Page 57 of My Cowboy Freedom
“I’d hardly work at the Rocking C if stinky cowboys made me cry.” She smiled and I smiled back.
That was our first genuine smile.
There was hope.
We rode the rest of the way to Bitterroot—over half an hour—in a comfortable silence.
Rock’s church turned out to be one of those big, old-fashioned white wooden deals with the spires. Behind it, there was a social hall of some sort. We drove around and pulled up in front of that.
A fire truck, an ambulance, and Sheriff’s Department SUV all sat there, lights going like a block party.
As soon as we parked, a good-looking guy ran over and opened Elena’s door for her.
“Rockne’s had a really bad episode. He’s locked himself in the office and he won’t let anyone inside not even his dog, and—”
“Do you have a key?” asked Elena.
“Yes, but there’s a way to bolt the door from the inside.”
I muttered, “That doesn’t sound sketchy at all.”
“It’s not what you think.” He flushed deeply. “I smoke sometimes. My wife goes ballistic if the kids see.”
“Sorry.” He took Elena’s arm and led her inside. I followed.
“There’s a deputy trying to get Rock to come out but she’s not having much luck.”
The scene was chaos, but my heart immediately went out to Maisy. The poor thing was pawing desperately at the door to the pastor’s office, trying to dig her way through to Rock. Chips of paint flew every which way.
“Leave me alone.” We all heard despair in Rock’s voice.
Even the teens still hanging around trying to look like they weren’t watching got quiet.
“Most of the kids are gone, honey,” Elena called through the door. “Just let the medics check your blood sugar—”
Something hit the door. “I know what I need and I’ll come out when I’m goddamn ready.”
Elena managed to calm Maisy down, and then the dog and the deputy waited to one side while Elena tried to talk to Rock.
“Skyler’s here, honey.”Silence from inside.“He can help you dress and get you to the car, if you need him to. The sooner we get home, the sooner you’ll feel better. Don’t you think?”
“I’m not being an asshole on purpose. God. Why can’t everyone just leave methe fuckalone?” Maisy started scratching again.
“You’re freaking Maisy out,” I said. “She’s going to hurt herself, she’s so agitated. You want to be responsible for her losing a toenail?”
The sound of movement from Rock made Maisy stop and stare at the door. A deeply troubled sigh could be heard from the other side.
“I don’t want Maisy to get hurt.” I heard the bolt slide back before the door opened a crack and Maisy slithered inside. How she squeezed her whole body through a crack that wasn’t wide enough for my foot was a wonder but watching it, it looked like she justyearnedherself in.
No man should take advantage of love like that. Rock knew better.
A couple minutes later, the doorknob turned again.
Rock whispered, “Skyler? Can you help me for a minute?”
“Sure, man. What do you need?” I poked my head inside the dark, cramped office room and found Rock sitting on the floor next to the door with Maisy draped over his outstretched legs. For his part, Rock looked pale, sweaty, and exhausted.
He’d pissed himself, you could smell it. His eyes were a little spacey too, as if he was having trouble keeping up. He blinked at me slowly. Licked his lips like he was thirsty.
