Page 136 of Noel Secrets

“What is it?”

She pressed him again, anger, fear, and pain battling for center stage in her mind. “If you know something about David?—”

“He’ fine. I called Jason, the camp counselor. He told me David didn’t fall off a horse. Hasn’t been on one all week.”

“This was all a ploy? They used my son against me?” Relief flooded her then anger as she processed this update. But she had to be certain. “Are you sure he’s okay?”

She’d never believe David was all right until she saw him. Her son would be upset when she didn’t bring him home, but he was safer at camp. Assuming the facility was safe. Clay could check it out. But Darby couldn’t bring David home until this entire fiasco was over and they’d stopped the killer. Or killers.

“We’ll go and you can see for yourself. But, first, you need to go the emergency room to get checked out.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t know that. You could still have a concussion or internal bleeding. Let the doctors verify you’re not hurt then we’ll go see David. I promise. You need to make certain he still has a mom to come to.”

His plea pushed through her resolve. He’d promised David was fine so there was no reason to rush to him…except her own need to calm her fears. She reluctantly agreed.

Hours later, after getting the all-clear from the ER doctors, she was released with instructions to watch for lingering effects.

Darby climbed into Clay’s pickup. The headache returned with a vengeance, but she stayed focused. David came first.

Clay followed her GPS to the signs pointing to the camp. He turned onto a long road that led to a gate with a buzzer and a Silver Lake Campground sign overhead. He pressed the speaker button, explained who they were and what they wanted. The gate opened, allowing them to pass through to the main office.

Clay parked then hurried around to help her out. She was grateful for the help since she was still shaky and unsteady on her feet.

Jason greeted them, shaking their hands before turning to Darby. “I didn’t tell David you were coming. He’s finally settling in and I didn’t want him to worry.”

Darby hesitated. She didn’t want to upset him either, but she wouldn’t rest easily until she saw for herself that he was safe. “I’ll do my best not to disrupt.”

They got into a golf cart parked nearby and started down the gravel lane. She took in the scenery as they drove, liking what she saw. A beautiful lake, pristine cabins tucked into the wooded lanes, boats, ziplines, and archery targets ready to be used by the active campers. The brown rolling hills would turn green come spring but they’d added to the Christmas spirit with lights and decorations lining the trees and buildings. Thankfully, the day had turned mild, warm enough for the kids to play outside. As they turned a corner, she heard a childish laughter roaring from a group of boys about her son’s age, who played on an obstacle course.

She spotted David’s sandy hair among a group of kids just before he bolted up to a tower on the high ropes. He jumped up and climbed over then slid down the other side, raising his hands in triumph and fist bumping a male counselor, a big smile on his face.

As he circled the tower and headed for the ropes again, he spotted Darby. David’s eyes lit up and he sprinted toward her.She fell to her knees, and when he launched into her arms and she soaked in the feel of him.

“Mama, you’re here.”

“Yes, baby, I wanted to see you.” She held him tightly until he wiggled free.

“You’re smothering me,” he squealed, pushing away from her. “Did you come to bring me home? I’m just starting to have fun.”

His pout made her smile as she recalled how upset and homesick he’d been just a few days earlier.

“No, you can stay. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

David’s eyes turned toward Clay. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Clay. I’m a friend of your mom’s.” He bent down and shook David’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

A bell sounded and the kids began to line up.

David glanced over his shoulder at the dining hall. “That’s the lunch bell. Can I go now? We’re having hot dogs.”

Her arms ached to keep him with her a moment longer, but she had to let him go. “Sure. Go ahead.”

Clay offered his hand and helped her to her feet as David ran to re-join his group. “He looks okay.”

Tears threatened at her suddenly empty arms. She blinked them back then turned and pressed her face into Clay’s chest. He wrapped his arm around her. She just wanted her son back home and life back to normal. “Please take me home.”