Continuing on the path to the water, Boone’s eyes clouded. “Did Greg ever locate his wife?”
“Ex-wife, and no, he never found out where she went. After she served him with divorce papers, she disappeared. Her attorney refused to provide any details on where she’d gone. Believe me, Greg and Carly are better off without her.”
Stopping at the water’s edge, he sat, pulling her down next to him. “Have you heard from Greg?”
“Not yet. Mom and Dad know Thorn called Greg’s commanding officer with the news about Carly. I explained it all to them and they understand it was the right thing to do.” She ripped up a handful of wild grass, tossing it into the creek. “I’ve been hoping by the time he gets the word, Carly and Ty will have been found.”
“Me, too.” Boone stared at the running water, remembering the few times he’d taken Tyler fishing. “Ty loves to fish. When he gets home, I’m going to make it a point to get him out at least once a month.”
“Can I come?”
He draped an arm over her shoulders. “Darlin’, you can come with us anytime you want. And bring Carly.”
Leaning into him, she rested her head on his shoulder. “She’d like that.”
“So would I.”
They sat, saying nothing, listening to the sound of water moving over rocks. Boone didn’t know how much time passed. A few minutes, an hour maybe. His thoughts focused on Tyler…and Willow, not knowing what he’d do without either one of them. Looking straight ahead, he sucked in a shaky breath, wishing he could do more than sit around, waiting.
Feeling Willow tremble next to him, he tightened his arm around her. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”
“I can’t bear the thought of never seeing them again, Boone. It’ll kill my parents if Carly, well…if she…” She couldn’t finish, her voice breaking. After a moment, she tried again. “And Greg. He’ll never forgive himself.”
Shifting, he turned Willow to face him, placing his hands on her shoulders. “We can’t think like that. Once your mind goes that direction, you give up, and we aren’t going to give up. If it takes weeks or months, we will find them.”
Closing her eyes, she nodded. “You’re right. I’m not thinking too straight right now. Sorry.”
“You’ve nothing to feel sorry about. We’re all struggling, and it won’t get any better until Ty and Carly are found. And they will be found, sweetheart.”
Nodding, a grave expression crossed her face. “I suppose we should think about getting back.”
Standing, he held out his hand. When Willow took it, he pulled her close, leaning down to claim her mouth with his. The kiss was slow, intense, heartbreaking in its tenderness. Groaning at her response, he sealed his mouth over hers, hungry, searching.
Moving his hands lower, he settled them on her waist, molding them together as she linked her fingers behind his neck. Desire burned through him, his body igniting at the passion in her response.
He pulled her down with him, dropping to his knees before laying her down. Stretching out beside her, his hand moved down her leg, then back up, resting on the curve of her waist. Pleasure radiated through him as she curled into the curve of his body.
“Willow…” His hand gently rubbed a circle on her stomach as his lips brushed across hers.
“Please, Boone. Take all the fear away.”
Moving his lips along her chin, down her neck, then back up, he captured her mouth again, feeling a shiver run through her. Raising his head, he stared into her eyes.
“We’ll take each other’s fears away.”
The sound of crickets stirred Boone, his eyes opening to slits. Feeling a warm body next to his, a satisfied fullness claimed him. Lifting himself onto his elbow, he looked over at her, a renewed sense of desire flashing through his body. Resisting the urge to do what he wanted, Boone drew a finger down her cheek, across her lower lip.
A soft moan escaped as her eyes opened. Drawing in a breath, she reached up, cupping his cheek as his gaze raked over her. For a little while, they’d been able to put the last few days behind them and focus on each other. Reality came crashing down on both of them.
“I don’t want to leave here.”
Leaning down, he kissed her lips. “I feel the same, sweetheart, but we’ve been gone a couple hours. If we stay away much longer, your parents will start looking for us.”
A solemn expression crossed her face. “And we don’t want to cause them more worry.”
Standing, he picked up his jeans, pulling out his phone. Checking for messages, Boone let out a frustrated sigh when he saw nothing. “You’d think they’d know something by now. It’s been almost forty-eight hours without any idea what happened.” Slipping into his pants, he shoved the phone into a pocket, then dragged a hand down his face. “We need to get back.”
Buttoning her shirt, she finished getting dressed. “You’re right. We stayed away too long.” She started to turn away when he grabbed her arm.
“I don’t regret the time we took, Willow.”
Shaking her head, she reached up, kissing him on the mouth. “We’re both on the edge with worry. We needed this time.”
Picking up his hat, he took her hand. “I need to call Del and Agent Randall. They must know something by now.”
Walking back, they stopped at the sound of someone shouting. Looking toward the house, they saw Willow’s mother waving her hands, yelling something they couldn’t make out.
“Let’s hurry.” Keeping hold of Willow’s hand, they ran toward her.
“What is it, Mom?”
She held out her phone to Boone. “It’s Del.”
Taking it, he glanced at Willow, his heart stuck in his throat. “It’s me, Del.”
“We found them, Boone. We have Ty and Carly.”
Chapter Fifteen
Boone’s hands trembled as he gripped the steering wheel, doing his best to stay close to the speed limit. They’d made a quick decision to take the Robinson’s large SUV to Agent Randall’s office in Missoula.
The older couple sat in the back seat, holding one another. Willow sat up front with him, her hands clasped in her lap, staring straight ahead. After the initial excitement, learning about Tyler and Carly being found, they’d fallen into a stunned silence. No one knew what to say, so they’d stayed quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. Reaching out, Boone settled his hand over hers.
“Another half hour and we’ll be there.”
She nodded, glancing over at him. “You said Del hadn’t seen them.”
“He was driving to Missoula with Rick Zoeller when he called. The FBI was still processing the children they found in the raid, calling parents as they identified each one. Agent Randall was able to fast-track Ty and Carly. That’s why we were notified so quickly.”
“They were gone less than three days. Maybe…” She looked out the window, her voice trailing off.
“Maybe what, sweetheart?”
Doing her best to ignore the cold knot of fear in her stomach, she swallowed. “I’ve been reading some articles about children who’ve been abducted and returned. Most have a hard time adjusting. They aren’t able to talk about it. Some don’t speak for weeks or months.” She glanced over at him, her eyes filled with concern. “Months, Boone.”
Keeping his eyes on the winding road, his chest rose and fell as he processed what she’d said. He’d done the same, searching the web for anything he could find about exploited children and the aftereffects of the trauma. No matter how informative, it hadn’t been good reading.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, sweetheart. We’ll get the kids back, take them home, and go from there.”
She blew out a slow breath, doing her best to calm her racing heart. “I know you’re right. I’m just nervous.” Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at her parents. They’d said little since learning of the rescue.
“We’re all nervous, Willow. I’ve had Ty less than a year and have no idea what to say or do.” He wiped a damp hand down his pants, hi
s jaw tightening. “I can’t help but feel I’ve let Jenny down.”
Her eyes widened at the confession, brows creasing. “Boone, none of this is your fault. It’s no one’s fault except the monsters who took them. Good people’s lives have changed forever because of the abominable actions of criminals. I won’t let you blame yourself any more than I’ll let my parents blame themselves.” Her nostrils flared, indignation rising with each word. “I didn’t know Jenny well, but I believe she wouldn’t blame you, either. We’ve all been through hell the last few days, and I’m pretty certain it hasn’t ended yet. The only way we’ll make it through this is to go forward and not look back. We do what’s needed for Carly and Ty, making sure they understand it isn’t their fault, either.” She stared at her lap, her chest heaving.
His face softened, jaw loosening. “That’s the most I’ve heard from you at one time in, well…I can’t remember when.”
Biting her lip, she glanced at him, a soft chuckle escaping. “I talk a lot when I’m nervous.”
He nodded. “Good to know.”
Reaching over once more, he grabbed her hand, placing it on his thigh. Smiling at her outburst, Boone decided he liked it when her fiery passion took over. It had been a long time since he’d seen it in action.
Willow looked at her phone, then pointed up ahead. “Turn left at the light, then right into the first parking lot.”
A minute later, Boone turned off the engine, glancing at Willow, then turned to look behind him at the Robinsons. “Are you ready?”
Mr. Robinson nodded, clasping his wife’s hand. “More than ready, Boone. Let’s go get our children.”
Willow drove the car home, her eyes still red from all the crying she’d done when Tyler and Carly were returned to them. She looked in the rearview mirror, her heart twisting. Carly sat between her grandparents in the second seat while Tyler sat with Boone in the third seat. Both children were clinging to the adults, their faces blank, saying nothing.
Agent Randall told them there were no signs of sexual abuse or mistreatment. The children were found in relatively clean, if sparse, rooms containing beds, ceiling lights, and heating. They’d been fed on a regular basis and given extra clothes. From the way they were treated and the equipment found at the site, the agency believed the girls were being sold online in some kind of auction. The fact Carly and Tyler were held less than four days meant they had a good chance at a full recovery.
Randall gave them information on counselors and other resources the families could reach out to, suggesting they wait a few days to see how the two reacted to being back home. Before they left, he’d reminded them how lucky they were to get them back. The raid rescued seven children, which meant seven were still out there somewhere, possibly already sold and shipped off. The odds of getting them back weren’t good.
At least they also arrested six of the offenders. The agent wasn’t too optimistic about learning more, but hadn’t lost hope.
“We’re almost home.” Willow checked her mirror again, seeing Carly straighten and Tyler remaining clasped to Boone’s side. “Does anyone recognize the car in the driveway?”
“Not me,” her mother replied before Carly jerked free from her arms at the sight of a tall man in an army uniform coming down the front steps.
“Daddy!” Carly barely waited until the SUV stopped before sliding over her grandmother, opening the door, and jumping out. “Daddy!” Running, she flew into Greg’s outstretched arms, giant sobs racking her body.
By the time Willow and her parents got to them, Greg’s face was streaked with tears.
His mother laid a hand on his arm. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Setting Carly on the ground, he kept his arm around her, keeping his daughter tucked next to him. “I’d just returned from a mission when I got the news. My commander had all the arrangements made to get me home.” He glanced down at his daughter, then back at his parents. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when it happened.”
Mr. Robinson clasped him on the shoulder. “Nothing you could’ve done, son. They found Carly and Ty during a raid outside Missoula. We just picked them up.” He lowered his voice, leaning close to Greg’s ear. “Those kids are going to need a lot of help to work through this.”
“I know, Dad. I’ve taken leave. We’ll figure it out.”
“That’s good news, son.”
Willow stood next to her brother, waiting until he turned toward her to wrap her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Boone and Tyler stood a few feet away, the boy’s arms wrapped around his father’s legs, his face turned away. Feeling Tyler tug at his pants, he leaned down.
“I want to go home.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do. I need to speak with Willow before leaving. Do you want to stay here or come with me?”
“I want to go with you, Daddy.”
Taking his son’s hand, Boone walked to them, shaking Greg’s hand. “Good to see you.”
Greg nodded. “I understand Thorn made the call.”
Boone nodded.
“Tell him thank you. I’ll come by and say it in person as soon as I can.”
“Take your time, Greg. That’s what I’m going to do with Ty. The kids need our attention now. Nothing else matters.”
Willow’s heart stilled at Boone’s words, knowing it had to be this way. She just hadn’t expected to hear it in such blunt terms. Taking a step away, she walked to the SUV, grabbed her purse, then locked the car. Turning, she startled, seeing Boone right behind her, Tyler still next to him.
“I need to get Ty home. Thorn and Grace are waiting.”
She nodded. “And Del said he and Amy would be there soon.”
His gaze locked with hers, his features unreadable. “I don’t know how long it will be before I’ll be able to see you.”
She tried to smile, but couldn’t quite manage it. “You know where to find me.” Willow didn’t lean up to kiss him this time. Instead, she touched Tyler’s head, then walked past them, following her family into the house.
“You haven’t spoken to Willow in how long?” Del’s incredulous voice had Boone turning to look at him. He’d stopped by after work to help repair broken corral fencing.
Tossing the brush he’d been using to groom the horse into a bucket, he clipped the rope onto the halter to lead the animal into the corral. Returning, he crossed his arms, leaning against the stall.
“Five days. Not that it’s your business.”
Taking off his gloves, Del stuffed them into his back pocket, looking at his brother as if he’d grown an extra head, but wasn’t using either one.
“You haven’t seen or spoken to her in almost a week?”
Shaking his head, Boone reached down to grab the bucket of tools and stomped toward a storage cabinet. “I’ve been busy with Ty.”
Del followed him. “Look, I know Ty had a few rough days—”
“He has nightmares, Del. At least one every night.” Boone ran a hand down his face. “During the day, he’s fine. Eats, laughs, rides with me to check the stock. He started seeing a counselor and is back at school. The teacher says he acts the same as before the kidnapping.” Drawing in a breath, he let it out. “Ty’s back in his own room now. At night, I have to leave a light on, lock the windows, look under his bed, and check his closet. Then I read him a story and leave the door open when I head downstairs. Sometime around one or two in the morning, he starts to scream. It’s the scariest sound I’ve ever heard and I’m helpless to do anything except hold him.”
“And who’s holding you?”
Boone raised his head, staring at Del in confusion. “Is that some kind of feminine side of you talking? You know darn well no one is holding me. I gave that right to Willow.”
“Yeah, but she isn’t here because you’ve left her out of your life, and Ty’s.”
“She’s got Carly to think of. Willow doesn’t want to deal with us, too.”
“Greg packed Carly up the day
after she got back and took her to the family cabin to fish. Just the two of them.”
Boone’s eyes widened. “I thought they’d all want to be together for a while. Have they come back?”
“From what I heard, they’re expected back tomorrow. Not that you care, but Willow stopped by my office yesterday, asking if you and Ty were all right. She didn’t look good, Boone. Not good at all. Amy went by her house last night to make sure she was okay. Do you want to know what Willow told her?”
Boone looked away, but nodded. “Yeah.”
“She said the two of you weren’t seeing each other anymore. Told Amy you’d said something about nothing else in your life mattered except Ty, and she didn’t want to come between the two of you. Even if you aren’t together, tell me you didn’t say something so asinine.”
Taking off his hat, he threaded a shaky hand through his hair, mumbling a curse. “She said we weren’t together?”
Del nodded. “She told Amy it was for the best. You had Ty to think about and needed to focus all your attention on him.” Taking his keys out of a pocket, he stared at Boone for a few seconds. “Do you want to know what I’m thinking?”
“I suppose you’re going to tell me anyway.”
“Damn straight I am. Willow is a wonderful woman. She loves you and Ty. Did you ever think that maybe she’d want to be here to help Ty get through this mess? That she’d want to be here for you?”
Pursing his lips, Boone shook his head.
“I didn’t think so. Look, you’re a good father, Boone. You could be a helluva husband if you’d get your head on straight and see who’s right in front of you. Willow’s always been right there for you. Now, if you don’t love her—”
“You know I love her.”
“Well, I guess she didn’t get that particular memo.” Del checked the time, walking to his truck. “I can’t make it back the rest of this week, but I’ll be here all day Saturday with Thorn. Grace and Amy will be bringing food for supper.” He opened the truck door, looking at Boone. “You know there’ll be plenty if you want to invite someone to join us.”
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