Page 24 of Operation Rescue
“So?”
“So maybe they…didn’t want to talk to you for some reason.”
“Because I’m some hysterical mother?” she asked, her tone kicking up a notch. As it did, Cutter let out a low sound, something between a tiny growl and a whine. Remembering what Rafe had said, he looked down at the dog, who was looking at Erin much as he’d looked at Blaine earlier.
Somehow that made him able to keep his tone even. “I didn’t say that. I’m only saying that he—” he jerked a thumb toward Rafe “—is a lot harder to say no to.”
She seemed to consider that for a moment. “Especially if they’re bad guys,” she finally said, her tone bleak.
He wanted to hug her, reassure her, but he didn’t trust himself to touch her. Even now the connection between them pulled at him.
Connection.
He looked down at Cutter, who was again looking from him to Erin in that rather unnerving way. He didn’t think he’d share what Rafe had told him about the dog’s other talents just yet. Maybe ever. Because when this was over and Ethan was back home and safe, he’d be out of her life again.
But maybe not so far away.
It wasn’t the first time he’d had the thought. That when he got out this time, it would be for good. And that he would relocate, to somewhere close enough that he could see more of Ethan, become part of his son’s life again. He hated only seeing him every few months. He remembered too well the chaos of his own teenage years, and if this was any indication, Ethan’s was even more tangled. He needed to be closer. It had been too long. The two and a half years since Erin had left him felt like forever—and yesterday.
You thought it would be easier now, that you’d been apart long enough that she wouldn’t get to you anymore.He nearly snorted with audible laughter at his own thought.How’s that going for you?
He felt a nudge to his leg, and looked down to see Cutter still staring up at him with that unsettling gaze. He leaned down to touch the dog’s dark head, and froze. He’d forgotten that crazy effect the animal had. The comfort and easing just stroking his fur gave.
One of his other skills, Rafe had said. Just how many hidden talents did this furry beast have, anyway?
He straightened up, looking at his fingers as if they held the answer to that effect. But he was unable to deny he did feel a little better, a little steadier.
Rafe came over to them. He looked at Erin and asked, “You have something Ethan wore that hasn’t been washed yet?”
She blinked. “I…yes, I’m sure there are a few things, in the laundry room.”
“Get them,” Rafe said, and followed her down the hall, with Cutter glued to his side.
When she handed him a couple of shirts and some underwear, he crouched down in front of Cutter and held them out. “Search,” he said, and the dog poked his nose into the wad of clothing. He seemed to sniff deeply, then pulled his head back and looked at Rafe, who stood up again and handed the items back to Erin.
“He’ll know?” Erin asked. “Just from that?”
“He’ll know his job is to find him.” Rafe’s mouth quirked. “Now, if I’d said ‘target,’ that’d be a whole other thing.”
Blaine could imagine.Targethad an entirely different connotation.
“Let’s roll,” Rafe said and headed for the door, Cutter now at his heels. Blaine looked at Erin, who still didn’t look happy about staying back, but she nodded resignedly.
“We’ll find him,” he vowed. “Sooner or later we’ll find him.”
“All the sooner you can manage, please,” she said, her voice sounding the same as her expression looked.
He nodded, saw Cutter was still in the doorway, looking back at him, and headed that way.
He didn’t realize quite how wound up he’d been until they were in the car and pulling out of the driveway. Rafe had told him to drive again, given his familiarity with the area, including a couple of the places on the list.
They were at the stop sign on the corner when he looked at Rafe and, only half joking, asked, “So did the dog here make you change your mind about where we should stay?”
Rafe actually looked startled. Then a little sheepish as he said, “No. That one’s on me. But the reason’s still valid.”
“Yeah.”
They were going to check in at the sheriff’s office for the area first, to “stay on their good side,” Rafe had said, “And see if they’ve turned up anything since we called.”
