“Get down!” Stacy’s scream rent the truck and she braced herself. Mac turned the wheel to get them off the road, slamming on the brake and throwing the truck in Park, then ducked.

  Stacy, her head between the seat and metal frame of the truck, kept her view on the paloverde tree. She’d seen a telltale glint.

  The kind that came from the front end of a gun when the sun hit it. Almost blinding.

  She’d been up against them enough to know.

  As soon as she had the shot, she pushed the button to lower her window and pulled her trigger.

  Mac, who’d positioned himself with dash protection without losing visibility, said, “No body fell.”

  “Or jumped down,” she told him. She’d aimed for the trunk. There’d been no shots fired in their direction. And no way to verify if a loaded gun was pointed at them.

  Could have been a hunter, out for illegal game.

  She knew it wasn’t.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to Sierra’s Web, where a firm of best friends, all experts in their fields, help solve crimes! Deadly Mountain Rescue is particularly close to me, literally! It’s set in a fictitious town fashioned after the small town I live in, situated in the far east of Phoenix valley!

  I sit and look at the mountains as I write, and finally, I’m up in them, too, while in this story! I’ve climbed to the top of the highest peak of the great Superstition Mountains, spent a lot of time in them and can promise you that everything you read here, in terms of mountain description and challenges, comes straight from those experiences. I’ve driven on the road mentioned in the first chapter. And have seen a car go over the side of the mountain, too.

  But wait, I don’t want to give too much away! Just one more little tidbit. Stacy’s last name, Waltz. She’s named after a famous German from these parts, Jacob Waltz. He mined in these mountains, brought out a lot of gold, but never told anyone where his mine was. People still come to our little town every year to go up in the mountains and hunt for the Lost Dutchman Mine!

  As for the rest of the story...I fell in love with Jesse “Mac” MacDonald from page one. And would love to grow up to be Stacy. They have a very special bond, beyond just romantic, but it sizzles, too. I hope you enjoy spending time with them as much as I have. Happy reading!

  Tara Taylor Quinn

  DEADLY MOUNTAIN RESCUE

  TARA TAYLOR QUINN

  A USA TODAY bestselling author of over one hundred novels in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn has sold more than seven million copies. Known for her intense emotional fiction, Ms. Quinn’s novels have received critical acclaim in the UK and most recently from Harvard. She is the recipient of the Readers’ Choice Award and has appeared often on local and national TV, including CBS Sunday Morning.

  For TTQ offers, news and contests, visit tarataylorquinn.com!

  Books by Tara Taylor Quinn

  Harlequin Romantic Suspense

  Sierra’s Web

  Tracking His Secret Child

  Cold Case Sheriff

  The Bounty Hunter’s Baby Search

  On the Run with His Bodyguard

  Not Without Her Child

  A Firefighter’s Hidden Truth

  Last Chance Investigation

  Danger on the River

  Deadly Mountain Rescue

  The Coltons of Owl Creek

  Colton Threat Unleashed

  The Coltons of New York

  Protecting Colton’s Baby

  Visit the Author Profile page

  at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  For Timothy Lee Barney, the man who challenged me to climb to the top of the mountain. And who holds my hand through every challenge we face. I love you. Then, now and forever.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Hunted Hotshot Hero by Lisa Childs

  Chapter 1

  “How is it possible that we grew up in the same town and I feel like I’ve been breathing lore and stories since I was born, and you are only half aware of a few of them?”

  Saguaro Bend police corporal Jesse Macdonald listened to his partner of five years through his truck’s sound system as he headed toward the gated community he called home. “I guess by the time you came up, they’d run out of interesting things to teach,” he said, with a tired grin. They’d had a long night on duty—responding to three shooting calls, all unrelated, two resulting in victims being hospitalized.

  But no matter how tough the shifts were, these respective drives home, the way he and Stacy always stayed on the line until they were both on their own properties, put him in a better mindset to get some rest.

  “There’s no way you didn’t know that Geronimo ruled our mountains until the late 1880s...”

  “I didn’t,” he admitted truthfully, while knowing full well he’d have denied knowing just to hear her exasperated reaction.

  “Jesse Macdonald, you don’t even try to learn!” she said, right on cue, bringing on his full smile.

  “And you, Stace, need to join us here in the twenty-first century,” he drawled. Words he told her often enough, but not ones he meant. Not only was Stacy the finest cop he’d ever worked with, she was also very much present in her daily life.

  Aware of those around her. Aware of the world’s struggles.

  And deeply caring about both.

  “It was a rough one tonight, huh?” Her soft tones came over the speakers, hitting him straight in the gut.

  “Yeah. But, hey, we won two out of three.” They’d apprehended two of the three shooters. Nothing beat that feeling. Which was why, at thirty-eight, he was still on the street. And planned to turn down the offer he’d heard was coming his way from the county sheriff’s office. Just as he’d chosen not to take the lieutenant’s position within the Saguaro police department.

  He and Stacy had brought in more bad guys than any other duo in the state during their five years together. The invitations they received from other Arizona police departments to help with particular situations was a testament to that.

  “I heard you have an offer coming in.” Her words were upbeat.

  He’d wondered if someone had said something to her. “You ready to take on a young pup? Bring him up?” He had to ask. At thirty, she’d proven herself. Should be moving up in the ranks, even if he chose not to do so.

  “No.”

  He was alone in his truck. The satisfied nod, his hint of a grin, wasn’t hurting anyone.

  But holding her back would.

  “You know, whenever you’re ready, I’ll support you completely.”

  Turning onto the short drive leading into his community, he slowed as he approached the gate, waited for the sensor to read the chip in his windshield and allow him access. He’d drive around the neighborhood. Do a quick check. And by then Stacy would be home as well. Just outside city limits, on the desert property willed to her by her grandfather.

  The smart, athletic brunette had been living there alone since her husband’s death seven years before.

  When she didn’t respond, his gut sank. She was ready. And he would do everything in his power to make the transition easy for her. “Stace?” The present was as good a time as any to take the first step of the breakup. Admitting that it was time for her.

  Helping her feel good about moving on. Joining in her anticipation of a new phase in her career—her life.

  When she still didn’t answer, he pushed again. “Stacy, it’s okay...”

  “What? Oh... Sorry, Mac. For a minute there, I thought someone was following me. But when I turned to take the long way home, just to be sure, they sped right on by...” Her tone was off.

  Senses honed, Mac sat up straight. “Following you? For how long? What kind of vehicle?”

  “Headlights higher than mine. Could still be an SUV. Maybe a truck. Dark. I couldn’t really tell. Brights were on.”

  Driving in the desert in the dark, the high beam lights were a must. It needed to happen for safe driving. Javelina, coyotes, other animals hunted at night. But coming up behind someone?

  “Head back to town,” he said. “I’ll meet you at Rich’s.”

  An all-night diner they frequented not far from the station.

  “No need.” Stacy’s voice came over the system, sounding more like herself. “I’m a big girl, Mac. And I’m fine.”

  He heard the warning tone. She was a damned good cop. Didn’t need looking after.

  And he didn’t blame her. With her big brown eyes and long dark hair, she gained some attention. And t
here were still those who thought of women as needing protection.

  Because some did.

  Which made it hard for Stacy to hold her own sometimes.

  “I know how to lose a tail,” she said then, and he heard the irritation in her tone.

  “No one’s completely immune,” he replied. Still not liking those bright lights. “We’re human.”

  “And if I was worried, I’d be the first one to ask for help.”

  He knew that, too. One of the reasons they were such a good team was because they each brought something different to the page. And they talked things through, always.

  “I don’t like the brights on, coming up on your tail.”

  “Yeah, that’s what triggered me to begin with. But the vehicle backed off. I made my turns, watched the response. I’m guessing the dude just forgot he had them on.”

  It happened.

  “Whoa!” A hiss followed the exclamation.

  “Stacy!” Foot immediately on the brake, Mac met his seat belt with some force as he made a U-turn on a street not made for one.

  “Yeah, wow. I need some sleep. I almost clipped a van. Had to swerve to miss it.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said then. “I’m serious, Mac. I’m half a mile from home. I’m going in and going to bed and if you show up, I’m not only not opening my door, I’ll be royally pissed.”

  “Just tell me this...is there any possibility that the van is the same vehicle that was behind you earlier?”

  “No. A van’s skinnier than a truck or full-size SUV, lower to the ground. Now quit demeaning me and go to bed.”

  “I’d hope you’d do the same for me, if your radar was on alert.” He wasn’t in a joking mood all of a sudden.

  “Of course I would. You trust me with your life, right?”

  “Implicitly.”

  “Then trust me with mine.”

  Right. “Point taken.” They were both tired. And had seen more than the usual amount of abhorrent behavior that night.

  “I’m turning into my place now,” she told him. “And Mac?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Whenever I’m ready to move on, you’ll be the first to know.”

  * * *

  Hanging up from her partner as she waited for her automatic garage door to open, Stacy Waltz couldn’t imagine a life that would be better than being Mac’s partner. Which was why, every time she heard about an offer coming his way, she panicked a little bit.

  That’s what had caused her little bout of paranoia on the drive home—the pending promotion she’d heard about before their shift started the previous night. She’d waited all night for him to mention it. And when he hadn’t, she’d had to bring it up.

  A truck with headlights didn’t scare her.

  Losing Mac as a partner did.

  Maybe not a healthy realization, overall. But understandable. They were great together.

  Garage door up, she slowly moved her red SUV inside. In some ways, her years with Mac were the best of her life.

  Hard to believe they’d been born and raised in the same town, but she hadn’t met him until after the worst days of her life. Joining the force after she’d lost Brett had been the only thing that kept her going. The first person she’d met, on her first official day of duty, had been Jesse Macdonald.

  Shaking off the night, and the drive home, Stacy pushed the button to close her garage door and unlocked her glove box, grabbed her small clutch purse, and opened her driver’s door with a promise to herself to branch out and spend off duty time with some of the other officers who were always inviting her to do things with them. She went occasionally. It was time to go more.

  Just so she’d be prepared when Mac did get an offer he couldn’t refuse.

  As she well knew, nothing lasted forever...

  What was that?

  A shuffle on the pavement behind her vehicle?

  Desert roof rats again? She hadn’t checked the live trap before work.

  Shaking her head, she was debating whether to do so before getting some rest. She made a move toward the door into the house and heard the garage door start to go up again.

  Startled, she spun around.

  A strong arm wrapped around both of hers.

  Pulling her back against a much bigger body.

  Even as she was shoving her elbows into abs of steel, she felt the prick. Saw a gloved hand pulling a syringe away from her arm, removing a long needle that had pierced her uniform sleeve.

  She threw a heel back and straight up. Caught him right in the crotch.

  A wave of sickness spread over her.

  She had to puke.

  Was dizzy.

  Couldn’t let herself lose consciousness.

  Arms snaked beneath her knees, around her back. Lifting her.

  She had to fight it. To be aware.

  She kicked out. Hard. With both feet. Flailed her arms.

  Her captor didn’t let go.

  Take note of every clue.

  The cowboy boots on her garage floor.

  No voices.

  Her head swam more with every step.

  The back of her SUV, open.

  She was dropped to the carpet. Her time to escape. Legs...wouldn’t move. She had to kick. Nothing happened.

  Ropes wrapped around ankles. Pulled tight.

  Arms jerked behind her, shoulders on fire.

  Mac home in bed.

  And then...nothing.

  Chapter 2

  Mac didn’t go to bed. Those bright headlights were bothering him. He’d learned long ago to trust the tingling in his spine. Someone forgetting to turn off their high beams would surely have noticed when the blinding brightness reflected back at them from Stacy’s shiny steel bumper. They’d have been nearly blinded.

  Unless the driver had planned to follow a cop...hadn’t wanted to be identified.

  Still in his truck, he was backing out of his garage, and headed to Stacy’s without a second thought.

  She’d never have to know.

  He’d drive by, see the lights on in her house and go home to bed.

  One thing he knew about Stacy, at least the Stacy who’d come out of her husband’s tragic death and joined the Saguaro police force, was that she was a creature of habit. She never went right to bed after a shift. She got changed, and then sat up and watched at least one episode of a sitcom.

  There’d still be lights on at her house.

  He just had to see the lights.

  He repeated the words to himself all the way out of town, while he paid attention to every inch of ground he covered.

  He just had to see the lights.

  There were no lights.

  Struck with panic, Mac quickly shut it down as he pulled into Stacy’s drive. Grabbed his gun and went around the side of the house. To the back, the other side, and then, gun still in hand, watching his back, he strode toward the keypad outside her garage door.

  Punched in the code.

  Heard the hum of the garage motor, waited for it to rise enough for him to bend down and see inside.

  And had his radio out before he’d straightened up.

  “Possible officer in danger,” he bit out. “Repeat, possible officer in danger.” He quickly rattled off Stacy’s address. And his phone rang.

  It wasn’t Stacy. Declining the call from their lieutenant without picking up, he dialed Stacy instead. The phone rang. Six times. And went to voice mail.

  “Stacy, it’s Mac. Call me, dammit.”

  She could be out. Might have had a hot date for the morning. Their sex lives, dating lives, were the one thing they didn’t talk about.

  What if she’d hooked up with a psycho?

  They were going to amend their “no date” talk policy the second they were back together.

  Jim Stahl, their lieutenant, was calling in a second time as Mac left his message.

  Needing all the hands on deck he could get, Mac picked up.

  * * *

  In and out of consciousness, Stacy twisted her head, pulled her arms as far as she could to the side behind her and glanced at her watch. The lighted digital readout gave her a focal point. Half an hour had passed. She was pretty sure they’d been driving the entire time.