Lynette Eason - Bounty Hunter

Because his great place for a date comment still rang in her ears. And because she didn’t think she’d mind one bit going on a date with him.

Even though she didn’t date. And even though she might want to. No, she didn’t. Because she was not attracted to him, she reminded herself. She had a job to do. Period.

A rap on her window made her jump. When she turned, Max was waiting for her. She lowered the window. “You coming?” he asked.

She turned to see Riley pull away from the parking lot and made up her mind. “I want to check on something first if that’s all right.”

He frowned. “What?”

“I’m going to follow him. I want to see where he’s going. I’m still not a hundred percent convinced he’s not somehow working with Jake.”

Max gave a slow nod. “Might not be a bad idea. You want some backup?”

“Not yet. I’ll call if I need you.”

* * *

Riley cruised down I-70 toward Denver and thought about the morning. He was hungry but would get something in the hospital cafeteria. His need to see his nephew ate at him. And he needed an update from the doctors.

But he couldn’t help the groan that slipped from his throat. “A great place for a date? Really?” His eyes had locked on Harper’s and that was what he’d thought. And that was what had come out of his mouth. He shook his head. He wasn’t usually so free with his words. But there was just something about her...

He sighed.

He didn’t need to focus on that. Instead, he needed to keep his attention on his nephew and helping him heal. A budding attraction for the pretty FBI agent would only distract him and neither he nor his nephew needed that right now. Priorities, he reminded himself. Priorities.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, he arrived in Denver and pulled into the hospital parking lot. He turned the vehicle off and simply sat there a moment. He wanted to pray, to beg God for guidance, money and healing for his nephew, but...

He wanted to believe that God was who He said He was. But so much had happened in the last year that made him question his faith. Made him wonder if he believed in a God who either wasn’t all-powerful or just didn’t really care about what was going on with him personally. He pushed out of his truck. No time to ponder the heavy stuff. Asher was waiting for him.

Riley walked through the doors of the hospital. He made his way to Asher’s floor and headed for the child’s room. As he passed the nursing station, the men and women greeted him. “Glad to see you back. Asher’s been asking for you. His teacher is here, too.”

“Thanks.”

He opened the door and found his mother sitting in the chair she’d occupied since his sister’s death and Asher’s admittance into the hospital. Her needles clicked softly and a ball of yarn spilled from the bag next to her chair. A dark haired, dark-eyed woman sat on the edge of Asher’s bed. The little guy held a card in his hand and others spilled over his lap and the smile on his face was worth more than gold.

“Hi, I didn’t realize he had company,” Riley said as he leaned over and kissed the top of his mother’s head.

“I’m Beth Smith,” the woman said. “I was Asher’s first grade teacher last year. I heard about what happened and about two weeks ago rounded up his classmates and friends. We had a card-making party for Asher and I was very excited to be able to bring them to him today.”

Riley shook her hand. “That’s very kind.”

“I miss them, Uncle Riley.”

He smoothed the child’s hair from his forehead. “I know you do, buddy. Maybe some of them can come see you soon since you’re feeling better.”

“That would be awesome.”

Riley smiled at the enthusiasm.

“Can I have a puppy, too?”

“A puppy?”

Asher turned those thick-lashed blue eyes on him. “I really think I need a puppy. It can keep me company and make me feel like laughing again.”

Mrs. Smith gasped and Riley saw tears in her eyes before she looked away.

His heart clenched and he found it hard to draw in breath around the grief that filled him. He cleared his throat. “We’ll have to see. I’m not making any promises, but we’ll talk about it when you get out of the hospital. Deal?”

“Deal.”

And Riley was going to do whatever it took to make sure Asher felt like laughing again.

“Hey, you know what?” he said.

“What?”

“I met someone who has a dog. You want me to ask her to bring it up here?”

Asher’s eyes widened. “Today?”

“Probably not today, but maybe soon?”

“Yes, please, Uncle Riley. That would be double awesome!”

“Okay, then.”

“What kind of dog?” he asked.

“She’s a police dog. She helps sniff out the bad guys.”

“Wow,” Asher breathed.

“A police dog?” Mrs. Smith asked.

Riley nodded. “Yes.”

“I have a group of summer campers who are thinking about going into law enforcement. Their favorite topic has been K-9s and their work with the different areas of law enforcement.”

“Where are you doing the camp?”

“Out at the national park. We’re in the part where they have cabins and decent restroom facilities.”

“Roughing it, huh?”

She laughed. “Not too bad.”

“I wish I could go to camp,” Asher said softly.

Riley squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “Let’s aim for next summer, okay?”

Asher nodded. “Where I can go and learn about being a police officer so I can catch the bad guys?”

“Sure.”

Mrs. Smith kissed Asher’s cheek and rose. “Well, I suppose I need to say my goodbyes.” She gathered her purse and walked toward the door. “I only managed to slip away from the camp for a short time and need to get back. Asher, I’ll check back in on you soon.”

Asher waved. “Bye, Mrs. Smith. Thank you for coming to see me.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” She smiled and Asher’s lids drooped. The visit had tired him out. Riley said one more goodbye to Mrs. Smith then sat with Asher and held him until he dozed off. It didn’t take long. He slid off the bed and turned to his mother who still worked with the needle and yarn. “Another blanket?”

“Yes.” She looked up and gave him a weary smile. “It keeps me busy and helps me think. And besides, they’re selling pretty well at the little consignment store Sheila runs. She keeps asking for more.”

Sheila, his mother’s best friend, worked at a consignment store in downtown Denver. She’d encouraged his mother to let her sell some of her items and to everyone’s surprise, it had turned into a full-time job keeping up with the demand.

“Now that we’re alone, is there any change? Any updates?” His gaze went back to Asher, who was dwarfed by the large bed. The boy appeared to be sleeping comfortably.

His mother laid her knitting aside and rubbed her eyes. “No, son, you know nothing’s going to change without the surgery. The doctor said he’s strong enough for it now—he’s recovered nicely from the bullet in his shoulder and now they just need to get in and get the other one out.”

He nodded. Of course he knew that, but each day that went by, he hoped. Hoped his nephew’s spine would heal on its own, that he would sit up in the bed, whole and happy again. Riley vaguely wondered how long it took for hope to finally dry up. “I wish Dad was here.”

Tears sprang to his mother’s eyes and Riley wished he’d kept his mouth shut. His father had passed away two years ago after a short battle with brain cancer.

She swiped a stray tear. “I do, too, son. Are you any closer to catching Van?” she asked.

He rubbed his eyes. “Yes. I think so. I have a good idea where to look for him now.” He fell silent for a moment. “That was nice of Mrs. Smith to drop by.”