, blinking as if she were crying, “It won’t come. I’m so sick!” Then she pretended to dry heave again.

  Through the sheet of her hair she saw the big guy storm toward her. Fear churned her stomach. He didn’t stop but strode around her and lifted the tent flap. He swore loudly and yelled, “The other one’s gone. Bull! Stay with her!”

  He and the bald guy took off running through the forest. Bull blinked at Cally as if shocked she could deceive him. She stood slowly, still pretending her hands were tied and blinking rain water out of her eyes. Bull walked up to her, getting right in her face. “That wasn’t smart. I don’t like to hurt ladies, but Jack …” He shook his head and didn’t finish the statement, though she didn’t have to ask if Jack was the huge, blond guy or what he might do to her.

  She prepared herself to fight dirty, hoping she could surprise him by having her hands unbound. If she could get away from him maybe she or Kaimbrey could find help. At this point she might have more of a chance, fighting only one man, whereas Kaimbrey had two after her. She prayed hard. Please let Kaimbrey get away. Please don’t let them hurt her if they catch her.

  Chapter Ten

  Tate and Brody had been searching for hours through the dreary rain-filled afternoon. They found a red Tacoma parked in an odd spot earlier and followed the trail to find two teenagers making out. They’d hiked a couple of other dead ends, finding nothing. They were muddy and discouraged. Tate was getting more and more desperate and frustrated. Cally. Where could she be? What if they didn’t find her? He’d rarely heard about ransom situations that worked out. What if the men hurt her before he could tell her how sorry he was and confess how much he cared for her?

  They puttered along a slick, potholed road, and around the bend Tate saw a silver 4Runner and a black Explorer. The road dead-ended here, and the trail became too narrow to take the Side by Side up it. He parked, and they both jumped out to look around.

  “This is interesting,” Brody commented. He’d skirted around the back of the vehicles and now held a pair of silver high heels in his hands.

  Tate strode up to him and fingered the shoes, wondering if they might be Cally’s.

  “Might just be some hikers.” Brody sounded like he didn’t want to get his hopes up after all the failed attempts they’d had today. Tate kept hoping the search and rescue would show up and tell him they’d found Cally, but it was a huge area they would have to search, and who knew how long it would take them to coordinate with the FBI and get the manpower they needed.

  “Let’s check it out,” Tate said. What else could they do? Keep driving around and hoping and praying? The shoes were the best clue they’d found.

  They grabbed backpacks with some water, granola bars, and a few first-aid supplies in them, slung them on, and jogged up the rain-slicked trail. Tate hadn’t been on this trail since high school, but it was fairly level and ended at a meadow. It was only a couple miles each way and a long drive to get here through a rutted, rough dirt road, so he didn’t think these vehicles belonged to serious hikers. The only people he’d ever seen use the meadow were teenagers wanting to party. Today he hoped these vehicles belonged to whoever had taken Cally, but he didn’t want to be too disappointed, so he focused on upping his pace.

  They approached the meadow, and Brody held up a hand. Tate slowed then stopped behind his brother. Peering over his brother’s head, he saw a tent and a man towering over someone. His voice was low but carried, “I don’t like to hurt ladies, but Jack …”

  The unspoken threat lingered as Tate crept toward the guy, wanting to be close enough to inflict some damage before he pounced.

  He finally glimpsed the sheet of blonde hair and beautiful face. Cally! She noticed him, and her eyes widened, her mouth softening.

  “What?” The man glanced over his shoulder and then whirled to face them.

  Tate pushed off, sprinting at the man, and Brody was right by his side. They had to tackle him before he grabbed Cally or pulled out the large knife hanging from his belt.

  The man shrank back and reached for Cally just like Tate had feared. She bent low, scooped a large rock off the ground, and slammed it into the side of his head. He stuttered to the side. Tate tackled him, driving his fist into the guy’s temple where Cally had already hit him with the rock. Good girl.

  The man grabbed his knife. Brody stomped on his wrist, and the crunch of bone was almost as loud as the man’s shriek. He released the knife, and Brody kicked it away. Cally scrambled into the tent.

  “Cally,” Tate called.

  Brody pushed at him. “Go get her. I’ve got him.”

  Tate stood, and Brody rotated the guy onto his stomach and shoved his knee into the back of his neck. “Stay down, you loser.”

  The guy simply moaned, covered with mud and looking miserable.

  Cally appeared at the tent flap, holding up a length of rope. “Look!” She smiled proudly.

  “Good girl,” Tate repeated aloud. Man, she was impressive.

  She hurried to them, thrusting the rope into Tate’s hands, but she didn’t hug him like he wanted. “Brody!” she rushed out, her blue eyes full of distress. “Kaimbrey escaped. Two guys are chasing her.”

  “Kaimbrey!” Brody jumped to his feet and the man rolled over. “Where?”

  Cally pointed behind the tent. “That way.”

  Brody took off like a bull in a stampede. They’d had no clue Kaimbrey was involved in this mess and the thought of two criminals chasing her made the joy of rescuing Cally dim.

  The man tried to sit up. Tate pushed him back down. “Stay down,” he growled. “I don’t like to hurt wimps, but Cally …”

  Cally grinned at him. “Let’s tie him up quick and go find Kaimbrey.”

  Tate shoved the man onto his stomach again. Cally held his hands behind his back while Tate started tying.

  “He’ll kill you all,” the guy threatened. “Jack’s crazy.”

  Tate’s stomach tightened. They needed to hurry before Kaimbrey or Brody got hurt. He’d take Brody on his side in a fight any day, but who knew what weapons the other men had. If they really were the man who’d accomplished several kidnappings and killed the girls, Kaimbrey and Brody were in more trouble than he wanted to think about.

  The secured the knots then tied the other end to a tree. Hopefully the authorities were close, would see the vehicles parked down below and come this direction.

  Standing, he walked over and grabbed the man’s knife, storing it in his pack. It wasn’t much assurance against a gun, but he’d feel better having it.

  He offered his hand to Cally. “You okay?”

  She squeezed his hand, but her blue eyes were terrified. “We’ve got to find Kaimbrey.”

  He nodded and started toward the forest. They were only an hour or so away from sunset. The rain that had been refreshing as they jogged up the trail earlier seemed to be increasing. He wiped at the wetness on his face and peered into the gloomy forest, worry gnawing at his gut. Two hardened men were chasing Kaimbrey through a forest she wasn’t familiar with. Who knew where the authorities were?

  Tate started praying earnestly again.
How he wished he could call Momma and put in a prayer request. How were they ever going to find Kaimbrey? At least Cally was safe, for the moment.

  Cally kept pace with Tate, trying not to show how horribly the rocks, twigs, pinecones, and stickers of this forest were pummeling her feet. Kaimbrey. They had to find her and help her. What if Jack and that other guy got to her first? What if they killed Kaimbrey or Brody? She shouldn’t have told Kaimbrey to run. Brody and Tate could’ve rescued them, and they’d both be safe right now. She’d thought she was being so selfless giving Kaimbrey a chance to escape, but she’d really messed up. For the hundredth miserable time, she thought that she should’ve just stayed in Chicago. Crazy that with the crime rate in that city, she was in more danger in her rural mountain hometown.

  She stepped on a jagged rock and cried out in pain before she could clamp her mouth shut.

  Tate stopped. “Are you okay?”

  Cally bit at her lip, trying to nod bravely.

  “What is it?”

  She shook her head. “Just stepped on something.”

  Tate glanced down, and his eyes widened. “Cally!” He sank to the muddy forest floor, pulled her down on his lap, and lifted up her foot to inspect it. “Brody found what we thought might be your shoes earlier, but then everything got so crazy.”

  Cally’s heart thumped quicker at his nearness. Relief swept over her. Tate was here and holding her close. Nobody could hurt her with him around. But poor Kaimbrey. She thanked the good Lord for her own protection while praying harder for her friend.

  “We can’t keep going with your feet like this.” He carefully pulled out a sticker, and then opened his backpack to retrieve a first-aid kit.

  Cally was wrenched back to reality. This wasn’t some romantic moment with Tate. She appreciated that he was concerned for her, but they couldn’t desert Kaimbrey.

  She pushed to her feet and started walking away. Tate sprung up after her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and halted her progress.