She answered with silence, increasing the tension and tightening his impatience. “Actually, I’m engaged. Or I was. He found out I had a son. He wants kids and I… I don’t. So, he split. I’m beginning to think I might have been stupid in leaving you guys.”
Unexpected honesty when she’d been so secretive stayed his movements. He watched her, taking in the sudden seriousness of her downturned lips and how she tucked her hands into the bends of her elbows.
“Can I see him? I don’t want to take him from you, Ryan. I just want… to make sure I didn’t make a mistake.” She bit her lip, eyes overly bright. “Have you missed me at all?”
Anger coursed through Ryan, so hot it stung the tips of his fingers and along the back of his neck.
He stomped toward her, his arms tight to his body.
But he restrained himself from picking her up and shaking her. Up close and in her face, he spoke from between clenched teeth. “How dare you? You left me with a newborn baby. Alone. I didn’t have time to miss you. But I grew to hate you. So much that I didn’t think I’d ever breathe normally again.”
She stumbled backwards, hand to her chest. “You hate me?”
“I can’t look at you and not remember, Wanda. You’re the cause of so much pain, so much sadness in Jesse’s life. He’s my reason for doing anything and you hurt him. And here you are, back, like it’s your right.” Ryan shook his head. “Come on, I promised him that it would be his choice to see you or not.”
He pushed past her, his disgust mounting as it mingled with the disappointments of the last few days.
Striding through the house, Ryan called out. “Jesse, Wanda’s here to see you.” Checking the back rooms, the bathrooms, and the bedrooms, Ryan pounded to the front door, calling out as he grabbed his hat. “Do you see him out there? He’s not in here.”
Even when they were upset at each other, Jesse still respected his dad enough to answer when he called. Something wasn’t right and Ryan’s gut burned with fear.
Ring-ring-ring. The phone in the barn pealed through the yard with a startling intensity.
Jogging to catch it on the fourth ring, Ryan glanced around the inside of the barn for his son. “Yeah?” Hopefully, Slate and Robbie weren’t cancelling. At that point, Ryan might be searching for a lost son rather than escaping bison.
“I have your kid. If you want to avoid seeing how we earned the Caracus name, you’ll make sure Lisa meets me by the caverns bordering the rivers. With the Caracus treasure. If you don’t? The boy dies.” The phone clicked.
Ryan stared at the base of the phone, his mouth dry.
The dial tone broke through his trance and he carefully placed the phone back in its cradle.
His son. His defenseless boy. What had Ryan done? And how was Lisa a part of it? He’d never thought of her as capable of harming Jesse, but things weren’t adding up and right then…
Ryan picked up a nearby stool and hurled it across the concrete floor. A leg snapped in half when it landed by an opposite wall. He growled, breathing heavy.
Maybe the only reason Lisa was interested was to get access to the caverns from the Noland land.
He ignored Wanda, running scenarios over and over in his mind. To imagine wrapping his fingers around the guy’s neck that had taken his boy. He shivered.
“Ho! Noland, we made it. Where are you, man?” Ronan’s thick timber rebounded off the wooden interior of the barn.
Strolling inside, Robbie and Slate flanked Ronan. All three men nodded upon spying Ryan and arched their eyebrows at the sight of Wanda.
“Jesse’s been taken. We need to get him back.” His hands shook as he sank to an unharmed stool a few inches past the place of the other one. “Please. I need my boy back.”
Robbie’s eyes widened. “What? Tell us everything.”
Wanda covered her mouth, stepping backward until she’d disappeared around the corner of the barn door.
Ryan didn’t care. He needed his son back. Now.
Lisa
Chapter 17
Lisa yawned, stretching her arms above her head. Of course she hadn’t slept well the night before. Her brief nap had turned into sleeping most of the day. Two cancellations because of a flu and being all caught up on her paperwork left Lisa with plenty of time to rest. She hadn’t looked back as she’d nestled into her couch cushions with her favorite fleece blanket.
Conflicting thoughts about Ryan and Charlie occupied her mind. She couldn’t escape. What was Ryan thinking? Was he interested or not because of the fight with Charlie? She had no idea.
The fact that she couldn’t recall the last time she’d been so concerned over what a guy thought about her gave her pause. Walking by him the night before, she’d wanted to grab his hand and explain everything, but another part of her wondered why she needed to. Why should she care what he thinks? He obviously didn’t believe in giving anyone the benefit of the doubt.
Her phone rang and absent-mindedly she lifted the cell and swiped the screen. “Hello?”
Heavy breathing and audible swallowing and then Charlie’s voice scratched over the line. “Lisa. I have that kid you work with – the handicap. If you don’t meet me up by the caverns behind the rivers, I’m going to drop him in. Think he can swim?” He laughed, a trace of desperation curling the last words with a rusty rasp.
“Charlie? What are you doing? I don’t have anything you want. Not anymore.” Lisa shot to a sitting position, grabbing her jeans and yanking them on her feet before standing and yanking them to button. She held the phone to her ear with her shoulder while she maneuvered her clothing.
“You would like to get back with me, wouldn’t you, girl? Nah, I’m on to bigger and better. Get up here and if you show me where your ol’ daddy’s treasure is, I’ll think about letting the kid go.” He hung up, leaving Lisa standing beside her couch with her hands suspended in space.
Tears welled, almost overflowing as she sniffed and dipped to grab the keys she’d thrown on the ground. Charlie wasn’t known for his cuddly, lovable side. If he had Jesse like he said he did, poor Jesse didn’t stand a chance. And even if she did get there in time, she didn’t have a guarantee that he’d let Jesse leave. Where would Jesse even go? How would he get out of there?
And what the heck was he talking about? Her dad’s treasure? She didn’t know anything about that. Sure, she’d heard the rumors growing up about Devlyn being rich from other people’s money. But she’d never seen evidence he had anything remotely resembling a treasure – unless people counted the big ole gold tooth in the back of his mouth. The one she could see when he yelled.
She needed help. Where was Ryan? Did he know about Jesse?
Her pulse hammered hard enough to build a headache behind her eyes. She stumbled to the door, slipping on her tennis shoes before slamming the panel behind her.
The tow truck had dropped off her truck yesterday morning – the nice guys had even detailed her cab making it smell like a bakery with a fresh vanilla scent. She rolled her windows down, allowing the warm summer breeze to mix evergreen scents with her car.
She dialed Ryan on her mobile but it went straight to voicemail. And the stupid mailbox was full!
Breathing in through her mouth and out through her nose did nothing for her. Nothing helped calm her. Jesse had to be so scared.
At the only stoplight in Colby, Lisa tapped the wheel. “Come on. No one’s even here!”
A familiar set of broad shoulders caught her eye. She needed help and he might just be the feebie that could do the job.
The light turned green and Lisa pulled to the side of the street – half on the sidewalk and half off. Honking her horn, she called out the open passenger side window. “Officer Mendez? Hey! Over here!”
He turned, his eyebrows high beneath the brim of his clean tawny colored hat. Gripping a stack of papers in his hands, Mendez approached the truck, studying the surrounding area and taking in the haphazard park job.
Leaning against the door, he inclined
his head. “Ms. Trinkett. How can I help you today? You ready to turn yourself in?” He grinned, his joke only half-intended as funny.
But Lisa didn’t smile. “Get in. I need your help.”
“Now wait a minute. I ask you over and over for help, but you won’t give me anything. Now you want something from me and I’m supposed to just whistle on command?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I need collateral.”
Jesse was important enough. She could make a trade. “Get in and we can discuss what or who I know and where they might be. Also, aren’t you looking for Charlie Childress?”
Mendez opened the door, climbing in and nodded.
“He’s who I’m going to see. He called me and said he kidnapped Jesse Noland and that he’ll give him back, if I show up with some treasure? Not sure what that is, but I need to get out there and save him.” She didn’t even look for traffic, just pulled from the parking spot she’d created and revved toward the Lonely Rivers cutoff.
“What kind of a deal are we talking about, Lisa?” His serious tone finally calmed Lisa enough her hands stopped shaking. Negotiating, now she understood that.
“I thought you and I could discuss what exactly you want from me and those four other women and then I could tell you what we know and, if they’re willing, you could meet them. None of us have done anything wrong. Devlyn Caracus made many mistakes and we just happened to be evidence of that.” She bit her lip as she watched her blind spot for anyone following them.
“You know where the Caracus treasure is. One of you girls does.” Mendez gripped the overhead handle as Lisa sped around a corner.
“That’s just a legend. But if we do, you can find out. Help me save Jesse and you capture Charlie and we can go from there. I just…” She didn’t finish that she wanted Ryan safe with his son and that she wanted a chance with them. Knowing her, she’d fail. But knowing her, she had to try.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” He watched out the window as she hurtled past trees and a growing sloping elevation. They would have a ways to walk from the parking area, but they could do it.
She’d only been up that way once, but she’d never forget the majesty of the forest and the peaceful calm of the river.
“Yea, but for how long? And since you’re both hunting the same treasure, maybe you can quiz him after you take him into custody?” Lisa smirked as she parked the truck, sliding down from the seat.
Mendez spluttered. “I wouldn’t work with him. I don’t…”
Lisa laughed, dry and with a titch of irritation. “Don’t deny the appeal. I’m not stupid. At this point, you’ll do anything to get what you want. You can find out more when you talk with Charlie.” If she didn’t kill the bastard first.
Ryan
Chapter 18
Adrenaline coursed through Ryan. Horse hooves thundered across the open prairie. The back way to the caverns and the rivers took a little extra time, but the element of surprise was worth the investment.
His boy, oh his helpless boy. Who would kidnap a child with limited capabilities? Ryan gritted his teeth. Jesse had to be so scared.
Slate’s suggestion to come in from the back filled Ryan with hope that they’d be able to rescue Jesse without too much of a fight.
If Wanda wanted to take Jesse from Ryan, the fact that the boy was kidnapped under Ryan’s protection would probably help her case.
While Wanda waited at the ranch for the police to show up, Ryan hunkered into his saddle. Nothing was going to keep him from his boy. Even a deranged ex-boyfriend who didn’t know which county he’d walked into.
Ryan couldn’t think of Charlie without instantly turning his mind to Lisa, although she was never really far from the forefront of his mind. Since Friday night, thinking of her stung with disappointment as well as admiration. No wonder Charlie wanted her back. Ryan did, too, and he’d never even had her.
But what could be going on that would make Charlie hold a boy hostage in exchange for Lisa? She had to know something or have something of value that Charlie wanted. But what?
Riding behind Robbie, Slate turned and lifted his left hand. The foursome slowed at the trailhead and Ryan stood in his stirrups to readjust his jeans and stretch his legs. Worry forced the words from his tight throat. “Do you think he’s okay?”
Robbie’s horse stepped closer to Ryan and Robbie patted his shoulder. “We’ve done this already. And with Devlyn Caracus. Childress isn’t anyone special. He just thinks he is. We’ll come in from behind, watch him a bit to see what move will be safest for Jesse and go from there.” He nodded, tilting his hat back as he surveyed the tree line.
“Afternoon lighting will help with shadows. Stick to the soft spots under the trees and you won’t hit any dry roughage.” Slate tapped his heel to the rear flank of his horse and led the way into the woods.
Filing in behind Robbie, Ryan shivered at the brisk breeze swirling between the trees and amidst the shadows. Ronan followed a safe distance behind.
The sudden silence split with the call of a bird Ryan didn’t recognize. Flapping wings beat the still air. They plodded up the steep incline until it leveled out and returned to a safer slant to run the horses over.
Rushing water, faint in the distance, called to them, leading them further from their ranches. Jesse was out there, scared and alone with some maniac. Ryan spurred his horse further, studying the area for anything that didn’t seem to fit in. Like his son.
Slate waved his hand toward a wide bend in the river. Once they drew abreast of him, he spoke loud enough to hear but not to break the cover of the water’s tumbling presence. “We’ll cross there. The water doesn’t get more than four or five inches deep. Just be careful of the plants, they make things slipperier than they appear.” He narrowed his eyes as he sought something in the direction of the caverns.
The MacAllisters and Ronan wouldn’t let Childress keep Jesse. They had a sense of right and wrong that Noland respected, understood. His faith in his neighbors and their abilities strengthened his own confidence. He might not be the best cowboy in Montana, but by damn he’d faced the worst struggles as a single dad and ranch owner that made him pretty confident in his abilities.
He unhooked his whip from the pommel and steadied the long handle as he directed his steed across the waters. Cold droplets coated his face and hands, chilling him in the heat of the afternoon sun.
Climbing the modest embankment, Ryan’s horse settled onto the plateau of the field with ease, shaking her head and swishing her tail.
The group held conversation to a minimum. Charlie hadn’t given a specific location. They could stumble upon him at any moment.
Up ahead a shout wound its way over the water and grass. “I said no!”
Ryan met Ronan’s gaze. Cautious, as one, the four men slid from their horses and half-crouched into the woods, utilizing the trees as they worked their way closer to the increasing shouts.
“What do you think he’s doing?” Robbie whispered to no one in particular.
“Asking to get shot.” Slate’s whisper reached them softly, each syllable placed carefully so not to carry.
If the situation weren’t so dire, Ryan would’ve chuckled at the man’s wit. But they drew closer, closer, closer, to the stupid man willing to kidnap Jesse and he kept his reply to himself.
Around a grouping of boulders, Charlie came into sight. Throwing his arms in the air and then dropping them to his sides, he moved erratically, lunging left then standing still while yelling at… Ryan leaned over. “What’s he yelling at? Jesse?”
Slate’s eyebrows drew together. “I have no idea. Does anyone see Jesse?”
Another search of the area with nothing to show the boy had ever been there left Ryan confused and sick. Where was Jesse? “What’s he saying?”
Charlie stormed to the river’s edge and then ran full bore toward a copse of trees. He slammed his shoulder into the V of a trunk, groaning as he slumped to the ground. He laughed. “Ha, just because I can’t get in like
that, doesn’t mean I can’t get in. I’ll get in! You just wait. And I’m going to take every penny, you old bastard!”
Ryan moved closer. Peering over the edge of a moss covered rock, Ryan studied Charlie’s movements. He lurched and swayed, like a man that had too much alcohol on board. Waving the other men forward, Ryan pointed to a backpack and sleeping roll stacked beside the entrance to a dog-house sized cave.
“Maybe Jesse’s in there?” Desperate, Ryan could see his son held anywhere – even in a tree. But how would Childress have been able to get Jesse up there? He didn’t seem to have any horses or even access to an ATV. Jesse would be dead weight as he struggled with his gear, too.
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