Page 107 of Winter Vows

“I left him because of that and because he was forging my name on prescriptions to get them. I agreed not to turn him in, if he would give me full custody of Bobby and stay out of our lives. I know that was wrong and probably stupid, but it was all I could think of to do at the time.”

“And now his supply of pills has run out and he’s desperate,” Dylan concluded.

She nodded. “I’m sure that’s it, even though he hasn’t said as much. He wants me half-crazy, so I’ll do whatever he says, give him whatever he wants.”

Jeb whistled. “So we’ve got a guy who’s hooked on drugs and not thinking rationally out there with your son.”

“Jeb!” Dylan protested, seeing Kelsey’s face turn a ghastly shade of gray at the harsh assessment.

“Sorry. My mouth runs ahead of my brain at times.”

She waved off the apology. “I’m terrified of what he will do if he finds out I’ve told you all this. I promised to keep the secret.”

“And he promised to stay away,” Dylan said. “I’d say you’re even.” He hunkered down in front of her. “This helps, sweetheart. We have to assume he won’t go far, because he’s going to want to make a quick exchange for Bobby when the time comes. He may be moving from motel to motel, but I’ll bet he’s within a hundred miles or less.”

“But you’ve checked all the motels over and over,” Kelsey said. “He’s not there.”

“What about campgrounds?” Jeb suggested. “Are there any close by?”

“No,” Lizzy said. “But there are acres and acres of open land. He could have pitched a tent anyplace.”

Dylan exchanged a look with his brother. “Feel like taking a drive?”

Jeb nodded. “I’ve been dying to get a better look at this part of the country.”

“I want to come with you,” Kelsey said, half rising. Then her expression registered dismay and she sank back down. “But I can’t, can I?”

“No,” Dylan agreed. “You need to stay here in case he calls again. If he does, see if we’re on track with this camping idea. Maybe you can get Bobby to say something about sleeping outdoors.”

“Bobby hates bugs,” she murmured. “If that’s what they’re doing, it’s no wonder he was so cranky the last time we talked.”

“I hate to burst your bubble, but I just remembered something. I thought Bobby said something about Paul not letting him leave the room,” Lizzy said. “Doesn’t that mean they have to be in a motel?”

“He did,” Kelsey agreed. “Was that last time? Or the time before? I’m getting it all mixed up.”

“It’s okay,” Dylan reassured her. “We’ll take a look around anyway. Call me on the cell phone if anything comes up.”

She nodded, then opened her mouth to say something, but fell silent, her expression guilty.

Dylan had a pretty good idea what she’d been about to say, though. He gave her a grin. “It’s okay, darlin’. I know I’m fired. This one’s on the house.”

Nine

Dylan and Jeb were almost out the door when the phone rang. Everyone froze. Kelsey’s heart began to thud dully as it had every time a call came in. She reached for the receiver with fingers that trembled so badly she could barely grasp it.

“Hello.”

“Mommy?”

Bobby’s voice sounded scratchy and hoarse. “Baby, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Don’t feel good, Mommy.”

Kelsey had never felt so thoroughly helpless in her entire life. Maternal instinct as much as her professional training kicked in. Thank heaven Bobby was now old enough to answer a few simple questions. “Where does it hurt, sweetie? Your tummy? Your head?”

“All over. I’m hot, Mommy.”

Her fury and frustration boiled over. “Put your daddy on the phone, baby. Okay?”

---