Releasing her grip on Garret’s fingers, she jabbed an elbow hard into his forearm and at the same time brought her knee up and kneed him in the side of his abdomen. His breath rushed out and his hands relaxed slightly.
It was enough. She jammed her finger into his eye.
He squealed and yanked away, covering his eye and screaming like a baby.
Esther drew in a ragged breath. The sweet air burned her throat and her raw lungs. Still, the fight was far from over. She sat up and punched him in the same eye that his hand was covering.
He flew back on the couch, screaming louder still and cursing repeatedly.
Lights flipped on inside. Esther was still trying to get enough oxygen in and somehow calm her burning lungs and throat. Thankfully she’d had enough strength, probably fueled by the sheer will to live, to fight him off until Thor came.
Garret scrambled away from her and ran.
“No,” Esther croaked out. No way could that jerk get away.
She pushed off the couch and stood shakily, pursuing him on trembling legs. The adrenaline she’d had to fight him must have dissipated and the weakness from nearly being strangled was far too evident as he widened his lead.
Garret disappeared into the forest behind Thor’s house.
Esther kept pushing forward. She reached the edge of the forest as the back door flung open.
“Esther!” Thor hollered.
She ran off the soft grass and into the forest, branches and rocks and pinecones poking at her bare feet. She had no idea where to go. It was dark and her head throbbed from lack of oxygen.
Thor reached her, grabbing her arm. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Garret,” she choked out, pointing at her throat. “Tried to … kill me.”
“No,” her brother growled. His eyes flashed a darker blue and he took off through the forest. He was in only a pair of shorts, no shoes or a flashlight. Esther wanted to call to him, but no way could she croak out a yell. Thor would pursue whether it was smart or not.
She turned and headed back for the house. The best route was calling her dad, Papa, and … Sheriff Reed. Her heart hurt at even the thought of his name, but Reed would help them find and apprehend Garret. More importantly, she had to warn him that Garret could be after him.
A motor roared to life and then gunned off down the road. Crap. He must’ve skimmed the forest and headed for his car. She rushed toward the house, but knew she’d be too late to chase him in her Cherokee or Thor’s truck. By the time she called and got anybody out of bed, they wouldn’t find him. Maybe Reed or his deputies had a chance; Garret had to get down the canyon and through Summit Valley before escaping. Hopefully he was still driving a Mustang.
She rushed through the house and up the stairs, her limbs heavy and her throat raw. She stumbled into her bedroom and ripped her phone off the dresser. Pushing Reed’s number on the recent calls made her shiver. If only she were calling for a different reason.
It rang three times and then the husky and wonderful voice of her hot sheriff came on the line. “Esther?”
Esther bit her lip. His sleepy voice was so appealing. She hated that she’d had to ditch him. Garret coming after her, and threatening Reed, was another testimony. Garret would hurt Reed if he could, and it would be on her head.
“I … need you,” she managed.
“Ah, love, I need you too,” he said so quickly it robbed her of the oxygen she was still trying to get back to her bloodstream.
“Oh, Reed.” Her voice was scratchy and painful. “Not like that. Garret tried to kill me.”
“Esther!” His voice was full of horror. “Where is he? I’ll rip him apart.”
Esther almost smiled at the protective tone in his voice. “Just left Thor’s place, heading toward Summit Valley. He has a red Ford Mustang. He threatened to kill you too.”
“Let him try.” Reed laughed like that was a joke. If only it was. How could she make sure he stayed safe? “You’re okay, love?”
Esther knew he needed to hang up and dispatch his deputies, but he was concerned for her. That touched her heart. “Yes,” she said as calmly and convincingly as she could.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll come check on you soon.” The call disconnected.
“Be … careful.” He was already gone. Esther held it to her heart and wished she could love him, could let him love her.