A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (The Boones of Texas 1)

“She came and picked him up this morning,” Amy snapped.

“Who came and picked him up?”

“Josie.” She frowned. “You didn’t send her to get him? She said you did. She said you called her to come get him.”

He was beyond confused now. Why would Jo pick up Eli? Why would she tell Amy he’d sent her? Why would Eli go with Jo? He wasn’t exactly her biggest fan. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice spiked. “She has him. Why did she take him? Why did she lie?”

Hunter watched Amy. Something wasn’t adding up. For one thing, Jo wasn’t the one with the track record for lying. “When did she get him?”

“Must have been around seven—”

“Where were you?” he cut in, frustration giving way to anger.

“I was in the shower.” She shook her head. “She comes and takes our son who knows where and lies about it and you want to know where I was? Damn, Hunter, are you that blind to that woman?”

Hunter sighed. “I’ll call Eli.”

“Already tried,” she argued. “His phone is off, I guess.”

His eyes narrowed. “I will talk to him—”

“Good. Go talk to him. Now. After you find him.” She shook her head, climbing into her truck. “I’m not gonna argue with you when I could be looking for my son. I’ve half a mind to press charges against her.”

Hunter watched her peel out of the parking lot as he climbed into his truck. Even though he was pretty sure Eli was with Jo, there was no fighting the fear in his heart until he knew for sure. He picked up his phone, headed toward home and called his father. Eli was most likely there. Those two were peas in a pod.

“Figured you’d call.” His father answered on the first ring.

“He there?”

“Sleeping.”

Hunter rubbed a hand over his face, relief so sharp he was almost breathless. “You couldn’t call?” He tried not to snap.

“Whoa now, boy,” his father soothed. “I called the hospital. You were in surgery.”

Hunter sighed. “Thanks, Dad. Sorry. Amy—”

“I can imagine.” He paused. “She with you?”

“No, but I should probably let her know where Eli is. Be there soon.” He hung up and called Amy.

“What?” she snapped.

“He’s at my dad’s.”

“Oh, thank God.” Her voice was muffled. “Hunter found him.” She was louder then, her voice unsteady. “Is he okay?”

“He’s asleep. I’m on my way.”

“I’m coming—”

“No.” He was going to talk to his son alone.

“No?” She was crying then. “No? My son gets taken from my hotel room, disappears, and now you’re not going to let me see him?” Her

voice was muffled again. “No, Officer, I don’t know about pressing charges yet.”