Rancher Rescue. Barb Han

      Chapter Two

      Noah was gone. Katherine was hurt. Her only chance to see her nephew again stood next to her. The cowboy’s actions showed he wanted to help. He needed to know the truth. She couldn’t pinpoint the other reason she felt an undeniable urge to confide in the cowboy. But she did.

      “My nephew was kidnapped for a reason.” Oh. God. It was almost unbearable to say those words out loud.

      His thick brow arched. “Do you know these men?”

      She shook her head. “They wanted me to give them a file. Said they knew I had it, but I don’t. I have no idea what they’re talking about.”

      The cowboy’s comforting arm tightened around her. Could he really help? Noah was gone and she was desperate.

      He pulled out his cell phone.

      “I’m calling my foreman, then the sheriff. We’ll cover more ground that way.”

      “No police. They insisted. Besides, there’s no time. Let’s use your horse. We might be able to catch them. Noah needs medicine.” She moved to step forward. Pain nearly buckled her knees. Her vision blurred.

      “Hold on there,” he said, righting her again with a firm hand. “We’ll find him, but I’m bringing in the law.”

      “They’ll hurt—”

      “I doubt it. Think about it. They’d say anything to back you off. There’s no chance to find him otherwise.” He turned to his call. “Matt, grab a few men and some horses. We have a situation. A boy’s been taken. Looks like they might’ve crossed over to the McGrath place with him. I want every square inch of both properties scoured. And call the sheriff.” His gaze met Katherine’s, and her heart clutched. He was right. They were most likely bluffing.

      She nodded.

      “There are two men dressed in suits. Could be dangerous.” His attention shifted to her. “How old is your nephew?”

      “Four.” With reinforcements on the way, she dared to think she could get Noah back safely before the sun went down.

      A muscle in the cowboy’s jaw ticked. “You heard that, right?” A beat later came, “Somebody cut the fence on the north corner. Jimmy’s been running this side. Ask him how things were the other day when he came this way.”

      Katherine looked at the barbed wire. The last bit of hope this could have been a bad dream shriveled and died.

      “Tell the men to be careful.” Caleb took more of her weight as he pocketed his phone. “I’ve got you.”

      “I’m fine.” Katherine struggled to break free from his grip. Her brain was scrambled. She’d been dragged through this area thinking it had been a random trail, but how could it be? They’d cut the fence in advance. Everything about them seemed professional and planned. But what kind of file could she possibly have for men like them?

      The cowboy’s strong grip tightened around her as she fought another wave of nausea. “I think I’ll be fine once I get on your horse.”

      “My men are all over this. Matt’s phoning the sheriff as we speak. I need to get you home where I can take care of your injuries. The sheriff will need to speak to you for his report.”

      “The longer I wait, the farther away Noah will be.” She had no purse, no ID and no money. Those had been discarded along with his medicine. Everything she’d had with her was scattered between here and the pumpkin patch.

      His brow arched. “You won’t make it a mile in your condition.”

      “I can. I have to.” Katherine tried to put weight on her foot. Her knee buckled. He pulled her upright again with strong arms. He was powerful, male and looked as though he could handle himself against just about any threat.

      Caleb shook his head. “Hell, I’d move heaven and earth if I were in your situation. But you’re hurt.”

      “He needs me. He’s little and scared. You can’t possibly understand.” Her voice hitched.

      The lines in the cowboy’s forehead deepened. “We’ll cut through the McGraths’ on the way to the house. How’s that?”

      His arms banded around her hips. Arms like his would be capable of handling anyone or anything they came across. He lifted her onto the saddle with no effort and then swung up behind her.

      “I need to make sure you’re going to be around long enough to greet him. You let infection set in and that leg will be no use to you anymore.”

      She didn’t argue. Fatigue weighted her limbs, drained her energy. If he could fix her leg, she could find Noah.

      Taking the long way around didn’t unearth any clues about Noah’s whereabouts. The sky was darkening. Night would fall soon.

      The house coming into view was a white two-story Colonial with a wraparound porch and dark green shutters. An impressive set of barns sat behind the house. There was a detached garage with a basketball hoop off to the side. This was a great place for kids.

      Katherine hadn’t stopped once to realize this man probably had a family of his own. The image of him cradling a baby edged its way into her thoughts. The contrast between something so tiny and vulnerable against his bare steel chest brought shivers up her arms.

      Did he have a son? His reaction to Noah’s age made more sense.

      She prayed Noah would be home in bed before the sun vanished. Was he still panicked? Could he breathe? Did he have time before the next attack? Did she?

      What would happen when the men came after her again if she couldn’t produce the file?

      She shrugged off the ice trickling down her spine. Police would need a description of the attackers. She had to think. The last thing she remembered was being hauled through the woods. She ran so long her lungs burned. The next thing she knew, she was facedown in the dirt. The men had disappeared. She’d lost everything.

      “Lean toward me. I’ll catch you.” Caleb stood next to the horse.

      One of his calloused but gentle hands splayed on the small of her back. He carried her inside as if she weighed nothing and placed her on the sofa in the front room. He lifted her bloody leg to rest on top of the polished knotty-pine coffee table.

      The smell of spices and food warming sent a rumble through her stomach. How long had she been dragged? She wouldn’t be able to eat, but how long could Noah go without food? Was he hungry?

      “Margaret, grab my emergency bag,” Caleb shouted before turning to Katherine. “Margaret helps me out with cleaning and cooking. Keeps me and my boys fed.”

      So he did have children. Katherine figured a place with this kind of space had to have little ones running around. Noah would have loved it here.

      A round woman padded into the room. A salt-of-the-earth type with a kind face, she looked to be in her late fifties. Her expression dropped. “What happened?”

      Caleb gave her a quick rundown before introducing them. “I’ll need clean towels, a bowl of warm water and something for Katherine to drink. Some of these gashes are deep.”

      Margaret returned with supplies. “If anyone can find your nephew, it’s this man.”

      Margaret’s sympathetic expression melted some of Katherine’s resolve. “Thank you.”

      “You look like you’re in pain. Tell me where it hurts.”

      “My head. Stomach.” Her hand pressed against her midsection to stave off another round of nausea. “But I’ll be fine.”

      “Of course you will. You’re in good hands.” She