Page 58 of Shades of Mercy
She’d been right when she said they’d been skirting around the perimeter of their attraction for years, toying with flirtation.
Yet, they’d never gotten further than a night together.
She idealized Jag, though. She saw him as the man she wanted to see. He had flaws—big flaws. Hell, he’d just had a nightmare last night that brought him awake, panting and sweating profusely. That would scare a woman.
Would it scare Mercy? She said it didn’t.
She’d nearly been shot and she seemed like she’d brushed it off.
She deserved someone without all the added baggage.
Then again, in his defense, he was healing.
Looking down at the boy, Jag realized rescuing people was in his blood. Doing something good for someone did his heart and mind a helluva lot of good.
But could he be what Mercy needed?
The rain picked up and Jag used his body to protect Jacob, who slept soundly.
They finally reached the trailhead, and Jag could breathe with ease again.
“Good job out there today, Jag,” Sheriff Monarch said as she took the sleeping child from him so he could dismount.
“He’s okay. Dehydrated and exhausted, but things could have been far worse.” Jag looked at the small group of people standing up ahead. He didn’t see the parents among them.
“I bet I know what you’re wondering. I ran the plates on the parents’ car, and it turns out they belonged to a man named Jonah Jetson, sixty years old. I was able to pull Abby aside and ask for her cooperation. She told me everything, and it’s a doozy. I’ll tell you the details later, but to lay your fears to rest, the kid and his mom have been held with this guy, whose real name is Joseph Dussman, for two weeks. From Mom’s story, the kid got mad and bit Joseph, who became irate. In his anger, he told Abby that he was taking the kid and leaving him on the mountain. Long story short, Abby was smart and somehow managed to relay to the neighbors at the campsite that Jacob was missing.”
“Is Mom being charged with anything?” Jag asked.
“Not at this point. Her story seems to check out because I spoke to the neighbor at the campground. So, I’ll question her more, and Jacob too, but right now I think Mom and son deserve to be reunited.”
“Amazing job,” Crow said as he and Bear made their way to Jag.
“That’s one mean-ass mountain,” Jag said, removing his gloves and putting them into his pack.
The dark clouds gave way to brighter skies as the three rode back to Storm Pass.
Jag was full of…what?
On missions, he was always overcome with a sense of pride. He and his team did the dirty work while others received the credit, but he never minded. Going in and taking down the worst of the worst enemy meant something to him. It gave him purpose, even if he didn’t get the recognition.
But there was something different in what he’d just done.
He’d saved a kid.
What could be better, or prouder than that?
He was so emotionally charged that when he arrived at the farmhouse, he went straight to the kitchen to search for Mercy, but she was nowhere to be found.
He strolled into the laundry room where Jess was filling the washer. When she saw him standing on the threshold, she nearly jumped out of her shoes. “For heaven’s sake, Jag. You’re not supposed to ever walk up on an old lady without announcing yourself.”
“Sorry. I’m looking for Mercy. Have you seen her?”
“I’m not the cook’s keeper,” Jess mumbled.
“Of course you’re not.” He plastered a smile on his face, remembering he’d get information quicker with honey than lemons. “But you’re observant. You see everything.”
This seemed to appease her, which didn't happen often. “The supply list is gone, so I'm assuming she finally went into town. I’ve been needing some things for a few days.”
