Page 117 of The Girl in the River

“We’re safe now,” Mia said softly. “Mark… I’m so sorry…” She tried to swallow back her tears but they spilled down her cheeks like rainwater.

He lifted his hand and motioned for her to come closer. Pixie took it as a sign and ran to him. Mia couldn’t contain a cry as her daughter threw up her arms to Mark. He patted the bed, helping her climb up then she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him.

“Hey, sweetie, I’m so glad you’re here,” Mark murmured.

Pixie planted a big sloppy kiss on his cheek. “That other man was a meanie.”

“He sure was.” Mark stroked her hair gently. “I’m sorry he scared you, sweetheart.”

“He scared Mommy, too,” Pixie said, her lower lip trembling.

Mia’s heart stuttered and she stepped up beside the bed and gave Mark an imploring look. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I… should have told you everything.”

“Why didn’t you trust me?” he asked, his voice thick with hurt.

“It wasn’t that,” she said in a pained whisper. “But he was so dangerous, so abusive, and I was afraid for me and Pixie.” She twisted her hands together to keep from reaching for him. She wanted to touch him so badly it took every ounce of her restraint not to throw herself at him and beg for forgiveness.

She licked her dry lips. “I knew what he’d do if he found out about you, and I wanted to protect you.” Her voice broke. “And look what he did. He tried to kill you.”

Mark closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling and exhaling, then he opened them with a sigh. “I understand now, Mia. I’m just sorry for what he put you through.”

“Oh, Mark…”

“Come here, you.” He extended his hand in offering. “I love you, Mia. I always have. Always will.” His eyes glittered with emotions. “I… still want you. That is, if you’ll have me.”

Mia gulped in surprise then clasped his hand and kissed his palm tenderly. “I love you, too. And of course, I’ll still have you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Pixie placed her hand on Mark’s cheek and turned his face toward her. “Does this mean you’ll still be my daddy?”

“Yes, Pix, oh, yes. We’re all going to be a family.” Mark hugged her tight, then pulled Mia to him and kissed her.

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN

RED RIVER ROCK

On the drive back from Norcross, Derrick tried Ellie’s phone a half-dozen times but she didn’t answer. He called her boss, then Sheriff Waters but no one had heard from her.

“All I know is that she found Mia Norman and Pixie being held hostage on the Moons’ riverboat,” Sheriff Waters said. “They’re at the hospital now and are safe. I spoke to Mia and she said Kevin and his father were arguing and Kevin shot his father. Ellie and Kevin fought and he was shot and killed.”

“You said Kevin was dead. What about the father?”

“In stable condition at Bluff County Hospital and being guarded.”

Then where the hell was Ellie? “Have you spoken with the sheriff in Red River Rock?”

“No,” Waters said. “I called his office and left a message.”

Derrick had a bad feeling in his gut. “I’m going straight to Kincaid’s office,” he said. “If he’s in bed with the Moons, Ellie may be in danger.”

“Copy that. Call me if you need back-up.”

Derrick hadn’t liked Waters from the get-go. But he’d suck it up and use him if it meant protecting Ellie.

“I took statements from Mia and Ellie filed one for Mark,” Waters continued.

“Send those to me,” Derrick said, following a hunch. Bryce agreed and Derrick hung up, then called Ranger McClain. “Have you heard from Ellie?”

“No, not in a while. Is something wrong?”

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