Linette came into the room as he ate. Mercy drew her into the hall and explained Ladd’s presence. “I have to get him back as soon as possible. Abel will be frantic with worry. His children mean more to him than anything in the world.”
“You go. And don’t let the man chase you away again. He needs your help even if he won’t admit it.”
“And he won’t.” But she couldn’t let her annoyance at his rude dismissal matter at the moment. She returned to Ladd’s side. “While you finish eating I’m going to saddle Nugget.”
He nodded. “Be sure to bring some books and maybe cookies.”
She chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Linette followed her down the hall. “I’ll keep an eye on him until you return.”
“Thanks.” She trotted down the hill and saddled Nugget then rode him back to the house. Ladd came out and she swung him up behind her.
They rode down the trail toward the little cabin. Every one of Mercy’s senses was alert for any strangers in the woods, although she saw nothing out of the ordinary. As they neared the cabin, Abel rushed to their side. He swung Ladd down and hugged him, remaining so close to Mercy’s side she couldn’t dismount.
He put Ladd on his feet, then reached up and lifted Mercy down. Even though she didn’t need his assistance, she saw no point in arguing with the distraught man.
He didn’t release her when her feet hit the ground but hugged her equally hard as he’d hugged Ladd. Then he held her at arm’s length.
“Thank you.” His voice was deep with emotion.
They studied each other. She couldn’t say what he thought or felt except for the way his eyes darkened, which could indicate regret or any of a dozen things.
But his firm hands on her shoulders, the unexpected solid comfort of his chest and the warmth of his breath on her cheeks as he thanked her cut a wide swath through invisible barriers she’d been unaware existed. Something made her want to return to his embrace. Strangely, she felt safe in his arms. How ridiculous! She hadn’t ever needed or wanted or received such foolish comfort. Her parents had never offered it. But a little voice from her depths pleaded for more of it.
Whoa...he wasn’t offering it intentionally. He merely was grateful that she’d returned his son.
She stepped back out of his reach. “He’s fine.”
“Ladd,” Abel said. “Go see your sister. She worried.” He waited until the door closed behind the boy. “Where did you find him?”
“On my doorstep.”
“He made it all the way to the ranch?”
She nodded, watching the emotions on his face change from worry to disbelief. “How is that possible? It was dark and a fair hike for a child.”
“He said a man picked him up and carried him.”
Worry wrinkled his brow. “I’ve seen someone in the woods. A short, stocky man. I meant to warn you about him.”
“I’ve seen someone, too. A man with lots of whiskers.”
“Sounds like it could be the same person.” Abel scrubbed a hand over his hair, tangling it.
If she wasn’t so concerned and confused at both his actions and her reactions she might have chuckled at how he messed his hair.
“I wonder who he is and what he wants,” Abel said.
“I don’t know, though I’m certain I’ve seen him somewhere before. I just can’t place where or when.”
“Did you get a good look at him?”
“I did. I know I should recognize him.”
“Would you have seen his likeness on a wanted poster?”
She considered the question. “I don’t know. I wish I could place him.” She shrugged. “But if it was he who helped Ladd we can be grateful he didn’t harm him instead.”
Abel shuddered. “I don’t like it.” He messed his hair again and then, as if realizing what he’d done, he smoothed it. “The man could be crazy.”
She’d momentarily shared the same thought but immediately dismissed it. A person should be judged on evidence, not on suspicion or caution. “Or maybe he likes living in the woods. Or for all we know, he has a cabin of his own.”
“Wouldn’t Eddie know if that is so?”
She gave silence assent.
“Has he ever mentioned this man?”
She shook her head.
“Then we’ll have to be cautious and on guard.”
We? When had they become we?
“Anyway. Thank you for bringing him home safely.”
“You’re welcome.”
He smiled.
She knew her eyes widened but she couldn’t help herself. His smile transformed his features and made him look...well, nice.
“Please come in.”
“My horse...”
“I’ll tend to him later.”
She let herself be ushered to the door five steps away, let him reach around her and hold it open for her to precede him.
“Did you ask her?” Allie demanded.
Mercy knew what Allie wanted, but Abel hadn’t asked.
He took her coat as she slipped her arms out. He hung it next to his and went to the stove. “Have you had breakfast?”
“No.” Ladd had interrupted her plans for the day. Not that she minded.
“Then join us. We haven’t eaten yet.”
“Thank you.”
“But first I have a son to deal with.” He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Ladd to his knee to face him. “I’m happy you’re safe, but what you did was foolish and against the rules.”
“Yes, Papa.”
“Haven’t I told you that there is a price to pay for foolish and sinful choices?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“There is no escaping. The Bible says, ‘Be sure your sin will find you out and whatsoever a man soweth he shall reap.’ I simply want to save you the pain and sorrow of reaping a bad harvest. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Papa.” Ladd spoke softly, his head bowed.
“You know I must punish you.”
“I know.”
Mercy wondered what form of punishment Abel had in mind. She’d witnessed how rigid he was about rules. Would he mete out unmerciful judgment?
“After breakfast, you will clean up the kitchen and do the dishes by yourself, and while you’re doing it I want you to consider why I forbid you to go out on your own. You could have been hurt or lost.”
“God sent a man to help me.”
Mercy and Abel exchanged a look. His was full of concern and worry. For her part, she wondered how he’d deal with this.
“Son, like I said, I’m glad you’re safe and sound. Let’s leave it at that.” He patted Ladd on the back and returned to the stove.
“Do you drink coffee?” he asked Mercy, then realized she still stood. “Please, have a seat.”
She sat on one of the chairs. Allie hung over the back, her face so close to Mercy’s she breathed in the sweet scent of her skin.