Page 74 of Megan's Mate
“Well, let’s get your things and go back and face the music.”
Kevin picked up his knapsack and put his hand trustingly in Nathaniel’s. “Does it hurt?” he asked, studying Nathaniel’s face.
“You bet.”
“Later, can I see all your bruises?”
“Sure. I’ve got some beauts.”
Nathaniel felt every one of them as they climbed back up to the cliff path and started down the rocky slope toward home. It was worth it, worth every jar and wince, to see the look on Megan’s face.
“Kevin!” She flew across the lawn, hair blowing, cheeks tracked with tears.
“Go on,” Nathaniel murmured to the boy. “She’ll want to hug you first.”
With a nod, Kevin dropped his knapsack and raced into his mother’s arms.
“Oh, Kevin...” She couldn’t hold him tight enough, even kneeling on the grass, pressing him close, rocking and weeping in terrible relief.
“Where’d you find him?” Trent asked Nathaniel quietly.
“Up on the cliffs, holed up in a crevice in the rocks.”
“Good God.” C.C. shuddered. “Did he spend the night up there?”
“Looked that way. I had this feeling, I can’t explain it. And there he was.”
“A feeling?” Trent exchanged a look with his wife. “Remind me to tell you sometime how I found Fred when he was a puppy.”
Max gave Nathaniel a pat on the back. “I’ll go call the police, let them know we’ve found him.”
“He’ll be hungry.” Coco swallowed fresh tears and burrowed closer to Dutch. “We’ll go fix him something to eat.”
“You bring ’em in when she’s finished slobbering over him—” Dutch camouflaged the break in his voice with a cough. “Women. Always making a fuss.”
“Come on, let’s go in.” Suzanna tugged on Alex and Jenny’s hands.
“But I want to ask if he saw the ghosts,” Alex complained.
“Later.” Holt solved the problem by hoisting Alex onto his shoulders.
With a shuddering sigh, Megan drew back, ran her hands over Kevin’s face. “You’re all right? You’re not hurt?”
“Nuh-uh.” It embarrassed him that he’d cried in front of his brother and sister. After all, he was nearly nine. “I’m okay.”
“Don’t youeverdo that again.” The swift change from weeping mother to fierce parent had Nathaniel’s brows rising. “You had us all worried sick, young man. We’ve been looking for you for hours, even Aunt Colleen. We’ve called the police.”
“I’m sorry.” But the thrill of knowing the police had been alerted overpowered the guilt.
“Sorry isn’t enough, Kevin Michael O’Riley.”
Kevin’s gaze hit the ground. It was big-time trouble when she used all his names. “I won’t ever do it again. I promise.”
“You had no business doing it this time. I’m supposed to be able to trust you, and now— Oh.” On another hitching sob, she pressed his head to her breast. “I was so scared, baby. I love you so much. Where were you going?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Grandma’s.”
“Grandma’s.” She sat back on her heels and sighed. “Don’t you like it here?”
