Page 59 of Fairy Tale Husband

Her eyes drifted closed and a helpless moan slipped from her throat. “Call the boys and I’ll get dinner started.”

He pushed her collar to one side, baring a creamy shoulder. “I thought they were in the house with you.” She stiffened beneath his hands and he pulled back. “They’re not?”

She shook her head, apprehension reflected in her eyes. “They said—they said they were going to help you.”

“When?” He shot the word ather.

“Hours ago,” she whispered. “Right after Mrs. Marsh—”

He swore. Pushing past her, he charged into the house, taking the steps to the boys’ bedroom two at a time. Even before he found the note, he knew they’d run. Dresser drawers hung open, clothes formed a telltale trail from closet to bed. And most telling of all, the picture of their parents was missing from the nightstand.

Wynne entered the room behind him. He watched as she crossed to Buster’s pillow and picked up the note. She read silently, covering her mouth with a trembling hand. Then she turned and walked into hisarms.

“We’ll find them,” he tried to reassure. She felt so cold, as though all the zest and life had been frozen into an impenetrable ball of ice. Briskly he ran his hands up and down her arms. “I’ll organize the men. They can’t have gotten far.”

“You said those fronts move in fast. How long do we have?”

“A couple hours,” he lied without hesitation.

They wasted thirty minutes searching the house and outbuildings. It didn’t surprise anyone that the boys were nowhere to be found. Jake pulled Dusty to one side, speaking fast, his face set in grim lines. “Have the men mount up and fan out,” he said, glancing at the sky. “That front’s moving in faster than I’d anticipated. We don’t have much time.”

“Why don’t I drive over to Lost Trail and see if they’re holed up there?” Dusty offered.

“Good idea.”

“Jake—”

“I know. I’ll take care of it.” Without another word, he turned and headed for the house. He’d delayed long enough. Now he had to act. For the first time in his life, he was going to ask for assistance. He only prayed the people of Chesterfield would be willing to give it. Snatching up the phone, he punched in a number.

“Belle Blue here. What can I do you for?”

“It’s Jake Hondo.” He took a deep breath and said, “Belle, Ineed help.”

Dead silence met his request. “You want help?” she repeated. “You, Jake?”

He gritted his teeth. “Yeah, me.”

If she found his request amusing, she hid it well. “Sure thing. What’s the problem?”

“It’s the boys. They’ve run off.”

“Oh, my heavens,” she said with a gasp. “Jake, there’s a norther movin’ in.”

“I know that!” He closed his eyes, struggling just this once to keep his temper in check. “Will you round up a search party for me? We need to find those boys. Fast.”

“Consider it done. And Jake?” She spoke with more warmth than he’d ever heard before. “Don’t you and your missus worry none. We’ll track ’em down.”

“Thanks,” he whispered and cradled the receiver. He didn’t doubt for a minute the boys would be found. The question was... Would it be intime?

CHAPTERTEN

EVENING had set in when the door to the kitchen opened. Wynne watched anxiously as Jake stepped across the threshold and tossed aside his rain-soaked Stetson. He shook his head in answer to her silent query.

She turned away, fighting for control. “What are we going to do, Jake?”

“What else can we do?” Exhaustion filled his voice. “We keep looking.”

Her hands balled in frustration. “It doesn’t make sense that they haven’t shown up. The boys may be foolhardy, but they’re not stupid. They wouldn’t stay out in this weather. What about Lost Trail? Perhaps they—”

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