Page 103 of Shattered By the Currents
“Nothing. Not even—” He stopped, gaze catching on a print in the mud by the water. “Hang on. I might have something.”
He knelt beside the river. Definitely a footprint.
Shit, why was she so close to the water?
“I got a print by the river. I’ll send you my coordinates.” He quickly sent them to Zac, then lifted his gaze, eyeing more prints.
When he was on his feet again, it didn’t take long to find her. He rounded a few more trees before spotting Raven’s mom, at first just a flash of pale blue behind another tree.
He closed the space between them.
Gene Price gasped when she saw him and stumbled back. The bottom of her nightgown was wet, her feet only covered with muddy slippers.
“Who are you?” she barked.
He lifted his hands, not getting any closer. The last thing he needed was for Raven’s mother to think he was a threat and hurt herself. “I’m search and rescue, ma’am. I was sent to find you.”
She frowned. “Find me?”
“Yes. Your husband is very worried.”
Her eyes flared. “Craig?”
“I can take you to him.”
She shook her head. “I…I need to find her first.”
“Who?”
“Raven. My daughter. She’s ten and I…I lost her.” Emotion clogged her voice, making a visible tremble creep into her fingers.
“I can take you to her too.”
Gene’s eyes flashed back to him. “You know where she is?”
“She’s with her father. She’s safe.”
Relief sagged Gene’s shoulders. Then she swayed.
Connor shot forward and gently took hold of her upper arm. “Whoa.” He gave her a moment to steady herself before saying softly, “Let me take you to them.”
She looked up at him. And something new entered her features. A hint of recognition, maybe?
“I know you,” she whispered.
“Yes, ma’am. We’ve met a couple of times.”
“You’re Raven’s boy.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t been called a boy in a while, but yes, that’s me.”
“Connor.” This time when she looked around, her eyes were clearer. Sharper. “Oh no. What have I done?”
“You just went for a walk. But I can take you back.”
She nodded vigorously. “Yes, please.”
He put an arm around her waist and took a few steps forward—only to stop at a crunching sound from his right.
