To Right a Wrong(41)
Mary nodded. “Thank you. I can show you where he is. I-I know it’s asking a lot, and you’ve already showed me much kindness, but could you help Carolyn? Maybe find someone, a doctor, who will help her recover. She didn’t deserve Greggoire’s treatment. I’m afraid it might be too late to undo the damage he’s caused.”
“I will do whatever’s in my power to find her help.” Ethan slipped his arm around Dani.
She clutched his shirt in her hands and let the tears fall. It was almost over. Soon she’d have Jordy back home with her.
Chapter Nineteen
Mary had informed them that Carolyn hid with Jordan in a secret cave, so Dani, Ethan, and Mary hiked deep into the forest, Mary in the lead. Loaded with a backpack of supplies, Dani paid no attention to what direction they headed.
The foliage grew thicker. Dani stepped over a fallen branch and stumbled. She caught herself on the back of Ethan’s jeans.
“You okay?”
“Yes.” She picked up her pace. She’d crawl through burning coals to find her brother. “How much farther do we have to travel?” Mary stopped and turned around. “About five minutes.” She wiped her forearm across her mouth. “Carolyn’s fragile. I know she wouldn’t do any harm to Jordan under normal
circumstances, but I have to warn you, she’s become more protective of that kid than any she-wolf I’ve run across. Go gently.” Nodding, Dani stepped around Ethan and told Mary, “Thank you so much.”
“I had to right the wrong. I wish I never was involved in the whole mess.” Mary pointed northeast. “It won’t take long.”
They arrived at the mouth of the cave not long after dawn, the rising sun lighting their way. Ethan helped Mary move the tree limbs Carolyn had used to hide the entrance. Dani set the backpack down. The toast and juice Ethan had forced her to nibble earlier tumbled around in her stomach.
Mary brushed off her hands. “Dani, I know it’ll be hard for you to see Jordan for the first time, but it’s important that Carolyn doesn’t feel attacked or threatened. I’m not sure how she’s going to react when she finds out you’ve come for the boy.”
My brother. I’ve come for my brother. Dani swallowed. “Okay.”
“Why don’t you stay behind me, Dani?” Ethan slid his arm around her. “She knows the connection between you and Jordan. Let me talk to her, and I’ll try to distract her from you until we have figured out how to bring Jordan out of the cave.”
She nodded. “Yes. I’ll do anything.” Mary glanced back and forth between her and Ethan. “Okay, let’s go do it.”
Leading the way inside, Mary put her finger to her lips. A drop of moisture from the rock ceiling dripped on Dani’s neck and slid underneath the collar of her shirt. She shivered and touched Ethan’s back. “It’s so cold in here.
Do you think Jordan is all right?”
“He’s fine. I imagine he is tough like his sister.” He put his hand behind him.
Dani took it and held on. “Thank you. I would never have survived the last couple months without you.”
“Carolyn? It’s me, Mary.” She raised her arm and stepped forward. “I’ve brought someone with me.”
Mary’s words echoed against the rocks. Dani held her breath and waited to hear if there was an answer.
“I’m going to come back there. It’s safe. No one is here to hurt you.” Mary motioned for them to follow.
The tunnel narrowed, and Dani let go of Ethan so they could walk single file. Darkness enveloped them, and the cold stone walls brushed her arms, allowing her to trace the path ahead.
“There’s a small opening, little one. You’ll have to crawl in. Be careful you don’t bump your head.”
She felt around in front of her searching for the gap. Her heartbeat accelerated. Crouching, she found the crack in the rock. She never thought of herself as claustrophobic, but she’d never experienced such closed quarters like this in her life. Thankful for her ability to see in the dark, she crawled five or six feet through the narrow passage before she saw Ethan standing.
Climbing to her feet, she heard the soft giggles of a child. “Ethan! Listen!” The laughter sounded so close, but she’d yet to catch sight of Jordan.
“Caro? I’ve brought you a candy bar and another baggy of those little fish crackers that Jimmy loves so much.” Mary reached inside her jacket pocket and removed the items. “We just want to talk. You can feed Jimmy.”
Dani wanted to shout for her to bring Jordan out, but she held her tongue. She hid behind Ethan. His size would shield her from Mary’s view.