“Who hit you?” he demands. Panic has her turning away from him.
“We have to go, he’s coming!” She pushes away and calls to Lucas. No answer. Kristin picks up the revolver and steps around the boulder, followed by Eli.
Lucas is curled into a ball with his hands over his ears and rocking his little body in terror. Kristin covers a sob with her hand and tucks the gun away. “No,” she whispers.
Her gentle touch has Lucas lifting a dirty, bruised face to his Mama. He leaps into her arms, sobbing, and she drops to her knees and rocks him on the dusty ground. “It’s okay, we’re safe now. Eli’s here.” Lucas lifts his face to look at Eli and fury rips through his soul. The child has been mistreated, blood, dirt, and bruises on his little face.
“Who did this to you?” His voice is hoarse, and he struggles to push back the rage at the thought of someone hurting them.
“His name is Fred Anderson, and he’s after Savannah and Oliver’s photos.”
Eli jerks in shock, but quickly moves to the carriage and unstraps the horses. “Let’s get you two home and then I will take care of this Fred Anderson. Kristin, you ran the horses hard, Lucas will have to ride with me.”
Lucas wraps his arms around her neck and burrows deep, trembling. She steps away from him and the horses and shakes her head, “No.”
Eli steps forward, “I know you’ve had a time of it, but Lucas is strong, he can do this.” Lucas releases his death hold on her neck and turns to look at Eli. He scrubs his eyes with the back of his dirty fists and struggles to stop the tremors.
“I am?” he whispers.
“You sure are. Cash will take good care of you and so will I.” Eli reaches for him, but Lucas stops him with his next sentence.
“But who’ll take care of my Mama?” He leans his head against hers and Kristin doesn’t bother to wipe the tears streaking down her cheeks.
“I will,” Eli whispers. “If she’ll let me.”
Lucas stares hard at him for a moment and then nods his head. “Okay, let’s go home.” Eli plucks him from her stunned arms and walks over to Cash.
“Can you ride?” he calls to Kristin.
“Yes.”
They are almost to his family land before it occurs to Kristin that he’s taking them to his house. “Eli, our home is in town. I need to talk to the Sheriff.”
“You’ll be safer with me.”
So many emotions rip through her soul, relief, doubt, fear, anger, all at once and none of it is Eli’s fault. She rides in silence, praying he’s right.
Rooster watches as Eli returns with Kristin and Lucas. When he moves to approach the horse, Eli shakes his head stopping him in his tracks and nods for him to assist Kristin. Lucas has fallen asleep curled up in Eli’s arms, and he isn’t ready to give him up yet.
“Kristin, let me help you down,” Rooster lifts her gently from the horse, noting the hiss of pain when he bumps her arm.
Felicia is stunned when they appear, dirty bruised and battered. “What’s happened?” she gasps.
Kristin rushes over to Eli, “Give me my Son,” she whispers.
“No, the little man is tuckered out, and your arm is sore,” Eli stomps away and inside the house to a guest room. She watches as Eli places him gently on the bed and covers him with a blanket. Kristin starts to tremble as shock begins to take hold.
“I thought he was going to kill us…” Kristin stammers. Felicia guides her from the room into the kitchen.
Rooster glances down at the child, and he is hisses in anger. “What’s happened?”
“Rooster, can you stay with him?” Eli asks.
“I’ll explain,” he stops Eli before he gets to the door. “We’re going after whoever did this to them?”
Eli grins, “Count on it.”
Kristin lets Felicia flutter around her, caring for her split lip and bruised cheek. “I’ll just go see about a clean dress for you.” She rushes upstairs calling the housekeeper to ready a bath.
When Eli walks into the Kitchen, it’s as if all the space is sucked out. “Eli, thank you for taking care of us, but you don’t need to.”
Eli steps over to the chair she’s sitting on and drops to a knee, causing Kristin to gasp in shock. “I’ve been such a fool, Kristin, and if you allow me, I’d like to apologize to you.”
“Eli?” she touches his face. “You’ve nothing to apologize for. I never meant to hurt you…”
Eli leans in and kisses her softly, gently, and with all the love he’s bottled up for her over the years. He tastes the saltiness of her tears and feels the shudder of her body, but it’s when she cups his face with both hands that he sends a prayer of thankfulness to his Father, God, for creating such a loving spirit.
He breaks off, “I read your letter, Kristin, and I understand. Savannah asked me what I’d do to save Oliver, and I realized I’d do anything to have him back. You did exactly what you should’ve done, and after meeting your Son, I’d say God’s plan is always perfect. I’ve watched you walk away from me for too many years, please don’t make me do it again.”
“I don’t know what to say, Eli,” she sobs and draws a deep breath. “I’ve loved you since I was ten years old. That has never changed, but can you honestly say you’re ready to raise another man’s child?”
“No,” he says, and Kristin sags and covers her face with her hand. “I’ll love your son as my own,” Eli promises. Kristin drops her hands and stares at him. “He’ll never have to worry if he’s good enough or ask if he belongs and
