They clattered up the steps and crossed to the sitting room. “Throw that blanket over the couch.” As soon as she did, he laid Eddie there and knelt by him, brushing the hair from the bruised forehead.
Dianne pushed him aside and fell to her knees by her son. “Is he—?” Her voice shattered into pieces. She put her hand on the small chest, watched it rising and falling, and then focused on the cut. After hurrying to the kitchen, she returned in seconds with a basin of water and a rag and set about sponging away the blood.
Eddie lay motionless.
“What happened? I thought you were watching him. I thought he was safe with you.” Her quivering voice rose higher with each word.
He touched her shoulder to express sorrow and regret.
She shrugged from him and bent her head over her son. “If something happens to him…” Her voice broke. She spared him an angry, accusing glance. Then, tears streaming down her cheeks, she leaned back over her son.
“I’m sorry. I should have been watching him better.” All he wanted was to hug her and comfort her, but she shook her head, shifting to block any offers from him.
He stood on wooden legs. She had every right to reject him. He’d failed again. Just as he had with Chet. He was a menace to those he cared about.
There was only one thing for him to do. His footsteps echoed in the silent kitchen as he strode from the house.
“Please,God. Please, God. Save my boy.” Dianne whispered the words over and over. She cleaned the cut on his head. She examined him for any other injuries and found none. Still, Eddie lay motionless.
Where were Jace and the others when this happened? Wasn’t anyone watching her child? Of course, that was her responsibility. And even when she was so careful, an inner voice reminded, he’d slipped away. That’s how they ended up at the cabin with Jace.
“Mama?”
A cry escaped her at the soft call. She cupped her hands to his cheeks. “You’re awake.” She did her best to sniff back tears, but warm moisture washed down her cheeks.
“I’s fine.” When he tried to sit up, she pushed him back to the couch. “You need to rest.”
“Where Jace?”
“He’s not here.” Did her shrug convince him she didn’t want him there?
It didn’t convince her.
“Mama, you cross with Jace?”
“No.” Well, perhaps a little. She wanted to blame him forEddie’s accident, though she knew it wasn’t fair or even reasonable. Eddie was a little boy whose curiosity often got him into trouble.
“I wanna see Jace.” Eddie’s voice quivered, and tears washed his eyes.
“He’ll be back soon. You’ll have to wait.” He’d be in for the next meal. Which reminded her— “You lie here and rest while I make dinner.” She handed him his carved animals to play with. Preparations took longer than normal as she paused every few minutes to check on Eddie. He was content to move the toys around on his chest.
The meal ready, she called out to the men. Behind her, Eddie’s feet thumped on the floor, and he rushed into the kitchen.
“You need to rest.”
Eddie touched the cut on his forehead. “It’s nothin’.”
Those words brought a smile to her lips. He was quoting Jace. She had to make the man understand that she didn’t blame him for the accident, though her earlier words might have suggested she did.
Cal and Lee stepped into the kitchen.
She looked behind them. “Where’s Jace?”
The cowboys glanced at each other, a silent message exchanged.
“What’s going on?” she demanded.
“Ma’am.” Cal shifted from foot to foot. “He’s gone.”
