Lone Star Christmas Witness. Margaret Daley

scream reverberated through the house.

       THREE

      The shrill sound from the second floor chilled Sierra to her core. She jumped up at the same time as Taylor surged to his feet and raced toward the staircase, withdrawing his gun. He took the steps two at a time while she followed closely behind him. He disappeared inside Ben’s room a few feet before her. When she entered, she nearly ran into Taylor, poised in the entrance with his gun raised.

      Sierra peered around him, her heartbeat racing. “Where’s Ben?”

      He shifted his attention from one area of the bedroom to the next, lingering on the window. He walked to it and checked to see if it was locked. “I don’t know.”

      While Taylor stooped down and inspected beneath the bed, Sierra went to look in the bathroom, knowing of two places Ben had used when they’d played hide-and-seek. But Ben wasn’t between the stool and counter or in the bathtub.

      As she reentered the bedroom, Taylor opened the closet door. Ben sat hunched over, covering his ears. When her nephew dropped his hands to his sides and looked up, his tear-soaked face ripped at her composure.

      Being closer, Taylor holstered his weapon and squatted next to Ben. “You must have had a bad dream. You’re safe. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.” Slowly he reached out and laid his hand on her nephew’s back.

      Sierra knelt next to Taylor. “And neither am I.” Earlier she’d wanted to stay at this house because Ben was familiar with his surroundings, but with the press outside, she knew that wasn’t possible. Their presence would be a constant reminder to Ben and her of what had happened today. “You aren’t alone, sweetie.”

      Taylor pulled back to allow her to slide her arm along Ben’s shoulders. The boy turned his head, looked at her with red eyes, then lunged toward her and pressed against her. She hugged him, listening to the sobs pouring out of him.

      Today had forever changed Ben’s life—and hers. Would he ever be able to deal with the trauma of this morning? Would he ever talk again?

      Taylor leaned close to Sierra’s ear and whispered, “I’m going to call my dad.”

      As he rose, Ben reached out and clutched Taylor’s arm.

      “I’ll be right back,” he told the boy. “I’m not leaving the house. I’m here for you.”

      Slowly her nephew let go of Taylor. Ben leaned against Sierra and watched him exit the bedroom.

      “Honey, you’re his number one priority.” Should she say anything about leaving the house? What if Taylor’s dad didn’t want them to come to his place? She’d wait until the plans were finalized. Ben needed stability. Not being here would be enough change that he would have to deal with. “Let’s sit on your bed until Taylor comes back.”

      As she stood, Ben remained where he was, but when she held out her hand, he took it and pushed to his feet. They eased down on the bed, and Ben curled against her while she slung her arm around him. She’d done it many times in the past, but her sister had always been here. Now she was all Ben had.

      She thought of his father. What kind of man gave up his parental rights and walked away from his child? He hadn’t seen Ben since that day. A couple of years ago, her nephew had stopped asking about his father.

      When Taylor returned to the bedroom, he gave Sierra a slight nod and sat next to Ben on the other side. “My dad needs my help at his house,” he told them. “I’d promised I would help him with a project, and I don’t go back on a promise I make to someone. Would you both like to come with me? It will take a few days at least, so I’ll need to stop by my place and get my dog.”

      The mention of his pet perked up Ben.

      “What kind of dog do you have?” Sierra hoped that would make Ben agree to go. Taylor didn’t know it, but the one present Ben wanted for Christmas was a dog. Kat had planned to go to an animal shelter to pick one out this week.

      “A black Lab named Oscar after my granddad. He loves my dad’s house because he has a big fenced backyard. You okay with that, Ben?”

      Her nephew nodded.

      “Good. I saw a duffel bag in your closet. I can help you pack some clothes and toys for the next few days while your aunt gets what she needs. Okay?”

      Ben released his grip on Sierra and gave Taylor a nod. Her nephew swiped his hand across his cheeks and stood.

      “I’ll be right back, Ben.” Sierra hurried to her room and quickly packed a small suitcase.

      This upcoming weekend, they were going to bake cookies for a church party for the kids. Ben loved doing it and attending it every year. Now even that wasn’t going to be the same. Am I doing the right thing, Lord? Is this what’s best for Ben?

      She heaved the bag off the bed and rolled it down the hall to Ben’s room. When she appeared at the entrance, he was gathering his drawing materials. A good sign.

      Taylor closed the space between him and her. “You’re ready?”

      “Yes. How did you know that Ben loves dogs?”

      “Half the pictures on his corkboard are of dogs. Besides, I was his age once, and I loved my dog.”

      “My sister wanted to get him one at Christmas,” she whispered. “I’m still going to.”

      “I think that would be great. When I’m down, Oscar knows how to cheer me up.”

      She peered around Taylor to see what Ben was doing. He stuffed his art supplies into his duffel bag, then went to his toy drawer. “Is your dad really okay with us coming?” She kept her voice low.

      Taylor bent toward her and said in a whisper, “Yes, most definitely.”

      His breath as he spoke caressed her cheek and sent a shiver down her spine. The hint of peppermint floated in the air. Trying to dismiss her reaction to Taylor’s nearness, Sierra stepped around him and strolled across the room to Ben. “Are you ready?”

      Ben zippered his bag and swung it off the bed.

      She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to meet Oscar.”

      Struggling with his duffel bag, Ben hurried as fast as he could.

      “Do you want me to carry it?” Taylor asked in the hallway.

      Her nephew shook his head. When he descended the stairs, he dragged the bag down each step while Taylor and she followed. When he reached the first floor, Ben straightened his shoulders and watched them make their way toward him.

      Taylor knelt in front of him. “You’re strong. Good job. We’re going in my car to get Oscar and then drive to my dad’s. Outside there are a few people who want to talk to us. I’ll take care of them while your aunt and you keep going to my SUV. Okay?”

      Ben nodded, then hefted his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

      Taylor opened the front door and exited first. Sierra went next, then locked up after Ben stepped outside. Without a word, she headed toward the SUV, keeping an eye on the four media teams who had surged forward. Taylor stopped them from going any farther than the public sidewalk. After he informed the reporters it would be a waste of their time to hang around the house, he told them there would be a press conference at San Antonio’s main police department at five that day. The chief of police would answer all the questions he could at that time.

      Ben put his bag in the car and hopped into the back while Sierra slid into the front passenger seat and glanced in the direction of Taylor. He strode toward his car, his dark eyebrows slashing downward while his mouth firmed into a frown. Not one of the cameraman/reporter teams left their places on the sidewalk.

      When