Turning her around, he lowered his head, brushing his lips over hers before crushing her to him. Boone’s hands locked against the small of her back as her arms came around his neck. Exploring her soft curves, he groaned, molding her to his body.
Willow’s soft moans sent heat radiating through him. Feeling her passionate response, his kisses became more urgent. He caressed her as his mouth moved along her chin, then down to the hollow of her neck. Arching her back, her lips parted on a deep sigh as he seared a path back up to recapture her mouth.
No matter how tight she held him, Willow couldn’t get close enough. His warm kisses ignited a fire within her belly, demanding she give in to their shared passion. Threading her fingers through his hair, she pulled him down, unable to get enough of his drugging kisses.
Feeling his hands move beneath her blouse and up her back, she whimpered at the sensation of flesh on flesh.
“Boone, please,” she moaned against his lips, knowing what she wanted, afraid to voice it out loud.
Raising his head, he gazed into her eyes, his chest squeezing at the intense passion reflected back at him. “Let me make love to you.”
She swallowed, a small ripple of fear racing through her, but not strong enough to cool the aching need demanding more. “Yes,” she breathed out.
Lifting her hand, he pressed his mouth to her palm. She felt her knees weaken an instant before he lifted her into his arms, fusing his mouth to hers as he took the stairs to her bedroom.
Kicking the door open, he gently placed Willow onto the bed, stretching out beside her. Brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, he kissed her once more.
“Are you sure, Willow? I can wait until you’re certain.”
Reaching up, her finger caressed his cheek before her thumb stroked across his lower lip. “I want you, Boone. I’ve always wanted you.”
The sound of a phone ringing pulled them from their sated slumber. Scrubbing a hand down his face, Boone shook his head, leaning on an elbow as he looked down into her glazed eyes. When the phone kept ringing, he glanced at her bedside clock. Seven in the evening. They hadn’t drifted off for long.
“I think it’s mine.” Leaning down to kiss her, he rolled off the bed, searching the floor for his jeans. Finding them, he reached into a pocket, pulling out his phone. Seeing the name on the display, his brows drew together. “Hey, Del.”
“Are you with Willow?”
Boone glanced at the bed, her body limp and much too inviting. He smiled to himself. “I am.”
“Good. You two need to get back to her parents’ house right away.”
The urgency in his brother’s voice brought Boone fully awake. “What is it?”
“Carly and Ty are missing.”
Within two minutes of hanging up with Del, they were dressed and dashing down the stairs. Running into the kitchen, Willow grabbed her purse, turned off the stove, and hurried outside. Boone was already in the truck, the engine running as she jumped inside.
Neither spoke as he took the roads as fast as possible, doing his best to avoid a wreck as he maneuvered the truck past slower moving vehicles. Throwing up gravel, he pulled into the Robinsons’ driveway, right behind Del’s four-wheel cruiser, as another cruiser pulled in behind them.
Jumping out, Boone grabbed Willow’s hand as they hurried to the porch. Before they reached the front steps, Willow’s mother rushed outside, hysterical, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m so sorry, Boone,” she sobbed. “One minute, Carly and Ty were playing outside. The next, they were gone, and it’s all my fault.”
“Mom, it’s not your fault.” Willow hugged her, rubbing her back as her mother sobbed onto her shoulder.
Hearing the front door open, Boone watched as Del joined them. “What happened?” Fear filled his rough voice.
Motioning for Boone to follow him, they walked a few feet away. “From what they’ve told me, Carly and Ty went outside to play with her dog after dinner. They’d been gone a few minutes when Mrs. Robinson checked on them. She didn’t see any cars or people, told the kids to stay close to the house, then went back inside. Not a minute later, the Robinsons heard the dog barking and tires screeching. They came outside to find the kids missing.”
Boone sucked in a breath, his hands fisted at his sides. “Did they see the car?”
Del shook his head. “They didn’t see anybody or anything. The dog followed for a while before coming back. Mr. Robinson ran to the street, looked both directions, but saw nothing. That’s when they called me.”
Boone glanced over his shoulder to see Del’s deputy, Bobby Baker, stopping to speak with Willow before walking up to them. His gaze narrowed on Boone before he looked at Del.
“What do you want me to do, Sheriff?”
“Did you reach Rick Zoeller?”
“Yes, sir. He’s on his way. Deputy Nolen is calling Agent Randall, Sheriff McNabb, and others to let them know about the abduction.” Bobby glanced at Boone. “I’m sorry about all this.”
Boone’s nostrils flared, but he just nodded. “Thanks.”
Bobby looked back at Del. “I also called the state police. They’re putting up roadblocks, as are the local police. They’ll do what they can. I just wish we had some kind of description of the vehicle, Sheriff.”
Rick Zoeller stopped his car along the side of the road, walking up and down the street, looking for something, phone to his ear. Slowing his pace, he talked another minute before hanging up.
He clasped Boone on the shoulder. “We’ll find Ty and Carly.”
Boone swallowed the pain rolling through him. It took all his self-control to not jump into his truck and start searching. “Thanks, Rick.”
Nodding at Bobby, Rick looked at Del. “Dolan Randall will be here within the hour. The police chief approved the roadblocks. There’s only enough officers to cover the highway running north and south out of town. State police are covering what they can.”
“What if they take a back road?” Del asked.
Rick shrugged. “I’ve asked for a forensics team to come out here, see if they can find anything. There are tire tracks out front. I don’t know if they’re from the kidnapper’s vehicle, but it’s worth having them checked. There’s a chance of identifying the tires.”
“What good would that do?” Boone asked.
“Tires are meant for different vehicles. We might be able to determine if they’re driving a truck, van, or car. It would be a start.” Rick turned to Del. “I also called Pierce O’Brien at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. I told him I’d send images of Carly and Ty.”
“The Robinsons have one of Carly ready for you. Amy and Grace are sending me recent ones of Ty.” Del looked at Boone. “Unless you have one on your phone.”
Boone nodded. “I do.” He pulled out his phone, his throat constricting as he thumbed through the images of Tyler.
“Send it to this email address.” Rick added his cell number to his business card, handing it to Boone. “My office will forward images of both children right away.”
Looking at the card, Boone’s hand shook as he attached the image to an email, then sent it. “What can I do? I can’t stand around doing nothing.”
Del glanced between Rick and Bobby. “Can you give Boone and me a few minutes?”
Rick nodded. “Sure. I’ll talk to Willow and the Robinsons.”
“I’ll go with him, Sheriff. Unless there’s something else you want me to do.”
“Go back to the office, Bobby. I want you and Joe to start notifying everyone about Carly and Ty. There’s no need to keep it quiet. If anyone volunteers to look, we’ll take all the help we can get.”
“Yes, sir.”
Turning, Del studied Boone’s face, seeing fear and another emotion he’d never associated with his younger brother. Helplessness. “We will find them.”
Burying his face in his hands, Boone shook his head, mumbling a curse. Looking up, his anxious gaze met Del’s. “I can’t lose Ty.”
“You won’t.”
Boone sat next to Willow on the sofa as Agent Dolan Randall spoke with her parents. Rick stood in a corner, talking on his phone, while Del worked with the state forensic team outside, checking the area for anything useful in the search.
Boone and Willow had spoken to Dolan when he first arrived. Knowing all the previous missing children were girls, Boone wondered if different people might’ve taken Tyler and Carly. Dolan didn’t have an answer, other than to say if they got a call asking for ransom, it probably wasn’t connected to the other kidnappings. He also reminded Boone whoever did this might’ve taken Tyler because he was there and they didn’t want to leave a witness. None of his answers gave Boone any peace.
Draping his arm over Willow’s shoulders, Boone tried to think of something to say that would ease her fear, and his own. So far, he’d thought of nothing.
Over three hours had passed since Carly and Ty were taken. So far, the roadblocks hadn’t found any suspicious vehicles. Most were locals or from Missoula. All had identification, and the few searches performed uncovered nothing.
“Have your parents tried to notify Greg about Carly?”
Willow looked at Boone, shaking her head. “They wanted to wait.”
“Hoping they’ll be found?”
She nodded, swiping moisture from her cheek. “He’s on an assignment overseas. The same as when Thorn was in Special Forces, Greg can’t say where he’s being sent. Most times, his superiors won’t get a message to him until he’s returned from his mission.” She looked over at him, her eyes red. “There’s nothing he can do anyway. Right?”
Boone knew Greg would want to know as soon as possible, the same as he or his brothers would. Pulling her close to his side, he kissed her temple.
“You may not want to hear this, but Greg needs to know, sweetheart. Carly is his daughter. No matter how hard it is on your parents, he deserves to know.”
Willow watched her parents talking to Dolan, knowing they blamed themselves. No matter how many times she’d told her mother it wasn’t their fault, she refused to accept it.
“They think it’s their fault.”
“We both know it isn’t, Willow. Greg won’t believe it is, either. Someone has to get word to his commanding officer. If needed, Thorn can help. He still knows a lot of people and might be able to push the message through faster.”
Willow’s heart broke, seeing her father’s arm tighten around her mother’s shoulders as she sobbed against his chest.
“You’re right, Boone. Call Thorn. I want his help contacting Greg.”
“It’s been fifteen hours and nothing. There must be something more they can do to find Ty and Carly.” Boone paced his kitchen, his voice rising with each word. “Fourteen children taken and they have nothing.” He looked at Thorn and Grace, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “Nothing.”
Grace and Thorn had gone straight to the ranch as soon as Del called about the kidnapping, wanting to be there in case Tyler or Carly somehow found a way to escape.
Boone had stayed at the Robinson’s until five in the morning, the need to take care of the animals obliging him to return to the ranch. He knew Thorn would be glad to do it, but he needed to keep busy. The waiting threatened to drive him crazy.
Willow didn’t return with him, deciding to stay with her parents. Before he left, she’d given him all the information Thorn would need to get a message to Greg. An hour ago, he had spoken with Greg’s commanding officer. Willow had been right. Her brother was overseas. Under the circumstances, the commander agreed to get a message to him, although he gave no indication as to when that would be. Having been through this before, Thorn felt certain they’d hear from Greg soon.
“You know Del and Rick are doing all they can, Boone. I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but you need to give them time.” Grace held her third cup of coffee, exhaustion showing in her eyes. Thorn reached over, covering her hand with his.
“Agent Randall has pulled in additional resources. Del and Rick said their offices are inundated with calls from locals to help. We have friends out looking, including Kull.”
Boone glanced at Thorn, his jaw tightening. Kull Kacey owned Wicked Waters, the local tavern. Most times, he’d been more of a father figure to Boone, Del, and Thorn than their own father. “I thought Kull was out of town.”
“He came back Monday night.” Thorn checked the time. “He’ll be here within an hour with a few friends of his. They all want to help.”
Boone pulled out a chair and sat down. “I don’t know what they can do that the feds and local law can’t.”
Thorn shook his head. “Me, either. But one thing I’ve learned is to never underestimate Kull and his buddies. Some of those guys are damn scary.”
The thought of Thorn, a former Army Special Forces Sgt. First Class, being afraid of a group of men in their sixties brought a grim smile to Boone’s face. The first one since getting the call about Ty and Carly.
“You’re right. I’d be a fool to turn down any help from Kull.”
“My dad has also offered to help.” Grace’s father, Wolf Jackson, owned the largest business in Burnt River, manufacturing outdoor wear and selling it worldwide.
“Tell him thanks for me.” Boone rubbed the back of his neck, wishing he could sleep for a few hours, knowing it wouldn’t come until Tyler was found. He had a sudden urge to speak with Willow. “I’m going to call Willow.”
Standing, he walked into the living room. Pulling out his phone, he tapped her number, breathing out a tired sigh when she answered.
“Hey.” Walking out onto the porch, he leaned against the railing.
“Hi, Boone.” She sounded as tired as him.
“How’re you holding up?”
“About as good as you. We’ve gotten no word on Carly and Ty. Agent Randall believes this is the same group who took the other children. Still, he’s brought in a team ready to trace a ransom demand if it’s not.”
“So your house is crawling with feds?” Boone stared at the barn, imagining Tyler running around, laughing. The thought brought a deep ache to his heart.
“Agent Randall and three others. I finally got Mom and Dad to go to their room and try to rest. I doubt they’ll be in there long.”
“You need to rest, too, Willow.”
“Have you, Boone?”
“No. Did you tell your folks about Thorn getting a message to Greg’s commanding officer?”
“Not yet. They’ve enough to deal with right now. Well, I’d better go. I’ll come over to your place as soon as I can.”
“I’d like that. Willow…” He wanted to say he loved her, but now wasn’t the time. “I’ll see you soon.”
Slipping the phone into his pocket, he sat down on the porch, covering his face with his hands. He’d never felt so helpless, never allowed himself to be a victim of life’s challenges, and he refused to let himself be one now.
He couldn’t lose faith or hope. No matter what had to be done, Tyler would be coming home.
Chapter Thirteen
Boone sat atop his horse, leaning on the saddle horn as he looked into the distance. The early morning sun beat down on him, a reminder over thirty-six hours had passed since Tyler and Carly disappeared and not a single clue had been found as to who took them or where they’d gone.
Willow had stayed with her parents, unable to leave them alone. Boone knew they still blamed themselves, and no matter what she told them, they couldn’t accept it. Neither had slept and barely ate since it happened.
He missed Willow, but understood her need to stay with family. Thorn and Grace had done the same for him, refusing to leave him alone until Tyler was found. Thorn’s partners, Josh and Tony, told him they didn’t want to see him until his nephew was safely home.
Boone knew Del hadn’t returned home, spending every minute running down leads and talking to anyone who might have seen an unfamiliar vehicle Wednesday evening. His wife, Amy, took time off work and stayed las
t night. As much as she hated it, she had to return to Gray Wolf Outfitters this morning, promising to return tonight.
He’d finally gotten a couple hours’ sleep last night, waking before dawn. At first, Boone rubbed his eyes as usual, trying to understand the exhaustion sweeping through him. Then reality came crashing down, his stomach threatening to lose the small amount of food he’d been able to eat.
Not waiting until Thorn and Grace woke up, he saddled his horse, riding the perimeter of the ranch. It gave him a small amount of peace to check on the cattle, then ride south to confirm the horses were all right.
Watching the horses graze, his mind went back to a few days before the kidnapping when he, Willow, and Tyler had moved the herd to this pasture. Sliding to the ground, Boone walked to the creek, hoping to find the toad Tyler wanted to bring home. Boone had told him no. He now wished he could have the day back, make a different decision.
Walking up and down the creek, he shook his head, settling fisted hands on his hips as his phone rang.
“Yeah, Thorn.”
“Where are you?”
“Neighbors to the south where I’m leasing the land. I needed to check on the horses. What’s going on?”
“Kull is here with his buddies. They’d like to talk to you. Agent Randall also showed up. They’re all waiting.”
“Did the FBI…I mean, did, uh, Agent Randall…find something?” Boone’s voice broke on the last.
“No, brother. He wants to fill us in on their progress.”
“Okay. I’m on my way.” Pocketing the phone, Boone hurried back to his horse, taking off at a gallop. He couldn’t stop his gut from clenching or his heart from beating painfully in his chest as he followed the path back to the house. His first thought had been to call Willow, ask if she’d heard anything. He ignored the urge, knowing she would’ve already called him if she had. Maybe he simply needed to hear her voice.
Seeing the house come into view, Boone noticed Kull’s truck, another one he didn’t recognize, and the car he’d seen Agent Randall driving. A full house.
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