Cowboy In The Crossfire(36)

Once the plane pulled to a stop, Rich tugged off his headset and twisted in the seat. "Sorry it didn't work out."

Amanda stirred in her seat, pretending to wake up. She nodded but didn't comment. What could she say?

Blake's expression tensed as he studied her. "You feeling okay? Your side giving you trouble?"

She forced herself to meet his concerned gaze. It would have been an easy excuse, but then he'd want to look at it again, and she didn't want him touching her in tenderness. She couldn't afford to allow herself to count on him. "I'm fine. Disappointed," she said quietly. "Worried."

It was the truth. She would never get away with flat-out lying to him. Those intelligent, cowboy eyes saw too much.

He clasped her hand in his. "I'll protect you."

She didn't move so as not to alert his suspicions, even though she wanted to avoid his comforting touch. She had to rely on her own strength and be tough as a West Texas drought to keep her and Ethan alive.

The plane taxied to a stop just outside a hangar. "Logan's on his way," Rich said, "to take you back to the main house."

He helped Amanda out of the Piper. Blake followed. The frigid air stung her cheeks, but no more than the reality of her inevitable decision.

An SUV screeched to a halt. She and Blake hurried to the vehicle. Amanda pulled her hand from his and quickly slipped into the backseat. Blake gave her a speculative look before climbing into the front. Stupid. She had to keep cool. Blake was too smart and too perceptive.

"What's the latest?" Blake asked Logan.

"The Austin police tracked your original flight plan back to the Triple C. I put them off, but they'll be coming to search for you. Soon."

Blake let out a harsh curse. "Sorry to put you in this position, Logan."

"I'll survive. I've been through worse." A haunted expression darkened his gaze.

Amanda couldn't guess how Logan had injured his right cheek, but it must've been bad. The words made her more certain than ever she'd made the right choice. She couldn't let Blake sacrifice any more than he already had. Logan didn't need the trouble, either. The best thing for everyone would be for her and Ethan to get out of their lives.

She could do this.

As Logan pulled up to the house, Amanda steadied her nerves.

"We don't have long," he cautioned.

Blake turned to her. "Get Ethan ready. Logan and I have plans to make. We'll head out as soon as you're ready."

She nodded, fully aware that any other time she would've blistered him with words for being so high-handed as to plan her and Ethan's life. She would've peppered him with questions, pressed him to be involved. Not now. It didn't matter. She'd make her own plans.

"Amanda?" Blake's intent gaze willed her to look at him. "Do you trust me?"

"More than anyone else," she said quietly, and turned to Logan. "Where's Ethan?"

"In the house," Logan said. "He's attached himself to Blake's mama pretty tight."

As she walked away, Blake lowered his voice, speaking to Logan in a soft but urgent tone, his entire body taut with purpose. Part of her longed to run into his arms and spill out her fears, her doubts, but she couldn't let herself lean on him. He was brave, intuitive and determined, everything she wanted and needed. Nothing she could have.

Amanda climbed the steps to the ranch house, her legs weary, her very essence tired. The unexpected sound of Ethan's laughter bubbled up from the kitchen. Pasting a smile on her face, she followed her son's voice, although her heart remained heavy with trepidation. It had been so long since she'd heard that sound. It was unfair to bury it under more fear.

The warm kitchen had become a mass of ingredients and measuring spoons. Ethan had his arms elbow-

deep in cookie dough and looked up adoringly at Nancy Redmond. Leo lay just outside the kitchen, watching Ethan with sharp eyes. Deputy Parris stood very close to Blake's mother while they watched over Ethan. Amanda's smile turned genuine at the picture.

Parris lifted his gaze and stepped quickly away from Nancy. His cheeks reddened. Interesting. Did Blake know?

"Didn't go well, I heard," Parris said.

"That's an understatement."

Ethan lifted his gaze from the cookie dough. "Mommy!"

"I'd better talk to Blake." Parris left the kitchen, his footsteps disappearing down the hall.

Her son shoved back from his chair leaving blobs of cookie dough in his wake. He launched at her. "Miss Nancy and me are making cookies. Peanut butter."

"Sounds delicious." She laughed. "How about you wash your hands and I'll get your face." She took him to the sink and lifted him so he could wash up. "You have fun, little man?" She kissed his forehead and hugged him tight.

"I like making cookies." The grin he gave her warmed her heart. He looked like her son again, with joy in his eyes, without the burdens he carried.

She hoped he'd forget in time.

"Well," she said, rubbing his small hands between hers, "I think you like eating them more."

He grinned and nodded.

Nancy picked up two cookies from the cooling rack. "Ethan, can you take this cookie to Deputy Parris? He loves my cookies."