“I suppose it’s possible, but most likely it was a rabbit.” He dropped his gaze to the boulders scattered across the bottom of the crevasse. “Maybe we could stack them against the wall. Waiting like this is driving me crazy.”
She rested her hand on his arm. “There aren’t enough rocks to reach all the way to the top. Surely someone will find us soon.”
He let out his breath. “You’re right. We’re in a National Park for crying out loud. There has to be a ranger or a group of backpackers or someone nearby.”
Her grip on his arm tightened. “I hear Lucy again.”
A minute later the dog peered over the edge of the crevasse, her tongue hanging out of her mouth. She darted off and returned again a few minutes later. Tyler’s hopes soared. “Maybe she did find someone.”
“Here! We’re down here!” she shouted.
He opened his mouth and nearly choked. A man knelt next to Lucy, staying carefully back from the edge. A long gray ponytail hung over the shoulder of his plaid shirt, and green eyes squinted at them from a weather-beaten face.
“You again!”
The man smiled. “Looks like you’ve gotten yourselves into a bit of trouble.”
Tyler wondered if he was looking into the face of their savior or another Hannibal Lecter. Something about the man sent a chill down his spine. “We could use a rope.”
“There’s one in my camper. I can be back in about fifteen minutes if I hustle.”
He disappeared. Tyler frowned. “Can you believe it? Of all the people to find us, it had to be that crazy old coot.”
Kate’s forehead wrinkled. “For a minute when he smiled, he looked familiar.”
“He should. We’ve seen him often enough lately.”
“I suppose so. I’m just thankful he was still following us. I’ll admit I was worried someone would find our sun bleached bones in the bottom of this hole a few years from now.”
Tyler couldn’t quite muster a smile. “Yeah, me, too.”
“At least we’ll now know why that man has chased us across two states.”
He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Looking into those knowing green eyes had given him an uneasy feeling. “You’re right. The mystery will be solved.”
She frowned at him. “You don’t sound very happy to be rescued.”
He pulled her up close against his chest and ran his hands lightly down her arms. “Not that I wasn’t enjoying your company, but I can think of better places to hang out together.”
“It’s Thursday, Tyler. We aren’t going to have a lot of time to hang out anywhere if we want to be in Summerville by tomorrow night.” She caught her lip between her teeth. “Our adventure is coming to an end.”
“It doesn’t have—”
“I was quicker than I thought,” their rescuer called and tossed down a rope. The heavy knot at the end slapped against the dirt wall, sending up a puff of dust.
“Should you call someone for help?” Tyler asked. “There’s nothing up there to tie the rope to, and I don’t want to pull you in on top of us.”
“I’ll stay well back from the edge to get some leverage. I’m stronger than I look.”
“I’ll go first,” Kate said. “I’m lighter. Then we can both pull you out.”
He nodded abruptly. “Let’s do it then.”
When the rope pulled taunt, Tyler lifted her up as high as he could reach. His muscles strained as he held her backside and pushed her higher still. She scrambled for foot holds, sending down a shower of dirt. Finally she heaved herself over the edge. He could hear Lucy’s ecstatic barks of joy.
“Easy as pie,” she said, smiling down at him.
She tossed him the rope, and he tied it to the backpacks. “Haul them on up,” he called. They thumped against the crumbling wall as they ascended.
Kate dropped the rope down. “Your turn.”
He squinted up at her. “Don’t hurt yourself if I’m too heavy. I can wait for more help to come.”
“Have some faith. We can do this.” She disappeared, and Tyler gave the rope a tug. “Ready!” she yelled.
Using the rope for leverage, he dug his feet into the wall and began to climb. A rock slipped beneath his boot, crashing to the ground, and the taunt rope went slack. He heard a grunt and a curse. Grabbing for hand holds, he heaved himself up and rolled away from the edge, breathing hard.
“Stop, Lucy,” he said, fending off the dog’s slobbering tongue. He sat up and smiled at Kate. “For a moment there, I thought I was a goner.”
“I did, too,” their rescuer said, watching him closely. “Your lady saved you from a nasty fall. I couldn’t have hauled you out on my own.”
“Well, we certainly appreciate your help.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kate Abbott, and my friend is—”
“I know who he is.” The man shook her hand and turned to face Tyler. “I guess it’s time I introduced myself. I don’t suppose you recognize me?”
Tyler’s gut clenched. He stared into the man’s green eyes, and suddenly his mind flashed to a box of pictures on his mother’s closet shelf. He’d been around nine when he’d found the photograph of a smiling man holding an infant. He saw the same smile now in a face forty-three years older. It was the smile he saw every day when he looked in the mirror.
“I’m Dale North.” He offered his hand. Tyler ignored it, and slowly the man lowered it to his side.
“I don’t understand,” Kate said quietly.
Tyler turned abruptly, his chest burning. He took a deep breath and stared down at the hole, wishing he were back in it. She touched his arm, and he jumped.
“Tyler?”
He pulled away. “It’s simple,” he said, his voice hard, the pain in his chest unbearable. “That man is my father.”
****
Kate washed the shampoo from her hair, hurrying to finish her shower. She would have killed for a long soak in a hot tub, but she didn’t want to leave Tyler alone. She wasn’t sure what he might do. Turning off the water, she squeezed out her hair and grabbed a towel from the rack.
“Tyler,” she called through the partially opened door.
“I’m still here. I promised I wouldn’t leave, and I keep my promises.”
She wrapped the towel around her and stepped out of the bathroom. He stood at the motel room window, his back to her. At his feet, Lucy whined softly.
“Anyway, where would I go without a damn car?”
“You don’t have to talk to him,” she said softly.
He turned, and slowly his scowl faded. “You’re dripping all over the carpet.”
She pushed her wet hair over her shoulder. “Take a shower while I dress. Being clean again might make you feel better.”
“I doubt that.” He took a step forward, and his eyes glimmered. “But I know something else that might.”
She shook her head. “I’m not even tempted. You’re too filthy.”
He ran his hand through his hair and grimaced. “You’re right. I’ll shower, and then we’ll meet the old bastard for lunch. We may as well get it over with.”
“Are you sure you want me to come with you? Maybe it would be easier talking to him without an audience.”
“You’re hardly an audience, and I’m sure.” He touched her face as he went through the bathroom door and shut it behind him.
Kate let out her breath and turned toward the mirror hanging on the motel room wall. There was a smudge of dirt on her cheek, but it was nothing compared to the mark he’d left on her heart. With hands that weren’t quite steady, she pulled on underwear, a pair of denim shorts and a pale pink T-shirt. She had just finished combing her hair and was pulling it back in a clip when her cell phone rang.
She read the display and smiled. “Hi Josh.”
“It’s about time. Why weren’t you answering your phone? Dad and I were worried.”
She sat on the end of the bed. “I forgot and left it in the car last night. I’m sorry you were concerned.”
“Dad was freak
ing out, thinking something happened to you all alone in the middle of—” He paused, and Kate could hear his breathing. “Where are you, anyway?”
“I’m in South Dakota just east of Badlands National Park.” She took a breath, tired of skimming over the truth. “I’m not alone, Josh, so you can stop worrying. I met someone on the road I used to know; we’re traveling together.”
“Hey, that’s cool. What’s her name?”
She hesitated and dug her toes into the generic tan carpeting. “His name is Tyler North.”
There was silence for a long moment before he spoke. “That name sounds familiar.” His voice rose. “Isn’t he that rocker dude who—”
“We went to high school together, Josh, and we just happened to run into each other on the way to the reunion.”
“Well, I guess it’s okay.”
She smiled. “Thanks for giving me your permission.”
“I didn’t mean— Hold on. Dad wants to talk to you.”
Ben spoke abruptly, his concern showing in his gruff tone. “Josh’s side of the conversation was beginning to worry me.”
“I’m fine, Ben. I’m traveling with someone I knew in high school. Josh can explain.” She heard the water shut off in the bathroom. “I need to go. Are you guys having fun?”
“We’re having a blast.” He hesitated. “Kate, are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
She sat up straighter and smiled as Tyler walked into the room wearing nothing but a towel. Her voice was breathless when she spoke. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Bye, Ben.”
She shut the phone and watched Tyler rummaging through his duffel bag. He stood up holding a pair of jeans, and his gaze locked with hers. He stilled, and his lips quirked in a smile. “I’m not dirty anymore.”
Her heart slammed against her chest. “No, you’re not, but we’re supposed to meet your father in fifteen minutes.”
His mouth tightened. “That’s a definite mood kill.” He dropped the towel and pulled on boxers and a pair of Levis. She swallowed.
“Josh called. I told him we were traveling together.”
He tugged his T-shirt over his head. “Yeah?”
Kate took a breath then let it out slowly. She scratched Lucy behind her ears. The dog moaned, breaking the silence. “Yep, but I didn’t go into details. Our relationship is a little hard to define.”
“We’ll have to work on that.” He grabbed his duffel bag in one hand and her suitcase in the other. “Are you ready to go?”
She nodded, her heart beating double time. “Head on out to the car. I’ll make sure we didn’t forget anything in the bathroom.”
He left the room with Lucy following at his heels. Kate took a deep breath. The way he had looked at her just now— She was almost afraid to finish the thought, afraid to believe he cared. Taking a quick look around the bathroom, she grabbed a bottle of shampoo left standing in the corner of the tub. Closing her eyes, she willed her nerves to steady. Right now she couldn’t think about what he had meant. First they had to get through lunch with his father.
She shut the motel room door and climbed into the passenger seat of the car. Tyler was quiet on the short drive to the restaurant. He pulled up into the shade of the building, his gaze settling on the camper parked two spaces over. She touched his forearm, feeling the tense muscle. He gave her a brief, unconvincing smile.
“Let’s go hear what Dale has to say for himself, then we can get the hell out of town.”
They walked down the cracked sidewalk and through the door into the air conditioned interior of the café. Goose bumps rose on her arms.
“There he is,” Tyler said, nodding toward a table in the corner of the room.
Dale North stood as they approached. He had changed into a clean, short sleeved green shirt that matched his eyes, and his gray hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail. His smile was hesitant. “Please have a seat.”
She slid into the booth next to Tyler. When he remained silent, she cleared her throat. “Sorry if we kept you waiting. There was a lot of dirt to wash off.”
“You didn’t. Are you staying here tonight?”
Tyler opened the plastic coated menu and spoke without raising his eyes. “We just rented a room to use the shower. We’re out of here as soon as lunch is over.”
The waitress, a bored looking teenager wearing a pair of tight jeans and too much makeup, stopped beside their table. Tyler and his father both ordered burgers and fries.
“I’ll have a turkey sandwich with mayo on the side,” she said, shutting the menu. The girl rolled her eyes and made a note before collecting the menus and leaving.
Dale leaned against the navy vinyl seat back, his gaze on his son. “I guess you’re wondering why I approached you after all these years.”
“It’s been a few,” Tyler answered, his tone sharp. “Forty-three to be precise.”
“I screwed up badly with you. I was young and scared and stupid.” When Tyler opened his mouth, his father raised his hand. “I’m not making excuses. There aren’t any for the way I treated you and your mother. I’m not asking for forgiveness.”
“Then what do you want, Dale? You’ve been following us for days. Speaking of which, how the hell did you keep tracking us down?”
“I drove a big rig for years, and I still have a lot of friends out on the road and a CB radio in my pickup. My buddy, Jim, recognized you in Red Hawk and called me. Others gave a shout out when they caught sight of you. That baby blue convertible is easy to spot. I even had a few old-timers with CB’s in their motor homes give me a heads up when you got off the beaten track.”
“Jesus, you have a regular spy network going.”
Dale grinned, and Kate drew in her breath. The man did look like his son when he smiled.
Tyler was silent while the waitress delivered their food. When she left he spoke. “Why didn’t you confront me sooner? You’ve had plenty of opportunities.”
“I was a little nervous. I wanted to pick the right moment. This is hard enough without trying to talk in a crowd of tourists.”
“There’s no one here but us. Let’s hear it.”
Dale chewed and swallowed a bite of his burger. “My wife threw me out. She told me not to come back until I got sober and stayed that way.” His gaze moved from Tyler to Kate and back. “I’m an alcoholic, have been for most of my life, but I hit rock bottom after Maggie kicked my sorry ass out. Excuse me, ma’am.”
Kate smiled. “I’ve heard much worse. I have a teenage son.”
He smiled back at her. “Anyway, I made up my mind to change my ways and started going to AA meetings. I’ve been sober now for one hundred and twenty-eight days.”
“Good for you,” she said and bit into her turkey sandwich.
Tyler stabbed a French fry into a pool of ketchup. “Now I get it. You’re on step nine. Sorry, Dale, but there isn’t much you can do to make amends for deserting me and my mom when I was only a couple of months old.”
“I can apologize. I can tell you it was the biggest mistake I ever made, and I’ve made a lot of them. My list is a long one.”
She lay down her sandwich. “What list? What are you talking about?”
Dale regarded her with a steady gaze. “Alcoholics Anonymous is a twelve step program toward recovery. Step eight is to make a list of all the people you’ve harmed. Step nine is to make amends to those people. Tyler seems to know something about the process.”
He pushed his plate away, his food half eaten. “I used to drink. I went to a few meetings.”
“Do you still, drink, I mean?”
“I quit years ago. I don’t need a sponsor, Dale.” Tyler’s expression was closed, his lips a tight line. “Have you talked to Mom yet?”
“I did several weeks ago. She was surprisingly forgiving.” His eyes took on a sheen of moisture. “Your mother is a good woman. She deserved a lot better than I gave her.”
“You’re damn right she did.” Tyler clenched his fist and pressed it against t
he vinyl seat. “I’m not nearly as forgiving. I saw how hard she worked, the long hours she spent cleaning houses just to keep food on the table. You talked. I listened.” He took a deep breath and turned to face Kate. “Are you ready to go? I can’t sit here another minute.”
She nodded. He pulled out his wallet, dropped a twenty dollar bill on the table, and stared at his father. “I hope you stay sober, Dale.”
“I intend to. I’m truly sorry, Tyler. If there’s anything I can ever do for you, just let me know. I left my phone number with your mother.”
“There won’t be,” he said and turned abruptly.
Dale’s gaze met hers. “Make my son happy. He deserves it.”
She drew in her breath. “Yes he does. Goodbye, Mr. North.”
Following Tyler, she walked out of the air-conditioned café into the bright, sunlit day.
Chapter Nine
Tyler stared up at the motel room ceiling, his thoughts spinning. Beside him Kate breathed quietly. When Lucy rested her chin on the edge of the king-sized bed and whined softly, he slid out from beneath the sheet and pulled on his jeans. He grabbed the key card off the table and let the dog out the door.
Stars shone in a dizzying array in the dark, Minnesota sky, and warm night air caressed his bare chest. Following the walkway to a grassy area behind the motel, he watched Lucy sniff the bushes. He’d behaved like an ass all day, and he knew Kate was on the point of breaking. It would have served him right if she’d kicked him out of the car and left him on the side of the road. Instead she’d held on to her temper. Barely.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared up at the stars. Meeting Dale had gotten to him, and he’d taken his bad mood out on Kate. Not that he’d actually done anything. It was what he hadn’t done, sinking into silence and pushing away all her attempts to get him to talk.
His father. Just thinking the words made him shudder. Dale was a loser. It didn’t matter that he was trying to get his life together. He hadn’t been there when it mattered. He hadn’t been there to keep his son from making the same stupid mistakes he’d made himself. Looking at Dale was like seeing the person he would have become if Sophie hadn’t been kidnapped. The single most horrible event in his life had turned him into a better man.
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