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Chapter forty-three

When the cat is away...

Mason

My thumb idly twists my wedding ring as I drive. I bet Lori is up by now, I hope she didn’t get too sick again this morning.

I should call Dix and ask him if he knows any tricks to help her. Carolyn didn't struggle with it as badly, but she had issues with swelling in all of her joints early on that made her uncomfortable.

The things women endure for their children never ceases to amaze me. I wish there was a way to take on some of that pain.

When I hit a bump, Sawyer jerks and sits up, wiping his bleary eyes. “Oh, sorry, Dad. I think I dozed off.”

“Yea, about two hours ago.” I pull my thermos from the center console. “Since you’re awake, mind topping off my coffee?”

“Oh, sure.” He bobs his head, then pours enough into my travel mug to fill it to the top. Tilting it, he squints to look inside. “Can I have the rest? Isn’t much left.”

“Go for it. I gotta find a spot to lose some soon, anyway.” We’re not far from Dixon’s house. I’m half tempted to call him again and make sure he doesn’t want to go.

I think he had a shift in the emergency room last night, though. And I know how much he hates these kinds of things.

Dix likes the numbers and the logistics. Not dealing with the people, or the animals, as much. He’s done it, just prefers not to.

Fuck it, I’m calling him.

“What, Mason?” He sounds groggy and cranky.

“I’m almost to Helena for the bidding. Wanted to see if you were bored enough to meet us in town for food. Sawyer can hold my place in line.” I wink at my son who’s scowling at me.

There’s a long groan from my phone. “Fine. Let me get dressed. I’d rather take Sawyer, at least he didn’t wake me up.”

I think Sawyer heard, because he breaks out a wide grin.

“Nope, he’s here to learn the ropes and bid in my place. See you soon, sweet brother.” My lip pulls up in a smirk as I hang up.

I glance up to see Sawyer’s nose crinkle at me like he’s smelling something sour. “Gee, thanks, Dad. Can you at least bring me a burger?”

“Lori packed us enough food for a month.” I point to the bag in the backseat brimming with snacks. “You’ll live. You get to enjoy the absolute mind numbing boredom that is the Forestry Service.” I clap him on the shoulder. “All part of the business, son.”

He rolls his eyes and slumps against the door. “So much glory to be had in paperwork,” he mumbles.

“There is. One day of inconvenience will earn us two years of sustainable winter pasture.” I press the heel of my hands against the steering wheel, stretching while I drive. “What we do is honest work. We not only pay our own bills, we’re able to give many men a solid income. And, better yet, feed thousands of people with the cows we raise. It’s worth a few hours of red tape.”

It’s a chore. But I guide Sawyer through all of the steps getting signed up. “This is where they get you. If you mess up the paperwork, you get rejected. Some years I’ve won just because I was the only one who knew how to follow instructions.”

“It’s a lot of pages,” he sighs, shuffling the notebook thick stack.

“That’s why you’re here. You’re a fast reader like your mom.”

For nearly an hour, we go through every line and make sure each “T” gets crossed. Once it’s submitted, all we can do now is wait.

Dixon: Esposito’s Grill in thirty.

“Well, I gotta run. Call me if you need me.” I give Sawyer a wink, and head to my truck.

Unknown: We have your girls.

I stop dead in the parking lot. What kind of fucked up joke is this?

My hand shakes as I sling the dial button.

“Mason.” A robotic voice intones.

“Who the hell is this?” I demand. “This isn’t funny.”

“It is in your best interest to withdraw your bids.” The monotone makes it sound like it’s going through some sort of modulator.

“This is a nasty prank. Fuck off before I call the cops.” Maybe I’ll let Wade know anyway.

“Dad?” Sophia’s shaky word cracks my chest.

“Soph? Are you safe?” Panic starts to infiltrate my body. Blood pounds in my ears as I strain to hear her.

“Yea, we’re okay I think.” She has the high lilt of stress underlying what she’s saying.

“Is Lori with you?” My eyes and my fist squeeze shut in a silent plea that she isn’t involved too.

She rushes out her answer. “Yes, but they took us from the ranch. It’s Tre—” There’s some sort of scuffling sound and I hear her cry out.

Shit.

“Cancel your bids, and your family will be fine.” The click of the disconnect ends the robotic statement.

The roar of frustration I let out doesn’t lighten the anger and fear coursing through me.

I have to get back.

“Dixon? There’s trouble.” I don’t wait for him to answer.

“Tell me what I can do.” His affect completely changes from earlier.

“They have my girls. I have to get back. Now.” I climb behind the wheel and peel out of the parking lot. “Can you stay with Sawyer?”

“Absolutely. What do you know?” His questions are clipped. It’s like he’s assessing a patient.

“Robotic voice, said cancel the bids to save the girls.” I try to remember every word.

“Hmm. Sounds fishy.”

“They put Sophia on. She said Lori was with her and they were taken off the ranch. Then she said it’s tre—” Oh, wait. “Damn it! Trevor! That’s what it sounded like!”

I have to call Wade. And Ford.

And the fucking army.

“Is that the kid that works for you?” Dixon’s enunciation is clipped.

I know that means he’s pissed.

“I have to go. Keep the bid, don’t tell Sawyer until I know more.” There isn’t a damn thing he can do except stress unnecessarily.

And we can’t let these assholes win. There’s got to be a reason they’d go to these lengths to stop me from winning that pasture.

My speedometer is passing one hundred, making my fuel gauge drop just as quickly.

I need to remember to thank Ford for talking me into buying the slip tank. With a flip of the switch, the pump turns on, filling the truck.

“Mason? How’s it going?” Wade’s at least in a good mood.

“Trevor Simons kidnapped my girls, Wade. I’m heading back from Helena, but I need your help.” Swerving, I dodge someone’s cat that chose a bad time to try and cross.

I manage to pull out of the fishtail, but I had to slow down.

“What are you talking about?” Wade takes a serious turn. “Is that the boy that works for you?”

My throat feels like it has broken glass in it. “Yea. Same. He took them off the ranch.”

“Shit, Mason. They could be anywhere,” he says quietly. “I’ll head out there right away though. Maybe someone saw them.”

I feel like I’m going to puke, but I’m not stopping.

“They talked about going riding. Strawberry roan and a buckskin mare. I don’t know if they did, or were taken from the house.”

I’m fucking useless.

Faster. I have to get there before anything happens.

“Easy, Mason. You won’t do anyone any good if you wreck.” Wade tries to soothe me, but it doesn’t work.

“I’ll get my deputies, and we’re heading out right now. Call me back if you hear anymore.” He hangs up.

I know he’ll do his best.

Nothing is good enough if they’re missing.

“Ford! Call me back! It’s an emergency!” I don’t wait, but hit redial.

Again.

And again.

Is it the fifth, or sixth time that he answers?

“Mason…What time is it?” He sounds half-drunk and exhausted.

“Ford, Trevor took the girls. They’re gone. I need you, man.” I don’t often beg. I’ll do anything to make sure Sophia and Lori are safe.

My wife. My daughter, and my baby.

I’m going to rip Trevor limb from limb if I find a single mark or even an eyelash out of place.

Screw that. He should never have touched them.

“Shit.” Something bangs and clatters in the background. “Okay. What the hell happened?”

Every time I lay it out, the threat feels more real.

“Wait. Hold on.” Smacking? What is he doing?

“I heard her, Mason. Earlier on the radio. Fuck, I can’t remember what she said.” His words are slurred. “She called for him and Russ. I remember thinking I should answer…” He trails off. “Last night was rough.”

Ford carries a lot of demons. I know how long it took me to heal enough to function from Carolyn’s loss.

I can’t imagine the years that will have to pass for him.

“Please, buddy. If you can remember anything…?” I don’t know if prompting him will push his memory.

Hell, I’d beat it out of him if I thought it would work.

He’d probably let me.

“Fuck. I’m blank. I’m gonna head over though and see what I can find.” More banging. “Drive safe.”

Everyone keeps hanging up on me.

That’s fine, I need to concentrate.

Two and a half hours to throw gravel up in my own driveway.

Careening between the sheds and corrals, the truck slides to a stop nearly clipping the steps of the porch.

Wade is here with three guys.

I’m glad to see Ford has Hank tacked up and waiting for me. He looks a lot more sober than he likely was when I called.

“I just remembered, Mason.” Ford holds his hands up as I charge up to him.

It’s almost like he knows me. I was going to shake him until he reset.

“She said they were going to the pond in the north pasture.” He hands me the reins, and then slings himself up onto his black mare. “There’s still enough light, we might be able to find their tracks.”

“You tell us where to go.” Wade tips his sheriff’s hat. “We’ll be waiting.”

Hank takes off in a long strided gallop, and I give him the freedom to go.

I’m regretting gelding him. He eats the terrain with a sure foot and moves so fast the dogs can’t keep up with us.

They’ll follow.

Ford’s mare slowly loses ground, not quite as fast as Hank.

I’m not waiting.

Rounding the bend, I see something bright on the ground from a distance.

My stomach sinks as the worst fears roll through my head.

Are they hurt? Broken?

Dead?

The tearing ache in my chest doesn’t fade when I see it’s just a blanket laid out for a picnic.

“They were here!” I want to hug Ford as he trots up. “You were right!”

He leans over, heaving off of his perch in the saddle. His rings glint as he wipes his mouth. “Drank way too fucking much for that ride. Should be better soon enough.” With one more dry retch, he shakes his head, then spits.

“There’s sign here of a couple of horses.” He points at a spot about thirty yards. “They’re falling in line over here.” Tapping the flanks of his mare, he takes off almost due west.

Hank stands, his shoulder quivering as I climb back on.

My butt just brushes the seat when he bolts after Ford.

It’s just a race to him, but there’s only one way to win it.

Lori and Sophia at home.