The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns

“Lacey? What’s wrong?”

Suddenly she remembered her reason for coming here. “I can’t find Colin. I think he’s run away.”

Chapter Four

WHEN Jeff drew Lacey into his arms, he couldn’t think about anything but calming her. Not how her soft and delicate body felt against his, or how many years he’d ached to hold her close like this. It was heaven and hell.

Right now he needed to concentrate on the problem at hand. He released her. “It’s going to be okay, Lacey. We’ll find Colin.”

“When was the last time you saw your son?” Brandon asked, breaking into the moment.

Lacey’s eyes widened. “It sounds terrible, but I’m not sure. When he came in from doing morning chores, we argued.” She glanced at Jeff. “He talked again about working with the horses. I got upset with his attitude so I sent him upstairs.” She brushed her hair back from her face. “About noon, I fixed him a sandwich and took it up to him, hoping we could work it out.” She blinked back fresh tears. “He was gone.”

“What about Emily?” Jeff asked. “Did she see him leave?”

Lacey shook her head. “She’s been at her friend’s house all day.”

Jeff watched as she tried to stay in control. “Did you check the barn?” he asked. “Maybe he was just hiding out.”

She folded her arms. “I checked and found his horse gone, too. I don’t know how I missed him. I was in the kitchen most of the morning. He must have walked Buddy around the front of the house so I wouldn’t see him leave.” Her lower lip quivered. “He wanted to get away from me that badly.”

“He’s had a rough year, Lacey,” Brandon said. “But we’re going to find him.” He frowned. “Are you sure you’ve checked all the places he would go?”

She nodded. “That’s why I came up here. This was where he used to come with Trevor.”