his own life.
Mallory sat down beside him. “I know you did, Dad. None of this is your fault.”
“Damn. What kind of world is it when you aren’t even safe on your own land? They stole my grandson.”
Mallory remained silent and let her father vent. This was a second time Buck Kendrick hadn’t been able to protect his family from the cruelty of the world.
He finally looked at her. “Have you told Landon about Ryan?”
Although they’d never openly talked about it, her father knew about Ryan and she’d wondered when this day would come. She shook her head. “No. But he’ll know soon enough.”
Buck nodded in agreement. “Whether he figures it out himself or not, it’s time he knows the truth. And Ryan, too.”
Nearly three hours later, the search team finally lucked out.
A local rancher gave them the information they’d been hoping for. Two men and a boy on horseback rode along the back of his property, heading toward the foothills. The rancher also told them about a line shack at the base.
“If the rancher hadn’t spotted them,” Jesse began, “the shack could have made a perfect hideout.”
Chase nodded. “And there’s some supplies there. Even if they just stop for some food, we’ve gained some time.”
“They still have about an hour on us.”
Chase discussed the situation with the other men. They decided to keep the dogs at the ranch house. And Chase and Jesse would ride up alone, hoping to catch the escapees off-guard. After the rancher gave them directions for a back route to the cabin, Chase and Jesse headed through the rough terrain of the mountain range, using the thick trees for natural cover. The jeep, with backup men, waited about a mile way. Chase hoped the surprise element worked. They didn’t need to put Ryan in any more danger. If they weren’t careful, this operation could go bad real fast.
At a group of rocks behind the rough-hewn cabin, they climbed off their horses and tied them to a tree. Silently, they made their way toward the back of the structure, happy there weren’t any windows. Once flattened against the structure, Chase crept along one side as Jesse moved along the other side toward the open front door. He listened to the voices inside.
“We can’t stay the night,” one of the escapees said. “We can’t even stay another hour. I tell you they’re on our trail.”
“The kid’s asleep in the saddle,” the other man said. “And I’m tired of carrying him. Besides, the horses aren’t going to last much longer.”
“Then we’ll take fresh ones from that rancher. There were several out in the pasture.”
Suddenly one of the men came outside, wearing jeans that were too short, and an open shirt revealing a once-white T-shirt. Charlie Jacobs. As far as Chase could see he didn’t have a weapon on him.
“I’m going to get us some fresh mounts,” he called over his shoulder as he jumped down the step and walked to his horse.
Chase made his way to the back of the cabin as did Jesse. He motioned for Jesse to go after the man.
The ranger nodded, then hurried off toward his horse.
Chase went back to the side of the shack. He couldn’t see inside to tell where the boy was. And he didn’t want to take a chance on rushing in if one of the escapees had a gun pointed at the kid. He had to wait him out.
Ten minutes later, he got a text message from Jesse. Got him.
Chase knew Jesse would return as backup. Should he wait? Suddenly there was more commotion inside and the prisoner came to the door. “Stay where you are, niño, I need to pee, but I’ll be close by.”
Chase’s heart rate accelerated as the man he recognized in the picture stepped off the stoop and started for the outhouse. He wouldn’t get a better chance than this.
Chase took off running and tackled the guy to the ground with a thud. He knocked the air from his lungs, but the man was still able to put up a fight. Finally Chase landed a punch that connected with the man’s jaw and threw him to the ground again. Enough time for Chase to pull his gun and aim it at the suspect.
“Go ahead. Give me a reason to shoot you…dead.”
In answer Reyes cursed in Spanish, and raised his hands over his head. Chase instructed him to get into position, then he pulled his handcuffs off his belt and put them on him.
About that time, Jesse showed up. He grinned. “Sweet mercy. This is turning out to be a good day. Really good day.”
Chase wasn’t sure about anything until he saw the boy and knew he was safe. Once Jesse took charge of the prisoner, Chase holstered his gun and took off toward the shack. At the doorway he stopped, not wanting to frighten the boy.
“Ryan,” he called out. “Ryan, it’s okay. I’m a Texas Ranger.”
He looked inside to find a small figure huddled in the corner of the bunk. His eyes were big and red from crying. Chase blinked in the dim light and studied the boy’s dirty face, but he recognized him from the picture.
“Are you gonna take me home to my mom?”
Chase allowed himself to smile. “Yes, I am. She said to tell you that your grandpa is okay.”
Ryan’s eyes brightened. “Grandpa tried to fight them. I’m glad he’s okay.”
The kid had dark eyes and curly brown hair. His face was long and there was a small cleft in his chin. His features were so unlike Mallory’s, but he looked familiar.
“Are you really a Texas Ranger?” Ryan said, interrupting his thoughts.
Chase nodded as he pointed to the silver badge on his camouflage shirt. “Yes, I am. We’ve been tracking you for miles. Boy, is your mom going to be happy to see you.”
With a smile the boy climbed off the bed and came to Chase. “I bet she cried ’cause I got kidnapped.”
Chase knelt down in front of the boy. “She’s been pretty brave, too. You’re very important to her and your grandpa.”
Chase felt something tighten in his chest. What if they hadn’t got here in time?
“Did they hurt you?” Chase asked.
Ryan shook his head. “Not much. They pulled me around some. But I didn’t cry,” he said as he pulled up his shirt to show off some bruises and red welts along the thin torso.
Chase examined him and was drawn to a strawberry-colored birthmark on his small chest. It was very similar to the one Chase had on his lower back. The same type that his Uncle Wade had on his shoulder.
Chase stood, but his gaze remained on the boy. His lungs didn’t seem to work as he noticed so much more about the child. The similar chin with a small indentation. His dark eyes…
He shook his head. He couldn’t think that Mallory would do this to
