Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(122)

She shook her head sharply and turned back to her packing. “It’s not your problem.”

“It is when you’re irresponsible enough to endanger that boy. I won’t let you do it.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“I damn well can, and I will if you don’t start thinking of your boy instead of yourself!”

“I am thinking of him!” she shouted. “That’s why I have to go.” She stalked to the door and jerked it open. “Davey! Come on, time to go now.”

Mitch grabbed the door out of her hands, slamming it shut. “You are not taking off like this.”

“I have to.” Her chin tilted stubbornly, her eyes sparking.

“You don’t have to. I’m leaving. Tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “This is your place. You don’t have to go. It’s not right.” She pulled the door open again. “Davey, come in right this minute. I know you’re mad, but answer me right now.”

“Why is he mad?”

She shot him an accusing glare. “Because he doesn’t want to leave you.”

Something fast and fierce warmed Mitch’s heart. He would miss the boy, too, but he would be the one to go, not them. Before he left, though, he would grant himself one last pleasure. He would hold the boy once more, as he could never again hold the boy’s mother.

Perrie reached for her coat, muttering. “That child’s stubborn streak is going to be the death of me, I swear.”

Mitch stopped her with one hand on her arm. “Let me, all right? Maybe he’ll come to me. Let me talk to him a minute.”

Perrie studied him, and within her eyes, he saw the faintest flicker that made him want—

Never mind. Pushing past her, he went outside, calling the boy who had walked into his life and stolen a big piece of an old rusty heart.



Perrie looked around her when he left, trying to see this place as her new home. It was so tempting, and Mitch had hit at her sore point. She was afraid of taking off with Davey, afraid that she couldn’t hide him well enough, couldn’t make the life he deserved. But she couldn’t rob Mitch of the only home he had. And she couldn’t forget the threat of Simon. Mitch hadn’t asked for that. But maybe…

The door burst open. “He’s not around here, unless he’s just not answering me. Would he have run off?”

Fear shoved away the first flood of anger. Would he have run away? Was he that upset about leaving?

“I don’t know. He’s never done anything like that before, but he was dead-set on seeing you again. Maybe he’s just hiding.”

“If he wanted to see me, why won’t he answer?”

A big fist squeezed the air from her lungs. “Oh, God. Simon,” she whispered. What if Simon had him?

“What did you say?”

But she barely heard him. Either Simon had found them or Davey was all alone out in the wilderness. All she could think of was the cliff, the bears, all the places around here for him to get hurt—

Mitch grabbed her shoulders and steadied her. “Stop. We’ll find him. I can track anything. The snow is melting, but he’ll still make easy prints.” His voice sounded absolutely certain.

“I’m coming with you.” She pulled away.

He didn’t release her, studying her face. Then he nodded. “All right, but you’ll have to keep up. It’ll be dark soon and the temperatures will drop fast.”

“I’ll keep up.” Thoughts of her child alone, freezing in the darkness, much less all the other things that could—

“Stop letting your imagination run wild. You need to stay alert, and you can’t do that if your emotions are getting the better of you.”

She could see his face forming into its customary mask. Was this how he’d lived his whole life?

Perrie pulled on her outer gear and dumped out a backpack, placing two blankets inside. Mitch turned away and gathered up his own supplies.

“You ready?” His face was grim, set into lines of sheer determination. The sight of it lifted her spirits. If anyone could find her son, it was Mitch.

She wouldn’t let herself think of the alternative.

“Stay behind me, and don’t talk unless it’s urgent.”

Perrie nodded.

“We’ll find him. I promise you that.”

“I believe you,” she said softly.

Mitch’s eyes softened. For a moment, he looked as though he wanted to say something else.

And Perrie wanted to hear it.

Then he shook his head and opened the door. Perrie was right behind him.



Dusk was gathering, and they hadn’t yet found him. The mushy snow had washed away his trail in several places, costing Mitch precious time before he would lose the light. Mitch shut his mind to all the horrors he knew were running through Perrie’s brain. A cold mind was essential. Emotion only obscured thinking.