Page 42 of Ride a Cowboy

“Guess I can’t blame her really,” Porter said after a moment’s contemplation.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Sharon were the perfect couple, happy, in love, devoted. It’s kind of a tough act to follow.”

“It’s not like I’m holding up a measuring stick or keeping notes about who did what better. I love Macie for who she is. I’m not worried about who she isn’t.”

Porter looked around the kitchen. “I’m thinking that’s a good thing. Because damn, man, you can’t ever let her loose in here again.”

“Yeah. That’s a given. Doesn’t help me figure out where she is now.”

“Knowing Macie, when she realized she’d lost the battle with,” Porter pointed to the charred meat in the trashcan, “whatever that poor creature was, she probably went in search of other food.”

The light went on for both of them at the same time. “Sparks Barbeque,” they said in unison.

“I’ll fire up the truck,” Porter offered.

“You don’t have to run into town with me.”

Porter shrugged. “I know, but it’s that or breathe in this noxious, scorched air. Might grab my own dinner while I’m there.”

Twenty minutes later, the two of them had parked the truck. One quick glance around the parking lot told Hank her car wasn’t there. “Maybe we missed her.”

“Only one way to find out,” Porter said, climbing out of the truck. “Let’s go inside and ask.”

“What are you doing here?” Sydney asked two seconds after he and Porter walked into the restaurant.

“I’m looking for Macie,” Hank said, spotting her girlfriends, Lela and Lorelei sitting at the counter. From the looks on their faces, he could tell they were surprised to see him too. Apparently Macie had shared her plans for his birthday with everyone. Not that he should be shocked by that. The woman wasn’t known for keeping her thoughts to herself.

“She’s at your place, isn’t she?” Lorelei asked.

Hank shook his head. “No. The only thing at my place is a bunch of burned food and a path of destruction unlike any I’ve ever seen before.”

Sydney laughed. “I told her fried chicken was tough and she was going to have to concentrate.”

“Yeah,” Hank sighed. “It definitely went south, and now she’s not there. I can only assume she got upset when everything went to hell and took off. Any idea where she would go?”

“It’s Macie,” Adele said as she wiped the counter. “She could be anywhere. Did you try to call her?”

“Yeah. She left her cell behind.”

Adele laughed. “God, I don’t even know why she owns a phone. She never remembers to carry the damn thing anywhere.”

Lela patted Hank on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. Once she calms down, she’ll come back.”

“Does she run away often?” he asked, unable to shake the feeling that didn’t sound much like Macie.

Lela shook her head. “No. Never. But she’s never really been in love like this before. She wanted today to be special. Knowing her, once plan A failed, she went out in search of plan B.”

“Oh yeah. It’s probably plan B,” Adele said in agreement.

“What was plan B?” Hank asked.

Adele shrugged though it was apparent she had a hunch.

“Where is she, Addie?” Porter asked.

Hank looked up, surprised by his friend’s overly familiar tone with Macie’s sister.

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