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As he suspected, it didn’t take two seconds to jimmy the cheap lock. The handle turned in his hand. With one last warning look at Jane, he cracked it open.
The soft murmur of the television hit his ear. Light from the screen flickered over a boy’s face. The child turned toward him and stiffened.
Bridger smiled. “Hey, Kellen. I brought a friend, dude.” He motioned Jane into the room.
She blasted past Bridger, but froze a few feet inside. A cry, part pain, part joy exploded from her lips.
Kellen’s wide eyes took in Jane for the first time, and he hesitated, the ice cream slipping from his hand and splattering on the floor.
“Quickly, sweetheart.” Jane’s arms stretched out, her fingers trembling with anticipation and fear.
Why didn’t the kid move? He must know Jane was safe. Bridger clenched his jaw, willing the boy not to reject her after everything she’d been through to find him.
Run to her. He willed the boy to sense his silent command.Go on. Run.
He clenched his fists at his sides, desperate to force the words through the air but knowing that any sound could jeopardize everything.
Clearly in shock, the boy finally seemed to register Jane’s presence.
“Jane!” His thin legs sprang into motion, propelling him across the room and into her embrace.
“Kellen!” She held the boy tight, her hands cupping his head. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
“You’re safe now, kid,” Bridger whispered to himself, allowing the tight knot of anxiety in his chest to loosen just a fraction.
But there was no time for celebration. He cleared his throat. “Tai, how we looking?”
“Clear as day, Cap.”
“Good. Let’s get them home.”
As Jane and Kellen embraced, Bridger turned away for a moment, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. These moments were why he did his job, the moments of joy and relief that cut through all the darkness. In the midst of such chaos, they had created a moment of pure grace.
30
Jane watchedKellen as he reached for another helping of mashed potatoes. He was so small compared to the team surrounding them at the table. Despite her joy, fatigue clung to her like the dust from the ranch. Her heartbeat echoed gratitude for his safety—a silent prayer with each rise and fall of her chest.
Kellen was alive, safe, and right beside her.
Her gaze drifted towards him like a satellite drawn by a planet’s gravity. She studied his profile in the soft light, the curve of his cheek, and the slope of his nose. She committed every detail to memory in case he was ever swept away from her again. In the back of her mind, she knew this moment might be impermanent.
Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a silver-blue glow on the worn floorboards and weathered furniture of the old Gaffney ranch. Laughter danced in the air, filling the room as Kellen’s excitement bubbled over like a frothy potion, his sleepy eyes wide with wonder.
A forkful of potatoes hovered near his lips. “I can’t believe you guys have your own helicopter.” He fixed Bridger with an adoring gaze. “When I grow up, I want to do cool stuff, like you.”
“Careful what you wish for,” Fenn chuckled, reaching for another roll. “You might end up with muscles the size of Tai’s.”
Kellen’s eyes widened even more if that was possible. “Cool.”
Tai flexed his biceps. “Gotta stay strong. You never know when some bad guy might try to crash our dinner party.”
“No kidding,” Jane murmured, her fingers tightening around her fork.
Memories of danger and loss stirred beneath her calm exterior, threatening to well up like dark clouds on the horizon. But she pushed them back, focusing on the present—on the love and laughter that surrounded her.
“Riding in the helicopter was awesome,” Kellen’s words danced with wonder, his eyes locked on Bridger. “Pete never does anything cool. Not like you guys.”
Jane caught Bridger’s eye, sharing a look that spoke volumes.
