Cowboy Six Pack

by Kari Lynn Dell

“Looking for you,” he said. “Your phone keeps going to voicemail.”

  “Why?”

  “Rafe’s missing. Have you seen him?”

  “What? No, I haven’t seen him. What do you mean, ‘missing?’” Her voice rose enough that Jill turned to look from where she was standing at the serving window.

  “His mom called this morning. His bed hasn’t been slept in and she doesn’t know where he is.” Luke’s expression was grim. “I thought you might know where to look.”

  “Has anyone called his dad? What does Justin say?” She turned in the booth to look into Luke’s blue eyes.

  “Justin swears he hasn’t heard from Rafe.” Luke twisted his coffee cup in his hands. “And his dad won’t answer calls.”

  “Have you checked with Amber Lyn?” Megan asked.

  He shook his head. “I wouldn’t know where to start to find her.”

  Megan stood. “Her parents own this place, and she waitresses sometimes. I’ll go see if they know anything.”

  “Thanks,” Luke said.

  “Has anyone called the police?” Rayanne asked.

  “Not yet. Rafe’s mom was worried that if she does she’ll lose custody,” Luke said.

  “I doubt that very much, but I’m not certain.” She looked at her half-eaten pancakes, trying to think of a place Rafe would hide out. Nothing came to mind.

  Megan returned and slid into her seat. “Amber Lyn and McKenna are in Denver with McKenna’s mom. She took them over there for a couple of days to shop and see a concert.”

  “Thank goodness,” Rayanne said.

  Luke nodded. “I was worried that they might have done something crazy.”

  “What about Billy Sutherlin?” Megan asked. “He and Rafe were best friends last year.”

  “Justin mentioned him, and I checked. He was at home and his mom said he’d been there all night. Billy said he hadn’t seen Rafe since the last day of school.”

  “If Rafe isn’t with any of his friends, then I’d bet he went to find his dad,” Rayanne said. “He misses him terribly, I think.”

  Megan nodded. “I agree.”

  Luke looked between them. “Where is his dad? Does anyone know?”

  “No,” Rayanne said. “Not a clue.”

  “I might,” Megan said slowly. “Rafe mentioned Glenwood one time last year when his dad first left.” She shrugged. “But I don’t have any address, or a phone number.”

  Luke dialed his cell phone. “Mrs. Cantera? Luke here. Have you heard from Rafe yet? Okay. Me either, but I’m going to go see his dad. I need an address. Do you have one?” He took a pen from his shirt pocket and scribbled a few numbers on it. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  He hung up. “I have an address. I’m going to drive to Glenwood and see if Rafe went to visit his dad.” He reached for his Stetson. “Would you like to ride alone, Rayanne? Megan?”

  “Thanks, but I can’t,” Megan said. “I have plans with my mom later today.”

  Rayanne hesitated a moment. Concern for Rafe overrode any second thoughts she might’ve had. “Why not?”

  CHAPTER TEN

  At Luke’s suggestion, Rayanne packed an overnight bag. He said he didn’t know how far Glenwood Springs was from Black Mountain, or if they’d be able to find Rafe immediately.

  With her heart pounding at the thought of spending a night with him, she handed him the bag and climbed into the passenger side of his truck.

  He tossed her bag in the backseat and hopped behind the wheel. “All set?”

  “Yes.”

  They drove through Black Mountain and hit the highway. Rayanne turned her head to watch the scenery speed by. She’d seen the view a million times, but never got tired of the green pastures, river meandering by the road or the pine covered mountains.

  “Pretty view,” Luke said.

  “Yes,” she said, still looking away. “I love these mountains.”

  “Them, too,” he said. “I meant you. You look nice today.” Startled by the warmth in his tone, she turned her head and met his eyes.

  “Thank you.” She had applied a little makeup and worn one of her favorite outfits to meet Megan, not something she would normally do. Had she subconsciously hoped to run into Luke? She turned her thoughts in another direction. “I can’t believe Rafe ran away. I pray he’s safe.”

  “We’ll find him.”

  Although she admired his quiet determination, Rayanne had her doubts. Glenwood Springs was a small town, but not so little that someone couldn’t hide out if they so chose. If Rafe even made it there. All the things that could happen to a naïve kid raced through her mind—kidnappers, pedophiles, human traffickers. She shuddered and said a silent prayer for his safety.

  As if Luke read her mind, he said, “He’ll be okay.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am. If we don’t find him, we’ll get his dad to put out a missing person’s report and get the cops to issue an Amber alert.”

  “I wish his mother would have done that already,” Rayanne said. “I would’ve if Rafe were my son.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do,” Luke admitted. “I think Mrs. Cantera’s afraid of Family Services. Is she an illegal?”

  Rayanne shrugged. “I don’t believe so, but I’m not sure.”

  “Something’s scaring her. When I suggested the police, she panicked. She said she didn’t want them involved. She got so agitated I dropped it.” Luke thumped his thumbs against the steering wheel, showing her he was more upset than he let on. “Maybe I shouldn’t have let it go.”

  “She’s the parent,” Rayanne said. “Not you, or me.”

  “I know.” The muscle in his jaw ticked. “I’ve sure gotten attached to that kid in a hurry.”

  “He’s a good boy.” Rayanne fiddled with a silver bangle on her wrist. “I hate to see him going down the wrong path like this.”

  “When he gets home, I’m going to talk to his mom and see if she’ll let him come back to the ranch,” Luke said. “It’s good for him.”

  “He seemed happy there. Justin, too.”

  Luke glanced at her. “They are. Were.”

  “They’ve both been so unhappy without their fathers. I feel so badly for both of them. In Rafe’s case, I just want to smack his dad. There’s no excuse for running off and forgetting your child like he did. Wyatt Ellis, on the other hand, was a wonderful man who adored his wife and son. It’s such a shame what happened to him.”

  “I vaguely remember him from high school rodeos, but didn’t know him well,” Luke said. “He seemed like a good guy.”

  “He was. When Justin was in my class Wyatt came to every event and every conference. In my mind, he was what a father should be.”

  “What is Rafe’s father like, other than leaving his kid?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never met him. He was the opposite of Wyatt Ellis—never showed up to any school function as far as know. Not even when the junior high basketball team won every game this last year.”

  “Damn,” Luke muttered.

  “Yes.”

  “Maybe work kept him away.” Luke gave Rafe’s dad more credit than she could.

  “He’s a mechanic. Most games are held in the evenings, or on Saturdays.” She couldn’t keep the rancor from her voice.

  Luke frowned. “My dad hauled me and my brother to all my rodeos when I was a kid, even when he was the busiest. He and my mom still make as many as they can.”

  “My parents supported Reggie and me in all our activities,” Rayanne said. “And we’re grateful for it.”

  “What do they do for work?”

  “My mom’s a high school guidance counselor and my dad is superintendent of schools,” she said proudly.

  “Is your sister an educator, too?”

  “Yes.” Rayanne nodded. “English teacher.”

  “Wonder what all those smart folks would make of you running around with a simple country boy like me?” He grinned.

  “You’re far fr
om simple,” she said. “And my family doesn’t judge people on their profession, or education. They judge people on how they treat others.” She paused. “Besides, we are not running around together.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  She sniffed. “I am not that kind of girl.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Laughter colored his voice. “I mean no, ma’am.”

  “Are you making fun of me?” She turned in her seat to mock glare at him.

  His laughing tone turned serious. “I’d never do that.”

  She believed him and relaxed against the leather seat. “Good.”

  Luke drove through Montrose and skirted the edges of Grand Junction, before turning onto I-70 East.

  Traffic was light, only a few cars and the occasional semi-truck carrying goods from Salt Lake to Denver. Luke’s big truck flew along the highway, the dusty brown landscape of the high desert a blur.

  In the distance, a herd of dun colored antelope grazed.

  Luke pointed at them. “Look there.”

  “I see. I love them.” Rayanne watched the small herd until they became brown and white dots fading into the flat-topped mesa behind them.

  “I never get tired of seeing wildlife,” Luke said. “I especially like to see the mustangs when I drive across here.”

  “Me, too,” Rayanne told him with a smile. “The wild west at its best and truest form.”

  The dusty brown mesas gave way to steep red cliffs. A few scattered ranch houses let them know they drew close to Rifle.

  “Do you want a soda?” Luke asked. “Or a snack?”

  “Yes, please.” Breakfast had been about four hours ago, and Rayanne now regretted not eating her pancakes.

  Luke turned onto the off ramp. Circling under the overpass, he drove to a gas station and parked. As Rayanne reached for the door handle, he pointed. “Look.”

  Following the line of his finger, she saw a familiar figure leaning against the building. A dejected posture suggested exhaustion, and perhaps worse.

  “Oh my God! It’s Rafe.” She bolted from the truck, rushing toward the teen. “Rafe! Rafe! You’re safe and sound.” She threw her arms around him before he could react and squeezed him tight. A slight tremor ran through his body. “Thank God.”

  “Are you okay, son?” Luke asked from behind her.

  “Yeah,” Rafe said. “I’m okay.”

  Rayanne pulled back and looked into his dark eyes. “We’ve been worried sick about you. How’d you get here? Why are you at this gas station and not at your dad’s?

  Luke tugged on her shoulders. “Rayanne, honey, let the boy breathe.”

  Reluctantly, she released him. “Are you really okay? Are you hungry?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “How about we get something from a café instead of convenience store food?’ Luke suggested. “I think there’s a Denny’s here somewhere.”

  “Okay,” Rafe said.

  “Yes, that’s a good idea.” Rayanne couldn’t help but hug him again. “I’m so relieved to have found you.”

  They piled into Luke’s pickup and he drove a couple of blocks to the café. Before they got out, Luke said, “You need to call your mom and let her know you’re okay. She’s worried sick about you.”

  “My phone’s dead,” Rafe muttered.

  Luke handed over his. “Use mine.”

  Silently, Rafe dialed. “Mama? It’s me. I’m okay. In Rifle. With Mr. Greer and Miss Whitfield. Okay, I will.”

  After he hung up, they walked inside where a hostess with a bright smile seated them in a sundrenched booth.

  Although Rayanne had a million questions, she forced herself to look at the menu and give her order to the waitress.

  Finally, when they all had a drink, she looked at Rafe. “Do you want to explain yourself?”

  He hung his head. “I wanted to see my dad.”

  “And you just decided to take off on your own? Do you have any idea of the terrible things that could have happened to you? Unspeakable things.” Rayanne drew a shaky breath. She wasn’t his mother, and it wasn’t her place to lecture him as much as she might want to. “Thank God you’re safe.”

  “How did you get here?” Luke asked. “You didn’t walk.”

  “I thumbed.”

  Rayanne’s indrawn breath hissed like a snake. “Oh, Rafe. You didn’t.”

  He shrugged. “I got to Grand Junction with a guy hauling hay. A trucker brought me the rest of the way.”

  Rayanne and Luke shared a horrified look.

  “Don’t ever do that again,” Luke ordered. “I don’t care if you need a ride to the moon, you call me and I’ll take you no questions asked. Understand?” At Rafe’s nod, he said, “Good.”

  “Why didn’t you go all the way to Glenwood?” Rayanne managed to ask. “Why stop in Rifle?”

  Rafe toyed with his silverware. “I did. I was on my way back home.”

  “What? How? I don’t understand.” Rayanne was confused. “Your dad wouldn’t drive you back to Black Mountain?”

  “No.” Rafe turned his head to stare out the window. His chin trembled.

  “You saw him?’ Luke prodded.

  “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  When Rafe looked at him, his eyes were damp. “And he said he didn’t want me there, okay? He said to go home and not come back. He doesn’t have time for my nonsense.”

  “Oh, Rafe.” Rayanne reached to touch him and he shrunk away. She dropped her hand into her lap. “I’m sure your dad didn’t mean it. He was probably just surprised to see you and said things he didn’t mean to…”

  “He’s not my dad anymore.” A tear slipped down his face and swiped furiously at it. “I hate him.”

  “You don’t mean that,” Rayanne said.

  His chin jutted out at a stubborn angle. His tears vanished, replaced by two obsidian stones for eyes. “Yeah, I do.”

  At a loss for what to do, she shot Luke a helpless look. He looked as poleaxed as she felt. But he tried. “I could talk to him, man-to-man, if you think it’d help.”

  Hope flared, then died in Rafe’s eyes. “Nah.”

  “You sure, buddy?”

  “Yeah. I’m positive.” His shoulders slumped.

  “If you change your mind, let me know,” Luke said.

  “Okay.” Rafe sounded like his whole world had collapsed around him.

  “You know what, buddy? I’ve heard there are fun things to do in Glenwood. Why don’t we check them out? We could go to the hot springs. See what else there is to do. What do you say?”

  “That sounds like fun.” Rayanne smiled brightly. “Rafe?”

  “Okay.” He sounded less than enthused, but his shoulders lifted a fraction, and when the waitress placed his hamburger in front of him he dug in.

  Rayanne’s appetite wasn’t as good. She picked at her salad as her mind went over the events of the day. Anger and disappointment at Rafe’s father made her stomach churn. How could a parent treat their own child like this? Hurt him so badly? She longed to get in Luke’s truck and drive to Rafe’s dad to give him a piece of her mind. Couldn’t he see how much his son loved and adored him and wanted nothing but some of his precious time? Her heart bled at the boy’s misery.

  What his dad had done was unforgivable.

  Rayanne didn’t know what Rafe would have done without Luke to prop him up. A day in Glenwood might not solve the teen’s problems, but it distracted him a little. Healed his broken heart a fraction.

  He wasn’t the only one.

  Rayanne wasn’t sure what she would have done without his strong shoulders to lean on; she could get used to depending on him.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  After a quick trip to Target, where Luke, Rayanne and Rafe picked up swimsuits, towels and sunscreen, they headed for the hot springs.

  Rayanne’s nerves fluttered about Luke seeing her in a wet swimsuit, but she figured he either liked her curves, or not. At any rate, there wasn’t anything she could do about them today. S
he’d picked out a cute, one-piece, lime-green number that crossed under her breasts with a little skirt that camouflaged her tummy. A floppy straw hat, sunglasses and pair of flip-flops completed her ensemble.

  With a deep breath, she left the locker rooms and met the guys outside. Rafe fairly danced with impatience, and the minute he saw her he headed at a run-walk for the steaming water.

  Rayanne turned her attention to Luke. Wearing board shorts, with his flat belly and six-pack abs exposed, he was so hot she almost swooned. She wasn’t the only one who noticed. As they walked toward the pool, several women turned their head to watch the handsome cowboy.

  A little tingle of pride rippled through Rayanne. Luke could have any woman, yet he was with her. The cool spring air made goosebumps rise on her skin, but she took time to apply sunscreen before heading for the water. If she didn’t, she’d turn into one big freckle.

  They settled into the hot tub section to soak, where through the steam, they could watch Rafe roughhouse with another boy around his age in the main pool.

  Luke and Rayanne’s legs bumped under the water and her heart sped up a notch. Briefly, she wished they were alone. But Rafe’s happy smile banished the selfish thought. He deserved to have a good time. She had a feeling his mother was going to ground him for a good long time.

  Luke sighed and leaned back. “This is nice.”

  “And probably good for your leg, too.” She dreaded the thought of him healing because it meant him leaving. He’d livened up her life in ways she hadn’t imagined.

  “I’m sure it is.”

  She watched Rafe playing in the water. “Can you believe Rafe’s father? I’d like to smack him.”

  “I’d like to do a lot more than that,” Luke growled. “Rafe’s a good kid. I can’t imagine turning my back on him.”

  “Me either.” She wanted to wrap her arms around the teen and keep him safe from all the hurts in the world, but she knew not only would he not welcome her doing so, she couldn’t protect him.

  Rafe threw a plastic beach ball at them. “You guys, come play volleyball.”

  “Why not?” Luke stood and held out his hand to her.

  Rayanne had been blessed with two left feet, athletic she was not, but she took his outstretched hand. “Okay.” She laughed. “I don’t have an athletic bone in my body.”