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One foot. Then another. And another. When Doc stopped, she plowed into him.

“Easy.” He turned, cupping her shoulders in his hands. “Are you hurt?”

“No, just tired.” She pushed hair from her eyes. “Is that the church?”

“Yeah. But I want you to sit here for a minute.” He gently led her to another large tree where she collapsed gratefully to the ground. “I need to check the place first.”

“Okay.” She was incredibly grateful for the chance to rest. But after Doc left her alone, moving with such stealth she’d immediately lost sight of him, her earlier fear returned.

It hadn’t occurred to her that there might be more men around, waiting for her and Doc to emerge from the woods. Her stomach knotted painfully as she searched the darkness. After a long few minutes, she caught a glimpse of Doc crossing the road. Then he quickly disappeared behind the building.

The faint rumble of a car engine caught her attention. She stiffened but didn’t see any approaching headlights. A plane? No, that didn’t seem feasible.

The rumble of the car engine grew louder. Fiona instinctively slid to the side so that she was lying on the ground. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t seeing any headlights. Then she abruptly noticed the car was moving slowly and without using any illumination. Her heart stopped beating for long seconds as the black SUV slowly drove past her hiding spot.

The men who’d come to Doc’s cabin were still searching for her!

Silently thanking God for the protection of the woods, she stayed where she was. If she’d have gone with Doc, she felt certain the occupants of the black car would have seen her.

She remained on the ground, barely moving as she waited for the black SUV to return. Across the street, near the church, she imagined Doc watched the road as well. She shivered, wishing he was still with her. Yet even though she barely knew the man, other than he made great beef stew, she did not think he’d leave her to face the threat alone.

After a few minutes, she risked lifting her head. She couldn’t hear a car engine or see anyone who looked suspicious. Pushing herself back into a sitting position, she debated heading over to the church under her own power. No reason for Doc to make the trip back for her.

Stifling a groan, she stood. The church remained a beacon of hope. A place for shelter until a rideshare could pick them up. She knew Doc must have had a car, as he’d planned on taking her to the hospital, but deduced it was back at the cabin.

A kernel of guilt lodged in her throat at how Doc was putting his life on the line for her. Maybe he expected a reward down the road, once she was safe. Unfortunately, she had no idea if she had money to give him. Sure, she’d seen the photo of her standing in the winner’s circle next to an older man who was likely her father, but that didn’t mean she had money.

What did she do for a living? She had no idea. She must have a job. A career. Why couldn’t she remember?

Pushing those useless thoughts aside, she stepped through the woods to the tall grass lining the side of the road, then froze when she heard the car engine again.

They were back!

She dropped like a stone, wishing desperately she hadn’t left her spot near the tree. Was the long grass enough to hide her? Heaven help her, she didn’t know!

Curling into a ball as much as possible, she mentally braced herself for the men to find her, fully expecting to feel rough hands jerking her upright.

To her shocked surprise, the car rolled past without stopping. Still, she didn’t move for a long time, ignoring the bugs crawling over her skin.

When she thought the coast was clear, she gingerly lifted her head. The road was empty. The church remained a stalwart beacon, but she didn’t see Doc anywhere. A frisson of doubt crept in. Had he taken the opportunity to leave her?

Or worse, had the men in the SUV found him?

Lord Jesus, help me! Show me the way!

As the prayer bloomed in her heart, she caught a glimpse of a man running from the church toward her. For a moment, she panicked, thinking it was one of the men who’d shown up at the cabin. Then she relaxed when she recognized Doc’s short blond hair and intense features.

He wasn’t hurt. And he’d come back for her.

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

Knowing the armed men were searching for Fiona concerned him. Doc didn’t dare call for a rideshare, afraid that would have been like shining a light on their location.

Yet he wasn’t convinced that staying at the church was a better alternative.

When he’d noticed Fiona starting toward the road, he’d wanted to scream at her to stay put. He’d anticipated the SUV would return the way it had. She’d done good dropping out of sight, but now that the SUV was out of view, he bolted toward her.

“You came back,” she whispered when he hauled her upright.