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He barked them out even as he moved to Ty’s side “Jobe, ride to camp Tell them we found him The rest of you, stay where you are”

Already he had noticed the dead calf lying only a couple feet frouessed it had been the lure to get Ty on the ground

Chase had noout of the saddle and the next he was sinking to the ground beside his son, on legs that felt like rubber Flies swarmed and buzzed all around as he bent over the ashen-faced Ty

Instinctively he gathered Ty into his ar the limp heaviness of him The back of Ty’s shirt was as ith blood as the front Chase’s searching hands quickly discovered the broken edge of a knife blade embedded in Ty’s chest His skin arm to the touch Whether from the life or the sun, Chase couldn’t tell

“Is he—is he alive?” Jobe had yet to leave Despite Chase’s order, he lingered to learn ord he should carry

Chase never heard the question At that moment his only world was the man in his arms “Ty” Emotion choked his voice as his eyes sith unshed tears “Can you hear me, son?”

There was a traitorous quiver to his chin Squeezing his eyes shut, Chase fought to get control of hih to see a fluttering lift of Ty’s lashes

“Ty” Desperation h with demand as Chase experienced the first spark of hope

“Knewyou’dcome” Ty’s voice was soft as a breath, so faint Chase wasn’t sure if he heard it or iined it

Unconsciously he dug his fingers into the sodden shirtfront, wadding the wet material into a ball in his fist

“Who did this to you, son? It was Buck, wasn’t it?” Chase guessed as rage crowded to the front of his thoughts

“Jes—” Ty never quite got the word out, but he said enough of it for Chase to know he meant Jessy

Then he was gone Chase knew the exact instant he died It was so he felt in his heart There was no need to check for breath or pulse His son was dead

Slowly, alround and rerief to move

“Chase?” Stu voice was slow to penetrate his consciousness