Page 42 of Operation: Return

“He wants you to know he’s sorry,” Scarlet said. “He never planned for this to happen. He thought the only one he was risking was himself. That’s why he tried to run into the store alone. He didn’t even want to put you in danger.”

He knew most of what she said was her own feeling, not Trace’s actual signing. “Don’t worry about us. This is our job.”

Trace slumped in the back seat and Scarlet continued, “Cole, he’s used to doing everything he can to survive. I don’t think anyone can imagine what he’s been through.”

“That may be, but we aren’t doing this to make him continue to live the life he’s always had. The point of Wayside is to show him that hope exists.” Cole swallowed hard. Hope was pretty tough to show when they had to lock everyone on the ranch and watch their every move. It had to remind them of their past.

Viceroy was ruining everything they were trying to do. All the good things they’d accomplished would be destroyed if they didn’t try to stop him.

Dominic spoke up. “I think the reason for my team to come was to figure out who is behind all of this and put a stop to them. You may never return to what other people consider a normal life, but you should have the choice.”

Cole pulled into the parking spot they’d left only an hour before and noticed immediately that the place looked deserted.

“Where is everyone?” Scarlet asked.

“Looking for Pete.” His gut wanted to saymy son, but without knowing for sure, he couldn’t claim that.

“I’ll take Trace and Scarlet inside. You should go look for Erica.” Dominic got out of the car and waited for the two in the back seat.

He followed them to the ranch house to check Teddy’s office first. Erica had said they were going to look for Pete first. Since he couldn’t see anyone around, he assumed they’d given up the search close to the buildings and moved further out.

Inside, Teddy’s office door stood open and Cole headed for it, leaving Dominic and the others to go talk to Edwyn about what had happened. He pushed the door slightly and caught sight of Erica sitting at the desk.

The moment she laid eyes on him, she jumped to her feet and ran at him. He caught her and held her as her body trembled. He ran his fingers through her hair and cradled her head to his chest.

“We’ll find him.”

She slowly nodded her head. “I know you’ll try. I know. But the more time passes the more I worry we’ll never find him. What if I never see him again?”

He couldn’t think that way, wouldn’t even allow the thought. He stepped back and cradled her face between his hands, brushing her tears away with his thumbs. He wished he’d been there to do that as she’d cried over the loss of his parents. She’d been close to them. This one strong woman had literally lost everything—including him. She couldn’t lose her son, too.

He pressed his forehead to hers and wanted to do whatever he could for Erica, the only woman he’d ever loved. Since she still hadn’t said anything and Pete had gone missing, he was more sure than ever that Pete was not—no matter how much Pete might look like him. He would act the same as if Pete were his. He would fight just as hard. Because he would fight for Erica and Pete was part of Erica.

“The kidnappers have made no contact yet, but we expect them to. Just like they did with Gabby,” Teddy said from across the room.

Cole nodded and pulled Erica back into a hug. “They’ll contact us. Probably for a trade like before. They want Scarlet. We learned that when they tried to kidnap her in town. We are going to have to make a plan.”

Brendon rolled into the room. “Did I hear you say they’re after Scarlet, not Trace?”

Cole led Erica to the sofa and helped her settle in next to him. He liked having her at his side, if only it were under different circumstances.

“Yes, that’s right. They could’ve tried to take him, but they only aimed a gun at him. They even allowed Trace to pummel one of them. I think they followed Trace to get to Scarlet.”

Brendon said, “I’ve tried to work with Trace during our two sessions since he came but he hasn’t said anything. I’ve had no communication with him so far but I’m sure there will be some trauma after this.”

Cole’s thoughts went into overdrive and a list of what needed to happen formed in his head. “Right now, he probably just needs me. He beat up one of the attackers. I don’t think the other guy even got in a punch. I should still look him over. I just wanted to make sure Erica was alright first.”

“I know you were a medic, but Victoria is looking him over right now. She told me as I left to come here that it didn’t look like he had anything wrong that ice wouldn’t cure.”

Cole nodded, still feeling torn between Erica where his heart was and his duty to his job.

The sound of sirens in the distance silenced everyone. Erica gripped his hand. “I should go out there and meet them. Come with me?”

He nodded and held her hand as they went outside. Two cars pulled to a stop in the front and a familiar face appeared from cruiser number one. Deputy Blake strode toward them. He’d helped when Gabby was kidnapped and Junior had liked the man. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as Cole feared.

“Afternoon. Erica Jameson?” He glanced at her.

Erica nodded. “That’s me, yes.”

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