Read A Family Homecoming for Free Online Page A

pregnant.”
    â€œAngela and Shane were recently wed,” Danielle told Kyle. “Just before Christmas.”
    One dark eyebrow rose, but Kyle said nothing other than a congratulatory murmur to Shane, who nodded, a red tinge coming into his cheeks. Shane apparently had fallen hard and fast for the widow. Angela had had amnesia after the thugs had knocked her out. Upon recovering, she still hadn’t been able to givethe police any information. But Shane had taken her under his protection—and into his heart.
    Danielle’s eyes stung. Shane was gentle and protective with his wife. There had been a rash of marriages in Whitehorn recently. Dr. Winters, who had found Sara running down the road when she escaped, had married Leah Nighthawk shortly after the holidays. Lynn, Sara’s kindergarten teacher and Danielle’s good friend, had eloped with local attorney Ross Garrison after a whirlwind courtship.
    Danielle brought her attention back to the discussion at hand. Kyle asked about the holly berries discovered in Sara’s hair when she was found.
    â€œWe tried to trace her tracks but couldn’t. The problem is, the hills where that particular holly grows are full of caves and old mining sites,” Shane continued. “We looked over the general area.”
    â€œDid you take Sara there?” Kyle glanced at Danielle.
    She shook her head. “Carey—she’s Sara’s pediatrician—didn’t think we should. The trauma was too recent.”
    Kyle nodded, a dangerous expression in his eyes.
    She realized he hated the men who had frightened their daughter as much as she did. If he ever got his hands on their hides, well, she could almost feel sorry for them.
    Kyle sipped the coffee while he thought. “I’d like to explore the area myself. If you wouldn’t mind.” He glanced at Rafe, the senior lawman on the case.
    Rafe nodded his agreement.
    Shane spoke up. “You know who might be able tohelp? Homer Gilmore. He knows these hills better than anyone. He’s prospected them for years.”
    â€œWhere do I find him?” Kyle asked, sitting forward.
    â€œThat’s hard to say. His daughter is married to a doctor here in town and manages his office. You could stop by and ask if she’s seen Homer lately.”
    â€œI’ll do that. What’s the doctor’s name?”
    By the time the meeting broke up, Danielle felt they might be getting somewhere. Today was the first time anyone had mentioned the Gilmore person. After the two lawmen left, she turned to Kyle, excitement stirring inside so that she kept getting little odd pangs in her chest. “I want to go with you.”
    He gave her a puzzled stare. “Where?”
    â€œTo search the woods. Sara’s pediatrician is married to Wayne Kincaid. They own part of the old Baxter ranch—”
    Kyle held up a hand. “Slow down. What does the Baxter ranch have to do with anything?”
    â€œIt joins the Kincaid spread. That’s where Sara was held, where the holly berries came from. She’d stuck twigs in her hair like she does when she played dress-up with her dolls. I want to help you look for clues.”
    â€œYou used to do that,” he said slowly.
    â€œWhat?” She tried to think what she had done.
    â€œGet excited about planning activities together. Your words would rush all over each other and your cheeks would glow. Like now.”
    He reached out and brushed his fingertips across her cheek. Heat rushed to the spot. His eyes darkened.
    Memory and passion reawakened in her in an instant explosion of hunger and need. She had beenalone so long, had been frightened and uncertain and helpless all the days Sara was gone. At times, while comforting Sara, she had longed for comforting, too.
    She folded her arms and pulled herself inward where nothing could hurt her. “I needed you,” she whispered. “I was so afraid. Our baby…our little girl.