Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(95)

His mother had been like that. Good to him, good as any angel could have been. But firm. And always vigilant, wanting him safe.

Mitch closed his eyes, thinking about how he’d repaid her.

Don’t let your anger win, Mitch, she’d said as she lay dying in his arms. He could still feel the cold trickle of the rain down his neck after he’d removed his hat to shield her. Could still see the trails of red washing out to pink on the gravel beside the road.

And even then, her only concern had been for him and for the others she’d loved. Poor Mitch. Take care of Boone and Sam for me. I love you all.

Mitch watched Davey drop to the snow and fan his arms and legs, making a snow angel though the ground only held perhaps two inches of snow so far.

Perrie smiled and clapped, then answered Davey’s pleas and laid down beside him, making her own snow angel.

The whole scene blurred as Mitch viewed it through the eyes of a boy who’d been loved…of a young man who’d laid love to waste.

He turned away from the window. He was older now. He’d learned to live without love a long time ago.



Perrie entered the living room with trepidation. With Davey now asleep, she was effectively alone with the glowering giant. Her bones ached with weariness, but she wasn’t sleepy yet. Instead of sitting in the dark in the bedroom, she would brave the living room where Mitch sat before the fire.

He glanced up as she entered, then quickly back to the piece of wood he was carving. “Davey’s asleep?”

“Finally.” She sank down on one corner of the sofa. The clothes had dried and been taken down before they’d eaten. She wished for the barrier between them again.

“It was a good meal. Thanks.”

“Thank you for cleaning up.” Such polite strangers, both of them.

He shrugged. “Least I could do.”

“Not hardly. Not after you hiked all that way to get our things.”

He stared into the fire for long moments. “Cy taught you how to cook cornbread in the fireplace?”

She smiled, remembering. “The first time, I burned it to a crisp. Grandpa told me to rake some coals onto the hearth and set the pan there instead of on the fire, but I was in a hurry and thought the bread would cook faster with the coals where they were.” She laughed faintly. “It did. Just not edibly.”

A tiny smile quirked his lips. “My grandfather taught me to cook over a campfire. I’ve had my share of screwups.”

“Was that who taught you to hunt? Your grandfather?” She held her breath, wondering if he’d answer.

The knife scraped against wood for a long time before he answered. “Yeah. He taught me to fish when I was about Davey’s size.”

“Did you always like it?”

He nodded. “A lot more than ranch work.”

So he’d grown up on a ranch. She waited, hoping he’d tell her more, but he didn’t.

She needed to thank him for what he’d done. “Davey told me what you said about thanking his fish.”

She saw his shoulders stiffen and rushed to explain. “Thank you for not making him feel foolish that he’s tender-hearted about animals. His father…” How to explain without telling too much? “His father wasn’t so thoughtful.”

The dark head turned her direction. “I wasn’t so tough myself at his age. I liked it, but I had my squeamish moments. I don’t trust anyone who kills without remorse.” Brown eyes softened. “What did his father say?”

She shrugged. “It wasn’t about hunting or fishing. When Davey was three, his father thought he should try the high diving board.” Anger rose again, tightening her throat. “He called Davey a coward because he was afraid.”

Mitch swore under his breath. “His father was a fool. That boy has the heart of a lion. He was ready to take me on to protect you.”

Perrie met his gaze, seeing the fierce pride glow. Pride. For her son.

Why couldn’t Simon have been like that?

Useless thoughts. “He’s got his stubborn streak, but he has a good heart.” She smiled. “Protecting me, huh? How sweet.”

“Not a lot of five-year-olds would make their way through an unfamiliar forest to get help. He was scared to death of me, but he didn’t give an inch. Stood over you like a guard dog.” Mitch shook his head once. “Hell of a kid.”

The way he looked at her, the questions in his eyes, made her wish she could explain their lives.

But as she searched for answers, he saved her the dilemma, rising to his feet. “Well, I’m turning in. It’s been a long day.”

“Mitch…” She had to get this one thing straight. “Davey’s getting so attached to you. I…” How did she say this?