Page 4 of Longest Ride

“Time me.”

I laughed at my brother and checked the time on my phone.

Inside the cabin, Travis sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee that Tammy made. She seemed familiar with the kitchen and that bothered Travis. He didn’t want her marrying a truck driver and living in Canada. He wasn’t ready to give her up.

Annie poured herself a mug of coffee and sat down with Travis. “I think the best idea is for you and the boys to go home for now. Lucy and I will stay with Tammy until Eldon is out of danger. You can’t sit around here for the next two weeks waiting for her, so I’ll do it.”

“I wondered how I was gonna do it, Annie-girl. I can’t leave Billy alone with the station and the ranch and all the chores for that fuckin long.”

“No, you can’t. You have to go back.”

“Promise not to lose her again, Annie-girl?”

“I won’t lose her. We’ll talk every day. You can trust me.”

“Of course, I trust you, girl. You’re the only person in my life I have completely trusted.”

Annie smiled at him.

“I’ll see what the boys think of that idea when they get finished with the grave.”

“What are we going to do with the bounty hunter’s vehicle?”

“I’ll trade it in in Calgary on the way home. Get an extra pick up the boys can share.”

“You already thought of that?” asked Annie. “You’re way ahead of me.”

“I have limited brain function,” said Travis. “This must be one of my better days.”

Annie shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong with your brain.”

“You look so tired, Daddy,” said Tammy. “Why don’t you lie down on the sofa and sleep for a while?”

“Got any beer in that fridge?”

“Sure do. Me and Eldon like to drink a beer out on the deck and look up at the mountains. Want me to show you?”

“Nope. I’ll drink it right here, Tam.”

“Let me get you one.” She hopped up and went to the fridge and Travis hated the feeling that his daughter was comfortable and happy in this cabin.

Me and Virge came back from busting our butts gravedigging and saw the rest of our family sitting around the kitchen table drinking beer.

Tammy ran towards us and hugged us both. First time she’d acted normal since we found her. Maybe things were gonna work out after all.

The feeling in my gut told me things weren’t ever gonna be the same. I didn’t want to believe that could be true.

Chapter Two

Friday, September 20th.

Fontana Residence. Sicamous.

Annie was up first and had the coffee brewed when Travis dragged himself out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen.

“I feel like I been rode hard and put away wet, Annie-girl. Can’t take much more. Don’t like the way this one is headed.”

“I’ll sort it out, sugar. I just need time, and a lot depends on Eldon and his prognosis.”

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