“You should leave it here and come with us,” Georgie said.
“We’ll monitor it in case a tourist happens past.” Brandon handed Amy the keys to the ute and glanced back as if measuring the distance.
What tourists? This was Ridge land.
“Faith, you and Lara go with Amy,” Darcy said. “I’ll lead the horses.”
“Georgie, you go with them too,” Matt added.
Georgie raised her eyebrows. “We’ve discussed this.” But she pocketed her camera and went to saddle her horse. They worked quickly, the urgency making it hard for Penelope to breathe. She looked around for Sam.
“Get in the car, Penny.” Sam’s voice was low, urgent.
“What is it?”
“Probably nothing.” He opened the door for her.
“And if it’s something?”
Faith and Lara carried their saddles to the ute and placed them in the tray. Then they got into the back seat.
“Caches like this are often booby-trapped, so they don’t fall in the wrong hands. Sometimes they have a delayed trigger…”
Penelope felt dizzy. Lara had been digging there moments ago. They had all been standing on the edge, ready to help. She shuddered and Sam stroked her back. “You need to come with us,” she said.
“No, we need to keep an eye on it. Brandon’s getting the rifle out of the ute.”
Sure enough, he and Amy were talking quietly as he got the gun out of a locked box on the back of the ute.
“I’m staying with you.” The thought of not knowing what was happening to him while she waited in safety was like reliving Emelia all over again.
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am. I can’t not know.” Her voice cracked.
Sam swore. “We have a radio. We’ll check in every fifteen minutes.”
She shook her head. Not good enough.
“Penelope, get in the car,” Amy called.
“I’m staying.”
“Like hell you are,” Brandon responded. He strode over. “You’ll get in our way. We need to be focused.”
Sam nodded and Amy waved for her to get inside.
She didn’t want to go, but didn’t want to risk her staying distracting Sam. “Every five minutes.” She met his blue gaze.
“Ten,” he responded. “Promise.”
It would have to be good enough. She kissed him and thrust her backpack at him. “I’ve got food and water in there.” She jumped in the car.
Amy turned them around and drove back towards the Ridge, passing the others who were already on their way on horseback.
“Was it a bomb?” Lara asked, her voice quiet and full of fear.
Penelope exchanged a glance with Amy, but it was Faith who answered.
