Redemption Ranch

by Leann Harris

  “You and Sophie take the truck and see if you can spot him. I’ll join Tyler. We have some ATVs and we can use them to search.” He walked into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of flashlights. He also pulled out the walkie-talkies he kept in the mud room. “Take the other one and keep in contact with us.”

  Sophie nodded. Zach walked out of the house.

  “I’ll get my keys and we can start our search.”

  Beth closed her eyes as the misery washed over her. She feared that if something happened to Riley, Tyler’s heart would completely shut down. Lord, keep Riley safe, for his sake. And Tyler’s.

  Sophie touched Beth’s shoulder. Beth opened her eyes.

  “We’ll find him.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  They headed out to the truck.

  * * *

  Shoving aside his fear, Tyler searched the stables and checked each stall, but didn’t find signs of the kid. Zach showed up as he finished the last stall.

  Zach glanced around. “Have you finished searching the building?”

  “Yeah. He’s not here.”

  “Are any of the horses missing?”

  Tyler hadn’t thought of that. “No, all the horses are here, but—” Suddenly he realized he hadn’t seen Dogger, then remembered how the dog had slipped out of the tack room after they heard the noise in the hall.

  Tyler staggered over to the half wall and leaned against it. “Dogger is with Riley.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “That dog’s got an instinct that’s beyond anything I can understand. He knows. And he saved me and the other guys in our unit more than once, alerting us to danger, so I don’t doubt that Dogger’s with Riley, no matter where he is.”

  “Okay, if the boy didn’t take a horse, he couldn’t have gone far on foot. How long has he been missing?”

  Tyler racked his brain. “It couldn’t be more than twenty minutes.”

  “All right. Let’s start looking around the ranch. I’ve got a jeep and some ATVs we can use to search.”

  Tyler didn’t even want to think how Riley had reacted to his confession and how much of what he said Riley had actually heard. How could he have been so stupid? “Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  Zach and Tyler got the ATVs out and started searching the river area on the far edge of the ranch. Sophie and Beth took the truck and went to the closest neighboring ranch. Sophie called Ollie and let him know what was happening. Ollie drove back to the ranch to babysit the ranch office. He would try to coordinate things if they needed to call the sheriff’s office. They kept in contact with walkie-talkies.

  Sophie and Beth first drove to the neighbors north of their ranch. Together they’d searched the barns and outbuildings but didn’t find any sign of Riley. “Carol, please keep looking out for the teen. He’s probably not thinking too clearly with what happened to his mother, but our hope is he’s hungry and thirsty and will show up somewhere.”

  “You let me know if you find him. Bob and I will keep watch, and if you need for us to search tomorrow, we will. I wouldn’t want him to spend the night outside. It’s going to be in the low fifties tonight.”

  “I promise we’ll let you know if we find him.”

  She and Beth walked back to the car. “You drive,” Sophie told Beth. “I’ll call the other ranches and have them start looking.”

  Beth climbed behind the steering wheel while Sophie slid into the passenger seat. Buckling up, Sophie grabbed her cell phone and started calling. Beth tried to concentrate on the road and watch for signs of Riley, but she had to fight off her fear.

  After her last call, Sophie rested her hand on Beth’s arm. Sophie was one of the few people who could really read Beth’s mood. Most folks just saw the chipper, bubbly woman. “It’s not your fault, Beth.”

  “I shouldn’t have pushed Tyler so hard. I had to know why he was in a funk. I just couldn’t leave it alone. I had to understand.” She took a deep breath to steady herself. “The night had gone so well, Sophie. We were riding so high. Riley and Tyler laughed and talked. Riley and one of the girls in the youth group spent the night sitting next to each other, smiling and trading looks. And when the kids conducted the service, I saw both Tyler and Riley pay attention. There was a hunger in both of their eyes. Riley had even weathered his mother’s wreck and I think he was going to be okay. He had hope—”

  Gripping the steering wheel, she felt the remorse wash through her. “I wanted to help, but it backfired on me. Big time.” Her throat clogged with emotions.

  “You didn’t cause Susan’s wreck, nor did you have anything to do with Tyler’s issue. When Zach and I ran into him at the restaurant in the city last May, he carried that bruised look I’ve seen too many times on Zach’s face and other soldiers I’ve dealt with. I knew Tyler carried a deep burden. Zach recognized it, too, and neither one of us could walk away from him.”

  “He certainly was off-putting when he first got here. And I recognized that look, too. That’s why last night was so great.”

  “What did he say that caused Riley to flee?”

  Beth explained about the situation with the bomb and that Riley had overheard Tyler’s admission. “Tyler feels he should’ve been the one disarming the bomb, and it should’ve been he who died.”

  Sophie nodded and looked out the window, searching for Riley. “Survivor’s guilt,” she whispered. “It’s a wicked thing that ties up a person’s soul. I saw it in a lot of the guys who survived an ambush or who dodged a bullet but their fellow unit members didn’t.” She fell silent. “I had it, and it had nothing to do with Iraq.”

  Beth reached over and grasped Sophie’s hand. Beth knew her friend blamed herself for her brother’s death. It had been a tragic accident that Sophie’s family hadn’t come to grips with for many years.

  Tyler and Riley emerged from their sorrow, only to be thrust back into the shadows. Why, Lord, why? Why had it happened? What good is served here?

  When they arrived at the next ranch, the family had finished a search of the barn and Riley wasn’t there. As they drove to the next ranch, Sophie checked in with Ollie. No news. Riley seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth.

  Close to midnight they returned to the ranch. Sophie needed to rest. They didn’t want anything to happen to the baby she carried.

  Tyler and Zach sat in the family room. From their expressions, Beth knew they’d found no sign of the boy. She walked to the phone and called the hospital to check on Susan’s condition. Susan’s vitals were strong. She’d woken up, but quickly gone back to sleep.

  Beth gave the group a report on Susan. “At least she won’t wonder about her son.”

  Her words wouldn’t comfort Tyler.

  Zach stood. “We need to notify the police. I’ll call the sheriff right now.” He dialed the sheriff at home. After a brief conversation, Zach said, “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow at sunrise. And you’ll bring the volunteer rescue group?” He thanked the sheriff and hung up, turning to the group. “We’ll start the search here tomorrow morning at sunrise. Try to sleep. You’ll need to be alert tomorrow.”

  Sophie wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist. “Beth, why don’t you stay in the guest room again? You can borrow some of my prepregnancy things.”

  Beth thought about it. It would make life easier than having Tyler drive her to the church. Besides, she didn’t want to leave at this critical point and she knew Tyler didn’t want to leave, either.

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll grab you a couple of things. And pray for Riley.” After their good-nights, Zach and Sophie left the room.

  Tyler sat in silence across from Beth. He couldn’t hide his pain and guilt. She wanted to reach out to him, but knew he wouldn’t accept her eff
orts.

  “I’ll need to notify my boss I won’t be in tomorrow.” She had a business trip in a couple of days that she couldn’t miss.

  Zach appeared in the doorway with several items of clothing. He gave them to Beth. He kissed her cheek, nodded to Tyler and left.

  “Dogger’s with him. Surely he’ll take care of Riley.”

  Tyler raised his head. “Dogger will guard him from night predators.”

  “And will keep him warm.”

  “Yes. But he shouldn’t be out there. How is driving away my friend’s brother caring for him?”

  “You didn’t—”

  “Don’t.” He raised his hand. “Don’t justify my mistakes.” Standing, he stalked out of the house.

  Beth stared at the door. Her eyes fluttered closed and she fought the pain. Her heart had opened up and now—

  Lord, we need Your grace. And mercy. Bless Riley.

  And Tyler.

  Only You can save this situation.

  * * *

  Riley huddled among the rocks on the side of the hill. Several trees grew farther up the slope, but huddling out in the open had more appeal to him. The boulders were still warm from the heat of the day and he welcomed that heat. Dogger curled against his side, protecting him from the breeze and any of the animals creeping in the dark.

  He heard the howl of a coyote.

  “I’m glad you’re here with me, guy,” Riley told Dogger, putting his arm over the dog.

  Riley rested his head against the large boulder. His stomach rumbled. He rubbed it. He should’ve eaten that plate of food on the table before he took off, but he felt so good when he woke up and wanted to talk to either Tyler or Beth about the night and ask how his mother was doing. And if she was really going to be okay. He thought they could all eat together like a family.

  He also wanted to know how things were going to work after his mother got out of the hospital. She wouldn’t be able to care for herself, let alone him. He could make sandwiches and wash his clothes, but how would he get to school, or take his mother to the doctor or get groceries? What if something happened to his mom? That thought scared him.

  Why had that accident happened? Things were just looking up. He’d had fun staying up all night and making new friends who thought he was cool. It had been the first time he’d had a good time since Paul died.

  He’d laughed. Last night had been super, and he’d wanted to ask Beth about going to church again. He’d wanted to talk to Tyler about girls. And it had been fun to watch Tyler stealing looks at Beth and how she blushed.

  He remembered his brother and the good times they’d had, and how he could talk to Tyler about Paul. They’d been friends in the Army.

  When Riley didn’t find anyone in the house, he went outside, hoping to find someone. Tyler’s car was there. Riley went to the stables, thinking that maybe Tyler was feeding the horses. When he heard voices, he hurried toward them, eager to talk. As he neared the tack room door, he heard what Tyler was saying. He paused, to listen more.

  He should’ve died instead of Paul.

  Riley froze, not sure he heard the words correctly. He struggled to understand. Tyler claimed it was his fault Paul died. His fault. And he should’ve died instead of Paul.

  Riley stood there thunderstruck. What was Tyler talking about? When the light came on in Riley’s brain, he couldn’t stand the truth and ran.

  No wonder Tyler wanted to help him. He felt guilty.

  Guilty.

  Riley didn’t know where he was going, but he wouldn’t spend another minute near Tyler. His anger and hurt drove him, his legs pumping, trying to outrace the words. When the adrenaline faded, he looked around the landscape. He had no idea where we was. That frightened him.

  Thinking he’d find the highway and could thumb a ride, he started walking. When Dogger appeared at his side, Riley tried to send him away, but the dog wouldn’t leave. And secretly, Riley was grateful Dogger didn’t go.

  So, he was lost in the middle of nowhere. What was he going to do?

  Riley lay down, curling his body around the dog.

  At least Dogger could be depended on.

  And what would happen if his mother didn’t live?

  The thought scared him.

  * * *

  Before sunrise, Sophie walked among the group of searchers, pouring coffee into the foam cups. She also had warm muffins for anyone who was hungry.

  Sheriff Joe Teague looked at the volunteers and his deputies. “You all have a description of the boy. He’s traveling with a black-and-white dog.”

  “The dog’s name is Dogger,” Beth offered. She turned to Tyler. “Will Dogger allow the searchers near Riley?”

  “I think so.” He moved up to the inside of the circle. “Dogger went with Riley for his protection. Just call out to Riley and tell him you are part of the search party. Dogger is a protective animal and he is very aware of people approaching him.”

  Sheriff Joe nodded. “Now each of you has a partner. Stay within view of each other. Make sure you have your water and energy food bars. The boy will be hungry when you find him. Any other questions?”

  No other questions emerged, and the group went different ways. Some of the searchers were on foot, with dogs, and others were on horseback. All had emergency walkie-talkies.

  Beth moved to the barn, intent on saddling Prince Charming. Zach and Tyler followed her.

  “Beth, are you sure you don’t want to take the ATV?” Zach asked.

  “No. Charming and I will ride out east of the ranch. There’s a dirt road, maybe Riley followed that.” The dirt road ran close to the river.

  “I should ride Charming,” Zach said. “You take Brownie.”

  Beth was small enough it wouldn’t be a strain for her to ride the smaller horse. “Okay.”

  Tyler moved to Dusty’s stall. “I’ll saddle Dusty and ride out with you, Beth.” He looked like death, and Beth knew he probably hadn’t slept.

  She didn’t respond. At least the man was talking.

  They quickly saddled their horses and rode out of the barn. The three of them went down toward the river. Zach headed north while Tyler and Beth went south. Tyler looked for signs of a boy and dog. Beth recognized what he was doing and forded the river and searched the other side.

  They worked in silence and Beth continued to pray they would pick up Riley’s trail and find him.

  After two hours, they paused. Beth joined Tyler on the other side of the river. Dismounting, Beth pulled the saddlebags off Brownie and led the little horse down to the river for a cool drink.

  After Brownie finished, Beth fed the little mare one of the apples she brought. After feeding Brownie, Beth walked around. Tyler stood by the piñon pine tree.

  She wanted to reach out to him, but knew he wouldn’t welcome her approach. She pulled a second apple from the saddlebags and offered it to Tyler.

  “You need to eat something.”

  He looked at the apple. He started to turn away, but thought better and took the apple. “Thanks.”

  “I have a Thermos of coffee if you want some.”

  He didn’t reply, but she pulled the Thermos and poured herself some coffee. She settled on a large boulder and sipped the strong brew. She grabbed one of the fruit bars she’d stashed in the saddlebags.

  Tyler looked out over the landscape as he finished his apple. Taking the core, he flung it as far away as he could. Beth started to say something to Tyler, but the walkie-talkie squawked.

  “There are signs of the boy north of Mesa Road. It looks like he came through here probably ten hours ago.”

  Sheriff Joe answered the searchers. “We’ll send more people to work the north side of the road.” The sheriff paused
, then came on again. “Zach, you find any signs?”

  “None here by the river. Tyler, you got anything?

  “No,” Tyler answered.

  “Okay, with those tracks, why don’t you and Beth search south of the road by where the other signs were found.”

  “Beth and I are on it.”

  Beth capped the coffee and put it in her saddlebags, then mounted Brownie and followed Tyler north.

  * * *

  Riley sat on the ground. There was no water and no food anywhere. The mountainous area around the ranch made seeing over the next hill hard. When he reached the top of one hill, all he saw was more hills and rocks. He didn’t see a house or a road. When he woke this morning, the sky had been clouded over, so he couldn’t use the sun to guide him in walking, but that wouldn’t matter, because he didn’t know which direction to walk.

  His stomach had stopped cramping several hours ago. Now, what he really needed was some water. Looking at the dark clouds, he prayed it would rain, but how would he catch any of it?

  “Okay, Dogger, you got any ideas on which way to go?”

  Dogger’s tongue hung out and he panted. Dogger needed water, too.

  “Well, guy, I’m going to let you take the lead. You might do better than me.” Riley stood and motioned the dog to go first. Dogger stood and didn’t hesitate, but took off. Riley followed.

  Several hours later, lightning flashed and the ground shook with the boom of thunder. The sky opened up.

  Riley stood there and lifted his face to the sky and opened his mouth. It wasn’t enough, so he cupped his hands and caught enough water and lapped it up. After several handfuls of water, he glanced at Dogger.

  He cupped his hands again and knelt, offering the water to the dog. Dogger lapped it up.

  There wasn’t any shelter that they could run to. Instead, Riley sat down and rested his head on his upraised knees. Dogger settled at his side as they waited for the rain to stop.

  * * *

  As they searched for Riley, Tyler tried to keep the guilt at bay. He focused strictly on finding Riley. He didn’t want to think about what would happen if they couldn’t find the boy, because he knew he couldn’t live with his part in driving him away.