AllFreeNovel
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The boys are home.
Something still felt off. The clatter ascending the stairs unfamiliar, she ventured out from beneath the covers and tiptoed down the hall. Arien stopped just before she came to the landing, stepping back into the recess of a doorway. Flushing cold, clammy sweat erupted on her skin. As determined as she was not to make a sound, she was certain the pounding in her chest could be heard throughout the house.
He didn’t see her.
But she saw him.
Dressed in black, his face hidden under a hood, the man turned right at the top of the staircase. Heading straight for the wing where Matthew and Benjamin’s rooms were, he seemed to know where he was going. He opened the baby’s door and stepped inside.
Arien didn’t waste another precious second.
Adrenalin pulsing through her, she ran back down the hall and locked her bedroom door. That alone wouldn’t be enough to keep someone out if they wanted in. She didn’t even bother dressing. Wrapping him in blanket, Arien scooped her brother from the bed, swiped the keys to Tanner’s truck off the dresser, and slipped out through the glass door to the deck.
She didn’t feel the snow beneath her bare feet.
She didn’t think. Only one word repeated in her head.
Run.
Tanner stood at the expanse of glass, surveying the wintry night sky. Obscured by a veil-like layer of clouds, moonlight passed through crystals of ice, forming a halo around the shrouded orb. Yeah, something was coming. He could feel it.
His wife, none the worse for wear, bustled about the kitchen with the womenfolk, chattering amongst themselves. Couldn’t tell by looking at her she’d come through such a harrowing ordeal not forty-eight hours ago. Strength, and an unshakable spirit, wrapped in a soft outer layer, is what she was. He saw it in her from the start, and it’s what he loved about her the most.
A frosty burst of air swept into the room, the front door opening behind him. He didn’t bother turning around. It had to be Gantry. Everyone else was here.
“Tanner.” Kellan appeared at his side. “C’mon, brother. We’re gonna talk private while Arien’s occupied. No use upsettin’ her none.”
A meeting of the minds. Their families, connected since way back, had always been close. They took a seat, joining their father, Victor, and his sons, in front of the fire. The elder Gantry rested his elbows on his knees, fingers steepled beneath his chin. After an audible exchange of air, he spoke, “Someone was here all right. Left behind some footprints in the snow. Followed ’em to the stream and they disappeared.”
“Course, they did.” His brow knitting in thought, Matthew cocked his head. “He waded through icy water all the way back to town?”
“Looks like it.”
Judging by the twist of his lips, Kellan didn’t seem to agree. “That’s an awful long way. Fucker would freeze to death first.”
“Good,” Tanner exclaimed, slapping his thigh. “Hope he did.”
“More’n likely he was only in the stream long enough to keep us off his trail. Must’ve had a sled or a horse stashed in the woods somewhere.”
“Good thinkin’, Jake.”
Clasping his hands behind his head, Kellan sat back with a smirk. “Well, if he went into the water, then he came out of it somewhere, too.”
Billy tapped his brother’s shoulder. “We can take the horses out in the morning. Ride the stream. See if the trail picks back up.”
“Yeah, we should.” Jake nodded.
A bunch of cowboys playin’ detective. Sure, why not?
“The storm.” Tanner snapped his fingers. “Tell ’em, Kel.”
“Tell ’em what?”
“The night of the storm, remember?”
“Damn.” His eyes widened. “It wasn’t her imagination.”
“Don’t think so.”
