Patricia Thayer - Rocky Mountain Brides - Raising the Rancher's Family

“And if you aren’t the biggest fibber ever.” She sobered. “I’m so sorry about John. I hope he didn’t suffer.”

Zach shook his head. “No, it was his heart. He was gone in minutes.” The old guy blinked, then smiled. “John talked about you a lot. And he sure enjoyed all the postcards you sent him. He said you’d gone to places whose names he couldn’t even pronounce.”

“I couldn’t pronounce them, either.”

They both laughed as Holt watched her wipe stray tears from her eyes and he suddenly felt like the intruder. His own father had known this woman, but never had taken the time to know his own son.

He’d had enough of their friendly chatter. “If you two are finished reminiscing, we need to get started.” He walked past them into the barn.

Leah followed. “Just tell me which horse you want me to saddle,” she said.

He stopped at the stall. “It’s already done.”

Zach came up behind them. “I thought you’d do best on Daisy.”

Leah patted the mare’s neck. “You’re a pretty girl,” she crooned, then glanced back to Zach. “You didn’t have to saddle her.”

“I didn’t,” the old man said. “Holt had her ready before I got the chance.”

Holt led his mount toward the door. “I thought it would save us time.”

“I’m ready,” Leah insisted as she opened the gate, grabbed the reins and followed close behind. “Zach, you want to go with us?”

“No thanks, darlin’.” He glanced at Holt. “I’d say this is a two-person job. I’ll hold down the fort here. Besides, the little rustler might decide to come back here and steal again.”

Leah’s gaze shot toward Holt. “Are you sure it was the boy?”

Holt shrugged. “We’re short a couple of blankets, a flashlight and some food. What do you think? He came right into the house when we were out with the herd.”

“The kid is pretty careful about not being seen,” Zach said. “If he’s running from someone, that probably means he isn’t being treated right.”

“And we need to find him,” Leah said as she climbed up on Daisy.

“Just be careful, you two,” the old man told them. “Holt, you can handle a horse just fine, but there’s a lot in this country you don’t know. Leah does. She can lead you to the caves.”

Holt nodded. “We should be back in a few hours,” he said.

Zach glanced from Holt to Leah and grinned. “Well, if I was a young buck again and had such a pretty companion, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to get back.”

Holt grimaced. Damn if the old man wasn’t matchmaking.

Leah hadn’t realized how much she’d missed riding along a trail in some of the prettiest scenery in the world. She was definitely a mountain girl. She loved everything about the high, jagged peaks that seemed to reach up and touch the sky. Oh, she wished she’d brought her camera.

At least she’d have something to do. She glanced at the man on horseback next to her. Although she’d tried to make polite conversation, Mr. Rawlins wasn’t the chatty type. They’d already returned to the cave where they’d found evidence of the boy living there. Everything was gone today. No signs were left of the child.

“Is it just me,” Leah began, “or are you like this with everyone?”

He seemed taken aback by her question. “Like what?”

“You haven’t said more than a dozen words to me since we left the ranch.”

“I didn’t think it was required of me to carry on a conversation.”

“No, but would it hurt to be cordial?”

He continued to stare ahead. “That all depends on what you want to talk about.”

“Well, for starters, why didn’t you ever come to visit your father?”

He tensed. “I’m the wrong person to ask that question.” He finally turned his green-eyed gaze on her. “I’m sure you or anyone in Destiny knew more about John Rawlins than I did. I haven’t seen the man since I was four.”

Although Holt Rawlins worked hard to hide it, she caught a flash of sadness in his eyes. And as much as she tried to fight it, his vulnerability got to her. “But John was your father.”

“Says you,” he said, then guided the horse through a group of trees. “Maybe it would be safer if we concentrated on the task at hand, which seems to be protecting this kid you’re so worried about.” Even through his gruffness, there was also an undertone of softness in his voice.

“All children need protecting,” she said.

“Then, let’s find him,” he said. “Since he’s run off from the cave do you have any idea where he’d go?”

“My biggest fear is that he’s holed up in one of the abandoned mines.” She pointed upward toward the foothills.

Holt knew this was a mistake. He should have let the sheriff handle the search for the boy, and then he wouldn’t have to deal with Ms. Keenan.

He knew her type. She was out to save the world. Everyone was her friend, and everyone liked her. What wasn’t to like? She was beautiful. With her engaging smile that drew you in, it was impossible not to react to her. Those tawny-brown eyes of hers seemed to look too deep…too far inside to see what you didn’t want anyone to see.

Yes, he needed to stay far away from the woman. Too bad he hadn’t taken his own advice. This morning he’d been up early, waiting and willing to do her bidding.

Holt made a clicking sound with his tongue and the gelding picked up the pace. The sooner they found the kid, the sooner the tempting Leah Keenan would be off his land and out of his life.

About thirty minutes later they reached their destination. Holt followed Leah’s lead as she climbed off her mount and tied the bay mare to the tree branch. “The Sunny Days Mine is up there.”

Armed with flashlights, she started up the rocky grade with Holt close behind her. To his surprise, she managed to climb with ease. They reached the landing, then another twenty feet they located the mine. The entrance was boarded up and a Keep Out sign nailed across the front. A closer look showed that the barricade had been loosened, making entry easier.

“This is a popular place for teenagers,” Leah explained. “It’s kind of a rite of passage. They come here to drink and…be with their girlfriends.”

Holt pushed back his hat, and rubbed his hand over his unshaven jaw. “This gives Lover’s Lane a whole different meaning,” he said.

“And it’s a whole bunch more dangerous.”

He pulled off two loose boards to allow them better access. With flashlights on they ducked into the dark mine. The temperature was a good ten degrees cooler inside and a musty smell assaulted their noses.

Holt directed his light toward the floor, showing dusty evidence of past parties.

“Typical teenagers, they never pick up after themselves,” he said.

“We should report this to the sheriff so he can notify the owner to seal the entrance.”

“Do you really think that will keep out curious kids?”

Leah ignored Holt’s sarcasm. While he examined the main room, she started off toward one of the tunnels, praying she wouldn’t find any traces of the boy living here. She ducked through the entry to the tunnel framed by huge wooden support beams. There were old mining tools and stacks of rotten lumber. Just as she walked around the beams, a rat scurried across her path. She gasped and jumped backward tripping over the rotting wood. Unable to regain her balance, she hit the dirt floor as the stack began shifting.

Dust stirred the air and Holt rushed to her side. He swept her up in his arms and carried her out into the main room. Setting her down against the entrance, his large body shielded her from any falling debris. Finally silence filled the air, but he didn’t release her. She was trembling, feeling Holt’s breath against her ear, his large body against hers.