My body tensed as I listened, my hatred for this guy growing by the second. What sort of jackass would lay a hand on a woman, especially a woman they claimed to love?
She was trembling now, but when I reached out to hold her, she held her hand up to stop me and shook her head. “Let me finish,” she mumbled. She took a deep breath before she kept going. “He was going do more than hit me, but someone knocked on the door and said something about a drug deal gone bad and he had to leave. I have no doubt he would have put me in the hospital.”
“Does he know where you are?” I asked, getting up from the bed and pacing her room. If I ever laid my eyes on this guy, there was no telling what might happen.
She bit her lip and shrugged. “I don’t see how. I ditched my phone when I left. I ran it over with my car and then threw it in a river. I thought maybe he had GPS on my car or something, but if he did, I thought I would have heard from him by now. I mean, it’s been three months.”
I nodded, relieved at her answer. If he was looking for her, I doubted he would look in Wyoming, especially on some ranch.
“There’s more,” she mumbled, looking down at her hands.
“What?” I asked, my mouth going dry.
She got up off of the bed and went down on her hands and knees next to the bed. She reached underneath it and pulled out a big blue duffle bag. She unzipped it and I gasped, dropping to my knees near her when I saw what was inside. There were bundles of cash - what looked to be $100 bills. Where the fuck did she get that?
“I took this from him when I left,” she whispered. “I wasn’t sure where I was going to go or what I was going to do. I just knew I had to get away from him so I didn’t end up like my mother.” Her voice was trembling again and her eyes filled up with tears.
“How much is there?” I asked, standing back up slowly and sitting on the bed.
She zipped up the bag and pushed it back under. “I have no idea. I never counted it. I kept one bunch out when I left to pay for gas, hotels, and food, but that was it. When I got here I put it under the bed and this is the first time I’ve opened it.”
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Let’s lay down,” I urged her, pulling her to me and laid back on the bed. I enveloped her in my arms and gently kissed her forehead. If she took that kind of money from him, it probably wouldn’t be long before he found her. He didn’t sound like the kind of guy that would part with that much money easily. I wasn’t going to think about that now; I was thankful to have her back in my arms and there she was going to stay.
Chapter 17 – Rachel
I woke up to the sound of Clint’s even breathing. I glanced up and watched him sleep, reaching up to lightly touch his face. I couldn’t believe after everything I told him he was still here and still wanted to be with me. Before he’d gotten here, I was seriously considering leaving the ranch. I’m glad I hadn’t.
I untangled myself from his arms and noticed it was about two AM. We’d been asleep for about three hours. I wondered if Eliza had made it back from the bar ok. I felt bad leaving her, but I was not in the mood and not feeling well.
I walked into the bathroom, shutting the door and turning on the light. I stopped and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes traveled to the spot on my cheek that Seth had hit. I touched it and started sobbing, grabbing my soap and throwing it across the tiny bathroom. I sank to the floor sobbing. Now that Clint knew about my past, it was like the floodgates were opened. Sobs racked my body as I thought about my mother and what Jack had done to her. I thought about Seth and how much he changed from the boy who helped me get through my mother’s death to some sort of monster.
“Rachel?” Clint knocked on the door, concern in his voice. He opened the door and picked me up in his arms, carrying me back to the bed. He let me cry until I had no more tears left, stroking my back. “Let it out, babe. It’s ok now. You’re safe here.”
When I was finally done crying, he sat up. “How about a shower or bubble bath? You need to relax.”
I nodded. It was three in the morning, but a hot shower sounded good.
He patted my leg. “Good. You go do that and I’ll go make you some tea. Ma swears by it when you’re feeling down. Wyatt and I think it’s nonsense, but Eliza seems to like it.” He rolled his eyes and smiled and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Good, that’s what I like to see on my girl,” he whispered as he stood up. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
I watched him walk out of my bedroom before grabbing some fresh clothes and heading to the shower. I had no idea how I’d gotten so lucky to find Clint by some strange chance. I hadn’t stopped anywhere since I’d left Buffalo that day other than to grab gas and some food. A higher power led me to decide to spend that night in Sheridan; I had no doubt.
***
I walked back behind the garage and headed down to see the horses. Before coming here, I had never ridden a horse. Now I went a few times a week. My favorite horse came to the edge of the fence to greet me. I patted her neck before turning around to survey the ranch. Yeah, I’d changed a lot since that night Clint found me in that diner.
One thing that hadn’t changed was the fact that I could take care of myself and hated it when people told me what to do. I looked around, not seeing anyone nearby and snuck to my car. I started it up, cringing at the noise it made. Hopefully no one was near enough to hear or I was so busted.
“I don’t want to tell you what to do, Rachel, but can I please make one request?” Clint asked me later that night after I’d told him about Seth and showed him the money.
“Sure,” I’d replied.
“Please don’t go into town without me or Wyatt. You could probably go with Eliza too, but I don’t want you to go alone. I’m worried about Seth.”
It seemed like a simple request, but as time past, I was getting tired of the restrictions. I knew he meant well, but going one time alone wouldn’t hurt anything.
I put the car in drive and headed down the long driveway of the ranch. My fingers gripped the steering wheel tight and my heart was pounding until I got to the end of the drive. I turned towards town and blew out a breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding. I made it. I glanced down to where I usually kept my phone when I drove and swore. I’d forgotten it on my dresser! Oh well, I’d be back in no time and they won’t even miss me.
I turned up the radio in my car and rolled down the windows, letting the warm summer air blow against my face. I was so excited for this party for Eliza. I had told Clint what a big deal Mom made of my birthdays when I was growing up, but it had been awhile since I’d really celebrated anyone’s birthday. I couldn’t wait to dance all night with Clint and enjoy the evening with my new adopted family.
I got into town and ran the errands I needed to quickly. Of course Clint would find out I didn’t listen to him when I told him I no longer needed to go into town, but maybe once he saw I went and came back safe and sound, he would relax a little bit.
My car was full of bags of stuff for the party and I was on my way home when the gas light in my car went on. I was near the last gas station on the way out of town, so I figured I better stop and fill up. I pulled up next to the pump and hopped out. I filled the car with gas, looking around at the different people around me. I smiled to myself at all the cowboy boots and hats; such a change from back home but one I’d grown to love.
I went to pay inside so I could grab a soda before the twenty-minute drive to the ranch. I came back out and dropped my soda when I saw who was standing by my car. It was him!
He was standing there leaning against the side of my car, wearing his aviator shades. He’d changed his hair since I saw him and it was now cut short but styled into some kind of mohawk. He was wearing jeans and a wife beater - his usual outfit. My heart was racing and my mouth went dry. How the fuck had he found me?
“Get in the car, Rachel. We’re going to go for a drive,” he commanded, his voice low. He lifted up his s
hirt and showed me the gun stashed there. “Don’t make me cause a scene.”
I wanted to scream and let the other people at the gas station know what was going on, but I was frozen. I really thought I was home free of Seth and I was shocked to see him. Clint was right and tears filled my eyes as I thought about how I didn’t listen to him and now I wasn’t so sure I’d ever see him again.
Chapter 18 – Clint
As I walked back to the house for lunch, I noticed Rachel’s car was gone. Eliza’s truck wasn’t back from her meeting either. My mouth went dry and my heart started to pound in my chest; did she not follow my instructions?
I bounded up the stairs and pulled open the front door. “Ma, where’s Rachel?” I called out.
She came out from the utility room. “She said she was going for one of her walks this morning. I haven’t seen her since.”
I took off my baseball hat and tossed it on the counter before running my hand through my hair. “Her car’s gone. She didn’t say anything about going anywhere?”
Ma went to the window to check for her car. “I had no idea,” she trailed off quietly. She turned back to look at me. “I’m sorry. She mentioned that you wouldn’t let her go into town alone and I told her it was for her own good but that’s where the conversation ended. She said she was going to go for a walk and I got busy here and didn’t even notice.”
“I’ll try to call her.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her number. It rang and rang, eventually going to her voicemail. No fucking answer! I stormed down to her room and opened the door. Her phone was sitting on her dresser. She either forgot it or didn’t even bother to take it.
I balled my hands into fists. “I have to find her. I have a bad feeling. Even if she did go into town for errands, she should be back already.” I took my hat and put it firmly back onto my head and ran out the door before Ma could say another word.
I ran into Wyatt on my way to my truck. “Where’s the fire, big bro?”
“I have to find Rachel,” I responded, not missing a step. “Wanna come?”
He followed behind me, a concerned look on his face. “Sure, what happened?”
I opened the door of the truck. “Get in and I’ll explain.” I sat down and started it, barely giving him enough time to get in and shut the door before tearing away from the house.
“Whoa, why are you driving so fast?” he asked, clutching the door handle.
I was holding the steering wheel so tight the whites of my knuckles were showing. “You know I don’t want Rachel leaving the ranch without one of us, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Well this morning she was mad at me because she has some stuff to do for Eliza’s party in town and I told her I would take her later. I’ve promised her that a few times and we end up working too late to make it since everything practically shuts down around five. So after breakfast she told Ma she was taking a walk when she actually snuck out and left. Ma was too busy to notice and I didn’t until I came back to the house for lunch.”
“Hmmm…I wouldn’t think her errands would take her that long,” he said, rubbing his jaw.
“Exactly,” I responded tersely.
“Do you actually have reason to think that her ex is after her? Has she gotten any threats?”
I shook my head. “No, she smashed her phone right after she left and didn’t even get a new one until recently.” Most of my family thought I was being a little ridiculous with how I kept such a close eye on Rachel, but they didn’t know about the money she’d taken from him. They all thought he was a controlling asshole that hit her. Maybe it was time to tell them. “She took money from him. A lot of money.” I didn’t take my eyes off the road, trying not to speed too much. The last thing I needed was to be pulled over by the cops and be delayed even more.
“What do you mean? What money?” He asked, confusion in his voice.
I signed. “He lost his job and started hanging out with a bad crowd, eventually selling drugs. He’d built up quite an empire, becoming some sort of drug lord. She had nothing to do with it and he actually didn’t involve her at all. She was planning on leaving him and that’s when he lost it. He liked having her on his arm; she became more of trophy than anything.”
“Shit man,” Wyatt muttered.
“I know…She didn’t intend to take it when she left, but he pissed her off when he hit her and she wanted to get him where she knew it hurt the most - money. I told her a man like that wouldn’t let that much money get away from him without some sort of retaliation.” I turned to look at my brother as we rolled up to a red light on the outskirts of town. “I think he had some sort of tracker on her somehow. From what she tells me, he knew where she was at all times. He had to have a way other than just her phone. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s known for a while where she was but was just waiting for the right time.”
“Wow,” Wyatt gasped, taking off his cowboy hat. “No wonder you’ve been so protective. Can’t say I blame ya, bro.”
“I’m fucking freaked out right now man and I won’t relax until I’m hold her in my arms,” I mumbled, fighting back the emotion I could feel growing. I had to stay calm; she was probably fine and I was overreacting.
“It’s ok, Clint,” he said softly. “We’ll find her.”
We turned down the main drag of town and drove slowly, looking for her car. Neither of us said a word and panic grew in the pit of my stomach. What if we didn’t find her?
I spotted Eliza’s truck and pulled into the empty stall nearby. Maybe she’d seen her. We both hopped out of the car and headed into the diner Eliza was in.
My eyes darted around nervously until I found Eliza sitting in the corner booth with her laptop. She had a look of concentration and a pencil stuck in a bun on top of her head; no Rachel though.
Wyatt and I slid into the seat across from her. She looked up with a grin. “To what do I owe the pleasure of both of my brothers joining me here?” We didn’t say anything and the smile fell from her face. “What’s wrong? Is it Ma?” She closed her laptop firmly.
“No, no. Ma’s fine,” I quickly assured her. “We think Rachel came to town this morning but we can’t get a hold of her. She either forgot or left her phone at home and no one’s heard from her. I was hoping you’d seen her around here.”
She shook her head and pushed her laptop away from her. “No, I haven’t. I’ve been holed up in here since my meeting. I decided to stay here and work for a while; I’m addicted to the coffee.” She motioned to her mug in front of her.
“Shit,” I muttered and scrubbed my face with my hand. I pounded my fist on the table, causing the few customers in the diner to turn and look at me. “Where is she?”
Wyatt put a hand on my arm. “We will find her. I promise.”
“Why the panic? She can’t be far. You aren’t seriously worried about Seth, are you?” Eliza asked, confusion written across her face.
I looked around; I didn’t want to talk about the money around all these people. “Are you ready to go? Come with us and I’ll explain.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, packing up her laptop and grabbing her purse. “Why can’t you tell me here though?”
I gave her a look of exasperation and Wyatt held up his hand. “Just come along and he’ll explain it all.”
We left the diner and got into my truck; we’d come back later for Eliza’s vehicle. Before we left, I told her all about the money Rachel had stolen.
“Fuck, Clint!” She said, her blue eyes as wide as saucers. They filled with tears. “What if he found her? What if he has her?”
“Eliza!” Wyatt warned. “Don’t!”
“It’s a valid concern, man,” I said quietly. It’s all I’d thought of since the moment I realized she wasn’t at the house. What if he did have her? What would he do to her? Something told me it would probably be more than just slapping her around. I pushed the thoughts from my mind. I was going to lose it unless I focused on finding her. I couldn’t
even think about what I was going to do to him when I saw him. He would wish he stayed in Buffalo.
“Let’s call the police,” Eliza said, her voice filled with panic. “They can help us.”
I shook my head. “No. Not yet. Besides, she hasn’t been gone for twelve hours much less twenty-four, so I doubt they’d do anything. We have nothing to give them other than a ‘hunch’ anyway.”
She slumped in the backseat. “Well what the fuck are we going to do then?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure other than driving around for a while. Maybe we will see her car…or something.” I wanted to throw something right now. I was so damn frustrated and felt helpless. I had a bad feeling deep in my gut though; I just knew I had to get to her soon.
Goodbye Girl (Hidden Lane Ranch) Page 11
