by Rita Herron
KAYLIE ROSE EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, HOPING CECE WOULD be happy with her presents. She had just poured herself a cup of coffee when a soft knock sounded at the back door.
She checked through the screen and saw Mitch. God, she’d missed him in bed last night. But CeCe had needed her after their horrendous day, and she had to start distancing herself from Mitch so it didn’t hurt so much when she left.
Mitch wore a sheepish grin, his eyes hooded beneath that Stetson. “Santa left this outside.”
Kaylie’s heart pitched when she saw the tiny orange ball in his hands.
“Mitch?”
“I know I should have checked with you. Is it all right?”
“It’s perfect,” Kaylie said, then reached up and hugged him. “You’ve given CeCe everything she wanted this year.”
When she pulled back, mixed emotions clouded his eyes, and she realized he was probably thinking about his son. Her heart ached for him.
Mitch moved past her, and they carried the kitten in the den. He built a fire while she put the turkey he’d bought the day before in the oven. Footsteps padded down the steps, then CeCe shrieked as she ran into the room and discovered the kitten.
“Santa brought him, Santa brought him!” CeCe squealed.
Kaylie laughed, her eyes watering as she looked up at Mitch. He was grinning, too, obviously pleased that he’d made CeCe so happy.
CeCe chased the kitten around, laughing and playing. “I’m gonna name her Orange,” CeCe said as the kitten nuzzled her nose.
“Orange,” Kaylie said with a laugh. “That’s a good name.”
“Can we open presents now?” CeCe asked.
Mitch ruffled CeCe’s hair. “You don’t want breakfast first?”
CeCe shook her head. “No, I’m too ’cited.”
“Then let’s open presents,” Mitch agreed.
Kaylie handed CeCe the gifts she’d bought for her, and Mitch sipped coffee while she opened them.
“My cowboy boots and hat!” CeCe tugged on the boots and plopped the hat on her head then danced around. “Don’t I look like a real cowboy now, Mr. Mitch?”
Mitch winked. “The prettiest cowgirl I’ve ever seen.”
CeCe beamed with happiness at the paper dolls, and jumped up and down with joy over the doll clothes, blanket and bed Kaylie had made.
“Now it’s your turn to open, Mommy.” She ran to the tree and returned with two boxes.
One for her and one for Mitch.
CeCe bounced from one foot to the other, her eyes glittering. “Open it, Mommy.”
Her daughter had been wrapping the present before Buckham had kidnapped them. But CeCe told her to hurry, and Kaylie banished the bad memories. They were safe now. Nothing was going to spoil their day.
She ran her finger over the glittering angel as she unwrapped the tissue. “I love it. It’s beautiful, honey.” She hugged CeCe then removed the pin and attached it to her sweater.
CeCe beamed, then handed Mitch a box wrapped in red paper. What in the world was in it? She hadn’t helped CeCe pick out anything for him. They’d simply baked cookies.
Mitch’s gaze met hers as he shook the box. “Hmm. I wonder what’s in here. A tie maybe?”
Like he would wear a tie, Kaylie thought with a smile.
He tore open the paper, then lifted the lid of the shoebox. But his smile faded as he looked up at CeCe.
“Rocks?” Mitch asked in a gravelly voice.
Kaylie frowned, confused by his reaction and the gift. Then she remembered Mitch had taught CeCe how to skim stones the day they’d ridden to the pond.
CeCe rubbed the kitty’s furry head. “Todd picked them out for you, Mr. Mitch. He wanted me to give them to you.”
The color faded from Mitch’s face, and he bolted up and strode outside.
Through the front door, she saw Mitch lean over the porch rail, his shoulders shaking.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MITCH INHALED A PAIN FILLED BREATH. HOW IN THE HELL DID CeCe know about the rocks?
Sure, he’d taught her to skip rocks that day at the pond, but he’d never mentioned how much Todd loved collecting the stones?
He’d boxed up Todd’s collection and carried it to the cabin with him so there was no way CeCe had seen them.
The door squeaked open, Kaylie’s sweet scent wafting toward him. “Mitch?”
“I’m sorry,” he said in a thick voice. “That was real sweet of CeCe.”
“She thinks you don’t like them,” Kaylie said.
He whirled around, anger at the situation mingling with grief. “How could she know?”
“Know what?”
“That my son collected rocks? That it was a special thing we did together?”
Kaylie’s face paled. “I don’t know, Mitch.”
“Does she always do stuff like that?”
“Like what?”
“Talk about . . . the dead like she can talk to them.”
“No.” Kaylie captured his hand in hers. He squeezed it, wanting to cling to her and her daughter. He felt guilty for having them here when his son and wife were dead.
But he didn’t want them to leave either.
They’d filled his house with love, laughter and happy memories, and given him something to live for.
“I don’t understand, either,” Kaylie said. “Maybe she saw a picture of Todd.”
“There’s no way, I boxed them up and stored them in the cabin.”
Kaylie wet her lips. “Maybe she just senses him since she’s staying in his room.”
Footsteps clattered, and he looked down to see CeCe on the porch, the kitten cradled in her arms. “Todd says he loves you, Mr. Mitch. He’s not mad at you, and he wants you to be happy again.”
Mitch’s breath stalled in his chest.
“He says not to be sad.” CeCe sighed, her voice tentative. “That he’s here with you.”
A chill slithered down Mitch’s neck yet at the same time, he felt a warmth on his hand. A warmth as if someone had touched him.
When he looked down though, there was nothing there.
Or was there?
Maybe in her childlike innocence CeCe had connected with his son’s spirit, and she was trying to relay a message. That his son didn’t blame him. That he loved him.
That he’d always live in his heart.
Could he forgive himself?
Mitch glanced across the ranch, then at the For Sale sign dangling in the breeze. Yes, his son was here. He always would be.
There was no way he could sell the ranch and leave him.
THEY HAD A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS DAY. KAYLIE COOKED turkey and dressing with all the trimmings, and CeCe played with her kitten and paper dolls and wore her pink boots and cowboy hat all day.
Mitch seemed unusually quiet, and left for a time that afternoon to visit his son’s grave. When he returned, he seemed more relaxed, and the three of them shared dinner then rode out to the pond
But the morning after Christmas, Kaylie knew it was time for her and CeCe to leave. Mitch had made no attempt to kiss her again or make love to her. He hadn’t mentioned wanting them to stay either.
He’d remained quiet all evening, almost somber, as if he needed them to let him have his house to himself. Obviously CeCe’s comments about Todd had upset him.
She didn’t understand her daughter either, but obviously CeCe believed she’d connected with Mitch’s little boy.
She rose early and packed her suitcase, then explained to CeCe that since the bad man was gone, they needed to return to their own house. She wanted to say goodbye to Mitch but was afraid that would be too hard on her daughter, so she left him a note and headed back to the house they’d left months ago.
“I don’t wants to leave Horseshoe and the ranch,” CeCe said with a pout. “Orange don’t wanna go either.”
“I know,” Kaylie said, her chest aching. She wanted to stay, too. To make the ranch their permanent home. To be with Mitch.
But the ranch b
elonged to him, his son and his memories, and she had no right to intrude. He’d tolerated them because Buckham was trying to kill them, but now she had no reason to stay.
Except that she loved him.
But Mitch wasn’t ready to hear that.
When she reached their old house, a sense of gloom swept over her. CeCe disappeared into a quiet funk, her eyes flaring with near panic as they neared the house.
“I don’t wanna go in there,” CeCe said.
Kaylie hesitated on the stoop and knelt to console her daughter. “I know we have bad memories here, but we had good ones, too.”
CeCe shook her head, then started to cry. “No, I hate that house. I don’t wanna live here any more.”
Kaylie looked up at the place she and Joe had bought together and remembered his lies.
Those lies had gotten him killed and nearly destroyed her and CeCe’s lives.
She made a snap decision. They couldn’t live here, not now, not ever again.
She would put the house on the market.
Then she and CeCe would find another house and start over.
THE MOMENT MITCH ENTERED THE FARMHOUSE, A SENSE OF loneliness engulfed him.
The house was too quiet.
And Kaylie’s car was gone. He told himself they might have just driven to town to run errands, but he spotted a note on the kitchen counter by the coffee machine, picked it up and read it, his heart in his throat.
Thank you for saving us, Mitch, and for giving us a wonderful Christmas. Your son was a lucky little boy to have you for a father. Don’t forget that.
Love, Kaylie & CeCe
Mitch crushed the note in his fist. They were moving back to their own house.
He had saved their lives but lost them anyway.
Then he saw the small stones CeCe had given him. But they weren’t in the box as he’d left them. They were spread out on the table in the shape of a horseshoe.
Tears clogged his throat. Todd used to arrange the rocks in that same pattern.
He really was here …
Grief, anger and need surged through him, and he strode through the house, missing Kaylie and CeCe. The Christmas tree was still standing, heavy with the ornaments they’d made.
But the lights weren’t sparkling, and the presents were all gone, as if yesterday had happened ages ago.
Todd’s laughter, followed by CeCe’s chatter, reverberated through the house. He could still smell the heavenly scent of apple pie and sugar cookies Kaylie and CeCe had baked. He could hear their laughter and feel the warmth they’d brought to his empty house and life.
He should have given Kaylie a present yesterday.
Maybe it wasn’t too late. He could track them down and . . . do what? Take her something from the ranch to remember him by?
Did she want to remember him?
She’d admired the horse quilt she’d draped across CeCe’s bed, and she had sewn placemats for the table. She hadn’t needed expensive linens or fancy things.
She’d also liked the house and the antiques and . . . would she like his grandmother’s antique ring?
And CeCe . . . she wanted Horseshoe. Would she have a horse to ride where she was going?
Suddenly unable to stand the idea of leaving the ranch or living in the house without Kaylie and CeCe, he hurried up to the attic and dug inside his grandmother’s velvet jewelry box. He found the antique silver ring with the rubies in it, and jammed it in his pocket.
He wanted Kaylie to have it.
Hell, he wanted Kaylie and CeCe here on the ranch with him, too.
But even if she said no, he would give her the ring. She needed to know how much she meant to him.
That he’d been only a shell of a man before she’d walked into his life, a man drowning in booze and hurt.
A man who no longer cared about living anymore.
Until she’d given him a reason.
KAYLIE HAMMERED THE FOR SALE SIGN IN THE FRONT YARD while CeCe played with Orange in the grass. Neither of them had gone inside.
A cleaning crew had cleaned the bloodstains after the shooting, but she decided to let a friend she’d worked with handle the listing.
There was nothing she wanted in the house. The life she’d had with Joe had been a lie.
The sound of an engine roaring made her look up, and she spotted a truck barreling down the road.
Mitch’s truck.
Her heart went pitter-patter.
CeCe squealed in excitement. “Mr. Mitch, Mr. Mitch!”
Mitch slowed the truck and parked on the curb. Kaylie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and joined CeCe on the lawn. The truck door opened, and Mitch emerged, looking so handsome in his Stetson and jeans, that he robbed her breath.
Lord, she loved that sexy man. She’d only been away from him for hours, and she missed him so badly she wanted to run into his arms.
He strode toward them, his eyes sparkling in the morning light. “You left something behind.”
Kaylie forced her voice to remain even. She couldn’t throw herself at him when he obviously still loved his wife. “I’m sorry. I can go back and pack everything up.”
Mitch’s mouth twitched. “I wasn’t talking about the tree or the decorations.”
Kaylie frowned. “Then what?”
His eyes darkened. “You left me behind.”
Hope budded inside Kaylie.
“I didn’t wants to leave you,” CeCe said, piping up.
A grin twitched at Mitch’s mouth. “I didn’t want you to leave, either, sweet pea.”
Mitch dug in his pocket, spiking Kaylie’s hopes even more. “I didn’t give you your present yesterday.”
She licked her lips. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“You liked my grandmother’s antiques. I thought you might like this.” He opened his palm to reveal a beautiful antique silver ring with glittering rubies.
“Mitch . . . I . . . it’s gorgeous.”
His gaze latched with hers. “You were wrong about me saving you, Kaylie. It was the other way around. You saved me.”
“You were worth saving,” she said, her throat thick with tears.
Mitch dropped to one knee. “I love you, and I love CeCe. Will you come back and live with me on the ranch?”
Kaylie stared at their joined hands, hardly able to believe her ears.
Happy tears filled Kaylie’s eyes. “Oh, Mitch,” Kaylie whispered. “I love you, too.”
“Will you marry me?” Mitch asked gruffly.
Kaylie nodded. “Yes, of course, I’ll marry you. I love you more than words.”
Mitch kissed Kaylie’s hand, then stood and pulled her in his arms and kissed her. CeCe threw herself at them as they pulled apart. “Santa did hear me!”
Mitch and Kaylie laughed, then he scooped CeCe and Orange into his arms and hugged them all to him.
“Can Horseshoe be my very own horsie, Mr. Mitch?”
Mitch kissed her cheek. “Yes, sweet pea. Horseshoe can be yours. I think Todd would like that.”
OTHER BOOKS BY RITA
If you liked Manhunt, then please write a review on Amazon! You can also contact Rita at www.ritaherron.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ritaherron!
You might also like Rita's other books:
BEFORE SHE DIES (Prequel)
She has to tell someone what is happening in Slaughter Creek…
DYING TO TELL
A mysterious killer will do anything to keep Sadie Nettleton from finding her grandfather's murderer and exposing the truth about what happened ten years ago.
HER DYING BREATH
A serial killer will stop at nothing to get revenge against the men who hurt her — even kill reporter Brenda Banks and Special Agent Nick Blackwood if they get too close to the truth.
MARRY ME, MADDIE
A woman gives her boyfriend an ultimatum on a talk show — Marry Me or Move on! Then her brothers' best friend steps in and the battle for her hand begins!
> SLEEPLESS IN SAVANNAH
A dating game switch leaves a man sleepless when the woman he wants ends up with another man!
I LOVE LUCY
All Lucy wants for the holidays is to be with her family and the man she loves — instead she's hiding out from a stalker in a sixties & up community!
HUSBAND HUNTING 101
A woman takes a class to find a husband!
HERE COMES THE BRIDE
A twin switch, a fake fiancé — a real wedding?
SINGLE AND SEARCHING
A woman places an ad to find a date, but the man who answers is an undercover cop who thinks she's a thief!
UNDER THE COVERS
A famous marriage counselor hires a man to play her husband when her real one leaves her for a man!
MEET RITA
Multi-published, award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. She has sold over sixty novels, worked for several major publishers, and loves writing romantic comedies as well as spinning dark romantic suspense tales filled with murder and mayhem.
For more on Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter @ritaherron.
Table of Contents
MANHUNT
Copyright
Table of Contents
SAFE IN HIS ARMS
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten