Page 87 of Mack

She opened the door and stepped out. Mack followed, closing it behind them, then crouched down and set T.J. on his feet in the hallway.

“Why don’t you go pick out some toys to bring with you?”

“‘Kay.” T.J. threw his arms around Mack’s neck for a moment, then took off down the hall at his usual speed, like the last hour hadn’t happened at all.

He stood and looked at Mallory.

“Mallory—”

“I’m sorry, Mack.”

“I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me he was here.”

“Can we talk about it tomorrow? Please. I just want a hot bath and to breathe for a minute.”

He exhaled. “Alright. But you’ll need to come into the office and file a report. Press charges.”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to, right? No changing your mind.”

“Yes. I promise.”

“Good. He’ll go back to prison.” He watched her eyes widen. “Yeah. I know about his record. That’s something else you should have told me.”

“Mack, please.”

“Tomorrow.” He looked at her for a moment, then nodded toward the door. “Go on out to the ranch. Make yourself at home. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Okay.” She touched his arm. “Mack.”

He turned.

“Thank you. For saving us.”

“You’re welcome.” He walked to her and kissed her, then headed for the door. He called out to T.J. on his way out.

“I’ll see you later, buddy.”

“‘Kay,” came the reply, easy and unbothered.

Mack walked out to his truck and sat there for a moment before starting it.

T.J. had bounced back the way children sometimes did, fast and completely, like the world had already righted itself. He hoped there were no nightmares tonight, no small voice calling out in the dark for his mother.

But Troy Simmons had terrified that child in his own home, and Mack wanted to go to the department and finish what he’d started with that punch. He started the truck instead.

He had a report to file.

When he pulled into the yard of his house, he could see that the kitchen was lit up warm against the dark and he sat there just looking at it.

He shut the truck off and exhaled.

It was over for Mallory and T.J. now.

Mack got out, climbed the back porch steps, and came through the kitchen door. Hat and coat on the rack, boots on the mat. He could hear the television low in the other room.

Then T.J. came running in and Mack crouched down to catch him.