“Prove it.”
“With pleasure.”
Axel straddled his body, taking the cowboy’s hardness deep inside him. The two quickly developed a rhythm that began to numb Axel’s mind against the unpleasant realities that plagued him.
For tonight—their talk was over.
More talks would happen.
This wasn’t settled.
Axel knew it. Clint knew it.
The pain and guilt harbored within the cowboy wouldn’t be so easily vanquished.
But for the rest of this night, there was peace… and love.
The best kind of love—Cowboy love.
EPILOGUE
Sanctuary
Clint awoke to Hope fussing. Gray light pressed at the bedroom windows, too weak to push through. Clint left the bed and pulled on a pair of flannel pajama pants, then went to the crib. As soon as Hope saw his face, her fussing turned to happy gurgles.
“Hey, angel.” Clint lifted her from the crib, bringing her blanket with her. He kissed her head and quietly left the bedroom. “Daddy missed you,” Clint whispered as he carried her to the kitchen. “So much.”
Cradling her in one arm, he fixed a bottle.
“Here you go, darlin’.” He walked into the living room and sat on the sofa as she eagerly took the bottle. Clint chuckled. “Your future husband—or wife—better like a lady with a healthy appetite.”
Her tiny hand clutched his finger, her big dark eyes holding Clint’s stare.
“You are about the most beautiful thing in creation,” he said softly. He stroked her cheek with a single fingertip, a sudden tightness in his chest. Baby Camille’s sweet face drifted behind his eyes… another perfect creation.
How could anyone hurt these little angels?
He tried not to think about the kids and families at the border station… and how many more babies were out there at the mercy of soulless, merciless men. Looking at his beautiful, innocent daughter, though, he couldn’t not think of those lost out in a cruel, uncaring world.
Clint lifted Hope a bit and touched his head to her tender brow. “I don’t know what to do, sweetheart. I don’t know how to help them. I don’t…” He closed his eyes as tears slipped free.
“Hey…”
Clint looked up. Axel stood at the entrance to the hall.
“You okay?”
Clint cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. “Yeah. Did I wake you?”
“No.” Axel came forward and held up Clint’s cell phone. “You got a call.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.” Axel sat next to him. “I didn’t answer it. But I think they left a voice mail.”
Clint took the phone and checked his voice mail. He frowned.
“What is it?” Axel asked cautiously. “Is it… bad news?”
“I don’t know,” Clint said. “It’s from Agent Alvarez.”
Axel tensed. “What did he want?”
“He didn’t say. He wants me to call him.”
Axel fell quiet, brow creased in worry.
“Can you take her?”
Axel nodded and took Hope.
“I’ll call him now,” Clint said.
“Do you want me to give you some privacy?” Axel started to rise.
“No. Stay. Whatever he has to say, you can hear it, too.”
Axel sank back down.
Clint made the call and set it to speaker.
“Agent Alvarez.”
“It’s Clint. You asked me to call?”
“Yes. I need to speak with you and Cochise. Soon. It’s important.”
“Speak about what?”
“I don’t want to go into specifics over the phone. Can we meet face-to-face? I’ll come to you.”
Clint glanced at Axel who remained tense and anxious. “Yes—but I want to know what this is in reference to.”
The line went quiet.
Clint waited and Axel shifted Hope to his shoulder and gently patted her back.
“The children,” Alvarez spoke, his voice low. “The families. You want to help them?”
Clint swallowed. “Yes.”
“There’s a place for them. A sanctuary. But I need your help getting them there. And it needs to happen soon.”
Clint stared at the phone, his pulse thumping. A sanctuary? “Where?”
“Not over the phone. When can we meet?”
“I’ll talk to Cochise and call you back in a couple hours.”
“All right.” Another pause. “Do you have more men at your disposal?”
“Yes.”
“Bring them to the meeting. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be waiting for your call.” The line clicked and went dead.
Clint laid the phone aside and looked at Axel.
“What did he mean, a sanctuary?” Axel asked.
“I’m not sure.” Clint leaned forward and rubbed his mouth, eyes distant. He just got home—how could he leave his family again so soon? Wasn’t that what Alvarez was asking him to do?
“If there’s a way to help them,” Axel whispered, “I won’t ask you not to go.” His voice strained. “I don’t want you to leave again, but… but I understand if you have to.”
Clint blinked as his eyes stung. “Axel…” He turned and kissed his mouth. “You’re coming to the meeting with me. Whatever happens, whatever plans we make—I want you to be a part of it.” He leaned close and kissed him again, drawing it out. “You’re right… we’re partners. And from here on out—we’ll take on life together. As one.” Another deep kiss. “Deal?”
Axel pressed his head to Clint’s brow and swallowed thickly. “Deal, cowboy.”
COMING IN 2021…
“REFUGE”
The saga continues…
“Against all odds—they
will get them to safety.”