Page 4

“Happen a lot?” I asked in that same casual tone, when all I wanted to do was throw him in the truck and kidnap him.

He eventually spoke, and his voice was so meek, as though he was afraid to even use it. “She drinks a lot of wine because I’m bad.”

“Nope,” I said, too loud, making him jump and cower. I immediately lowered my tone. “Sorry. I’m sorry I startled you. But you aren’t bad. You’re a kid. And moms should never do that. So what do you say you go get in the truck and warm up, and I’ll talk to your mom.”

“No.” He didn’t yell. I wasn’t sure he remembered how. But his eyes were wide and fearful and he was back to hugging himself. “She’ll…She’ll—"

“Hey. I promise I’m going to keep you safe. I promise.”

I didn’t know what it was about me that made him believe me, but after a few seconds, he did. I was glad for it. I got him situated in the back seat of the extended cab, found him one of the old towels I kept back there so he could dry off, cranked up the heat, then locked it with the fob before banging on the front door.

Laura nearly fell against it when she pulled it open, and I noted the glassy eyes and the unkempt hair. When she saw me, her lips curved and she shrugged one shoulder so her stained night gown fell and exposed the top of one breast.

“Bodhi Harrington. Whash are you doin’ at my door? Lucky me.”

I wanted to punch her in her very drunk face. The only reason she was lucky was because I didn’t hit women and her kid was looking on from the truck. A hundred things swarmed through my head, things I wanted to accuse her of, things I wanted to berate her for. But I had to think of Shiloh and what was best for that very scared child.

“You’re drunk, Laura. At ten A.M. on a Saturday morning. And your son is battered and bruised and forced to sit in the freezing rain.”

Heat rose in her cheeks, though whether that was the anger or the booze was anyone’s guess. “Who the fuck—”

“This can go one of two ways,” I said, cutting her off before she could get belligerent. “You can let me take your kid to the ranch and let my parents take care of him while you go get yourself help, or I can call the sheriff who will open a child endangerment case, put Shiloh in foster care, and you face charges for neglect and abuse.”

“Don’t tell me how to parent my own goddamn kid,” she slurred, lurching a step forward and then having to grab the door so she didn’t faceplant. I would have let her hit the deck too.

“Make your choice right now. I can’t imagine drying out in a cell would be any fun.”

She was going to say something hateful and mean, I saw it all over her face. But a second later she hiccupped and then belched.

“Fuck you. And fuck that kid. Take him. See if I care.”

It wasn’t going to hold up in any court of law, and I’d have to figure out how to get guardianship of Shiloh, but for the moment, it was enough for me to get him off the property and to the ranch. Mom and Dad would fuss all over him, show him what real love was, and with the power of the Harrington clan, we’d keep him safe.

I left her shouting more obscenities and strode back to the truck. When I climbed into the cab, Shiloh’s eyes were wide and scared, but he wasn’t crying. I had the horrible thought that he’d learned not to let the tears out.

“So,” I began, putting on a big smile. “How about you come stay at the ranch for a little while? Payton’s Mimi and Papa would love that.”

“She’s mad,” he murmured.

“Yeah, she is. But that’s okay, because deep down, she wants you safe.”

Shiloh’s expression clearly showed he didn’t believe that. After a full minute, he finally said, “The ranch is nice.”

I pointed at the house. “You need anything from in there? Don’t worry about clothes or anything. We can take care of that. But anything else? Anything important?”

To Shiloh’s credit, he thought about it for a few seconds then shook his head. I nodded, and before I put the truck in gear, I shot a text to my parents letting them know what was going on. Well, the bare bones of it. I’d have to give the details once Shiloh was safe and warm. And probably fed. Then after making sure Shiloh was buckled up, I pointed the truck toward home.

Chapter 2

Wren

Istared at the view from the balcony of my rental cabin. I was far away from home by design. Also it wasn’t a cabin, it was more like a luxury whatever with six bedrooms and all the entertainment options one could want. Except anything music related. I’d made sure of that.

Well, Abigail had, when I’d asked her to please find a place in the middle of nowhere. The only other requirements had been a gorgeous view and a remote location.

Since I’d come to the Smoky Mountains a few months ago, I hadn’t left even once. I was kind of sad I’d missed Crew and Mal’s impromptu wedding, but it was what it was. I’d chosen to be away from the family, so missing events was something that was bound to happen.

Had I been somewhere closer, like the Rockies, it would’ve been easier to get there fast.