“So what happened to Gloria?”
“They never knew. She didn’t come back. If she hadn’t panicked, if she’s just been very still like Ermengilda told her to do, she could have gone back home and been all right.”
“That’s what you want me to do, Mom? Be real still?”
Perrie pressed one fist to her chest, against an aching heart. “Yes, sweetie. It’s very important. I know you’re cold and I know you’re scared, but I need you to be brave like you were when you went to find help for me. Only this time, I’m the one who has to find the tools I need so I can get you up and then take you back to the cabin.”
“And Mitch. Bring Mitch back.”
“If he’s anywhere around, I’ll find him. But I’ll get you up, with or without Mitch, do you understand? It won’t be long, so just be very, very still.” He looked so small, so helpless. She forced a smile to her face. “Everything will be fine, I promise.”
His blue eyes had never looked bigger. He had never looked more precious…or more fragile.
“Okay. I won’t move.”
She blew him a kiss. “Hold that kiss for me, okay? I want one back when I get you up here.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, sweetheart.” She could feel a sob rising up from within her. With all her strength, she pushed it back down. “It will be just fine. I’ll get you up and then we’ll go make some hot chocolate. You can have as many marshmallows as you want, all right?”
“Okay. I love you, too, Mom.” His voice sounded like he knew—
No. She would not think about what could happen. She had to keep her head and make sure it didn’t.
“I’ll be back very soon. And don’t worry if you hear me calling out for Mitch. I’ll get you up, but if I can find him, we can do it sooner.”
“Bring Mitch. He can do anything, Mom.”
Tears blurring her vision so much she could hardly see him, Perrie nodded. “I’ll be back, sweetie. You’re doing great.”
It took every ounce of strength she had to push herself away from the edge, to leave behind the child who was her heart.
It felt like someone had tied a lead anchor to her chest and every step away from where Davey lay ripped her insides open a little more.
But she had no choice. Once she forced herself to turn away, Perrie began to run. When she’d gotten a number of yards away, she began to call out for Mitch, trying to keep the terror from her voice in case Davey could hear her.
Chapter Nine
They’d definitely been here, the tracks mingling like a herd of animals had stampeded. Perrie’s tracks weren’t so numerous, but Davey’s were all over the place. Mitch squinted, trying to make out a pattern, a sense of urgency pushing at him.
He was concentrating so hard he almost missed the sound.
His name?
Mitch froze, listening.
There it was again. Perrie’s voice calling out. Even at this distance, something about it dug claws into his belly.
He leapt into action, answering her. “I’m here. Perrie, stand still and call out again.”
“Mitch?” No question. Terror shaded her voice, turning it from gentle to sharp.
Then he saw her. Alone. He turned in her direction.
“Mitch—oh thank God—” She ran straight toward him, her motion jerky with fear. “It’s Davey, he’s fallen, oh please Mitch, help me. Help him. He’s—”
He reached her and pulled her into his arms. She was chalk-white, her eyes almost black with fear. “What’s happened?” He could feel her small frame shudder as her teeth chattered. Pulling her closer to warm her, he pressed her into his chest.
For a second she clung to him, then jerked away, looking up at him with horror in her eyes. “He’s fallen off the edge. He’s on a little ledge, and I can’t reach him. He’s—oh God, I have to get back—” She wheeled and began to run in the direction she’d come.
Mitch didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he took off running, too, catching up quickly, grasping her arm and pulling her along with him. “Is he hurt?”
She shook her head. “I can’t tell. He says his chest hurts.”
“Maybe he just got the wind knocked out of him. Anything turned oddly, his legs or arms?”
She was sobbing for breath now. “Not that I could tell. Oh, Mitch, he’s so scared. I didn’t want to leave him, but I had to—”
“Of course you did. It’s going to be dark soon, and he can’t spend the night on that ledge.”
She shot him a grateful look, but she couldn’t spare much breath. He wanted to tell her to stop, to conserve her strength, but Davey had to be the prime concern right now. He’d just have to watch her closely.
Then they were there, and he could see the spot where Davey had slid over the side.
“Davey, I found Mitch,” she called out, dropping to her knees and starting to scramble toward the edge.
Mitch grabbed her arm, shaking his head. Speaking low, he cautioned her. “Stay back. Let me look. We don’t know how much weight it can handle or where it’s weak.” In a louder voice, he called out, keeping his voice deliberately light. “Hey, buddy, decided to see if you could be Jim Bridger and explore the cliffs?”
“Mitch!” The little voice wobbled, then strengthened. “I told Mom you would save me.”
Mitch had never been so glad to hear a voice in his life.
“You bet I will,” Mitch answered, scanning the area. “Just hold on right where you are, and we’ll have you up in no time.” To Perrie he nodded toward the edge and spoke more quietly. “Stay back here, but talk to him while I get ready.”
Her eyes were still huge with fear, but she nodded gamely. “How are you doing, sweetie?”
“I’m being real still, like Ermie was.”
A ghost of a smile crossed Perrie’s lips, her eyes bright with tears. “That’s Princess Ermie to you, pal.”
When Davey gave a faint, broken giggle, Mitch’s heart twisted. Ruthlessly, he tuned it out. No time for emotion now.
He found the tree he wanted and tied a bowline knot to hold the rope. With fierce concentration, he formed a series of knots for handholds. He inched toward the edge on his belly. When he neared the edge, snow and a few rocks tumbled over. “How you doing, sport?”
“I’m okay.” The little voice wasn’t steady, but Mitch heard no panic.
What a guy. A man would be lucky to have a son like this one. Mitch leaned over the edge—and damn near choked at the sight.
But he revealed none of his concern. “Hey, fella.” There was barely enough room for Davey, much less for someone his own size. But at least he’d brought enough rope.
Davey stirred, trying to sit up.
“Don’t move yet.” He forced his voice to remain steady while he scanned the cliff face between him and Davey. “Just lie back and play possum.”
Davey’s face lit. “Like you told me how they play dead so their enemies don’t bother them?”
“That’s right. Pretend I’m a big grizzly and I need a snack for supper. A boy like you would be just about a good snack.”
Davey giggled, the sound a little stronger.
“I’ve still got my bear, Mitch. He’s in my pocket.”
“Good for you.” Mitch met Perrie’s gaze, the air between them thick with fear, but her eyes telegraphed gratitude. He smiled to reassure her and saw her visibly relax.
She didn’t need to know how dicey this would be.
“Davey, are you sick at your stomach?”
“No, but my bottom hurts where I landed.”
“Can you move your arms and legs?”
“Yes, sir.”
“All right. I want you to try something, but stop if anything hurts. Try it very slowly, just a little bit at first. Can you move your arms and legs like you were making a snow angel?” He heard Perrie’s breath catch behind him. His own breath stilled as he waited. “Slow now—don’t make any sudden movements. Just try your arms first.”
He st
ared as Davey moved gingerly. When Davey spread his arms out and didn’t meet thin air, he seemed to draw strength, his eyes brightening.
“That’s good.” He heard Perrie’s soft inhalation behind him. “Now try your legs the same way. Slowly at first.”
Davey’s legs straightened, then began to move. “Can I get up now?”
“No!” His voice was too sharp, but he’d seen Davey’s enthusiasm carry him away before. “Now slowly again, just move your head a tiny bit from side to side.” Davey complied. “Does that hurt any?”
The boy shook his head.
“That’s good. Try it a little bit more. Look over at the side of the cliff.”
Davey’s head turned fluidly.
“Still doesn’t hurt?”
“No, sir.”
Mitch wanted to shout in thanksgiving. “Now try the other side. Still okay?”
“Uh-huh. I mean, yes sir.”
Mitch’s throat tightened. “Okay. Hold on a minute. Don’t move.” For one second, he broke eye contact to turn his head and nod at Perrie.
She was still bone-white, one hand covering her mouth. But she nodded back, her frame easing slightly.
He turned back to Davey. “All right. Now listen to me carefully and don’t move until I tell you.”
“I won’t.” Trust rang in his voice.
Mitch clamped down hard on the emotions that threatened to burst free. Emotions were his enemy, and right now, they were Davey’s enemy, too. A lifetime’s worth of maneuvering out of tight spots was about to pay off.
“I want you to stay on your back and scoot over toward the cliff wall very slowly. Can you do that? Don’t roll over, just scoot on your back as close as you can to the rocks.”
Davey began to inch away from the dangerous edge, clearing a space that, with luck, would be enough room for Mitch to land. Mitch breathed a little easier with every inch that appeared between the boy and thin air.
“Very good, son. Now if it still doesn’t hurt, I want you to roll over and face the cliff, then cover your head with your arms. I’m going to come down, and some pieces of rock may break loose. I need you to protect your head and don’t look up, no matter what happens.”
“Davey, pull your hood up over your head, too.”
Perrie kept her voice very calm, but when Mitch turned to ready himself to descend, he could see the strain in her face. Everything in her cried out to do something, he could tell. There was nothing worse than being helpless to save someone you loved.
Mitch understood that feeling only too well.
He kept his voice low so only she could hear. “I’m bringing him back up safely. You can take that to the bank.” He was not losing one more person he cared about.
Face tight with strain, she nodded. “I believe you.”
Deep within Mitch, gratitude warred with his past. She didn’t know how badly he’d failed before, but he would not let her faith be misplaced.
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.
For a moment, he felt the pull of belonging. Something powerful and intimate had happened to them, that would leave them never again the same.
Then he snapped back to reality, to who he really was—and what was possible for a man like him.
However much he understood her terror, shared the sense of narrow escape from an unbearable loss, Mitch also knew that the sharing was only temporary.
He was, as h
e had been, on the outside looking in. No matter how precious the child had felt, clinging to him, no matter how his heart had reached out when Perrie had drawn them both close—he was temporary. A port of call on a journey that would carry them away. Perrie and Davey would always share the bond that, for a few brief moments, he had been privileged to touch.
They would forever be together.
And he would forever be alone.
If the thought ripped into his too-open heart, Mitch still accepted what must be. He rose quickly and gathered up his gear, itching to get away, to be by himself.
“We’d better get back.” Too curt, but he couldn’t afford softness now.
Perrie flinched from his tone. Rising to her knees, she held onto Davey, who had settled into exhaustion against her.
“Here, let me carry him,” Mitch offered, reaching out.
She pulled back and shook her head, climbing shakily to her feet.
He put out a hand and steadied her, then stood carefully back. “If you get tired, let me know.” He picked up his gear and started off.
Perrie’s legs felt like spaghetti, but she clung tightly to Davey and concentrated on the ground in front of her.
When she tripped again, Mitch plucked Davey from her arms. “Don’t be foolish. You don’t have anything to prove. You’re out on your feet.”
She wanted to protest, but it was all she could do to keep walking. In the adrenaline’s wake, she was a rag doll whose stuffing had vanished.
“Come here.” Mitch pulled her into his side. She resisted only because he was already loaded down with Davey and his gear. She should be able to walk back by herself, but she wanted nothing more than to crawl into his arms right beside her son.
Thinking about what could have happened still had the power to unnerve her completely. If Mitch hadn’t come after them…if he hadn’t been there at all…
Perrie shuddered and grabbed onto Mitch’s waist, squeezing her eyes shut. When his arm tightened around her shoulder, she wanted to weep in relief.
But she couldn’t. She had to keep a lid on her own emotions so that Davey wouldn’t be traumatized by her terror. Had to calmly check her son over, once she could remove his clothes. Had to feed him and get him into bed.
Texas Heroes: Volume 1 Page 29