Dean returns home.

They had surprise on their side. The only thing that worried Olivia was the possibility that he might be in that darkness with her son.

Was he so unhinged he would hurt a little boy?

Two weeks earlier…

After a 9 year absence, Dean Grayson was finally heading back to Valley Mills, Texas.

He thought he’d never return to the small town where he’d grown up.

His superiors had strongly encouraged him to take some time off. Humiliated and embarrassed by his father’s crimes, he couldn’t think of where else to go.

His anger was palpable, always simmering in the pit of his stomach. Nothing beats being a Texas Ranger and having one of the FBI’s most wanted as a father.

His anger subsided, and a smile curved his lips as he turned into the Clover Farm driveway, Mia’s Farm. Despite the ten years’ difference in their ages, he’d always been very close to his younger sister.

As he stepped out of his car, he took a deep breath and enjoyed the sweet air. He looked up to the house to see his sister’s wide smile greeting him.

Mia’s house was small, but radiated welcome and warmth.

She ran from the house and jumped into her brother’s arms, laughing as he spun her around.

“Oh, Dean, I’ve missed you so much,” she said.

“And I’ve missed you,” he replied.

“You look fantastic, Mia.”

She linked her arm in his.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, big brother.”

“Hey, I’m only 34. I’m still in my prime,” he pretended to be offended.

“Let’s go inside. I’ve made a batch of cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee.” She was so happy he was back.

Soon, they sat down across from each other at Mia’s prized oak table. The kitchen was full of natural light cascading in through the tall glass windows along the east side of the house. The sweet scent of budding flowers and new grass drifted in.

“Ranger life treating you well?” Mia asked as she set a plate of cinnamon rolls before him.

“Things were going great until recently.” He looked into his coffee cup, frowning, and then looked up to meet his sister’s gaze. “Then two days ago I was told firmly that some time off might be a good idea.”

“Because of father’s escape from prison?” Mia’s eyes darkened. Dean gave a curt nod of his head. “So you do not know how long for?”

“I imagine I have become an embarrassment with a father who succeeded with an elaborate escape from a maximum security prison. Until his capture and no longer a hot news item, I am about to lie low.” The burn of anger was back in his stomach.

“Is it true he could bribe that many guards and get into the infirmary and through two more security checks before disappearing down a hole in the floor and into the sewer system?”

“A system newly built that he somehow arranged.” He added drily. “A beige van outside the prison walls picked him up.”

Mia had been watching the news. “The van had no distinguishing marks or any plates. They found it discarded near the Mexican border.” Mia said.

What they had kept quiet was there had been blood found on the side of the van, blood that hadn belonged to Jack Grayson. Dean wasn’t telling that to Mia or anyone else. This information was told to him before being cut from the information chain.

Someone had been at the scene at the Mexican border with Jack, and that someone was badly hurt. By now, the analysed blood would have a DNA match.

“The latest sighting of him is in Mexico, and that’s where I hope he stays until he burns in hell.” Dean said emphatically.

As he enjoyed not one but two of the homemade treats, Mia caught him up on her work. She ran a centre for thoroughbred horses, a rehabilitation centre giving them back another life as leisure riding mounts or hunter-jumpers.

It was clear she loved what she did in the flush of her cheeks and eyes. Her happiness beamed as she spoke about horses. Dean suspected there could be another reason for his sister’s happiness.

Dean had enjoyed and was proud to be a Texas Ranger, but his father had stolen that from him, for now anyway.

Mia seemed to thrive, despite her father had been in prison for drug charges and murder.

“Where are you staying while you’re here?” Mia asked.

“Michael insisted I can stay with him.” Michael was Dean’s half brother.

Michael’s ranch wasn’t far away from Mia’s.

“What’s new with everything else?” he asked, wondering if Mia had any other new passions aside from her horse’s.

Mia shrugged and blushed as her thoughts turned to Cate. She felt her heart leap. “Ive met someone. She is very special.” Mia couldn’t help but smile as she recalled their warm embrace and long lingering kiss they shared that morning as Cate left for the hospital.

“I’m thrilled for you, Mia. When do I get to meet her?” Dean could see Mia was in love and it made his heart sore. “What does Cate do?” he asked. “She is a paediatric doctor at Valley Mills General Hospital. When I told her you were arriving today, she tried to swap her roaster but couldn’t get a replacement. She is looking forward to meeting you.”

“Have you known each other long?” he asked. He knew Mia was a private person. However, he wanted his sister to know she could tell him anything.

“Cates’ family trains thoroughbred horses on their ranch in the next county. We met when I arrived to collect some horses for my rehab program. She was there visiting her parents.”

Mia had kept secret the part about how meeting Cate felt like life had entered her body and soul. Could Mia allow this wonderful person into her life? After all, this could be the woman of her dreams.

As he gazed at Mia, he thought, Finally, some good news.

“why dont you show me around outside?” he said, grabbing his hat from the chair.

“I’d be happy to.” and together they walked out of Mias door.

The petting zoo was something she was very proud of. Local schools would often bring classes to visit.

“The animals love the attention of the children and I love it when they visit.” Mia said.

They reached the pasture fence where Mia’s pride and joy were on display. It gave these horses a second chance and a different life.

He turned to look at her. “You’re happy here.” It was a statement, not a question.

Mia couldn’t help smiling. “I am.” The smile quickly faded away. “I’ll feel a lot happier when our father is back behind bars. I fear he knows I helped put him there.”

Dean placed both hands on his sister’s shoulders. “Dont worry Mia, even he knows it would be stupid to show up here, and we both know he isn’t a foolish man.”

Jack Grayson wasn’t stupid. He was a cunning, narcissistic sociopath, who had used situations, and people, including his own children, as tools, to gain him wealth and power.

Dean pulled Mia in for a hug.

“You’re right.” She replied as he released her. She thought for a moment. “You remember his pen?’

“How could I forget? The Aurora Diamante Fountain Pen, so rare, only one crafted each year with over 30 carats of diamonds. He carried it with him always. But enough about him. Let’s see your stables.”

As they walked towards the stables, Mia told him all about the horses that arrived in her care, many of whom might have ended up at the dog food or glue factory.

“When they arrive, we make sure they’re healthy.” She explained. “Then we socialize them with people and then the herd.”

Dean and Mia entered the stables where a young boy was attending the stalls.

“Eli, come and meet my brother.” Mia called out to him.

The boy straightened up and put his broom against the wall. His smile was wide and friendly.

“This is my brother Dean.” Mia said. “And this is Eli, the best helper and horse lover on the planet.”

“Its nice to meet you, sir.” The boy held out a hand to shake.

Dean took the small hand and looked into the boy’s oddly familiar face. Bright blue eyes gazed up at him.

Eli’s blond hair was freshly cut, and his smile was as bright as sunshine.

“its nice to meet you Eli and you can call me Dean.”

“Dean is a texas ranger.” Mia said.

“Wow,” Eli’s eyes widened. “Thats awesome. Do you like horses Dean?”

“I love them.” Dean replied.

The shape of those eyes and the bright blue colour felt so familiar to Dean.

“Do you like helping out around here, Eli?” Dean asked.

“I do whatever Miss Mia wants me to and then she lets me ride the horses.” he replied.

“Thats a very responsible job.” said Dean.

Eli nodded. “I can handle it.” He looked up at the clock hanging above the stable exit. “Now it’s time for me to finish up sweeping because my mom will be here any minute to pick me up.”

“Who is your mom?” Dean asked, wondering if he knew the woman.

“Her name is Olivia Reed.” replied Eli.

Olivia Reed?

Dynamite just exploded in Dean’s head.

The woman he once trusted, the woman who betrayed him, the woman he loved and the one he’d never been able to forget.

Dean turned to his sister, his heart beating fast and hard. Eli was eight years old and had his colour hair and his eyes. Each morning when he looked into the mirror, those same eyes are staring back at him.

He stared at Eli. Those eyes… no wonder they looked so familiar.

This realisation sent shock waves through him and he was bearly aware of Mia telling Eli to wait for his mother.

He felt sucker punched.

Almost nine years ago, he’d contacted Olivia when he’d heard she had a baby. She had maintained belonged to someone else. She had to have gotten pregnant by another man while we had been together. Her betrayal had utterly broken him, and that meant the end of any relationship with Olivia.

Dean stared at his sister. “Did you know?”

Mia knew better than to pretend. “Ive always had my suspicions, but Olivia and I have never discussed the matter.”

Dean felt all kinds of emotions welling up, ready to burst through his chest.

A son.