The Cowboy Wants a Baby. Jo Leigh

world had ever known, only to plunge into the work of reuniting families, finding lost loved ones, creating hope from despair.

       “Come back, Lily. Dylan’s opening the next one!”

       She left the mirror, but not before she said a silent thanks to her mother.

       Dylan had nearly finished his painstaking unwrapping by the time she sat back down on the couch. He got a jewelry box, too. Her father’s watch. The one William had been given by the Ranchers’ Association. The one he’d worn each time their mother had donned the necklace.

       “Dad, I—”

       “It’s your time, son. I’m just glad I’m here to see you wear it.”

       Dylan didn’t speak. He took off his own battered watch and put on the heavy silver timepiece. It looked right on his arm. As if it had always been there.

       “There’s only two more,” Ashley said impatiently. “So, would you guys please open them together? And, Dylan, I swear to God, if you don’t rip the paper like a normal human being, I’ll whack you with my racket.”

       “You try, little sister, and you won’t sit down for a week.”

       “Why? You’d take away the chairs?”

       “Very amusing.” Dylan stood tall, reaching his full six-feet-one-inch and folding his muscular arms across his chest. “Amusing, and yet highly annoying.”

       “Just open the damn present.”

       “Ashley, language.”

       “Sorry, Dad.”

       Lily interceded by grabbing the next gift. Inside the bag was the most beautiful journal. It had her name inscribed on the outside, and inside was page after crisp white page, just ready for her favorite purple pen and her most private thoughts. “Max.”

       He nodded. “I remember you saying you were reaching the end of your last one.”

       “Handsome and smart. What a combination.”

       He blushed, which had been her intention, and she stood to give him a thank-you kiss on the cheek. But as she turned, her attention was diverted. Sebastian Cooper stood in the doorway, his face ashen and his eyes dark and terrible. She hadn’t seen him much since his wife had disappeared. He looked like he’d been chewed up and spit out.

       She got Dylan’s attention and motioned toward the door. She heard a small gasp as he turned to see his best friend. Which meant Sebastian’s condition had worsened very recently.

       Dylan rushed around the couch and reached Sebastian’s side at the same time Lily did.

       “What is it?” Dylan’s hands formed fists, something he’d done his whole life when he was terribly scared.

       “I’m sorry. I should have called.”

       “What’s wrong? Is it Julie?”

       Sebastian shook his head. “It’s not that. Or maybe it is, I don’t know. All I’m sure of is the San Antonio cops couldn’t find the River Walk without a guide. It’s been seven months—”

       Lily winced at his obvious pain. It must be torture. Julie had vanished early in January, the apparent victim of a car-jacking. So far the police had no leads, and Dylan had only been able to do so much investigating without tipping his hand. He hadn’t wanted to push his services on Sebastian, but it had been impossible for him to sit by and do nothing. Julie and Sebastian meant too much to him.

       When Lily had asked Dylan why he didn’t just insist on heading the case, he’d talked to her about friendship and loyalty and male pride. She hadn’t completely understood, but he remained adamant that before he could pull out all the stops, Sebastian needed to ask for his help.

       It appeared he just had.

      DYLAN GOT OUT the Johnnie Walker Black and poured Sebastian two fingers. The family had dispersed until dinner, so Dylan joined his friend at the kitchen table, handing him the glass. “Tell me what you know.” Dylan probably knew as much as Sebastian did about the case, but he had the feeling his friend needed to talk about it.

       Sebastian’s hand shook as he held the amber liquid. “The only evidence they found was some blood on the back seat of the car. Julie’s blood.”

       Dylan made sure he didn’t react at all to the bald words. At least not outwardly. Sebastian needed him to be strong now. But it was damn hard.

       Julie and Sebastian meant more to him than anyone outside his family. Hell, he’d grown up with Sebastian, the two of them riding the rodeo circuit all through high school. They’d even gone to college together, and that’s when Julie had entered the picture. Beautiful Julie. Who had called him her white knight, but married Sebastian. Dylan couldn’t bear to think of her hurt, or worse.

       “They traced the last few hours before her disappearance. She’d been to the bank—to the safe deposit box.”

       “What did she do there?”

       Sebastian shrugged. “Not much. Got some papers, I think. But someone must have seen her there. Assumed she’d gotten valuables.”

       “And followed her.”

       Sebastian knocked back his drink, shuddering as the scotch went down. “Followed her and took her.” He stared at Dylan, his eyes filled with more pain than any man should have. “The nights are the worst. I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about what she’s going through.”

       “We’ll find her, Sebastian. I swear on my life, we’ll find her.”

       “I kept thinking the police would find her. That it had to be something simple, a misunderstanding, that she’d left because I’d said something thoughtless, but she would have called. She isn’t cruel. Dammit, I should have come to you first.”

       “It’s good that the police are involved. But they have too many other cases. I swear to you, Sebastian, I’ll find her.”

       Sebastian nodded. “I know.” He swallowed hard, then tried to smile. “Remember Christmas?”

       “Of course.”

       “She was so happy about the locket. So thrilled that I’d had the stones replaced.”

       “It meant a lot to her.”

       Sebastian leaned across the big oak dining table. “I keep thinking that’s what the bastard saw. That the necklace drew his attention. If I hadn’t given it to her—”

       “Stop it. You didn’t do this. It’s not your fault.”

       “How do you know?”

       “I know this—when she gets back, she’s going to need you. If you rake yourself over the coals like this, you won’t be any good for her.”

       He leaned back, nodding. “Right. I need to be strong for her.”

       “Let the detective in charge know you’ve hired us. I’ll need to see their reports.”

       “I will.”

       Dylan nodded at the scotch bottle. “Need another?”

       “Yeah. But I’m not going to. If I start drinking now, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

       “Right. So why don’t you kick back. Take a swim or something. We’re having dinner in a couple of hours.”

       “I can’t, Dylan. I wish I could.”

       “You don’t have to see anyone. I could arrange that.”

       Sebastian stood. “I have to go. I’m grateful to you, buddy. And listen.” He swallowed again, his Adam’s apple too visible. He’d lost weight. “Whatever happens—”

       “We’ll find her.”

       Sebastian turned