Read Easy Prey (Love-Inspired Suspense) for Free Online Page B

on something at the mailbox. Or some
one
.
    Jonah slipped his phone from his pocket and held it to his ear. “Call emergency dispatch.”
    The phone rang and immediately connected. “Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”
    “Shots fired.” He gave his credentials and his address.
    “Units are on their way.”
    Jonah hung up and stowed the phone. He was close enough he could see the person on the ground under Sam was Elise. “Sam, stay.”
    Elise lifted her head. “Jonah!”
    She shifted to get up, so Jonah yelled again, “Stay down.”
    Elise stilled, and Sam lowered his head, his ears still pricked. Jonah could see in the dog’s eyes that he was fully alert. “Don’t move.” This time the command was for both of them.
    Jonah crouched beside her, checking her visually for injuries.
    Eyes full of fear, Elise looked up at him. “Where’s Nathan?”
    “In the barn. What happened?”
    “Someone shot at me and Sam tackled me to the ground.”
    Jonah surveyed the area, his gaze lighting on the destroyed mailbox. Large caliber, a rifle round most likely. He took in the tree line, and his neighbor’s house and barn. The shooter could be waiting in any of the spots that would’ve provided cover. If he’d even stuck around after firing.
    He rubbed Sam’s neck. “Good dog.” The old army dog nuzzled his hand.
    “Can I get up? The ground is kind of hard.”
    Jonah looked around again. He could hear police sirens in the distance, so he stowed his weapon in the holster on his hip.
    The shots had ceased after that first burst, but it didn’t mean they shouldn’t be cautious. He needed to get Elise inside.
    Jonah directed Sam with a command to get off Elise and at least give her some relief from the dog’s weight. Two sheriff’s cars pulled up on the blacktop, and the deputies climbed out, drawing their weapons.
    “Anyone hurt?”
    Jonah shook his head. Satisfied the danger was no longer imminent, he helped Elise up. Dirt was smeared down the front of the clothes he’d left out for her. The sight of her in his favorite T-shirt struck a pang in him that he’d been unprepared for.
    The sheriff’s car pulled up behind the other cars. Two more cars, local police from town, came into view also. This was turning out to be a regular circus.
    When the deputies strode over, he said, “These officers will take you inside.” He glanced at them. “Ask your questions there.”
    They strode away, and Sam’s head shifted. Nathan was peeking out of the barn, so Jonah waved him toward Elise and the officers. When they were level with the barn, he emerged to walk with them inside.
    The reality that Elise had been fired upon hit Jonah then, the feeling so profound he rubbed the flat of his hand across his chest. She’d only been back in his life since yesterday, and he could have lost her.
    He strode to his house, Sam in tow.
    Elise was just about to settle herself on the couch, and the detectives hadn’t asked her anything yet. One was bringing her a cup of water.
    Jonah stopped just inside the living room. “Why did you walk to the mailbox?”
    Elise turned to him then, eyes wide. He should regret being sharp with her, but she should have had more care with her safety. “I was getting the paper. There’s an article about—”
    “You didn’t know that. You walked out in the open and put yourself in serious danger. Why didn’t you stay inside, Elise?”
    Nathan shifted like he was readying himself to protect his mom. The cops just held their ground. They knew Jonah well enough to know he didn’t lose his temper easily—or for no reason. In the close-knit community of local law enforcement, news about Elise’s arrival was going to get around fast.
    Elise stuck her hands on her hips. “I didn’t know I was going to get shot at! How could I have?”
    “You knew you were in danger.”
    “Yeah, but in your
driveway
?” She blew out a breath and put her arm around her waist, hugging herself. Her face twisted as