Tuesday afternoon Dean arrived at Olivia’s house at three thirty for his visit with Eli. His plans for horse riding were a washout because of the heavy rainfall most of the day. He was glad it had eased as he left his car and walked to Olivia’s porch.She met him at the door and let him inside, where awkward “hello’s” were exchanged.“Eli should be along in a few minutes.” She said. He looked out the window. “Since it is wet outside, maybe I should go pick him up?”“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”He turned to look at her. She smiled at him. It was the first real smile he’d received from her since his arrival. He had to admit it warmed him from the chill of the weather. “Ive been told that a soon to be nine-year-old boy quite enjoys walking in the rain.” She explained. “He’s also told me that he is no longer a baby.”“Then im glad you stopped me from making a serious error and insulting our son’s budding manhood.” Dean said.Just then, Eli came bursting through the door with laugh
The sun was bright and warm, the rain from the day before was just a memory. Driving down the main street in Valley Mills, Dean thought how quaint. The buildings all look like a western movie set. Only a few businesses had changed. However, there were still familiar places like Willies Joint Bar & Grill and The Beer Joint, still popular drinking holes. It would seem women still got their hair done at Curl up & Dye. The Mexican restaurant from back in the day brought a smile to his lips. He parked his car a few spaces past the restaurant and got out. He thought about those kisses long after he’d left Olivia’s house last night. Her mouth had been as inviting as he’d remembered. Something about her created a desire in him he’d always knew existed. He had to admit he wouldn’t mind getting her back into his bed again. At that moment, he was walking past the Sheriff’s office when Olivia exited the building walking almost into him. Thank goodness she couldn’t read his thoughts.She brought
Chapter 8The office was empty when Oliva and Dean arrived. She sat down at her desk and turned on her computer. Dean picked up a beautifully framed picture from her desk. He smiled instantly, recognizing her father and Eli together. “Your father was a wonderful man.” Dean placed the frame back down. “I can only imagine how low he must have thought I was.”Olivia looked at Dean in surprise. “Why would you say such a thing?”He dropped his head, unsure what to do with his hands. He reached them down deep into his pockets. “He must have known Eli was mine, and I was nowhere to be seen.”“Dean, when I told him I was pregnant, I also told him I was going to be a single mom. He never asked me questions, and I never told him who the father was. When we were a couple, I know he loved you, and I don’t for a minute think anything over the years changed how he felt about you.” His eyes narrowed as if in pain.He moved around behind her to view the monitor. “Let’s see what that blog has to say.”
Dean had spent all afternoon on the phone with his siblings. They all agreed whoever had talked to The Roaming Texas had shared enough information to suggest they had intimate ties to the family.Dean couldn’t imagine who the source of the information could be. Mia had called Dean. It outraged her that somebody was feeding the blog intimate details of their lives. “Dean, it’s not me I’m concerned about. Cate and I are adults, we can weather it. It’s Eli, I’m worried about.”“Me too, Olivia and I want to be the ones to tell him. I’m heading over there tomorrow afternoon. I’m glad you’re okay Mia.” He said.“If you need to talk, I’m here.” Mia knew her older brother was strong, but all this was a lot for even him to digest in a week.By the time the following afternoon rolled around, Dean was eager to spend time with Eli. He pulled up in Olivia’s driveway just before it was time for Eli to get off the bus and walk the couple of blocks home. As he walked to the porch, an unsettled energy
Olivia had to be honest with herself. It had been a tough week, and she didn’t mind that Dean was picking Eli up for their Thursday afternoon together. She could use the time to relax and unwind. They’d had to file another police report earlier that day about more vandalism on the current site, coupled with time on the phone soothing the council. Ensuring their job timeline will be honored. It was almost time for Dean to drop Eli home; she sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coco, but she didn’t expect him to come inside the house. Saturday and Tuesday past. Dean had picked up and dropped off Eli without coming inside. It irritated her. She didn’t feel relieved he was seeking some distance from her. She felt more than a little disappointed.Olivia saw the happiness and joy emanating from her son when he came home from his time with Dean. The two were growing very close. Perhaps it was time for her and Dean to sit down with Eli and tell him the truth. Maybe it was time for her to t
“We need to get out there and look for him, Dean. Maybe he’s lying somewhere hurt.” Olivia grabbed Dean’s arm, her eyes wide with alarm. “We’ve got to find him.” Her voice held signs of panic.Dean placed his hands firmly on her shoulders. “Olivia, I checked the street and front yards of every house along his walk home. He isn’t there.” It was apparent she was in complete denial Eli had been abducted. “Think hard now. Any other friends he might have gone to play with?”“Perhaps… Maybe Steven. Eli has gone to his house for playdates before.” Her face was now drained and colorless.“Okay, call anyplace you think he could have gone, and I’ll call sheriff Tanner.” Dean knew she wouldn’t find Eli at any friend’s house.Somebody had kidnapped his son. He knew this with a gut instinct, and the faster the sheriff and his men got involved, the better the possibility of finding him. Looking back, he should never have removed the backpack. Of course, he had enough law enforcement training to kno
By seven-thirty pm, Olivia was in the kitchen making sandwiches and more coffee for those that had come to help. The house was full of well-meaning people; she appeared calm and in control unless Dean looked into her eyes, revealing her intense screaming despair. Deputy Dan Williams sat on a chair in the kitchen and coordinated fellow officers’ calls and neighbors and friends who had shown up to search.Dean was grateful Olivia had a couple of friends to offer support and chat with her. He paced the floor, waiting for news. Finally, he climbed the stairs to Eli’s bedroom. He stood in the doorway and stared in. He tucked Eli into his bed with a ruffle of his hair, and Eli placed his hand on Dean’s cheek.Dean, I’m glad you want to spend time with me. He said. Because I like being with you. Dean had tucked him in and wished him happy dreams. He wanted to do it again. He wanted to hold his son and tell him how much he loved him. How happy he was that Eli was his son. His heart swelled in
Olivia’s heart was now sitting in her throat. She looked at the phone on the table. The caller I.D box displayed a PRIVATE NUMBER instead of a phone number.The phone rang a second time. She was suddenly more afraid than she had been throughout the entire evening.“Answer it,” Dan said, ready to record the conversation. The phone rang a third time. “Olivia, answer the phone,” Dean said calmly.Hands trembling, she picked up the receiver and whispered a faint hello. “I have your son.” The voice echoed throughout the kitchen. The voice was digitally distorted, making it impossible to know if the caller was male or female. “Who is this? What do you want?”“At midnight tomorrow, bring three million dollars in hundred-dollar bills to the Bosque River marina. There is a delivery box at the number three wharf. Inside, you will find instructions on where to leave the money. If I see any cops, the boy dies.” Dean grabbed the phone from Olivia. “You get nothing unless we get proof of life,”