Free Secrets and Lace (Lonely Lace #2) by Bonnie R. Paulson Page B

forget about his son? Robbie hung his head, shamed but determined to find Amelia. “I’m not sure. What do you think we can do? I would say ask Slate to watch him, but…” He glanced at his brother. “Maybe Becky would take him until we can figure something out?”
    Ronan nodded slowly. “Okay. But I don’t think we have very long.” Between Slate’s blood and unconscious state and Amelia’s disappearance with one of the worst gangs in Montana’s history, Robbie’s statement was more than optimistic.
    Amelia. Robbie staved off the panic the thought of her in Caracus’s hands brought on. “Meet me back here. I need to get some things together. Drop off Mac and Slate. I’ll run in and give Doc a call to let her know you’re coming.” Slate and Amelia had both suffered because of him.
    Inside the barn, Robbie grabbed the keys hanging on a nail hook beside the door. He glanced over at Mac sitting quietly on the newly stacked hay bales along the far side of the barn. Robbie cleared his throat, working to keep his rising panic from cracking his tone. “Hey, I’m going to have you go with Uncle Ronan to see Doctor O’Donald.”
    Mac swung his legs, kicking the bale and sending bursts of dust into the air. At Robbie’s words he looked up. Eyes bright with unshed tears, Mac’s lower lip trembled. “Someone took my mom?”
    Shit. Robbie crossed the cement floor in three long strides. He squatted beside Mac, lowering to an even level with his son. “I’m sorry you heard that. Yes. Someone took her.”
    “You’re going to save her, right?” Mac scrunched up his mouth and nose. He pointed at Robbie’s chest. “’Cause that’s what daddies do – save the mommies.”
    In the eyes of his child – his child, the fact still hadn’t completely cemented in his head where his heart had accepted it without question – everything was so simple. How did Robbie tell Mac that his mom was in danger because of his dad?
    Robbie took a deep breath. “Mac, I promise I’ll bring your mom back, okay? Now we gotta get you in the truck.”
    Mac slid off the hay. Robbie stood and accepted the small hand he offered. Together they walked to the rig where Slate lay. Ronan waited beside the tailgate.
    Holding out his hand, Robbie relaxed his grip. “Here.”
    “Wait. I’m driving? This isn’t my truck.” Ronan looked at Robbie’s hand holding the keys.
    Reaching down and grabbing Ronan’s fist, Robbie slapped the key ring into his palm. “I don’t drive. I’ll need my horse for the search anyway. Leave your horse here. I’ll get him fed and ready to go. Just come right back and we’ll go.” He didn’t want to tell Ronan that he might go and check out the trail before too much time passed. He’d always been vastly superior in the tracking skills arena than the James boy.
    Ronan watched Robbie. After a drawn out moment, he shook his head and turned, taking long strides toward the rig. “I should be back within the hour. Be ready.”
    “Got it.” Robbie didn’t fight the command in Ronan’s voice.
    Even though their families had warred, Robbie grew up with R.J., been in the same classes, even rode the bus together. Ronan’s innate ability to get bossy under stress had made him an easy choice for captain of just about everything as well as president of more clubs than anyone thought possible.
    Robbie didn’t care who called the shots as long as they were heading out to rescue Amelia as soon as possible. He glanced toward the base of the mountains. The gang didn’t need long to set up a campsite in the national forest and then do whatever they wanted to Amelia. The thought sent a shiver through Robbie.
    To cover his involuntary action, Robbie rushed to exclaim. “It’s cold, Ronan. Let me grab a blanket for Slate.” Robbie helped Mac into the cab and shut the door. A pile of horse blankets sat neatly folded beside the tack wall. Robbie snagged the top one and rushed to tuck it around his twin resting in the