by KC Crowne
“The monkey!”
“The monkey it is!” He plucked it off the faux wall and handed it to El, who squeezed it tightly, a happy smile on her face.
“Alright,” I said. “Let’s head on over to the food. Shootin’ gives me a wild appetite.”
We stepped away from the stand, El in front of us as Sam and I walked side-by-side.
“Nice shootin’,” I said, smirking.
She laughed. “Was that sarcasm? Can’t ever tell with you.”
“I mean, it was nice shootin’ for a city girl. Most urban types are scared of guns – think they’re gonna jump up and bite them or somethin’.”
“That’s kind of how I used to be. But I don’t know. Living in Texas puts you in a different frame of mind.”
“You’re right about that. You interested in learnin’ a little more about shootin’?”
A strange, worried expression crossed her face. At first, I thought she was apprehensive about the idea. But it hit me that there was something more to it than that.
“Sure,” she said after a moment. “That might be nice. Then maybe by next year’s fair, I’ll be the one whipping your butt.”
I laughed. “Challenge accepted.”
El was in front of us, the stuffed monkey in her arms almost as big as she was. Her head swiveled in every direction, and I didn’t want her running off on her own. “Don’t run too far off, El,” I called, my voice barely rising above the din of the fair. “Stay where I can see you.”
“I know, I know,” she said, glancing over her shoulder just long enough to speak the words.
We made our way to the food stand area, the smells so good that my stomach almost wouldn’t stop grumbling. I bought some brats and sodas for the three of us, and we found seats on the stands a little off to the side. We ate and talked and watched the people pass by. When we finished eating, we played a few more games and checked out the rodeo, and by the time we were done with all that, the sun was nearly set. The Ferris wheel was up next, and soon we had walked the entire fairgrounds.
“Wow,” Sam whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
She was right about that. From our vantage point, we could see the entire fair, the throngs of people packed together, the rodeo off in the distance, and the Texas landscape of green and brown fading into the distance. The sun dipped just below the horizon, giving its final goodbye for the day with wild colors draped with thin wisps of clouds.
“This really is like another country,” Sam mused.
Without thinking, I took her hand and squeezed. I couldn’t help myself – the woman was too damn hard to resist. El was distracted by the sights, sitting up on the seat and staring out the window. Sam smiled at me, and for a moment, it was almost like we were a family.
The moment passed, and Sam slipped her hand out of mine just as El turned her attention back to us. The Ferris wheel brought us back down to ground level, and we climbed out.
“Alright,” Sam announced. “Fried food time.”
Before either of us could say anything, El took off running.
“El!” I called out after her. “What did I say about stayin’ close!”
She either didn’t hear me or decided not to; she was gone, vanishing among the crowd. Sam shot a worried look in my direction as we waded through the people, heads swiveling in every direction. When we finally broke through to the other side, we couldn’t find her. We called her name, turning in circles, with no luck.
“Shit,” I said. “Where the hell did she run off to?”
“We’ll find her,” Sam tried to assure me.
I knew she was right, but at that moment, a fear like none I’d ever felt gripped me.
My little girl was gone.
Chapter 14
SAMANTHA
Panic seized me in a cold grip. My eyes widened like saucers as I scanned the scene, looking frantically for Ellie.
“Where is she?” I asked frantically.
Chance stood still as a statue, his hands on his hips as he glanced around. “Gotta be here somewhere.” His voice was cool and calm. No doubt he was worried, but he was the kind of person who didn’t let his fear get the best of him. “How about this – we split up and look for her.” He turned around, the Ferris wheel behind us. “I’ll go west, and you go east. Make a big half circle and loop back around here. One of us is bound to spot her.”
His even disposition calmed me, as did the few deep breaths I sucked in and released, steadying myself. “Alright,” I said, my tone more even. “Meet back here in fifteen?”
“Sounds like a plan.” He put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze, nodded, and headed off. Chance was easier to spot in the crowd, his massive height towering over just about everyone else there.
Once he was gone, I began backtracking toward the games to see if El was there, but I didn’t spot her. From the games, I went on to the food without finding her. She wasn’t at the Ferris wheel or in the crowd at the rodeo. With each passing second, I grew more and more fearful, worried that something might’ve happened to her.
It occurred to me to check the entrance of the fair – she might’ve gotten scared and thought that’d be the best place to wait for her dad and me. I weaved through the crowds, my heart racing as I drew closer and closer to the entrance.
Right at the moment I feared the worst, I spotted the monkey. The thing was so big I could hardly see Ellie behind it. But there she was, talking to someone just out of sight behind a tall set of stands. I rushed forward, wanting to grab onto her and see the stranger she was talking to. The figure was tall and reedy, thin but with a toned physique. He wore a pair of black jeans and a black sleeveless shirt, his sandy-blond hair tied in a ponytail. His features were sharp, and he carried himself with swaggering confidence.
Kyle.
I froze, having no idea what to say or do. Kyle wore a big, friendly smile on his face, talking to El like they were old friends. He squatted down to get to her level, and Ellie laughed at something he said. He reached for the monkey and gave its arm a squeeze, causing El to laugh harder.
I had to say something. I couldn’t believe Kyle was there. And he was talking to the little girl I was in charge of keeping safe. I wanted to move my legs but couldn’t, fear holding me in its grip. Before I could force myself to put my fear away, Chance approached from behind the two. Relief washed over me. Seeing Chance made me feel less frightened like the situation was under control. He headed for the pair, and I finally managed to break from my statue-like pose. I walked close enough to hear what they were saying, but far enough back to remain hidden.
“There you are!” Chance exclaimed, a mixture of relief and anger in his tone. Both Ellie and Kyle turned to look at him. “El, what on earth were you thinkin’ runnin’ off like that?”
“Sorry, Daddy,” she said. “But you guys were walking so slow and—”
“That don’t matter none,” he chided. “This place is a zoo – and I told you to stay close where I could see you, didn’t I?”
“You did,” El said, her tone apologetic, looking down at the ground.
Chance turned to Kyle, looking him up and down, sizing him up. “And who are you? Why you talkin’ to my little girl?”
“Sorry,” Kyle said, holding his hands up. His voice sent a chill up my spine with only one word. “I saw her, and she looked lost, seemed scared, so I introduced myself and told her the entrance was probably the best place to wait for her family.”
“Mr. Kyle was nice,” Ellie added. “He led me back here.”
“He’s still a stranger,” Chance told her, clearly pissed. “And Kyle, or whatever the hell your name is, you don’t just go around talkin’ to stranger’s kids. That ain’t proper.”
“I know, I know,” Kyle said, holding his hands up in surrender again. “But I’ve got kids of my own – a boy and a girl.” That was a lie. “I know what it’s like to lose your kids in a crowd. Scariest thing in the world. Figured I would help if I could.”
&n
bsp; “Parent or not, I don’t want no stranger leadin’ my little girl around.”
“It’s fine, Daddy,” Ellie said, her tone one of protest. “Mr. Kyle was nice.”
Chance stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes locked onto Kyle. For a moment, it looked as if the two men might come to blows. After a moment, Chance begrudgingly said, “Thanks.”
“It’s alright,” Kyle finally said. “Ellie’s back with her daddy, and that’s all that matters to me. Have a good night.”
“Thanks, Mr. Kyle!” Ellie said, waving with her free hand, the other arm still wrapped around the monkey.
Kyle nodded and wandered away. As soon as he was gone, Chance dropped down to his knees in front of El, and I ran over.
“Ellie!” Chance scolded, his tone stern with a tinge of anger. “Runnin’ off like that, talkin’ to strangers – where’s the sense the good Lord gave you?”
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” she said sheepishly. “But I lost you and Sam, and I didn’t know what to do.”
“You get lost like that, you stay put until we find you. Don’t matter if it’s in a fair or on the ranch or out in the woods. And you sure as heck don’t talk to strange men, got it?”
I should’ve joined in and said something, but I was still so shaken by what had happened that I couldn’t find a single word to speak.
“Got it.” Ellie was defeated, knowing she’d done something wrong.
Chance stood up, shaking his head. He took off his cowboy hat and ran his hand through his hair before replacing it. “I think it’s about time to get back to the ranch. Maybe cuttin’ this night short will get you thinkin’ about what you did, little lady.” He stuck out his hand, and she took it.
Ellie sniffled. “Okay.”
“I love you, baby,” he said, his voice softening. “And you gotta know it scares me like nothin’ else to think about never seein’ you again. OK?”
“Okay.”
He sighed and turned to me. “Thanks for helpin’ with the search.”
“It’s…it’s nothing.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or somethin’.”
In a manner of speaking, it was true. I’d just seen a ghost from my past, one I’d hoped I’d never encounter again.
“Just worried about Ellie.”
“See that?” Chance asked his daughter. “You got poor Sam stressin’ about you, too.”
“I’m sorry, Sam.”
“It’s alright,” I said, giving her little shoulder a squeeze. “But listen to your dad about this stuff, alright.”
She smiled weakly before hugging her monkey tightly, her little eyes watery.
Minutes later, we were back in the car. The drive was silent. Chance’s eyes were fixed on the road. Out of the corner of my own eye, I saw him glancing at me occasionally, and I began to worry he was picking up on something being wrong. I’d have to tell him the truth. No lies, no matter what.
We were soon back at the ranch, Chance killing the engine and the three of us climbing out. The night was well on, the air cool. The lights of the main house were illuminated, a few figures visible on the front porch.
“Now,” Chance said to Ellie. “Get washed up and ready for bed.”
“Alright,” El replied as we walked to the front door.
Once inside, El hurried to her bedroom to get ready for bed, her little feet carrying her as fast as they could down the hall. Chance let out a sigh as he set his keys on his desk, then took his hat off and tossed it onto the kitchen table.
“I swear,” he said, shaking his head. “No one said bein’ a daddy would be easy, but you’re not ready for how hard it can be sometimes.”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice weak. “I bet you’re right.”
He cocked his head to the side, and I knew he understood something was up. “You alright?”
“Not really, no.”
“Whatever it is, we can talk about it. Let me just get Ellie tucked in for the night.”
“Sure. Say good night for me.”
Chance ambled down the hallway to help El get ready for bed. After a few minutes, I walked into her bedroom and watched the two from the entrance. Chance was seated on the side of the bed, El tucked in, her new monkey friend under her arm.
“I’m not mad at you, baby,” he murmured. “It’s just that you mean the world to me, and the idea of somethin’ happenin’ scares me to death.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” she sniffled, though she wasn’t crying, a good sign. “I won’t do it again.”
Chance might’ve been new to this whole parenting thing, but damn was he a natural. He was stern but loving. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Good night, baby girl.”
“Good night, daddy.”
I smiled from the door. “Good night, El.”
El waved happily to me. “Good night, Sam.” She waved her monkey’s arm. “And Stan says good night too – that’s his new name.”
“Good night, Stan,” I said with a small smile.
Chance ruffled Ellie’s hair before getting up and heading to the door, flicking off the light and shutting the door behind him. I turned and walked back to the kitchen and sat at the table. He was just behind me, but he didn’t sit.
“Alright,” he said. “Think I’m about ready for a nightcap on the front porch. You?”
“A drink sounds pretty nice after what had just happened.”
He poured both of us a small glass of whiskey. Then he led me out to the front porch, the two of us sitting down in a pair of handmade, wooden chairs.
“You feelin’ alright?” he asked after passing my drink to me. “I’m sure you’re all kinds of shaken up after that, but seems like there’s somethin’ else.”
“That’s because there is something else.”
He sipped his drink, his eyes on me. “What is it?”
Time for a drink of my own. Once it was down the hatch, I took a deep breath and spilled the beans. “That man. The one who was talking to El.”
“What about him? Shit, I didn’t mean to tear into him like that, but…I don’t know. There was somethin’ about him I just didn’t trust.”
“You’re right to feel that way,” I acknowledged, nodding. “Chance, that was Kyle.”
Chance’s eyes narrowed. “Kyle? Your asshole ex?”
I nodded. “One and the same.”
“Fuck,” he swore.
The guilt rocketed through me like a torpedo. “Chance, I’m so sorry. If I’d have known he’d come after me, I never would have taken the job here. I can’t believe I’ve put your daughter at risk. I’ll leave if you want.”
Chance shook his head. “Now wait a damn minute. This asshole’s actions aren’t your fault Sam. He’s got a fuckin’ screw loose, that ain’t on you.” His teeth clenched, his jaw tightening before he continued. “You’re not goin’ anywhere. I’ll protect you and my little girl. You don’t have anything to be scared of as long as you’re with me.”
Relief rushed through me. I couldn’t believe how kind he was being, how understanding. And there was strength to his words – he wasn’t just talking.
“Thank you, Chance. This is all so crazy. All I want is to put him and the rest of my old life behind me.”
“And that’s what you’re gonna do. You’re here with us, and that’s all there is to it.”
“But what about Kyle?”
“I’ll look into it, see what the hell he’s doin’ here. For now, all you need to think about is that little girl in there, y’hear?” He offered a small, warm smile. “And that whiskey. Because it ain’t gonna drink itself.”
I smiled at him, hoping he understood how grateful I was. I couldn’t express it aloud; my voice was clouded with tears. I lifted my drink as we gazed out into the night. Chance had made me feel a hell of a lot better – that was for certain.
I couldn’t completely shake the fear of Kyle. My past had come back to haunt me.
And I co
uldn’t run anymore.
Chapter 15
CHANCE
I’d insisted Sam stay in the cabin that night. Not like I’d thought there was any real threat of that punk-ass ex-boyfriend of hers sneaking onto the property, but I was in a mood to keep the ones I cared about close. Between his sudden appearance and Ellie running off the way she had, I wasn’t about to take any chances.
The next morning was Saturday, so I let El sleep in a little bit. Sam was at the kitchen table, food on the stove, and a fresh pot of coffee already going when I wandered in. She was staring into space, her hands wrapped around her mug.
“Mornin’,” I said as I stepped into the kitchen and poured myself a cup.
She shook her head as if coming out of a daze. “Morning. There’s coffee.”
“I see that,” I said as I filled my mug. “Smelled it when I woke up.”
“And there’s eggs and bacon, too. I know Mama G’s probably got breakfast going, but I totally spaced about it. Sometimes I like to cook when I’m stuck in my own head.”
“No worries,” I said, sitting down across from her at the table. “Mama G runs a tight ship in that kitchen, but she knows we can’t always make it to the family meal.”
I got up and lifted the lid of the cast iron skillet. Delicious-looking scrambled eggs topped with cheese and a side of perfectly cooked bacon in there with them.
“You want some more?” I asked as I picked up a plate and scooped some on.
“I haven’t had any yet, actually. Just sat down.” Her voice was far away; she was still inside her own head, still shaken from the encounter the night before.
I made a plate for her and sat down across from her once again. “How you feelin’?” I asked. Without thinking, I reached over and took her hand, squeezing firmly before releasing it.
“It’s just…like I said, all so surreal. All I wanted was to start fresh, get Kyle out of my life. Now he’s back.”
I nodded. “Trust me, he’s not gonna be a problem for long,” I tried to assure her.
“Should we tell El?” she asked. “I mean, so she knows to look out for him?”
