Read Online Easy Prey (Love-Inspired Suspense) by Lisa Phillips - Free Book Online Page B

always talked about.” She laughed. “It was Dom who brought me to church, and now I’ve made a decision to be a Christian, because God loves me so much, what else can I do but follow Him?”
    Her excitement was infectious. “That’s great, Mom.” He didn’t totally understand it, not when his adulthood had found him on a different path, and he struggled with the faith he’d once placed so much importance on. Perhaps her experience would help him find his feet again.
    But later. Right now Jonah had a woman to protect, and more than one man to find.
    * * *
    Elise waited for Hailey to open her door. The marshal scanned the area, one hand on the gun on her hip, while Elise climbed out of the car. It had been Nathan’s suggestion that they come to the ranch and check on the bigger animals.
    “I called ahead. Sienna’s ready for us.”
    Elise smoothed down the bottom of her jacket. “Okay.”
    Sienna was a fairly new resident who loved animals and didn’t live far from the zoo, but far enough that her property had been above the water line and she’d been able to buy the house when most people were rebuilding. She’d volunteered to house the animals long-term until the zoo was back up and running. And her place was close enough to the zoo that Elise could check on the animals frequently.
    She could see the zoo, and its destruction, from the hill where Sienna’s ranch was.
    Elise, Hailey, Nathan and Eric trailed past an old, nasty red pickup that looked like it didn’t even run. A striking woman dressed in skinny jeans, knee-high cowgirl boots and a lumberjack shirt strode around the house. Her eyes darted between them, obviously nervous at the influx of newcomers. Elise knew how she felt.
    She gave Sienna an unobtrusive wave. “Hi, I’m Elise.”
    Sienna smiled wide and stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet ya.” Her accent was thick Boston, but she looked like any other country girl in Oregon.
    “How are the animals?”
    “Oh, they’re fine.” Sienna waved them all toward a barn. “Someone’s been eating Train’s food, and Eleanor seems like she has a cold or something. The vet is due any minute to look at her.”
    “Great.” Elise was glad they were being taken care of. It took a load off her shoulders that she didn’t have to supervise the cleanup and rebuilding at the same time as taking care of the animals. They needed their long-term home back.
    Sienna pulled the barn door open. Warming lamps had been set up for the turtle in its enclosure. Farther down, the minihorse with a cold, Eleanor, stood beside the llama, Francis. Both eyed their visitors until Nathan pulled two apples from his pockets. The teenager always had snacks on him for the animals; she should’ve known he’d bring some from Jonah’s house.
    Eric stopped several feet behind them to pull out his phone. Elise watched him type a message and then slide the cell back into his pocket before he took up a station by the door. She understood they were protecting her, and she wasn’t going to be ungrateful. But she also wasn’t used to it and didn’t know if she ever would be.
    “I also keep spotting the tiger, Shera.”
    Elise spun back to Sienna. “Seriously?” She had no idea the tiger who’d escaped from the zoo was the same old, blind Bengal that had lived there years ago when she volunteered. “Shera’s still alive?”
    Sienna grinned. “I’ve heard all about the old gal. Figured she’s pretty hungry, so I keep leaving out some raw steak. Spotted her creeping along the fence line a couple of times, so I left the gate open when the horses were inside. Food was eaten, but I haven’t seen her up close. I’m not even sure if I want to.”
    “She’s pretty harmless, since she has no teeth. And she’s too old to hunt. But just a swat with one paw could do some serious damage. She can get berries, and fruit, but she’ll favor deer. She’ll probably stay clear of most other animals.”
    “Good to know.”
    A deep-throated