Margaret Daley - Texas Baby Pursuit

Dallas frowned. “Coming into a house is risky, but then, maybe they knew my sister left Brady with Michelle. I have a call in to Texas Ranger headquarters. I want to know if other babies have been taken in recent months in the area, especially snatched from their homes. This could also be part of a baby smuggling ring or people brokering illegal adoptions.”

Rachel massaged her temples. “I know. I’ve been considering that aspect, too. I called the FBI to see if they know anything about a ring operating in this part of Texas.”

Dallas received a call and quickly answered it. “Mom, I’m glad you called. Have you talked with Lenora yet?”

“No, I got a call from Paul and was going to talk to him after you. What’s going on?”

“Are you driving?”

“I’m at a gas station about ten miles from Cimarron Trail.”

“Are you sitting down?”

“Son, you’re scaring me. What happened?”

Dallas wished he didn’t have to tell her over the phone. “A couple of hours ago Brady was kidnapped while Michelle was babysitting him. She was attacked and now she’s in the hospital with a severe concussion. She has ten stitches on the side of her head.” When his mother didn’t say anything for a long moment, he asked, “Mom, are you all right?”

“No,” she replied with a sob. “How could this happen? Cimarron Trail is a quiet town.”

“I wish I had an answer for you, but I promise you and Lenora I’ll work on this case until it’s solved. No one hurts my family.” The hand clutching the cell phone ached from his tight hold. “They left Michelle there bleeding and...” His words jammed in his throat.

“Are you at the regional hospital with her?”

“Yes. She’s sleeping.”

“I’m headed straight there. I’ll sit with her. You need to find Brady. I’ll call Paul and let him know what I’m doing.”

Before Dallas could say anything else, his mother disconnected. He dropped his arm to his side while he stared at the bed where Michelle lay sleeping.

A hand touched him. “What’s wrong?”

Rachel’s soft words brought him out of his trance. He blinked then swung his attention to the sheriff. “My mother’s coming here. She wants to sit with Michelle while I search for Brady, but I can’t leave her unprotected. And yet my sister needs to know I won’t give up until her son is found.”

“Of course, you won’t. She knows that.” Their gazes connected. The comfort in Rachel’s eyes pulled him in, and for a few seconds nothing else existed.

“I’ll have one of my deputies stand guard outside the room. Michelle is the only witness we have. She’ll be safe.”

“The only way my daughter will be safe is when I bring in the two people who hurt her and took Brady.”

“Daddy...”

The whispered word twisted his heart. Michelle had stopped calling him daddy years ago. He rushed over to the bed. “You’re supposed to be resting, princess.”

“I can’t—” she ran her tongue over her lips “—with Brady gone.”

“Do you want water?”

“Yes,” Michelle said, her eyelids slowly closing.

Dallas snatched up the pitcher and quickly filled a plastic cup that held a straw. When he swiveled his attention back to her, her eyes eased open again. He helped her to sit up, then held the cup while she slowly sipped through the straw.

After he carefully laid her back against the bed, she said, “Find him. Please...for me.” Then she surrendered to sleep again.

Still holding the plastic cup, he dropped his head, torn, wishing he could be in two places at once.

* * *

Rachel was moved at the exchange between Dallas and Michelle. With her head still pounding from the punches she’d taken, she rose slowly, crossed the hospital room and stood next to him, her hand brushing against his. “I’m so sorry this happened to your daughter.”

Lines creased his forehead as he looked down at her. Sadness shadowed his eyes. “Call a deputy. When my mom gets here, I’ll go with you to help, at least with Lenora. I’m really worried about her. She lost two babies before Brady and was on bed rest the last month of her pregnancy with him. The doctor hasn’t encouraged her to have another child.”

She could only imagine the grief and pain Lenora was going through right now. “I’ll make a call.” She pulled out her cell phone, walking away a few feet. Although Michelle was asleep, Rachel didn’t want the teen to hear about placing a deputy outside her room.

When Rachel reached the dispatcher, she lowered her voice. “Maddy, send a deputy to the regional hospital to room 208. Have him knock on the door.”

“Will do. Deputy Ellis just came in.”

“Thanks. Any calls concerning the kidnapping?”

“Yeah, I’m keeping a log. Most are wondering what’s going on. I told them what you said about having a press conference tomorrow morning.”

“Great, Maddy. Thanks.”

Rachel hit the off button and turned toward Dallas at the same time the door flew open and a petite, dark-haired woman made a beeline for the hospital bed and him.

His mother’s hand covered her mouth while she shook her head. “She looks so lost in that bed.” The older woman stood next to Dallas. “What’s wrong with the world that someone would do this?”

“I wish I could answer that.” His gaze connected with Rachel’s while he held his mother against him. “I feel so much better having you here. Your nurse’s training will come in handy.”

His mother leaned back. “I may be retired, but I still know what I’m doing. You have nothing to worry about. I talked with Paul. Lenora was still sleeping.” She glanced over her shoulder and slipped from her son’s loose embrace. “I’m Dottie Sanders. You must be Bill’s daughter. I voted for you.”

“Thanks for the vote, Mrs. Sanders. I have Deputy Ellis coming to stand guard outside the door. If you need anything, let him know.”

“I will. But we’ll be perfectly fine. Just find my grandson,” she pleaded.

As Rachel nodded, a light knock at the door sounded. “That’s probably him. I’ll be out in the hall when you’re ready, Dallas.”

In the corridor, Rachel filled Deputy Ellis in on what she wanted him to do. “The teen who was hurt is our only witness to the two people who stole the baby. Keep her safe.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Dallas joined them in the hallway, shaking hands with Deputy Ellis. “I appreciate you guarding my daughter. My mom—Dottie Sanders—is in there with her.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

Rachel made her way to the stairs with Dallas right next to her. Her head still hurt, but the ringing in her ears and the dizziness had faded. “I have a favor to ask. Deputy Jones brought me to the hospital, but I had him go back to your sister’s house after taking the evidence to headquarters. I told him I’d call him when I needed a ride, and I wondered if you—”

He chuckled. “If this is your roundabout way of asking for a ride, then yes, I can give you one to my sister’s. Is that where your car is?”

She nodded. “My ears were ringing after I was punched. Deputy Jones didn’t think I should drive myself, and I can’t argue with one of my dad’s friends.”

“I have a lot of respect for your father. I worked a case with him about eight months ago that extended over several counties.” Dallas held the door open for Rachel.

“I was surprised he retired. He’d been sheriff for twenty-five years, and it was his life. Now he and my mom watch my daughter. Actually, she has to fight him to get her chance to take care of Katie. He’s always busy around the property, and Katie, who is nearly one, is getting a good lesson in how to run a ranch. Or, at least, Dad’s trying to teach her.”