Page 39 of Sweet Surprise

Wiping her hands on her apron, Alice came beside them, her movements quick and efficient. “I’ll check the downstairs rooms.”

“Maybe his door is closed and he can’t hear us.” Carson took the steps three at a time, calling Mason’s name. The boy’s bedroom door stood ajar. Carson pushed it open, scanning the space—unmade bed, toys scattered across the floor, drawings tacked to the walls. But no Mason.

His gaze caught on the empty hook by the door where the backpack usually hung. The binoculars that normally sat on the nightstand were gone too.

“Blast,” he breathed, spinning on his heel and returning downstairs.

In the hallway, he nearly collided with Preston and Sarah.

“What’s going on?” Preston asked. “We heard shouting.”

“Can’t find Mason.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue.

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Have you checked the barns? You know how he loves the horses.”

“That’s where I came from. Not there.” A cold, heavy weight settled in Carson’s stomach.

“He wouldn’t leave the ranch alone, would he?” Jess leveled her gaze with his. “He knows better.” The last words sounded like she was trying to convince herself rather than stating a fact.

Where could the kid be?

“He can’t have gone far.” Preston’s words did little to erase the knots forming in Jess’s stomach. Surely he wouldn’t run off. This ranch was so large, it would be easy to get lost and take days to find him. No, she was not going to let her mind run away with thoughts like that. Mason was a good boy. He had to be somewhere. Somewhere near.

Garret burst through the door. “What’s going on?”

“We can’t find Mason,” Sarah answered first.

Phone in hand, Garret began tapping. “Let me check the security cameras.”

Of course. Jess’s nerves eased slightly. That would let them see where Mason was.

As Garret pulled up the footage, Carson placed his hand firmly around Jess’s waist. She’d never been so thankful for a man’s support in her life. Her own hands felt clammy as she waited for a report on the footage.

Alice hovered behind her son, muttering prayers under her breath.

“There.” Garret pointed. “Out the door, looks like a bit over a two hours ago.”

Carson’s grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly. She could feel his tension, coiled tight like a rope about to snap. How had she not noticed her son had been gone for over two whole hours?

On the small screen, they watched Mason ease down the rear steps, backpack slung over his shoulder, Brady trotting at his heels. The boy looked back once at the house, then squared his shoulders and set off with determined strides.

“Why would he runaway?” Worry and disappointment mixed in her eyes.

Carson heaved a deep sigh. “There’s no reason for him to runaway. Where would he go? Why would he go?”

“The horses.” Jess’s fingers clenched at her side. “He’s been talking about them all week, drawing them, asking when we could go back to the canyon.”

“He took Brady,” Alice said, touching Jess’s arm. “That dog won’t let anything happen to him.”

Carson was already moving toward the door. “I’ll take the Jeep. We can cover more ground faster.”

“I’m coming with you.” Jess didn’t mean to snap.

Carson nodded once. “Preston and Sarah, Garret and Rachel—can you check the east and south sections, just in case. We’ll head west, follow his trail.”

“I’m coming too.” Alice tossed the rag she’d still been holding to one side.

“No.” Carson stepped away, closer to his mother. “Someone has to stay here in case he doubles back, let us know.”

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