But he didn’t move, just waited patiently for her as she unhooked the car seat from its base and then unbuckled the base from the seat.
Cody, her six-week-old boy, blinked tiredly at her from his sweaty car seat. She cooed at him as she carried him and the base to the truck. “It’s okay, sweets, we’re getting out of here. No more hot. Okay? Momma fix it. I promise.”
She climbed into the seat of the truck and Ryland took the base without asking and buckled it in the right way. “Snap him in and we’ll test it to see, if it’s in right.” They attached the seat in the right position and Ryland adjusted the straps to make it fit. “Let’s go.”
Amy closed her door, buckling herself as she peeked at Ryland out of the corner of her eye. She reached down surreptitiously and felt for the soft rustle of overly touched waterproof vinyl under the edge of her bra.
The envelope held all the money she’d managed to squirrel away from Buck and his thieving fingers. The man stole from her cookie jar any chance he got and she’d learned to put a small amount in there to train him to not to suspect any other place held her cash – like the bottom of the bathroom can, underneath the garbage bag.
She took the trash out. He didn’t. It was the only safe place in the house.
Ryland pulled the truck out carefully onto the highway headed east and for the first time Amy allowed a little bit of the tension in her shoulders to fade. Buck would never look for her in a truck with another man. Not immediately anyway.
She could rest. Someone else had the wheel. Literally.
But not for long. She only had until Jefferson City. Once there, she’d have to figure out how to make the expensive formula stretch while keeping her son healthy and happy.
When would she catch a break?
She glanced at Ryland. Maybe she’d finally gotten an inkling of favor from the Man Upstairs.
Chapter 3
Ryland
The small child’s soft hair wisped around his fine features and his mouth worked around the green pacifier the woman put between his small lips.
Creases on the sides of her eyes when he’d first seen her had softened as she relaxed into the truck. The rig was old but the air conditioning worked fine and while Ryland rarely used it, that day was an exception even without the child and woman inside.
Dark marks where perspiration had worked its way through her shirt started to fade. They’d been on the road for a few miles before Ryland felt comfortable breaking the ice. “I didn’t expect the baby.” He adjusted his hat by the crown and glanced at her with a sardonic smile.
“Neither did I.” She looked at the boy with mock shock and opened her mouth in a circle. Putting her hand over her mouth, she said, “Do you think he bites?”
Ryland chuckled, careful to keep his volume low as he took in her playful side. “He’s probably the most dangerous one in the rig.” The softest scent of cherry blossoms assailed his senses when he laughed with her.
Her vulnerability reminded him of his cousin Ruby a long time ago. She’d been so many things – sweet, innocent, desperate for affection. Ryland and his cousins had done so much to stick up for her, protect her. They’d failed. He’d had a soft spot for women in trouble ever since, like maybe he could save someone else, change their situation.
Soft blonde curls framed Amy’s face and fell around her shoulders. They had the look of burnished gold and under highlights of copper. Her tan skin and dark brown eyes confused Ryland on just what he was going to say.
“So, where are you going?” Ryland shifted on his seat. The truck was comfortable but danged if it didn’t get worn in spots when he drove in it for a while.
She shrugged, the rounded curve of her shoulder barely moving as she stared at the road. “I guess wherever I can get the furthest from Dillon.”
“You don’t care where it is?” Ryland tried not to seem too worried or interested. Women like Amy were skittish. They sensed danger before they sensed heat or cold. The innate ability to survive had nothing to do with talent and everything to do with necessity.
She looked at him and then at the freeway stretched before them and behind.” Honestly? If I could choose, we’d already be off the interstate.” She picked at her cuticle and tried to keep her calm as she spoke.
“If I didn’t have to head north, I’d get you off the highway as fast as possible. I understand not feeling safe.” He snagged her gaze and narrowed his eyes. “You’re safe, okay? I know only murderers say that, but I’m not a killer. I can’t even put animals down when they need it.” His rueful smile was more at himself than anything.
She glanced at him, then at her hands, and then back at him. “Thanks. I don’t know if I believe in safe anymore.”
“Who are you running from?” Ryland didn’t know how legal it would be for him to take her and her child across the state, if she was married. There were all kinds of custodial laws that he didn’t want to violate, but he would, if she were in danger. Something about her brought out the protective side he’d never really tapped into before.
“My ex... boyfriend. I lived with him because I always knew something was wrong... but...” She offered a lopsided smile. “He’s really mean.” She wiped at tears under her eyes and finished in a whisper. “He promised if I ever left or tried to leave, I’d never see Cody alive again.”
“Wow. I’m sorry. That sounds like a horrible ordeal.” He shook his head. He didn’t have anything to offer her, but a ride far away from there. Too bad, it wasn’t far enough.
His phone buzzed. “Excuse me.” Ryland pulled out his phone and answered. “Hey, Damon.”
“Yeah, just heard from Cyan. She said Nate’s taken on a job in Godfrey headed toward Polson. I’m not sure if it’s temporary, but he’s been there a couple days. Sounds like he’s just doing odd jobs at the Bess Ranch there, outside of town. Go check it out, and let me know what you find.” Damon sounded tired, like he had more on his plate than finding their leader. Ryland didn’t want to ask.
Ryland glanced at Amy, then back at the road before answering. “Yeah, I can do that. Thanks for the heads up.”
They hung up and he replaced the phone in his pocket. He tapped his thumb on the steering wheel, the turnout was up ahead. He’d have to change course immediately. “Are you sure you want to get off a main highway? If you’re deadest on the direction of Butte, I can drop you off, but I need to get northwest to Godfrey. I don’t want you to feel pressured, but I have to get up there as soon as possible. You’re welcome to go that way with me, if you want.”
She didn’t hesitate, but nodded, her curls bobbing as she moved. “Yes, I’ll stick with you.” She absently put her hand inside the car seat to hold the tiny fingers of her son.
The tender touch reminded Ryland of his own mom.
“When we get to town, I’ll get us some rooms. You need to get some real rest tonight.” He made himself a promise, no matter how she’d felt to that point, as far as he was concerned, she would be safe. Single moms deserved more than fear and uncertainties.
They deserved everything.
Chapter 4
Amy
The idea of getting a hotel room with Ryland didn’t scare her. The guy was as gentlemanly as they came, he even averted his gaze while she changed her shirt when Cody spit up on the one she was wearing.
The sun had set solely by the time Amy and Ryland pulled into Godfrey, Montana. The small town was nestled at the base of two mountains that seemed to want to dance together.
Stars twinkled in the cloudless late summer sky. “How long do you think this Indian summer will go?”
“I think this recent heat wave will be gone in a couple weeks. There’s not much holding it here and with November around the corner, we’re guaranteed a long, white winter.” Ryland pulled into a spot as close to the neon sign that screamed in startling green, “Vacancies”.
Situated in the back of Main Street, a very small motel hunkered down on top of the bar like a frog on a log, waiting for visit
ors. Music from the sluggish jukebox pulsed along the cement stairs to the manager’s office.
Amy pulled Cody closer to her chest. She’d wrapped him pretty good in his sleeper, but she was running low on milk. The formula she’d been able to grab from Buck’s house hadn’t been very much. He usually made her store the formula in his truck so that whenever he left she couldn’t leave because she needed food.
This time, though, she’d left anyway.
Ryland ducked into the manager’s office while Amy enjoyed the cooling air outside with her baby. She leaned against the slatted walls and rocked the little boy back and forth with the barest of movements. “Sh. I’m not sure how, punkin, but I’m gonna make sure we’re okay.” She leaned down and brushed her lips across his forehead. “I promise.”
After a few more moments, the door opened, Ryland came out with one key. He brandished the diamond shaped key fob and shook his head, sheepishly muttering, “I’m sorry. They only have the one room down on the end. Apparently, there was a job call and the interviews are going on this week up at Bess Ranch. That explains why Nate’s up this far north and so far west.” He motioned down the catwalk for Amy to precede him. “A lot of the ranch hands looking for work are staying here. That explains the full parking lot.”
Ryland led the way down the small balcony-style hallway that led to the external doorways of the rooms. A wrought iron guardrail separated them from falling off of the one-story catwalk and they walked all the way to the end.
“If it’s okay, we’ll share the room, but I’ll sleep on the floor.” Ryland reached the room that matched his key number and he unlocked the knob, ushering her inside. “Hey, here’s a plus! There are two double beds. That’s convenient.”
Amy hesitated at the doorway. The details didn’t matter. She could’ve slept on the floor just as easily, but rooming with a man she didn’t know? With a brand new baby? She glanced back at the parking lot.
Ryland spoke calmly, like he might to a nervous horse. “If you’re not comfortable, I’ll sleep in the truck. I don’t want you to be worried at all.”
She turned her gaze to his worried expression and studied him and the situation carefully. Nervous wasn’t a reason to be rude. She wasn’t even nervous as much as she probably should have been. There was something soothing about him and his presence.
Two beds.
He chuckled as he backed into the room. “Plus, these walls look like they’re thin as butterfly wings. You could call out for help at any time and any number of cowboys would run to your rescue.” He winked as he went into the bathroom and flipped on the light. “Oh, look at that, there’s a full shower and a bath, too.”
A bath. Buck didn’t let her use the bath. She would love a bath. As long as her son was safe, she could do anything she needed to. There wasn’t really any chance that Buck would find her in a hotel clear up in the middle of Godfrey. She could take Cody with her to the bathroom and lock the door.
She carried Cody inside the room.
As far as Amy knew, Buck had never been north of I90. Buck might’ve made it to Missoula at one point, but it wasn’t for anything other than a rodeo and a dancing ladies’ nightclub.
“Do you know if there are any stores around here?” She hadn’t seen any on the drive into town, at least which were open which wasn’t surprising. Usually after nine-o-clock, most small towns shut down for the night.
“I didn’t see anything open. Do you need something?” Ryland turned back to the door.
“Cody is running low on formula. I think I have enough to get me through the night, but I’ll need to go to a store in the morning.” She chewed her inner lip and pulled her son tighter in her arms. She wasn’t proud of the fact that she hadn’t been able to continue breastfeeding her child. He’d been allergic to something in her milk and had lost weight the first week. The doctors had put him on formula and he’d started to grow and thrive.
She cast her gaze to the ground, shame mounting as she realized what kind of a mother she had to seem like. “I’m sorry to be a bother. I’m really not your responsibility. None of this is your problem.” How did she tell him how grateful she was that he was helping her? How did she tell him that he had surely saved her life?
He had certainly saved her sons.
Ryland ducked his head, the brim of his cowboy hat covering his face in shadow. “You’re a pleasure to have around. I’ll go get our things. Do you need all of your bags or just a couple?” He waved his hand in the air like batting off his comment. “Never mind, my mama always told me never ask a woman what she needs, just give her everything.” He grinned and stepped out the door.
His mother sounded like a smart woman.
Amy took in the hotel room, which was clean enough, but had definite signs of wear and tear. The comforter had pilling and the pillows looked flattened. With a solid door and a private bathroom, Amy didn’t have to be afraid Buck was going to run in the room and do something atrocious.
There was even a TV. She and Ryland could probably watch programs without getting in a fight. The possibilities were endless.
Ryland returned, all of the bags in his hands were hers.
Cocking her head to the side, Amy gently rested Cody on the clean blanket on the bed. She approached Ryland. “I could’ve grabbed my stuff. Do you need to go back for yours?” She furrowed her brow and watched him carefully stack her items by the small table set up by the bed.
“No, I usually travel light. I’ve got a little pack and it has a toothbrush and soap and stuff in it. My dad taught me long ago pack light and you’ll never have to worry about leaving stuff behind. I’m actually not on this trip permanently. I have a place back in Taylor Falls on the reservation where I’ve been staying with my brother. This is just a mission my family gave me.” He chuckled. “They’re pretty bossy.”
“That sounds interesting.” Amy rounded the bed and nodded her thanks as she took the diaper bag he held out to her. She pulled out Cody’s bottle and with fresh water from the tap made him a new batch of formula.
She moved over and sat on the bed furthest from the door. “There’s a TV. Did you want to find something?” She was nervous he would turn her down, but at the same time she was nervous he would get the wrong idea about what she was offering.
Cody didn’t take up that much space. She would sleep with him in her arms. Since she didn’t move throughout the night, it was the only way she could sleep and not worry about Cody disappearing.
Ryland unbuttoned his flannel shirt, revealing a soft white cotton tee underneath it. He draped it over the chair and kicked off his boots. Claiming a spot on the bed situated not too far from hers, he sighed. “I’m tired. Do you ever just feel bone tired?”
“You just described the last few years of my life.” Amy tried covering it with light laughter, but she cut off the sound in case she woke her son.
Cody didn’t bother to open his eyes as he took the bottle nipple in his mouth and hungrily suckled. He was a hungry boy and most of the time Buck limited how much Amy was allowed to feed him. Well, now, that she was away from Buck, maybe she could get Cody as fat as she wanted to. She didn’t believe in a baby being on a diet or having food restrictions.
Not so for Buck. He constantly said his son wasn’t going to be fat.
She traced her finger over the soft smooth skin of Cody’s forehead. Looking down at him, she muttered to Ryland. “Can you believe anyone would think he’s not perfect? His dad...” She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “His dad didn’t want me to be happy with him. That man wants to take him away from me.”
Ryland spoke softly, his tone tender and warm. “Why wouldn’t he want you to be happy? I don’t even know you yet and I just want you to smile all the time.”
Amy’s gaze snapped up to his. They weren’t more than a few feet apart, as he had leaned over the space separating them to look down at the baby.
His proximity took her breath away, but not in a scary way. He was comforting and warm
and he smelled like the outdoors with a hint of vanilla. She licked her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Do you like children?”
One could always tell the measure of a man by how he treated or talked about children.
Ryland continued staring at Cody. He nodded slowly and then lifted his gaze to hers. “I think children are amazing in their tininess – if that’s a word. I’ve always wanted some of my own.” He dropped his tone to a whisper and he raised his gaze to hers. “Don’t worry about your ex. I won’t let him get you.”
She shook her head, softly petting Cody’s head. A wry smile lifted the corner of her mouth against her volition. “You don’t know my ex. He’s threatened to kill me more than once. He’s threatened to kill Cody more times than he has said the boy’s name. If he’s determined to find me, he will.” She smiled sadly. “He will.”
“How long do you plan on running?” Ryland lifted his head from inspecting the baby and Amy could feel his gaze as he searched her face.
A tremble of fear shivered down her spine. “As long as I need to.”
“I can’t guarantee your son’s safety as far as I’m going. I have to find my cousin and get him back home. But, I can help you find a safe place to shore up until I can come back and get you. You’d be welcome back at the house, but I’m not going back that way immediately. I’ve lost too much ground already. I’m sorry.” He shook his head regrettably, as if he was responsible for the outcome of her life.
Before she could interject that she didn’t need him, he continued, “If I can find Nate here, and get him to come back with me, then you can come back, too. No strings attached. No expectations. There’s plenty of growth over in Taylor Falls and the rest of Clearwater County. I know you would be welcomed. The community is tight knit. They would rally around you and protect you. Your ex and his crud wouldn’t be tolerated.”
Endless Trails Page 2