He scrambled onto the king-size bed. She gave him one of her pillows and turned on her side to look at him in the semidarkness.
Tears slid down his cheeks. “I don’t want you to leave.”
She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Let’s not worry about my leaving tonight. I want to hear about Daken.”
“He follows me everywhere.”
“You’ve got a friend for life. A horse can live a long time.”
“That’s what Dad said. Nate’s mom let him come over this afternoon. He didn’t want to leave when it was time to go home. Tomorrow we’re going to teach Daken tricks.”
“What a wonderful idea. I bet Nate wants a miniature horse, too.”
“But they don’t have a pasture or a barn.”
“That’s right, and your little horse has to eat grass.”
“Claire? Do you like my dad?”
Wow. That was out of the blue. “Of course I do.”
“But I mean do you really like him?”
Oh, Jeremy...
“Yes. I really do. He’s the best Texas Ranger in the whole state and the best father I’ve ever seen. He found you when nobody else could. That’s because he loves you so much.” Suddenly she remembered something and reached for her phone. “I want to show you something.”
“What?”
“That first day we’d been looking everywhere for you and had to come home to sleep. Your father and Ranger Saunders were so exhausted, they plopped down in the family room. Take a look. Your dad doesn’t know I took this.” She handed him the phone.
Jeremy laughed. “They look funny all sprawled out. Dad doesn’t have his shoes on.”
“I told him to take them off and lie down. He was so spent after worrying about you all evening, that he never moved the rest of the night. Neither did Ranger Saunders.” She took the phone and put it back on the table.
“Claire?” Jeremy said. He sounded so sober.
“Yes?” Her heart was pounding.
“Do you love my dad?”
She needed to give him a safe answer. “Yes. Who wouldn’t love him? He’s what heroes are made of.”
“I knew you did. Thanks for letting me talk to you. I’ll go back to bed now.”
That was a
surprise. “Okay. See you in the morning. Sleep well.”
Chapter Seven
Vic couldn’t believe it when Jeremy climbed into his bed Sunday morning. He checked his watch through bleary eyes. It was only seven thirty. He hadn’t left the den until three. Kit had sent him some information on the case. So far they hadn’t been able to find a link to anyone higher up in the government who could’ve orchestrated the kidnapping plot.
Vic pored over the coroner’s report on the crash in Colorado until long after he’d put his son to bed. No alcohol or drugs had been involved. Jamison Lowell had definitely been eliminated. Vic wanted to do a thorough background check on him, but it wouldn’t happen until he was allowed back to work.
He’d heard the garage door open around ten and knew Claire had gotten home safely. Much as he’d wanted to intercept her, he needed to wait until they were alone. He didn’t want Jeremy to hear them talking.
On Monday, after he got back from therapy, he’d make arrangements for his son to play at Nate’s house for a few hours. Hopefully Nate’s mom could bring him home when it was time for the nanny interviews. During the time they’d have alone, he hoped to get some answers from Claire before he made a decision that could change their lives.