Page 25 of Runaway Bride For The Rancher

Ben!

That’s Ben’s voice. Was this Ben’s son?

I wasn’t sure, so I asked. “Ben?”

“Yes, that’s me. I’m on my way now.” He responded, and I heard his truck starting and then the call ended. He probably didn’t recognize my voice.

My heartbeat went up like I was racing up a mountain on foot. I looked at the boy and then saw a striking resemblance between him and Ben. Their foreheads were similar. The boy’s nose was shaped like Ben’s.

I should’ve known that such smartness wouldn’t have come from just anyone. I usually bond with kids, but this bond was faster and smoother than usual. It looked like a setup to me.

I composed myself. I didn’t want anyone to suspect anything. I was still scared for the boy in my arms, but my mind couldn’t help but wonder.We dialed 911, and now Ben was on his way too. Whoever got here faster would gladden my heart.

He coughed at intervals. Those times he made me panic even more. Everyone watched and murmured.

CHAPTER 10

Ben

I’d first walked around the block worried. It wasn’t exactly possible that Mike could’ve gone home in such a short time.

Once, he had left me at the park when I turned to see a friend. He had thought he saw someone who looked like his mom and followed her from a distance. He eventually lost track of her and went home.

I got home and fumbled with the lock on the door. My hands were shaking, and they couldn’t hold the key properly. I could hardly catch my breath.

I was close to the point of screaming when the key finally turned. I sighed and opened the door.

“Michael!” I yelled and started checking everywhere in the house. I ran to his room and pushed the door open. “Michael! Are you here?”

Tears already gathered around my eyes. My heart was heavy. Where could he be? When could he have gone to?

“I know you want to play hide and seek, but Daddy is worried. Come our first and We’ll play once I know you’re safe!” I yelled.

I took up all the throw pillows like he could be too small to hide under them. I was at the very point of losing my sanity.

I turned the couch upside down. I pushed every big thing to the side. The house was a mess already. I did all this while screaming like a madman.

I entered the kitchen. “Michael! It's not funny anymore. Come out, boy!” I yelled. I was scared, my heart broke.

If he was in the house, the yelling would make him scared, so I brought my voice down.

“Son, you can come out now.” I started. “The game is over, you win.”

Tears were already rolling down my eyes. I bit my lower lip and sobbed.

I got back to the living room. “Michael! Where are you? Please come out.” I broke into tears. I was crying like a child.

It was clear that he wasn’t in the house, but I didn’t want to accept it. I crawled to the closet in the living room and banged on it.

“Michael!” I cried bitterly. “If you’re in there, please come out for Daddy.” I rested my back on the door grabbed my hair and pulled it hard. Then, I screamed.

I was breaking down pieces by pieces and only my son could save me. I took my phone up and tried to call the police to report a missing child, but it wasn’t connecting.

“Dang it!” I shouted and was about to throw the phone on the ground.

The phone vibrated, and I paused. I looked at the screen, and it wasn’t a phone number I recognized. I didn’t hesitate to take the call.

“Hello?” he sounded agitated. I couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement, and before I could respond. “Hello? Hello?” he called out two more times.

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