Holiday Defenders: Mission: Christmas Rescue / Special Ops Christmas / Homefront Holiday Hero. Debby Giusti
over her, seeing the camel from Mary Grace’s Nativity set. The child doted on the various figures and had played with them constantly during the holiday season as if to draw closer to the mother she missed.
Lizzie hurried down the steps and ran to where the object lay. The plump camel must have fallen to the snow when Nick carried the sleeping child inside. Bending, she picked up the stuffed animal and clutched it to her heart, finding comfort in the tiny toy. Turning back to the house, she stared for a long moment at the A-frame, once again appreciating the simple lines of the mountain lodging and Nick’s expert craftsmanship.
A sharp wind cut through her clothing. Shivering in the night air, she hurried toward the porch.
A twig snapped behind her.
She stopped short and listened. All she heard was the rumble of the car engine on the far side of the house.
Snow crunched, signaling a footfall.
Run!
Liz stumbled forward, needing to get inside and lock the door. She had to protect the children.
Her heart pounded, and she gasped for air, hearing another footfall.
Cold winter air took her breath and clamped down on her lungs. Fear clogged her throat.
Someone was behind her, closing in.
Racing to the stairs, she struggled to maintain her footing. She slipped, righted herself and took the stairs two at a time.
A hand grabbed her shoulder.
Her heart burst.
“I’ve got you.” A voice, low and menacing.
Liz’s knees went weak.
Tears stung her eyes.
She had opened the door to danger and allowed the killer—or killers—access.
Liz screamed for the one man who could save her.
“Nick!”
* * *
Nick parked the SUV in the rear of the cabin, satisfied it was well hidden from sight, yet still close enough to the house for easy access. If need be, he and Lizzie could carry the children to the car and drive them away from danger before either the killers or the cops arrived.
Good police he’d welcome on the mountain, but Zack had warned about cops on the dole. If they approached the police directly, it would be too hard to determine who was good and who was bad. Better not to deal with any of them.
A voice screamed his name.
Nick’s heart crashed against his chest.
Lizzie.
Racing at breakneck speed, he rounded the house and stopped short when he saw the burly mountain man. Full beard. Fur cap pulled low over his head with woolly flaps that covered his ears and tied under his chin. His left hand clasped Lizzie’s upper arm. His right hand held a rifle.
“Burl?”
The old codger kept a tight hold on Lizzie’s arm but turned in surprise at the sound of Nick’s voice. Recognition spread over his weatherworn face.
“That you, Nick? I thought you were still fightin’ in Afghanistan.”
Nick stepped closer and pointed to Lizzie. Her eyes were wide with fright, her face pale and drawn. She stared at him like a wounded animal caught in a trap.
“You need to let the lady go.”
“Is she causing you any harm, Nick?”
Only to his heart, but that wasn’t what the old guy meant. “She’s a guest, Burl. I invited her here.”
The mountain man dropped his hand and took a step back as if flustered by his evident mistake. “Sure am sorry I caused you any concern, ma’am. Nick trusts me to look after his property when he’s gone. Fact is, I’ve been laid up with the influenza for a few weeks and couldn’t make my rounds. Now that I’m better, I wanted to check the house. Thought you might be breaking in.” Burl sniffed. “Can’t be too careful.”
Liz stared back at him. “And I...I thought you were—”
Nick climbed the steps and put his hand on her arm, hoping to reassure her. “You’re safe, Lizzie. Burl didn’t mean any harm.”
“That’s right, ma’am. I was just making sure the cabin was okay.”
Nick glanced at the road that led up from the valley below. “Let’s go inside. We need to talk, Burl.”
“I hope you’re not too upset, ma’am.”
“Just startled.” She let out a ragged breath. “The night seemed peaceful. I never thought—”
“It’s okay, Lizzie.” Nick pushed the open door wide. “How about a cup of coffee, Burl?”
“That’d be mighty nice.”
Nick ushered Liz into the cabin. She rubbed her arms, no doubt appreciating the warmth that greeted her.
Burl left his rifle at the door and followed them inside.
“I’ll get the coffee while you two talk,” she volunteered.
“Thanks.” Nick pointed to the table where the old man lowered himself into a chair, sniffed and peered down at the computer. “You’re working late.”
“Just checking some information.”
“I’m sorry about spooking your lady friend. I didn’t know you were back.” He whistled. “Course, it’s almost Christmas. ’Spect that’s the reason.”
“Sorry you had the flu.”
“Don’t worry, Nick. I’m still strong as an ox,” Burl said with a definitive nod. He then proceeded to talk about his illness until Liz brought them all mugs of coffee.
“I’ve got a favor to ask,” Nick said when Burl took a sip of the hot brew.
“What can I do for you, neighbor?”
“A few guys from town have been giving me a hard time. They’re a mean bunch, and I don’t want them hurting my...” Glancing at Liz, he smiled. “My lady friend. Wouldn’t be appropriate to have them show up when she’s visiting.”
Burl nodded. “I hear what you’re sayin’.”
“They’re driving a beige utility van. Might be as many as four of them. Watch yourself, Burl. They’re packing and they’re mean.”
Burl’s gaze narrowed as if he was seeing the killers in his mind’s eye.
“You still have minutes on that mobile phone you bought at the Mega Mart?” Nick asked.
Burl patted his chest pocket. “Don’t use it much, but it’s good to have. ’Specially if I get into a pinch.”
“I could use your eyes for the next couple days, Burl. If you see anyone coming up the mountain, anyone at all, but especially someone in that van I described, give me a call. I’m using that throwaway phone I told you about.”
“So they can’t track you?”
Nick nodded. “Exactly.”
“I won’t let anyone pass until I get the go-ahead from you, Nick.”
“No need to let them see you. They’re bad dudes. You’ve got both my cell number and the number for the burner phone programmed in your device?”
The old guy nodded. “Sure do.”
“Let me know if I’ve got company coming. Even if it’s not the van.”
“You can count on me, Nick.”
Burl slurped down the rest of his coffee in one long swig. After placing the mug on the table, he rubbed