Page 43 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Forty-five minutes later, he had the tires off the vehicles and in the back of his mom’s SUV. The closest place to get the tires in one day was Abilene, so that’s where he and Taylor headed.

On the way, she clutched his hand, her face pale with dark circles under her eyes. “Let’s stop for something to eat,” he said, worried about her fragile condition.

She shook her head. “I can’t eat. My stomach is a mess. Maybe later?”

He held her gaze for a moment, wondering if he should push it, and then nodded. “OK, but you’ve definitely got to eat something soon. You have to keep your strength up for JJ, right?”

She nodded. “I know. I promise I will.”

It took them two hours to get all the tires in the back of the SUV changed. While that was happening, they got new pay-as-you-go phones as a temporary fix.

When they pulled up in front of the house again, it was after twelve. He said, “Let’s get a bite to eat and then head on down to the sheriff’s office.”

“OK,” she said quietly as she got out of the SUV.

They ate sandwiches that Shannon made them for lunch—or, rather, he ate a sandwich, and Taylor nibbled on hers. He urged her to eat more, but she just grimaced and shook her head. His heart fell, but he only said, “Why don’t you rest for a few minutes while I put the tires on my truck?”

She nodded and pushed her plate away.

He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her tight. To tell her that everything would be all right, that he’d get JJ back safe and sound. But he didn’t, because he couldn’t promise that. He was only a man, not God, and he couldn’t see the future, didn’t know the outcome to this terrible situation.

Then he changed his mind and reached her before she made it to her bedroom. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. She held him tight, pressing her face into his chest. He whispered, “We’re in this together, honey; you’re not alone. I’ll get JJ back, no matter what it takes. I promise.”

She nodded and said quietly, “I know you will. I don’t doubt it for a minute.”

He held her for several long moments before he let her go. “Rest now, sweetheart. We have our work cut out for us.”

***

Colt bade goodnightto Shannon and Taylor shortly after eleven that evening. Taylor, emotionally fragile as an eggshell, didn’t meet his gaze, as, lips trembling, she walked toward her bedroom. Every muscle in his body screamed to follow her and take her into his arms, to offer her the only comfort he could—that of his strong body.

But he worried that she couldn’t deal with one more emotional decision. She seemed to have withdrawn into herself, and he had to respect that. So he went to his room alone, too anxious for sleep to find him.

Shannon turned out the lights in the house and retired to her room, wishing him a quiet “Good night” on the way.

Colt listened to the silent house, his nerves on edge, his mind racing, thoughts of little JJ flashing through his brain. He prayed for him—for his swift, safe return to his momma. Then he prayed for Taylor, that she might have courage and peace of mind, that she would find a way to eat and to drink so that she could continue breastfeeding her baby when he brought him back to her.

What is that? Oh God. She’s crying.He couldn’t stand it—he couldn’t leave her all alone. He rose from his bed and went silently through the living room and down the hallway to her bedroom. Her door was ajar, and he slipped through it, shutting it behind him.

He approached her and said quietly, “Taylor, honey? I’m here.” He sat on the edge of the bed, and she turned toward him and raised her arms. He bent down and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay, honey. It’s okay, I’m here now.” She cried harder, and he heard her say, “My baby, my poor, poor baby.”

“We’ll get him back. I don’t know how, but we will.”

Her crying slowed, and she said, “Will you stay with me tonight? I don’t want to be alone. Please don’t leave me alone.”

He slid into bed beside her and cuddled her to his chest. As he stroked her long hair with gentle fingers, he whispered, “I’m here, honey, I won’t leave you. Hush now. Go to sleep.”

She snuggled closer to him, fitting herself to his body, and then let out a long, long sigh.

“That’s it, just relax.” He kissed her forehead and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. He felt her slowly relax as he continued to stroke her softly. After a time, her slow, even breaths told him that she slept.

Holding her, putting her to sleep, had taken away the terrible helpless feeling that he’d had since he’d watched Jeb walk out the door with JJ. At last, he was making a difference. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, treasuring the feeling of holding her in his arms. He’d sleep well too. He sighed and tightened his arms. Taylor was safe with him tonight, and now he was safe with her.

He hoped her dreams would be comforting—but if not, he would be there when she woke. His chest would be a wall against her nightmares, his words would banish the fears from her heart. He realized that he wanted her to be his now and that, if he had his way, she would never, ever be alone again.

***

Colt and Taylor hadbeen in to see the sheriff the previous afternoon and had given him the information to put out an Amber Alert. Steve had said that he would make a phone call to Joe, the sheriff up in Motley County, to tell him what the three men had done. He had also let them know that the FBI should be arriving as soon as possible. First thing in the morning, Colt called Steve to get an update.

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