With a quick nod, he descended as carefully as he’d ever done anything in his life, silently willing the rock face to hold and cursing every pebble that didn’t. “I’m on my way, Davey. You just hold on a little bit longer.”
A tiny muffled voice answered, “Okay, Mitch.”
Then finally, he was down, with barely enough room to kneel beside the boy. He peeled Davey away from the rock face and drew him into his arms.
“I’ve got him, Perrie.”
Davey latched onto him as though he’d been gone for years.
Mitch sat down against the rock face and cradled the boy tightly, giving thanks for a grace he didn’t deserve. When he thought he could speak without his voice breaking, he nudged Davey’s chin upward. “You’d better tell your mom you’re okay.”
“I’m safe, Mom. Mitch has me now.”
Mitch bit the inside of his cheek and looked away.
“Let me check you out,” he said hoarsely. But when he tried to peel the boy away enough, Davey clung to him like a tick. “It’s okay,” he soothed. “I won’t let you fall. I just need to be sure everything’s okay.” With a quick scan, he checked Davey’s pupils and felt his limbs, then called out loudly. “He’s going to have some really nice bruises, Perrie, but I don’t think anything is seriously hurt.”
“Thank God.” Her voice quivered slightly.
“Okay, sport. Now we have to climb back up. You ready for a little adventure?”
Davey’s eyes were as big as saucers, his small arms tight around Mitch as he clung. Something slow and sweet moved inside Mitch’s chest. But faith shone in Davey’s gaze as he nodded, his voice only quavering slightly. “Yes, sir.”
“I’m going to put you on my back the way you like to ride, but I’m going to rope you against me so you can’t slip.”
Davey nodded.
Mitch had to smile, speaking gently. “First, son, you’re going to have to let go.”
Davey nodded again but didn’t move. Then he squared his little shoulders and moved away, if only a few inches.
“That’s right. Edge around to my back.” Mitch scooted away from the rock face. “Want to practice tying the knots I taught you?”
The voice grew smaller. “I’d rather let you.”
Mitch chuckled. “That’s just fine. You can practice more when we get back.”
“Mitch?” A small head brushed his neck.
“What?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall.”
Mitch swallowed. “I know you didn’t.”
“Mom didn’t get mad. You’re not mad?”
Mitch turned, the ropes not yet tight around them. He looked straight into the uncertain blue gaze. “I’m not mad. I don’t want you ever running off alone again, though. These mountains are not a playground.”
The blond head ducked. “Yes, sir. I promise I won’t.”
Mitch nudged Davey’s chin upward. “I know you won’t.” He smiled, and a small smile greeted his.
His chest tightened, but Mitch steeled himself against feeling too much. “All right. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Fingers that had been cold for too many hours rebelled, but Mitch simply ignored them and forced his body to respond as he needed, refusing to acknowledge the cold or the fact that he hadn’t eaten since this morning. This was all that mattered, the little body that nestled against him, believing that he would get them back up safely.
And he would. This time would be different. He wouldn’t let his emotions win—he would win this time, by keeping himself carefully neutral, concentrating only on the next step, pulling them up to the next knot on the rope.
Finally, they could see Perrie. Worry and fear gave way to joy on her lovely face. Mitch could see her straining against the urge to run to her son, but she held fast and stayed back as he’d asked.
At last they were over the top and safely away from the edge. Perrie dropped to her knees beside them, reaching for Davey, throwing her arms around both of them.
Mitch could feel her trembling. His own hands were none too steady as he untied the knots binding Davey to him. Once Davey was free, he scrambled into his mother’s arms, finally giving in to his tears. Mitch felt the loss of her touch as she gathered Davey close.
Perrie rocked him, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. Then she opened them and looked at Mitch, her gaze naked and vulnerable as she gripped Davey so tightly her knuckles were white.
A lifetime passed in seconds as Mitch felt himself opening to her, too. He ached with a power far beyond what had strained his muscles, had stretched his control, had unraveled the edges of his distance.