only temporary,” Sage said. “I’ve decided I want more time with my husband. But it’s an exciting challenge right now.”
Claire studied the woman sitting next to her, impressed, but not really surprised. Sage Cantrell had the poise and confidence of a woman who could succeed at whatever she wanted. And apparently, she was also a great friend to Ben. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Me, too,” Sage said. “We heard about Ben’s son and that the two of you have been trying to find him. Tell us what happened.”
For the next half hour, Claire told Ben’s friends about searching for Sam, about the cockfight and that the boy had been there with Troy Bridger, who had taken him from his foster home in L.A. She told them how a friend of Bridger’s called Duke Hutchins had shot Ben, and how Bridger had gotten away with Sam.
By the time she had finished, she felt drained, and the guilt she felt in failing Sam had resurfaced. Claire shoved the emotion away.
“I talked to Detective Owens,” she said. “He’s in charge of the case in L.A. He got in touch with the local police here in El Paso.”
“That’s good,” Jake said. “They’ll want to talk to you. Maybe I can help with that.”
“Jake specializes in private security,” Sage explained, squeezing Claire’s hand. “He knows how to handle situations like this. You aren’t alone now, Claire. We’re here to help.”
They had come for Ben, but they were here to help her, too. For the first time since all of this happened, Claire thought maybe everything was going to be okay.
* * *
Ben woke up feeling groggy, barely able to open his eyes. His side ached like hell, but the pain was numbed by the drugs dripping through the tube going into his arm. It took a moment to sort out what had happened and where he was. For an instant, he thought he was back in the jungle, in a makeshift triage tent being treated for the knife wound he’d received on a mission gone bad.
“Ben, it’s Claire.”
The soft sound of her voice floated over him. The feel of her hand gently holding on to his brought the night’s events rushing back.
“You’re out of surgery, Ben. The doctor says you came through really well. The bullet missed any vital organs or bones. You’re going to be okay.”
His eyes slid closed. Good news. Damned good news. He hadn’t been sure how bad he’d been hit, but he knew one thing for sure. He wouldn’t be in the hospital. He’d be lying dead in some ditch if it hadn’t been for Claire.
“That’s...good,” he managed to say.
“They’re hoping to release you in a couple of days.”
He nodded, relieved by the words. He moistened his lips, which felt dry and chafed, and his words came out rusty. “Did the cops...get Bridger?”
Claire shook her head and he caught the glint of tears. “No.”
“We’ll find him...Claire. I...promise.”
She managed a smile, but it looked tired and strained. “Your friends are here, Jake and Sage. They flew down from Houston.”
He nodded, wasn’t surprised. He was glad they were here to help Claire. He thought of how close she had come to being hurt or even killed. He couldn’t remember a time he’d worried so much about a woman.
He heard the door open. Saw Jake walk in. Sage, the classy brunette Jake had fallen head over heels in love with, was beside him. Both of them looked worried, but they were smiling.
“The doctor says you’re going to be okay,” Sage said, leaning over to brush a kiss on his cheek.
“That’s what...Claire...tells me.”
“She’s been really worried about you.”
He’d been downright terrified for her when the shooting had started, but he didn’t say that.
“I guess you didn’t see this one coming, hey, Ice?” Jake said.
“Should have. Stupid...mistake.”
Jake shook his head. “According to Claire, you were busy trying to save her from Bridger. She said it was a good thing you showed up when you did.”
“Should have been...watching for...Hutchins. Tell me they’ve...got him in...custody.”
“Sorry. I talked to one of the El Paso P.D. detectives half an hour ago. Hutchins is in the wind, just like Bridger.”
Ben’s hand fisted where it lay on top of the sheet. He wanted Bridger. Wanted Hutchins. More than that, he wanted his son.
“You’ll find them, Ben,” Jake said, reading his mind. “And when you do, you’ll find your boy.”
Ben’s jaw felt tight. “Count on...it,” he said before his eyes slid closed and he gave in to the pull of the drugs flowing