Innocent Lies by Robin Patchen

Author:Robin Patchen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Romantic Suspense, Christian suspense, Christian romance, inspirational romance, Inspirational Suspense, inspirational, Lost love, Human Trafficking, Sex Slave Industry, Child in peril, Heroine in peril
Publisher: JDO Publishing
Published: 2018-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

ERIC collapsed on a bench in the town common, and the dog collapsed on the ground beside him. Eric had been running alongside Daniel for an hour, hoping the kid wouldn't fall, snapping photos, and taking video. Magic had just barked and chased. She probably would have knocked Daniel over, if Eric hadn't kept her tethered on her leash.

Now, both man and dog were exhausted. While Daniel pushed himself up the small hill, the one he'd been too scared to ride down when they first got there, Eric opened his photos to see what he'd captured. A lot of great pictures. Would there ever be a parent for this child, one who would treasure the photos?

"Eric, watch!"

Eric looked up, and Daniel pushed himself off and rode down the hill, teetering just when it got steep. Eric stood, willed Daniel not to fall, prayed he'd be safe.

Finally, Daniel got his balance and made it to the bottom. His momentum carried him all the way to Eric.

"Did you see? I went all the way to the top that time."

Eric high-fived him. "Awesome job."

"Thanks! I love my new skateboard."

"I'm glad. And you promise to always wear your helmet?"

Daniel answer was sarcastically patient, like he'd catapulted from eight to fourteen and found an attitude along the way. "I know, I know. Every time."

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"You sound like my mom."

The boy's smile faded, and a fresh wave of rage rolled through Eric at the thought of the boy's mother. "You hungry now?"

Daniel picked up the skateboard. "Starving. I think I could eat a whole pizza, all by myself."

Eric chuckled. "Maybe we'll split one to start, but if you're still hungry, I'll buy you another one."

"You will? Really?" Daniel's smile was back, and he and the dog raced to the Jeep.

They drove the short distance to downtown Nutfield, and Eric parked a few doors down from the pizza place. The dog looked as eager as Daniel.

"Not this time, girl." Eric patted her head and scratched behind her ears. "But I'll save you a slice."

The dog looked forlorn when they left her in the car.

"I feel sorry for her," Daniel said.

"She'll curl up in the backseat and sleep. And I really will save her a slice."

"What's her favorite kind of pizza?" Daniel asked.

"Well, I never asked her, but I'd guess anything with meat. How about you? What's your favorite?"

"I like hamburger and sausage and pepperoni."

Eric couldn't help the chuckle. "I guess you and my dog have a lot in common."

Daniel beamed in response.

They were nearly to the pizza joint when Daniel stopped. He cupped his hands around his face to block the light and looked in the storefront window. Eric realized where they were.

"What's that?"

"The Nuthouse. It's a video arcade. They also have ice cream and snacks and an old-fashioned soda fountain."

"Cool."

Much as he longed to return to Kelsey, he didn't have the heart to refuse this boy. "We can stop in for a few minutes after pizza."

Daniel peered up with wide eyes. "Can we? Really?"

"After lunch, since you're starving.

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