“If you’re ready,” Linc said. “Why don’t we go get that food?”
Carly rested a hand on the boy’s back to urge him toward the door and he winced. Linc lifted his shirt, saw the angry red stripes, and silently cursed.
“Ever ything’s going to be okay, son,” he said. “I promise.”
The boy swallowed. Linc could tell he was fighting to hold back tears. Wrapping an arm around the kid’s bony shoulders, he pulled him into his side and hung on. Zach took a shuddering breath and for a moment leaned against him.
Over the boy’s head he saw Carly wiping moisture from her cheeks.
Chapter Twenty
Why was it when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, they always seemed to do just that?
Carly sat in the front seat of the truck, parked in the Burger King lot. In back, Zach Archer, apparently a cousin she hadn’t known she had, sat wolfing down a Whopper, double fries, and a super-size chocolate shake.
Behind the wheel, Linc cast her a glance. “You okay?”
“Just trying to piece it all together.” She took a last bite of her chicken sandwich and stuffed the wrapper into the paper bag. Linc had already finished.
“I remember Joe mentioning his second wife,” she said. “I know she was way younger than he was. Joe said they had a daughter named Caroline and I know she died in a car accident, but according to Joe, he and Caroline had lost contact years before it happened. Apparently she married Ray Archer and had a child.”
“I don’t think Joe knew Caroline had a son,” Linc said. “If he’d known, he would have mentioned him.”
“No, I’m sure he didn’t,” Carly said.
“So Archer was at your house looking for his kid.”
“What?” The small voice came from the backseat.
Carly turned to look at Zach. “You know your father was arrested, right?”
Pain flashed in his face. He was a good-looking kid, with fine features and blue eyes a little lighter than her own.
“He was beating Suzy up real bad,” he said. “I tried to stop him, but then he got mad at me, too. I didn’t know what to do. Suzy was bleeding and crying. I called nine-one-one, then I got my stuff and took off while he and Suzy were still fighting.”
“Calling the police was the right thing to do,” Carly said.
“Running away from the cops, however, was a good way for you to get hurt,” Linc added.
“But you’re here now and safe,” Carly finished. “That’s what’s important.” She caught the amusement in Linc’s eyes.What?she silently mouthed.He’s just a little boy.
“I thought my father was in jail,” Zach said, his features dark with worry. “You said he came here. You said he was looking for me.”
“Your dad got out on bail,” Linc said. “You know what that means?”
He nodded. “I saw it on TV. Where you put up money to prove you won’t run away.”
Carly reached across the seat and caught hold of his hand. “I’m sorry, Zach, but your dad did run away. He came here looking for you.”
The boy’s face went pale and he started breathing too fast.
“He’s not going to find you, Zach,” Linc promised. “We’re going to make sure you’re safe.”
“You don’t know him. My dad can be real mean. He might have a gun. He might shoot you.”
“We have guards at the ranch,” Linc said calmly. “He won’t be able to get to you there.”
“Are you sure?”
