I still hope that Michelle will eventually remember more about what happened. There’s a lot she can’t recall.”
Tears still in her eyes, Lenora looked up at her brother. “Please tell Michelle I don’t blame her for any of this. She’s a victim, too.” She struggled to her feet, nearly collapsing back onto the couch.
Dallas steadied her at the same time Paul did. “I will.” He enveloped his sister in a hug. “If you remember anything that might help the investigation, call me at any time of day.”
Lenora nodded and eased back down onto the sofa.
“Will it be all right if the deputy stays in the house tonight? He can continue to screen your calls. If there’s a ransom demand, he’ll get in touch with Dallas and me right away.” Although Rachel didn’t think there would be a ransom demand, she was still concerned the guy in the hoodie might come back, possibly looking for the bracelet his partner wore. She was almost positive he was the male kidnapper. If the boot prints under the window and on the dirt road matched, she’d know for sure.
“Yes,” Paul said.
“We’ll let ourselves out.” Dallas waved for Rachel to go first as they left the house. “I wish I could stay the night, but Michelle needs me.”
“Not to worry. Later Deputy Owens will be relieving Ellis. He’s very good at his job. Tell Michelle I hope she gets better soon.” Rachel paused next to her deputy on the porch to tell him to be on the lookout for anyone hanging around the house.
“I will.” Dallas descended the steps and walked toward his car. He was immediately surrounded by the five reporters waiting on the sidewalk for any tidbit of news.
Again, Rachel saw his professional facade fall into place as he dealt with the press. After Dallas’s departure, she talked with Deputy Carson, then made her own way toward her vehicle, stiffening when the reporters flocked to her.
One of them stuck a microphone in her face. “Sheriff Young, what do you say to Marvin Compton’s concerns about your competence to lead this investigation?”
Rachel gritted her teeth and continued toward her vehicle. She opened the driver’s side door. “No comment.”
* * *
Dallas entered the dimly lit hospital room to find his mother sitting next to the bed in a lounge chair that she’d moved closer to Michelle. His daughter slept.
“How’re Lenora and Paul doing?” his mother whispered.
“As well as to be expected. Lenora needs you. I’m afraid she’ll start blaming herself because she wasn’t home when Brady was taken.”
His mother pushed herself to her feet. “When Michelle was awake about an hour ago, she was doing the same. She’s going to need us, too.”
“Did she say anything else about the abduction?”
“No. The nurse came in to check on her, then changed her IV fluid with a new bag. After she left, Michelle and I talked a little, but every time the kidnapping came up, she started crying. I steered the conversation away from it. I could tell her head hurt, but she was trying not to say anything about it. She’s always been a tough little girl.”
“She’s not that little anymore, Mom. She’ll be fourteen soon, and before we know it, she’ll be graduating from high school.”
His mother gathered her purse and walked over to where he was standing. “You’ve been a good parent to her—both father and mother since Patricia left.”
“I’m just thankful that I have you for Michelle to talk to about girl things.”
“Anytime.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be at Lenora’s if you need anything tonight.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He hugged her.
After she left, he took her seat next to Michelle’s bed. He sighed as he tried to relax. Tomorrow would be a long day. He had to find the kidnappers before they sold Brady. And his daughter would never be safe if they were still out there, especially if they thought Michelle could ID them. He could never rest until they were found.
He closed his eyes. He didn’t think he could sleep, but he’d try. He needed to, but he’d gone without much sleep while working cases before. But he didn’t want to miss an important lead because he was exhausted.
As he reclined in the lounge chair, his thoughts drifted to the new sheriff. She’d grown up in Cimarron Trail, whereas he’d moved here right after Patricia left him because Lenora and Paul had settled here years before and had raved about the town. He’d wanted his daughter to have people she could turn to, especially women, and he couldn’t think of anyone better than his mother and sister.
For the past three years, he’d either thrown himself into his job or spent time with his family. He hadn’t had time for anything else—and certainly not another woman. In spite of his declaration, the image of Rachel Young came unbidden into his mind. Medium height with auburn hair and green eyes, there was something about her that made a man look twice. If he were totally truthful with himself, she was stunning, which immediately put him on the defensive. Patricia had been gorgeous. Men had fallen all over themselves trying to get her attention, and she’d loved it. That should have been a red flag.
In the little he’d seen of Rachel, she didn’t seem like Patricia, but he didn’t want to make the same mistake twice. Better to remain single and focus his life on his family and job.
As a sheriff, she appeared competent and caring. That would make working with her easier, especially if she was anything like her father. He was a good man. No wonder the county had voted for her rather than Marvin Compton, a retired police officer from Fort Worth.
“Daddy!”
Wrenched from his thoughts, Dallas shot to his feet, preparing to battle what had frightened his daughter. His eyes panned the room. No one else was there.
“Daddy, help!”
He looked toward the bed as Michelle’s eyes popped open wide. Fear stared at him. “I’m right here, honey. You’re okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Tears coursed down her cheeks. “Brady is gone.”
He sat on the bed and cuddled her against himself. “I know, princess. We’re looking for him.”
As Michelle buried her face against him, sobs racked her body, tearing his heart into pieces. Overwhelmed with helplessness, his own eyes glistened with his sorrow.
Sucking in shaky breaths, Michelle leaned back. “You’ve got to find Brady, Dad. You’ve got to.”
“I will.”
She looked long and hard at him, as though measuring the truth behind his words. “I know you will.” Then she laid her head against his chest.
How could he ever face his daughter if he couldn’t find Brady?
* * *
Rachel carried little Katie toward the kitchen, her parents’ voices drawing her to the warm, large room. Her daughter played with Rachel’s hair. She laughed. “When I show up for the press conference, the reporters are going to think I didn’t brush my hair, sweetie.”
Katie babbled as though she were telling Rachel something important. Mama and Nana were the only words she could understand.
“I’m running late. Nana will feed you this morning, sweet pea. You be good for her and Papa.” Rachel entered the kitchen with Katie continuing to chatter nonsense.
“Do you have time to sit and have breakfast?” Rachel’s mother asked as she took Katie and put her in the high chair.
“No, not with the press conference in half an hour. Coffee is all I want now. I’ll eat later, I promise.” Rachel kissed the top of Katie’s head. “Love you. I’ll see you later.”
“Make