Chapter 21

Mac went out the front door sure that Neville would either be waiting in or near the Aspect, expecting her and Mackenzie to come out and take him home. But when she got out there he was nowhere to be seen. Calling out his name got no response. She walked around to the back yard and found that he wasn't there either, that was when she became concerned. Once again calling out Neville's name and getting no answer sent her into the house to get AJ to help her find her missing child.

"I don't know where he could be," she told him when she found AJ in Allison's room.

"We'll find him, Mac, don't worry I'm sure he didn't go far," AJ assured her.

They headed outside and once again checked all the places that Mac already had. Both of them kept calling out his name, but there was still no answer from Neville. AJ looked at Mac and asked with dread, "Would he go into the woods alone?"

"I don't think that he would," she answered, also afraid of what it would mean if he had.

"I'm going in to get Dasher. Do you have something of Neville's that we could use for his scent?"

"You're afraid he's gone into the woods, aren't you?" Mac asked, her voice indicating she was about to reach panic level.

"Mac, Dasher is well trained and if Neville did go into the woods we'll find him," AJ said trying to soothe her.

AJ went into his daughter's room to borrow her dog and explain what was going on, as Mac tried to remain calm enough to fill Mackenzie in on what was happening. As the adults and dog were at the front door, ready to restart the search, a meek voice from the couch asked, "Did you check the tree house?"

Startled, they both turned and Mac questioned, "What did you say, honey?" as she walked back to where her daughter was sitting.

"I asked if you had checked the tree house," Mackenzie replied.

"No we didn't, but why would you think he was there?"

"Because when we were eating in there he kept saying it was neat and that he wished we had one just like it."

"I'll check it out!" AJ exclaimed and hurried to do so as Mac hugged her daughter and thanked her for helping them.

"Mommy, is it really Daddy's fault that Allison's Mommy is dead?" Mackenzie asked when they were alone.

"No, sweetie, she was just upset and hurting. Some people lash out at others when they are in pain. I'm sure when Allison has time to think about it she'll understand that there was no one to blame and the two of you will make up."

"I hope so, Mommy, we're going to be spies together one day."

"I know, sweetie, and I'm sure that you two will be the best spies around."

"Not better than Daddy, Mommy, he was the best."

"Okay, the second best spies around."

Just as Mac was saying that, AJ came through the front door with Neville in his arms. Seeing the concern in Mac's face that he was carrying her son, AJ calmed her saying, "He was asleep and I didn't want him trying to climb down as groggy as he is."

When AJ placed Neville in Mac's arms, her son blinked up at her and pleaded, "Can we go home now, Mommy?"

"Yes we can, darling. But you have to understand that Daddy won't be there."

"I know, but that's where he will look for us when he comes back," Neville assured her.

"Darling, Daddy won't be coming home. He was a hero and died serving his country."

"Daddy's not dead!" her son insisted.

"I'd like to believe that too, Neville, but we have to face the truth and that fact is that your Daddy is gone and he won't be coming back."

Neville didn't reply to this. He just clammed up and looked off into space. Mac gave AJ a helpless look as she gathered the children up and started out the door.

"If you need me, Mac, just call," AJ told her giving her a gentle hug as they walked out of the house.

"I will," she smiled and hugged him back.

To be continued…