Rage burned through Zoe. “How dare you! You had an affair with my best friend!” Her voice rose to a shrill pitch. “You’re the one who wrecked our marriage, not me.”
Carl’s jaw went slack. “I told you I made a mistake.” He gave Zoe a pleading look as tears rose in his eyes. “Can’t you see that I’m a changed man?”
Briggs grunted. “Likely story.”
Carl shot Zoe a condemning look. “You’ve always been in love with Briggs and you know it.”
Sweat beads popped over Zoe’s nose as shame scorched over her. She looked at Briggs, could feel his surprise.
“Briggs was always between us,” Carl roared. “That’s why our marriage failed.” His voice broke. “Zoe, I’m begging you, come back to Park City. The house is just sitting there. You don’t have to come back for me, but at least do it for the kids. Milo’s miserable here. Surely you can see that. He needs his friends, his dad.” His expression was beseeching. “Zoe, you’ve always put the kids first. Why’re you being so selfish right now?”
Confusion swirled inside of Zoe. Was she being selfish? She’d had the distinct fear that she’d have to choose between her kids and Briggs. Her throat felt impossibly tight as she swallowed. Would it come to that? Her insides felt like they were being shredded to bits.
“Are you kidding me?” Briggs’ voice had a dangerous edge as he continued. “You are way out of line here. Zoe is the least selfish person I know. She’s a fantastic mom, and knowing her like I do, I’d venture to say she was an excellent wife to you.” His voice gathered intensity. “You don’t deserve her. You never have. You’re the one who had the affair. You’re despicable.”
Carl’s lower lip went limp like spaghetti as he belted out an incredulous laugh. “Did you hear that?” He kept his eyes on Zoe rather than looking at Briggs. Probably because he was afraid Briggs would pounce on him. Zoe looked at Briggs’ jaw, which was harder than granite. His hands were balled into fists, every muscle in his body pulled taut. Yep, he was about two shakes away from punching Carl’s lights out. Panic raced through her. She couldn’t let that happen—for Briggs’ sake and the kids.
She spun around to Carl. “You need to leave,” she heaved out through clenched teeth.
“You sure you wanna play it this way?” Carl taunted with a cold smile, any semblance of the penitent victim gone. “I could make things very difficult for you.”
“You already do,” she retorted. “Now, leave!” she yelled. Lightning zigzagged against the sky. Thunder immediately boomed, rattling the windows of the house. The hair on the back of Zoe’s neck rose. Electricity was building in the air, and she knew it was only a matter of minutes before the bottom of the clouds fell out.
“We need to get back inside,” Briggs said as he glanced at the sky.
Carl pointed at Zoe. “You just remember what I said.” He backed down the steps and hurried to his car, looking up at the sky as he went. He got in his rental car and peeled out.
The door opened as Milo rushed out, his expression distraught as he looked at the car speeding away. “Dad!” he yelled. “Dad!”
“It’s okay,” Zoe began.
Milo burst into tears. “No, it’s not okay!” he sobbed.
Zoe went to his side and attempted to put an arm around him but he knocked it away. “I hate you!” he screamed.
Zoe rocked back, taken off guard by Milo’s outburst.
“This is all your fault,” Milo howled at Briggs. “I hate you!”
Briggs held up his hands. “Calm down and take a deep breath.”
“I wish you were dead!” Milo heaved out, his face contorted with such contempt that it wrenched Zoe’s gut. She was starting to not even recognize her own son.
“Milo, calm down,” Briggs ordered.
At that, Milo ran back into the house and slammed the door.
Tears burned Zoe’s eyes. Maybe Carl was right. Maybe she was selfish. She’d come back home because she needed a fresh start. She’d run straight back into Briggs’ arms. And yes, to her everlasting shame, a part of her had loved Briggs, even when she was married to Carl. Emotion rose in her throat as her voice quivered. “This is all my fault.”
17
Briggs couldn’t believe his ears. “This isn’t your fault.”
Zoe’s head swung back and forth. “Maybe Carl was right. Maybe I am being selfish.”
Heat was blow-torching through Briggs’ body. He should’ve clocked Carl when he had the chance. It was sickening to see how manipulative Zoe’s ex was. Even being around him for those few short minutes, Briggs could tell that the rat would stoop to any length in order to maintain control over Zoe and the kids. The scary part was how quickly Zoe was falling for his ploy. It was like Carl knew exactly which of her buttons to push.
Thunder boomed again. “Let’s go in the house.”
Zoe looked up at him. The anguish in her eyes tore at him. “Maybe it’s best if you don’t come in.”
He flinched like he’d been punched. “What?” His heart began to pound. “I need to be here for you.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “I just think that right now, it’s not the best thing.” Her voice trailed off.
Alarm trickled through him. “Surely, you don’t believe all that drivel Carl said. He’s trying to control you, Zoe.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “Part of what he said was true.”
“Which part?”
She shook her head and looked away.
Briggs touched her arm. “Which part?” he pressed.
She swallowed. “It doesn’t matter.” She offered him an apologetic smile. “I just need time to sort things out. I have to do what’s best for my kids.”
A cold fear seized him. “You’re not actually thinking of moving back to Park City?” He could tell from her expression that she was. He grunted softly. “Zoe, Milo will come around. He’s a kid who’s being controlled by his dad. Anyone can see that.”
“Milo is hurting right now. He’s my primary responsibility.” Her dark eyes were filled with a deep pain as they met his. “I’m sorry,” she said as she turned and fled into the house.
For a few seconds, Briggs felt a curious numbness, then the pain took hold—a deep gut-wrenching pain that nearly drove him to his knees. He couldn’t lose Zoe again, just when he’d gotten her back. How could she not see that she was being manipulated?
Fury clouded his vision as he stomped down the steps and to his truck. Admittedly, it had given him a ping of satisfaction to know that Zoe had pined for him as he had her—more proof of the fact that they were meant to be together. Couldn’t Zoe see that? How could she even contemplate throwing away their one chance to be together? Briggs understood that Zoe had a responsibility to her children. Heck, he respected that. There was plenty of room in Zoe’s life for him and her kids. It didn’t have to be one or the other.
Briggs had just gotten home when his phone rang. His heart nearly stopped beating. It was Zoe. He slid his finger over the screen and put it to his ear. “Hello?” he asked cautiously. His heart lurched when he heard Zoe’s strangled sob. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Milo.” Her voice broke. “I went into his bedroom to check on him, but he was gone. I went to the stables. He took Blue.”
Briggs looked out at the sheets of pouring rain. Even though it was not quite seven yet, it was black outside. It was utter foolishness to take a horse out in this. Then again, eleven-year-old boys weren’t known for being rational. Briggs thought of the bluff on the west end of the ranch. There were areas that had thirty to fifty-foot drops. If Milo were to get over in that area … His stomach twisted as he reeled his mind back from the dark thoughts. It was a large ranch. Milo could be anywhere. If anything happened to Milo, Zoe would never get over it.
“I don’t know what to do.” Zoe’s breath was coming out in hard gulps.
“I’ll go and look for him.”
“I—I called Daddy and Mama. They should be here any minute. I’m goi
ng with you.”
His eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not in this storm.” There was a tornado watch in effect until midnight, and from the looks of the trees turning cartwheels outside, they were in the thick of it.
“I’m going!” she barked.
He let out a heavy breath, knowing there was no sense in wasting precious time arguing about it. “Okay. Just be sure and dress warm,” he said before she ended the call.
Briggs offered a quick prayer, asking for inspiration to know where to look for Milo. There were a thousand acres to cover in treacherous conditions.
No sooner had Briggs pulled up in front of the ranch house, when Zoe rushed out the door with Knox on her heels. Zoe’s eyes were red-rimmed, her cheeks streaked with tears.
“It’s probably better for y’all to take the four-wheelers rather than horses,” Knox said as Briggs hurried up the front steps.
“Good idea.”
Knox rubbed a hand over his forehead. “This is my fault. I should’ve never gotten Milo that durn horse.”
“No, it’s not your fault,” Zoe countered. “It’s my fault.” She bit her lip, tears spilling over her cheeks.
“It’s neither of your fault,” Briggs shot back. “Carl’s the one responsible for this.” Fresh anger burned like a wildfire through Briggs’ veins. He really detested that guy.
Knox’s eyes flashed with anger. “I won’t argue with you there.” His expression was grave as he looked at Briggs and Zoe. “Y’all please be careful. Call me as soon as you find him.”
“We will if we have service,” Zoe answered.
“Bring our boy home,” Knox said with a quiver in his voice.
Briggs nodded. “Yes, sir.” He looked at Zoe. “Let’s take my truck to the barn where the four-wheelers are parked.”
“I’ll be praying for you,” Knox said.
“Thank you.” Briggs took an assessment of Zoe. Her expression was pinched, and she looked like she might fall apart any minute. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
She squared her chin. “Absolutely.”
Knox caught Briggs’ eye as if trying to convey how concerned he was, not only for Milo but also for Zoe. Briggs gave him an imperceptible nod, hoping it would convey that he would do everything in his power to bring both Zoe and Milo home safely.
“Let’s go,” Briggs said. They dashed off the porch and to the truck. Once inside, they sped to the barn where the four-wheelers were kept. Zoe sat rigidly, with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, not saying a word.
Normally, Briggs would have suggested that they share a four-wheeler, but he thought it would be better to have two vehicles in case one of them needed to give Milo a ride back. Briggs’ stomach was balled into a tight fist. He kept repeating the same prayer over and over in his mind. Please, help us find Milo.
By the time the two of them got inside the barn to get the four-wheelers they were already drenched. It was just as well because they were headed right back out into the torrential downpour.
Rain was pelting the roof so hard that it sounded like endless nails were falling out of a bucket. “Where do you think we should look first?” Briggs had an idea but wanted to get her thoughts. It hurt to see the pain and worry carved over Zoe’s beautiful face.
“We should go toward the bluff.”
A dark fear slithered up Brigg, tying a knot around his lungs. His lips formed grim lines. “That was my thought too,” he said as they started up the engines and put on their helmets. A second later, they sped out into the darkness.
By unspoken agreement, Briggs took the front with Zoe following close behind. It was hard to see more than a foot in front of them with the rain pelting them like endless bullets. The cold seeped into Briggs’ body making his muscles stiff. He had to remain alert. Every few minutes, they would slow down and yell for Milo. The only response was the roar of the rain and the wind whistling through the nearby trees. They’d tried to stay along the edges of the pastures to make the trek easier, but now that they were nearing the bluff area, they would be forced to go into the woods.
Zoe pulled up beside him. “Are you okay going into the woods with the four-wheelers?” Briggs asked her.
“Yep,” she said tersely.
Briggs had always admired Zoe’s tenacity and courage. It was certainly manifest now. “We’ll have to take it slow so that we don’t run into any trees.”
“I’m good,” she shot back. Even in the near darkness, he could tell that her expression was stoic, determined.
It was then that Briggs heard something. He cocked his ear. “You hear that?”
“What?”
“A horse.”
“Milo!” Zoe yelled. “Are you there?”
Briggs began calling too. “Milo!”
The sound grew louder. A second later, Blue bolted out of the woods.
Briggs’ heart sank. The horse was alone.
Blue bolted past them across the field. Briggs figured the horse was heading back to his stable.
The anguish on Zoe’s face cut Briggs to the quick.
“It’s good that we saw Blue,” he reassured her. “That means that Milo is close by.”
Zoe nodded.
“Let’s go into the woods, and we’ll keep calling for him.” As he navigated the four-wheeler through the trees, Briggs did a mental calculation. The bluff was about two football field lengths away from their present location. A tight fear knotted Briggs’ shoulders. Had Milo fallen over the cliff? Please, God, help Milo be safe. Please!
Zoe yelled for Milo. Her voice was shrill, panicked. Briggs also began calling. Under the thick cover of the trees, the sound of the rain was muffled. That was a good thing. Hopefully, Milo would be able to hear them calling. The tricky part was that the cliff area stretched a large distance. Was Milo even in the vicinity or had Blue gotten spooked and started wandering aimlessly?
They scoured the surrounding area when Briggs had a feeling they should turn around and go the other direction. The feeling intensified to the point where he slowed the four-wheeler to a stop and turned around to face Zoe.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I think we need to go the other way.”
“I thought the plan was to go to the end of the bluff and then turn around and go the other direction.”
“Yes, that was the plan, but I can’t shake the feeling that we need to turn around now and go the other way.”
“But we’re almost to the end of this section now. What if Milo’s at the edge? If we don’t cover all the ground, we could miss him.”
Everything Zoe said made logical sense, but Briggs couldn’t deny his impressions. “Z, I can’t explain it, but my gut tells me we need to turn around now.” What he didn’t add was that he kept getting the express feeling that Milo’s time was running out.
She studied him intently. “Are you sure?”
Her eyes said everything her voice didn’t. Her son’s life was on the line. It was critical that they get this right. “I’m sure,” he heard himself say, praying that he was right.
“Okay,” she finally said.
They turned around and went the other direction, calling as they went. The farther they went, the more Briggs started to question his judgment. He kept praying in his mind, hoping for a miracle. They were nearing the end of the cliff area when they heard a weak voice.
“Milo!” Zoe screamed.
“Help!” he cried.
“We’re coming!” They turned off their engines, hopped off the vehicles, and ran in the direction of the voice as they shined their flashlights into the wet darkness.
They got to the edge of the cliff. “Milo!” they called simultaneously. The force of the wind pushed against them, the rain going sideways.
“Help me!” Milo screeched.
His heart in his throat, Briggs walked as close to the edge of the cliff as he dared and shined the flashlight down the side. Zoe gasped at the same time Briggs spotted Milo. He was about
six feet down, on what appeared to be a narrow shelf or ledge.
A strangled sob wrenched Zoe’s throat. “Oh, no,” she cried, looking at Briggs in sheer panic. Fighting down his own fear, Briggs put a hand on Zoe’s arm. “Calm down. You don’t want to startle him. He doesn’t need to make any sudden movements.”
She nodded numbly.
“Hey, bud,” Briggs called down in a conversational tone. “Stay where you are. Your mom and I are gonna get you to safety.” Adrenaline surged through Briggs, drilling in the knowledge that he had to get this right. One mistake and … He pulled his thoughts back from the black abyss. The key was to take it one small step at a time.
“I’m scared,” Milo squeaked.
“I know you are, but you’re gonna be okay,” Briggs assured him.
Brigg handed his flashlight to Zoe. “Shine the light so that we can see, but don’t shine it into Milo’s eyes. You could scare him.” He didn’t want to add that it could cause Milo to fall. Briggs got down on his stomach and peered down. Milo was sitting in a fetal position, his back pressed tightly against the face of the cliff. “I’m going to need you to stand up and reach for my hand. I’ll pull you to safety.”
“I can’t,” Milo stammered as he began weeping.
“Milo, you can do this,” Briggs urged.
“Honey, stand up and take Briggs’ hand,” Zoe encouraged, her voice laced with panic.
“I—I’m scared, Mom,” Milo said in between ragged gasps.
Briggs looked at Zoe. “Let me talk to him,” he said quietly, knowing that Zoe meant well, but hearing her voice was only making Milo more hysterical.
She nodded.
“Milo, do you remember what I told you about Blue? What to do when you get scared?”
“Y—yes.”
“I need you to do it now. Close your eyes. Take in a deep breath through your nose and hold it for five counts. Then exhale through your mouth. Come on, you can do it.” Briggs held his breath, waiting.
Finally, Milo did as instructed.
“Good boy. Do it again.”
Milo’s shoulders moved up and down with this breathing. Briggs could tell that he was starting to calm down. “Okay, I need you to keep your back against the cliff and stand up slowly. Keep your eyes closed,” he ordered.
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