Page 37 of The Texas Cowboy's Rescue

“Deke.”

The name hung frozen in the air.

Kenzie whirled around to face Sammi Jo. “They’re letting him go? And how did he know about Brooke?”

“No one knows what he is doing. He didn’t get permission. They told him to stand down earlier. But he’s not listening. And he didn’t know about Brooke until he ran into Jaxson and asked about you and if Brooke was home safe, and Jaxson told him. He didn’t hesitate. I heard what he was up to and bummed a ride with him. He and Ranger are on their way to find her. No one was going to keep him away. And if anyone can get it done, it’ll be him.”

Kenzie didn’t know how to feel about it, except that someone was doing something. Deke, of all people. Why would he risk his life for them? Nothing made any sense in the world at that moment.

“Let’s go into the mess tent and find some coffee,” Laurel said. “You need something to eat, Kenzie. You haven’t had anything today.”

“I can’t eat. Coffee is okay, but no food.”

Laurel and Sammi Jo exchanged looks with each other, but they didn’t push it. There were a few firefighters in the tent... but most were trying to reset their gear and wait for the green light to replace those on the lines and make inroads deeper into the canyon.

“We’ll go through the line and get some things... just in case you feel able later to eat something. Sit here and relax as best as you can. They know to bring word to you here.”

Kenzie sat huddled in her chair. Her arms were wrapped around herself. She couldn’t think about anything but her baby. It was getting dark. She had said so many prayers. And she had begged and bargained.

“The pain is horrible. But if anyone can bring her home to you, it’ll be Deacon.” The words were spoken softly and with such conviction, she thought she might have imagined them. But then she saw the slight figure of an older woman, her gray hair pulled back in a smooth bun at the nape of her neck. Her eyes were a soft-brown and full of compassion.

“I’m sorry,” Kenzie said. “Have we met?”

“No, but I feel like I know you and little Brooke. Deacon has spoken of you both quite often in recent weeks.”

“Do you work with Deke... Deacon?” she corrected. She was mystified.

“In a way, I suppose we really work for each other.” The woman sat down on the bench next to her. “My arthritis is not liking me very much right now. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Please sit. Are you a volunteer here?”

“I heard that Deacon was headed up here, and I felt I needed to come and at least lend moral support.”

“Have you known him for a long time?”

“Let’s see, it will be about twelve... no fourteen years, I think.”

Kenzie fell silent. It hurt. It hurt to think about Brooke, and it hurt to think that Deacon was the one who was risking so much to go where no one else could or would.

“People know I speak my mind. Old ladies can do that. I’ve hoped for a long time that you would come along. And yet, I was also a bit afraid.”

“I’m sorry... you’ve lost me here. My brain isn’t quite fast enough for riddles right now.”

“Deacon deserves the best. He was hurt terribly in his life... by his mother, his father, and then a woman who tore his heart up right before they were to be wed. At least, it was before and not after the vows. I was afraid he would close himself off. But then one day, he mentioned your name. And he talked about you and about Brooke, and I watched his trust grow again, day by day. And he smiled more, and then he told me not long ago that he had to experience such a heartbreak in order to know the real worth of love and being able to open himself up to someone again. And you gave him that. I wanted to thank you and to be here to make sure he comes back safe and sound and with your little one. If any man can do it, he will... no matter what he must do. Failure is not in his vocabulary. But I think you know that.”

“I’m sorry... but your name...”

“Emily Gray. My husband was Deacon’s mentor and business partner before he had to retire due to his health. We never had our own children, but Deacon has been more of a son to us than anything. And I’ve come to lean on him a bit more since I was widowed. I think we’ve helped each other. And I am so glad he found the way to open his heart to life and love, and I am grateful to you. I only hope you haven’t turned your heart totally away from him. He mentioned things weren’t right between you just a day ago. All I can say is my advice to him from being a woman in love with my husband for over fifty years—you either fight for each other or you run away and leave it. I think you’re both fighters. At least, I pray that you both have time to realize that after this evening.”

Emily.This woman was the Emily? And Kenzie experienced even more shock. What had she done? She had been cruel... and cold to Deke. And yet, despite it all, Deke was putting himself on the line for her little girl. He did not have to go. He could have sent someone else. He could be waiting for a safe green light. But no... he was the one willing to do anything to bring Brooke home to her... to them all. How could she make it right? Would the night ever end?

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to send a text to tell Morgan that I arrived safely and we are waiting for word.”

“Morgan? And she would be?”

“She’s been both my husband’s assistant while he was alive and continued for Deke. She is holding the fort down and waiting for my report.”

Emily and Morgan.The mystery was solved. Yet, she had jumped to all the wrong conclusions because she was afraid. Afraid that it was all happening again, just like her ex had done. So, she took the coward’s way out and ran. Ran away from Deke without trusting. How could she tell him what a fool she had been? What if she never got that chance? And her heart broke into even tinier pieces.

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