Page 112 of Reckoning

The look on David’s face was pure joy. She went from Tate’s arms to David’s, still sobbing.

“Is he in there?” David asked.

Tate nodded. “Laid out on the floor like a baby. It’s your son, Scott. Apparently, he wasn’t dead after all.”

David staggered. “My son?”

“The man said you stole me. He said I had to go live with him now. I didn’t know him, Daddy. I was so scared,” Mandy said.

The police swarmed the room and handcuffed the man as he was regaining consciousness.

The detective who’d questioned David was staring at the man on the floor in disbelief. “Never would have guessed that,” he said.

David glared. “Because you were looking so damn hard at me for the snatch. Thank God Briar suggested Tate.”

“Who’s Briar?” the detective asked.

“My assistant, remember. Do you ever pay attention? The woman I was talking to on the phone when you started in on me. She heard about Tate Bandy on the news and asked me if I wanted her to try and contact him. I said yes, send him. Remember?”

Tate walked past both of them. He’d done what he came to do, and the rest of this mess would be figured out in a court of law. He went back the way he’d come, through the tunnel and up into the Gregorys’ house and straight to where Greta was sitting.

“I found her. She’s okay. Your husband has her.”

Greta fell into his arms. “There will never be enough ways to say thank you. What about the man who took her? Please tell me he didn’t harm her.”

“It’s all good. He just scared her.”

“Who was it? Does David know him?” she asked.

“You both know him,” Tate said, then took the picture of Scott down from the mantel and handed it to her. “He’s not dead. But he’s going to wish he was before your husband gets through with him. I’ll let myself out.”

Greta stared at the photo, trying to grasp what she’d just been told. Moments later, David entered the room with Mandy in his arms.

“Mommy!” Mandy cried, and then she was in Greta’s arms.

Tate wasted no time leaving and called Briar on the way home.

She answered on the first ring. “Did you find her?” she asked.

“Yes. She’s okay, but it’s a long, drawn-out story, and the Gregorys have a lot to deal with. I’ll fill you in tonight.”

“Thank you, darlin’. I’m just so grateful that little girl wasn’t harmed, and that you found her so fast. Anything could have happened if he’d had her too long. Gotta go. The phone’s ringing again. See you tonight.”

“Can’t wait,” Tate said, and kept driving.

* * *

On Christmas Day Tate woke Briar up with a kiss and then laid a small, wrapped box between her bare breasts.

“Love of my life, wake up. It’s Christmas,” he said.

Briar opened one eye. “What did you just put on my chest?”

He laughed. “Open both eyes and look for yourself.”

She sat up in bed, scooted against the headboard, and then tore the paper off of the box. “Is it a ring?” she asked.

“I swear to all that’s holy,” he muttered, took the box out of her hands and opened it for her, revealing an engagement and a wedding ring. “Briar Rose Lowe. I think it’s time we got married. Will you do me the honor, or force me to live in sin? It’s totally up to you because I’m game for either choice, but—”