Bucking Bronc Lodge 04(53)
Timmy hated him ’cause he hurted Miss Jordan.
Was he the monster that hurted his mommy, too?
He wished he could remember. Then he’d tell on him.
He needed his daddy. His daddy was a good guy. He was a cop. Maybe he’d catch him and put him in jail.
He closed his eyes. Tried to think back.
The red came in splatters. Big puddles. Splashes on the wall. On the floor.
His mommy’s face...
He tried to make it go away. To see something else. The monster’s face. But it was dark and the black came then.
He rolled his hands into fists. He had to think of a way to get out. To get back to his daddy.
He was mad at him that day his mommy went away. He remembered that. But his daddy had been nice since he brought him to the ranch. And he liked Miss Jordan.
And the horses.
He wanted to go back there now.
Tears burned his eyes, but he scrubbed them away with the backs of his hands. He wasn’t no crybaby, not anymore. He wanted to be big and strong like Carlos.
And his daddy.
They would find him. They had to.
But what if they didn’t?
He looked up at the mean man. He had weird eyes. And he was saying more dirty words.
“Don’t worry, kid,” the man said. “We’re going to Mexico and no one will ever find us.”
Timmy bit his lip to keep from crying. That was what he was afraid of.
Chapter Sixteen
Miles phoned Blackpaw as he drove back to the ranch. “Have you located Ables?”
“No, but I have an address for him and I’m en route there as we speak.”
“Good.” He explained Jordan’s theory about Dugan’s former girlfriend and his mother. “I know you’re busy, Mason. But I’m wondering if this Janet woman might have been in the courthouse during Dugan’s trial. I would call the lieutenant but—”
“You’re supposed to be off the case. I’ll fill him in on what’s happened, then have him fax you a list of the people who attended the trial along with a list of the visitors at the prison. Maybe there will be a crossover.”
“Thanks. I have a feeling he might pay her a visit before he goes to his mother’s.”
“I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
“Thanks.” Miles disconnected the call, turned down the road leading onto the ranch, then drove to the dining hall. “Wait in the Jeep,” he told Jordan. “I’m going to check in with Brody then take you home to clean up and check that wound.”
Jordan nodded, and he jumped out and rushed in to check on the kids. Brody met him at the door.
“Everyone okay?”
“Yeah. The boys are agitated, but they understand and are worried about Timmy.”
“No sightings of Able or any other trouble?”
Brody shook his head. “No. The coroner took Haddock’s body, and Lee and the deputy are at the hospital. I called a couple guys I know who work extra security and they’re coming over to watch the ranch.”
“That’s probably wise.”
“We’re going to feed the kids breakfast, then take them out for a while to work with the horses. But we’ll keep them contained within the same area for safety’s sake.”
Miles nodded. “I’m carrying Jordan back to clean her wounds. I’ll keep you posted.”
When Miles returned to the Jeep, Jordan’s eyes were closed. She looked exhausted, and he still hadn’t seen how badly the bullet had grazed her.
She stirred slightly, but kept her eyes closed as he drove to her cabin. When he parked, she jerked awake and climbed out before he could go around to help her.
Anxiety knotted Miles’s body as they walked to the door, his hand automatically checking his phone in case he missed a call. Where was Dugan now?
What was he going to do to Timmy?
His stomach heaved. He knew Timmy was terrified, but was he hurt?
Jordan unlocked the door, and he followed her inside, his instincts urging him to turn around and leave.
He should be out there searching for his son. Tracking down Dugan. Saving his little boy.
Jordan must have seen the terror in his eyes because she lifted her hand and pressed it to his jaw. The tender gesture triggered something inside him, a dam of emotions that threatened to erupt.
“I know you’re worried,” Jordan said. “So am I.”
“I was supposed to protect him and I failed,” Miles said, his throat aching.
“You did everything you could,” she said softly. “And it’s not over, Miles. We will find him.”
Fear clogged Miles’s throat. “But what if it’s too late?”
Jordan released a pent-up breath. “You can’t think like that. I was getting into Dugan’s head, forming a connection.”