Pleasure in Sanctuary [Sanctuary, Montana 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)
Page 17
She followed him into a living room that had more brown leather than a dozen cows. The deer antlers above the massive stone fireplace spoke of a man who liked to show off his wealth.
“Have a seat. I hope you are willing to get your hands dirty today as we have a problem we need your help with right away.”
She sat in the chair next to the fireplace and faced five weathered men. “What is this problem?”
“We might have an epidemic and we need it contained. If we don’t act now, it could spread to everyone’s herds and wipe out half of Idaho.”
She slapped her thighs and stood. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Every man grinned. Just then her cell rang, and all eyes turned to her. Her hand hovered over her pocket.
“Go on and take it,” Mr. Avery urged. “We want your total attention when I show you what we have.”
She plucked the phone from her jeans and saw the text. Cody has gone missing. Help.
Her legs gave way and she dropped onto the seat. Her heart raced so fast she thought it would jump out of her chest. She’d thought the call might have been from Jackson telling her that his dad had pulled through the operation, but she never expected this.
The word help ate a hole right through her heart.
“Is something wrong, Dr. Hunter?”
Her mind blanked. Cody needed her. She stood. “I’m terribly sorry. I wish I could help you, but something has come up.”
The five men practically surrounded her and bombarded her with questions, some full of concern, others filled with anguish. She picked up her purse.
Avery lightly touched her shoulder. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure.”
Avery glanced to the other ranchers. “Young lady, if you walk out that door, don’t come back.”
Her world spun.
Chapter Twenty
Jackson paced the hospital waiting room. The walls were beige, the chairs hard, and the magazine selection sucked. This place sure could use some cheer. He stabbed a hand over his head. The money they’d raised at the rodeo this year would go to the cancer ward, but perhaps some could be diverted to help improve the waiting room. Aaron Carson, owner of the local BDSM club, was donating all of the money from a raffle to the children’s wing of the hospital. Maybe he, too, would be willing to send some of it this way.
As he blew out a breath, he walked to the window and looked out at the grandeur. Sanctuary was an amazing town with many generous patrons. Too bad he couldn’t have convinced Hailey this was a place that needed her.
She’d texted him this morning to wish his father well and then to drop the bomb that she was already in Boise, Idaho. She’d accepted her dream job, and he’d been crushed. In fact, he was still reeling. Jackson couldn’t wrap his mind around any of it. Sure, he was happy for her, but deep in his heart he believed she knew she belonged with them.
“Sit down, Jack. You’re driving us all crazy.”
He looked at his mother, one of the strongest women he knew. Her eyes were still red from dabbing them with her handkerchief, but her steel backbone shone through. Her lifted chin gave him confidence that Dad would pull through. Here his father was supposed to have his cancer surgery, and he’d ended up with a heart attack. It wasn’t right.
The entire family looked at him as if they were about to wrestle him to the ground if he didn’t do as his mother asked.
“Fine.”
He returned to his seat. As he waited for the doctor to report back, he closed his eyes and sank back in his chair. His life had fallen apart. Hailey was gone, Cody had become more distant with each day, the headaches had returned, and his dad might be at the end of his life.
His cell phone buzzed, jarring him out of his pity party. Extracting his cell from his pocket, he checked the ID, praying it was Hailey announcing she’d changed her mind and was coming back. Nope. It was Tanner. Could it be good news? But why would it be? Once they found out Hailey had gone, Tanner let the ranchers know of her departure. There was no need to look for jobs for her now.
He waved his iPhone. “I’ll take this outside.”
Tanner was probably calling to find out the result of the operation—an operation that should have ended an hour ago. He stepped into the chilly air, and the cold relaxed him. “Hey.”
“Cody’s gone.”
As if a thug had jumped out from behind the door and swung a huge two-by-four at his chest, the air left his lungs and his knees bent. “What do you mean he’s gone?”
“Just what I said. I went up to his room to get him up this morning and he wasn’t there.”
The panic in Tanner’s voice nearly cut him in half. His mind spun. “Why are you just telling me now?” It was ten already.
“I didn’t want to bother you. I thought I could find him. I’ve looked everywhere, but he’s vanished.”
Jackson wasn’t sure he was the one to help direct action. He was having a hard time keeping it together himself, and the ache from the back of his head had suddenly flared to a massive intensity. Any more news and his head might fly off his shoulders. “What can I do?”
“Every one of our hired hands is looking for him. And I’ve even called Hailey.”
“She’s in Boise.”
“I know.” The hollowness in his tone was the final stab to his heart. It bled.
Jackson leaned against the wall and didn’t bother to wipe away the single tear that dripped down his cheek. Now he knew what it was like to reach bottom.
* * * *
Cody is missing.
Hailey ran out of Mr. Avery’s home, barely registering the shouts from her rancher employers behind her. She wanted to flip them the bird at their ultimatum, but she had something more important to do. As if there was a beacon of light at the end of the darkest of tunnels, she raced toward it. Everything had become clear the moment she read the text. She had a split second to make a choice between this amazing job and saving Cody. She didn’t even hesitate. It wasn’t that Tanner needed her or that Cody needed her, but that she needed them.
The threat from Mr. Avery barely registered, as her direction was clear.
She jumped in her car to return to Sanctuary. What had she been thinking leaving the men she loved? A job was just a job, but love was forever. She executed a five-point turn and floored the accelerator. As soon as she entered the main road to get back to town, she slowed. Receiving a speeding ticket, or worse, getting into a wreck, wouldn’t help anyone. First stop was the hotel to pick up her stuff. Leaving this perfect job sucked, but she’d manage to find another job. Something was sure to come her way.
Most of her possessions were still in the trunk of her car for when she found an apartment. After she repacked her suitcases, she told the not-so-happy woman at the front desk she had to cancel the rest of her stay. No surprise, the woman informed her she would be charged for another night’s stay. It didn’t matter. A child’s life was at stake.
As soon as she climbed back in her car, she called Tanner to get more details, but his phone went to voice mail.
“Tanner, I’m on my way home.” The word home sounded warm and comforting. Sanctuary was where she belonged. “Call me if you find Cody.”
Before she entered the highway, she stopped at a fast-food place and ordered a burger, some cookies, and two large drinks. It was going to be the longest six hours of her life.
* * * *
Jackson burst through his front door. “Tanner?”
No answer.
Shit. Where the hell was he? He’d called him on his phone, but his cell had gone to voice mail. What the fuck was up with that? He should be manning his calls in case Cody called him.
Jackson rushed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. He charged into Cody’s room, hoping the kid had returned on his own. Thoughts of a kidnapping raced through his heart. Had Tanner called the sheriff for help? Had he received a ransom note?
Hell, Jackson had run away when he was nine and had lasted about three hours in the cold before returning home hungry and tired. He couldn’t be certain how long Cody had been missing though. He might have crawled through the window last night. Jackson checked the lock. Still closed. Jackson had left the house at six thirty this morning to make sure his dad got to the hospital. His father got there all right, but it was because of the damn heart attack.
Cody must have snuck out between six thirty and eight. Jackson slapped his thigh. Maybe Cody had ridden Shadow to some secluded spot. When Jackson had shown Cody a small stream on the edge of the property, he’d been entranced by the running water, frogs, and minnows. Perhaps he’d decided to visit the place again.
Jackson sped down the stairs and ran out the back toward the barn. Tanner was inside checking the stalls.
“Any luck?” Jackson asked slightly out of breath.
“You didn’t have to come back. How’s your dad?”
“The old man had a fucking heart attack. The whole family is there. The doctors are putting a stint in. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” He didn’t want to think about it and nodded to the stalls. “You find any clues?”
Tanner’s hands fisted. “No.”
“Is Shadow in his stall?”
“All the horses are here.”
Fuck. There went that lead. “Could he have gone to visit Alice?”
Tanner cocked a brow. “Alex and Mason’s house is a good five miles from here. I don’t see him walking that far.”
“Maybe Cody hitched a ride.”
“Jesus. He wouldn’t. Would he?”
Think. “What would you do if you were thirteen and upset?”
Tanner stepped back almost if he’d been felled by a blow. “You don’t think he’d go into town and hop on a bus to Pleasure, do you?”
“Does he know Hailey moved to Boise?”
Tanner shook his head. “Even I didn’t know until early this morning when she sent me a text.” He patted his pocket. “Oh, shit.”
“What?”
“My phone was in my room until a little while ago. There was a text from Hailey saying she’d gone to Boise.”
“You said Cody was gone by eight. What time did Hailey text you?”
“After that.” He dragged a palm over his stubbled chin.
Christ. He didn’t need levelheaded Tanner to lose it.
Tanner slowly nodded. “So now what do I do?”
“You tell me.”
Tanner pulled out his phone. “Maybe Cody called me.” He pressed a few buttons. “There’s a message from Hailey. Christ. I didn’t hear my phone ring.”
“Maybe you had it on vibrate.”
He checked. “Fuck me.”
“There’ll be one from me, too.” Jackson shifted his weight as he watched Tanner’s face go from pinched brows to a slight lift to his lips. “She’s coming home.”
Jackson’s heart lurched. “What do you mean?” He didn’t want to get his hopes up.
“She said she was coming home and to call her if we found Cody.”
Jackson didn’t normally show much affection, but he moved forward and grabbed his friend in a bear hug then let go. He stepped back. “That’s the best news ever. Now, let’s go find him.”
Tanner snapped his fingers. “I suggest we see what Alice knows.”
Jackson didn’t like the idea of stepping foot on McLean property, but for Cody’s sake he’d put aside their differences. “I’ll drive.”
They jogged to the truck and both got in. “You don’t happen to have Sophie’s phone number, do you?” He really didn’t want to put up with any shit from the brothers.
“No.”
Jackson slapped the wheel. “We’re dumbasses. It’s Thursday. Alice will be in school.”
“Unless she’s aiding Cody.”
“I’d feel more comfortable checking the school first. If she’s there, it’ll be easier asking her questions without her mom present.”
“Good thinking.” Tanner huffed out a few breaths. “I say do it.”
With no one else on the road, Jackson drove as fast as he could. It wouldn’t be the first time people had used State Road 47 as a drag strip. He reached the turnoff for the school in record time. As he drove past the hospital, pain sliced through his heart.
Please, Dad, get well.
Jackson braked hard in front of the school office entrance.
Tanner placed a hand on his arm. “Let me do the talking.”
It was his son, and Tanner knew Alice better. “Fine.” Jackson pushed open his door and jumped out.
As soon as they entered the building, Tanner spoke with the receptionist. He explained that Cody wasn’t at home this morning when he went to wake him up. “I’m thinking he might be with his girlfriend, Alice Miller. Can you check to see if she’s in class?”
“I’m so sorry about Cody, Mr. Crenshaw. Let me check.”
In need of a distraction, Jackson walked over to the bulletin board displaying student artwork.
“Yes. Alice is in class.”
“Do you think I could speak with her?”
Jackson turned back to hear her response. “Let me see.” The woman pushed back her chair and entered another office.
Jackson joined Tanner. “If Alice is in school, maybe she has no idea where he is.”
“But he might have contacted her. He’ll want an ally.”
It made sense. Joe French, the new head of the middle school, came out of his office and shook hands with each of them.
“I’m sorry about Cody. I had heard a few things recently. Come into my office.”
They followed him inside. Jackson wanted to yell at the man, to tell him time was of the essence, but maybe Joe was formulating thoughts of his own.
“What can you tell us?” Tanner asked.
Joe motioned they take a seat. “A few of the teachers saw a decline in his social skills of late. His work is good, but he seems more withdrawn, especially in the last week.”
Tanner nodded then explained about Hailey leaving. “We have reason to believe Alice can help us. He really likes her.”
“Then let’s go ask her.” He tapped his mouse and typed something, probably Alice’s name, into the computer. “She’s in Ms. Maxwell’s class.”
Finally. They were making progress.
He and Tanner followed Joe down the hallway. The principal knocked on the windowed door. Aubrey was at the board, but as soon as she looked over, she stopped talking and walked briskly toward them.
“Yes?” Worry laced her brows. “Is something wrong?”
“We’d like to speak with Alice Miller for a moment.”
Aubrey turned around. “Alice? Could you come here?”
The poor girl looked like she’d been told her dad was after them again. That would never happen. The man was dead.
The young girl hustled over. “Yes?”
“You know Cody’s dad, right?”
A small smile lifted her lips. “Yes.”
“Let’s step outside.”
Alice faced them with her hands behind her back. “Cody’s not in school today. Is he sick?”
Tanner let out an audible breath. “Cody’s missing.”
She clamped a hand over her mouth.
There went their one chance at finding him.
Chapter Twenty-One
“So now what do we do?” Tanner’s insides were ripped up.
“Call Hailey. See what her ETA is.”
“I texted her a little before ten. She texted me back less than fifteen minutes later and said if she didn’t stop often, she’d be in Sanctuary by five.” It was a little after one now. “I don’t want to disturb her again
. She’ll be on the road.”
“Maybe she has an idea where Cody could be. Perhaps when they spoke, he said something to her about some cool place.”
Duh. “You’re right.”
His mind had melted, and his thoughts had blended together, making his brain total mud. He dialed her number and waited for her to answer but got her voice mail. She’d never answer while driving. He left a message for her to call him back before adding there had been no news on Cody.
He faced Jackson. “Now what?”
“We go home and wait. Maybe Cody will show up.”
He doubted that. Tanner climbed into the front seat and snapped his seat belt into place.
“Should we call Thad Grayson?” Jackson asked.
“What can the sheriff do? Until we get a ransom demand or prove there’s been foul play, he can’t order a search party. Technically, Cody’s not even considered missing. It has to be twenty-four hours, doesn’t it?”
“It seems like that much, and I only learned about it three hours ago.”
“I’m calling Connor. He’s having the men comb the property.” The ranch hand answered. “Got any news for us, Connor?”
“’Fraid not. We’ve looked everywhere.”
Jackson looked over at him, and Tanner shook his head. “Thanks. Tell the boys to get back to work but to keep an eye out for him.”
“We’ll let you know if we spot him. I’m sure he’ll show up.”
“Thanks.” Tanner disconnected. “They got squat.”
He leaned his head back, the adrenaline draining out of his body. The bank wasn’t happy he’d called in to take the day off as he had two big clients scheduled to come in, but that was too damned bad. His life was crumbling around him, and he wouldn’t have been able to focus even if he had gone into work. Besides, if Cody came home and he was gone, the kid would leave for good.
Jackson slapped the wheel. “You don’t think the McLeans had anything to do with this, do you?”
“No. And stop being so quick to accuse them of everything. This is about Cody and his demons.”