Kyle's Modern Montana Bride (The New Montana Brides Book 6) (7 page)

chapter thirteen

On To Crescent City

She said, “We have to go to Crescent City. It’s where Ashley is buried.”

He found Crescent City on the map of Northern California. “It looks to be about one hundred miles. We’ll have to drive, the airport is uncontrolled, and I don’t like to fly in uncontrolled airspace after dark.

“Let’s stay here tonight, and get an early start tomorrow,” he suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” she said.

After dinner, and a chaste goodnight kiss, they went to bed, each in their separate bed. She paused before leaving the room. “Just so you know”, Susannah said, “I have no regrets about last night. I wanted, and needed you, and you were there for me.”

“I’ll always be there for you,” he said. “I think you’re a special person, and I’m glad you’re in my life.”

“I feel the same way about you,” she said.

After breakfast, Kyle said, “I think I would rather drive than fly. We’d have to get a car anyway, so we won’t lose that much time.”

The one-hundred mile drive was made in relative silence, each lost in the world of ‘what-if’.

In Crescent City, the desk sergeant said, “The officer who would have any information is on patrol. He should be taking a lunch break in another hour. I can ask him to come to the station to meet you after lunch, if you like.”

“Thank you, I would appreciate it. Is there a Child Protective Service here?”

“They don’t have a big operation here, but their office is on the second floor of the courthouse, just down the street,” the sergeant said.

The CPS supervisor checked her files and said, “Sorry, I don’t have anything in the files. I wish I could help. Have you talked to Bill Johnson? He works with the kids more than anyone else around here.”

“We’re supposed to meet with him after lunch,” Kyle said.

As they left the courthouse, Kyle said, “Want to get a burger or something?”

“I guess we might as well,” Susannah said, disheartened by another dead end.

“Pizza Hut okay?” Kyle asked. I see a sign down the street.

“It’s fine,” she said.

The hostess led them to a booth and left menus. A waitress took their drink order and told them about the salad bar.

“I’m not very hungry,” Kyle told the waitress when she came back with their Pepsis. “I think I’m just going to the salad bar.”

At the salad bar, Kyle took one of the chilled plates and picked out what he wanted. When he got back to the table, he asked, “You’re not eating?”

Susannah said, “I don’t have much of an appetite. I’m beginning to get discouraged. After this, I don’t know what else to do. We’re just spending your money with nothing in return. I’m about ready to give up and go home.”

He patted her hand. “We’re making progress. We’ve found several people that have seen him.”

“This is the place where the last call was made. Where would we go from here?”

Kyle was about to answer when a voice said, “Excuse me, but are you the folks I’m meeting at the station? I’m Bill Johnson.”

Kyle looked up at the tall, athletic looking police officer who had spoken. “I guess we are, how did you know?”

The officer grinned. I’ve lived here all my life, and I know everyone in town, so it was easy to pick you out.”

Kyle stood, and said, “I’m Kyle Thompson, and this is Susanna Stewart. Won’t you join us?”

“Thank you, maybe we can just save some time?” Johnson said.

The waitress passed by, “The usual, Bill?” she asked.

“The usual,” he said.

“I see what you mean, about knowing everyone,” Kyle said.

“What can I do for you folks?”

“We’re looking for my son. He ran away from his aunt’s house about six weeks ago, and we’ve tracked him this far.”

Susannah pulled the envelope of pictures from her purse and handed them to Johnson.

“Mm, he doesn’t look familiar to me. What is he, fourteen, fifteen?”

“He just turned fifteen,” she said.

“How did you get this far,” Johnson asked.

“Zach made several collect phone calls and we used those. Crescent City was the last place a call was made,” she said.

“No, I haven’t seen him. That just means he hasn’t been in trouble here. I tell you what, go out to the Ranger Station at the National Park. A lot of the kids camp out there. Maybe they can help you.”

“Thanks, Officer,” Kyle said.

“Honey,” he said”, Don’t you think you should eat something?

Startled by him calling her ‘honey’, she said, “I’ll look and see.”

When she left the table, Kyle told Officer Johnson, “Zach was her sister’s son, and she’s his legal guardian. I didn’t know about him until he ran away and she called me.”

“Well, I wish you luck, we see them every day. They come from all over. The California dream, I guess.”

He went back to the table where the waitress had put his food. Susannah came back to the table with a small salad on her plate.

“Well, we have one more place to go,” he said.

“If we don’t find him today, I want to go back home,” Susannah said. “I can catch a flight out of Arcata.”

“I don’t want you to do that,” he said.

“Why did you call me Honey?” she asked.

“Did I? I guess it must have slipped out. I’m sorry,” he said.

“It’s all right. We’ve shared a lot these past few days. Besides, I sort of liked it.”

“We have, and I don’t want it to end,” he said.

She didn’t say anything, and just sat there, a faraway look in her eyes.

“Are you ready to go?”

“What?” she said. “Oh, yes, I’m ready.”

Kyle paid the check and left a tip on the table. They walked back down the street to the Police Station where they had parked their rental. They followed the directions Officer Johnson had given them to the Redwood National Park

Kyle parked outside the Park Headquarters and they went inside.

A Park Ranger was sitting at a desk facing the entrance. “Help you folks?” he asked.

“I’m Kyle Thompson, and this is Susannah Stewart. We’re looking for…

chapter fourteen

Come With Me Folks

… Zach Stewart. Susannah is his legal guardian,” Kyle said.

“These are the latest pictures I have. Most are a year old,” Susannah said and handed him the photo pack she had been carrying.

There are quite a few kids that camp here, but this is a big park. He looked at the photos, and grinned. “Come with me,” he said, and led the way outside and pointed to where some kids were clearing brush. “Is that him?”

“Zach! Oh my God,” she screamed, “Zach! She began running towards him.

Zach dropped the machete he had been using and ran to her. “Aunt Susannah! What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

Both were crying. She held him at arm’s length. “Are you all right?” she asked

Kyle walked over. Susannah said, “Zach, this is your father, Kyle. He’s been helping me look for you.”

It was awkward. Zach eyed Kyle, and put his hand out; they shook hands.

“You’re my father? Where have you been?”

“I just found out about you less than a week ago. Your Aunt Susannah asked me to come help her find you. When I got to Phoenix, she told me about you,” Kyle said.

“You don’t live in Phoenix?” Zach asked.

“No, I live in Montana. I went to school with your mother, and your aunt.”

Zach looked at Susannah for verification. “It’s all true, Zach. I should have told him about you years ago. And I should have told you about him. I made a big mistake and you paid for it.” She looked at Kyle, “We’ve talked about it, and we’re okay with it now. Finding you makes it right. Can you forgive me?” she asked.

“Us,” corrected Kyle. “Can you forgive us?”

Zach hugged Susannah. “Can I take that as a yes?” she asked.

“Will you come home with me?” she asked.

“Yes. I had to see where Mama died. I wanted to know why she left me. I still don’t know that, but I went to where she is. I’m ready to come home now.”

Laughing and crying at the same time, Susannah said, “Don’t you ever do that to me again. If you have a problem, tell me about it and we’ll fix it together.”

“We are in a hotel in Arcata,” Kyle said. “We’ll stay there tonight and fly back to Phoenix tomorrow. Where are your things?”

“I don’t have much,” Zach said. “They’re at the camp. I’ll go get them.”

“Would you like for me to go with you?” Susannah asked.

“You can if you want to, but I’ll be back in five minutes.” He looked at her. “I promise.”

“We’ll wait for you here,” she said.

When he left, Kyle said, “Susannah, I would like to ask a favor. Before I take you back to Phoenix, would you agree to go by the ranch? I’d like for Mom and Dad to meet their grandson.”

“How could I refuse you something, after all you’ve done?” she said. “Of course, we’ll come.”

Zach came back, carrying a Walmart reusable bag. All of his things were in the bag. “Okay,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”

“Zach, before we go back, I would like to see your mother’s grave.“ she looked at Kyle. “Do you mind?

“No, I’d like to visit her too.” He said.

He followed Zach’s direction and found Ashley’s final resting place. It was quiet in the almost deserted cemetery. They sat on the ground at the foot of the grave, marked by a small marker, no one saying anything. As they stood to leave, Kyle said softly, “You should have told me, Ashley. I could have helped.”

It was a two hour drive back to Arcata and the Marriott. Zach recounted all of his experiences to the captive audience. “Were you ever frightened?” Susannah asked.

“I was at first, but I got okay. It was tough at Lake Havasu.”

“How did you get from one place to another?” Kyle asked.

“When I had the money, I took the bus, other times, I hitched,” Zach said. “One time, I hopped a freight train.”

“You were lucky, you know that, don’t you?” Kyle asked.

“Yessir, but most of the people were really nice. When I hitched, I would only get in the car if there was a woman.”

“That was pretty smart of you, but you were still lucky,” Kyle said,

“Yessir, I know.”

When they got back to the Marriott, Kyle called the airport and asked to have the 310 ready for the next morning.

“Susannah, he needs some clothes. Why don’t you take my credit card and take him shopping?”

“I have a better idea,” she said. “Why don’t you come with us?”

“I’d like that. We can eat while we’re out,” he said.

Armed with the name of a clothing store given them by the front desk, they went shopping and bought several pairs of jeans and shirts. Zach was embarrassed when they went to the underwear section. “I’ve bought your underwear for years,” Susannah said.

“I wasn’t with you though,” Zach said,

Kyle roared. “He’s got you there, Susannah.

“What kind of food would you like?” Kyle asked Zach.

“Do you like Mexican,” Zach asked.

“Sure do,” Kyle said. He asked the salesperson helping them about Mexican food. She recommended the Taqueria La Barca, and gave him directions.

The food turned out to be good, and they ate heartily.

Back at the hotel, Kyle said to Susannah, “I’ll ask them to bring a Rollaway bed.”

“Why?” Zach asked. “Can’t you sleep with Aunt Susannah?”

Susannah’s cheeks turned red.

Kyle said, “We’re not married, Zach.”

“Aw, Dad, people do it all the time.”

“Would you listen to your worldly nephew?”

“He’s your son,” she retorted. “Besides, I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

“Then it’s settled,” Zach said matter-of-factly.

“Zach, why don’t you shower, and wear the new clothes. We’ll be leaving early in the morning.”

“Okay, Dad.”

Zach left to get his clothes. Kyle said, “How about that. He seems to accept me, and calls me Dad without reservations.”

“I think that’s beautiful,” Susannah said.

“Me too,” Kyle admitted. “Now about the other, should I order a bed?”

“Why? He seemed okay with the idea, I’m okay with it. Several of his friends live with someone other than their father. “It’s up to you. I’ve told you how I feel.”

“I won’t order a bed, then,” Kyle said.

“I really appreciate you coming with me to the ranch. I had better call and let them know we’re coming. It’s about a four hour flight, so we should be there around noon.”

He called his Dad’s cell phone number. “Dad, we found him. He was in Crescent City, California. It’s not too far from the Oregon state line, and where Ashley died. Have you told Mom?”

“Yes, I told her, his father said.

Dad, I’m bringing them to the ranch. We should be there between twelve and one. Is Mom there? Let me speak to her then.

“Mom, I’m bringing your grandson to meet you. We should be there around lunch time. Will you hold lunch for us? Susannah will be there too,”

“Bye, Mom, see you tomorrow. “I know, Mom. I love you too,”

He turned to Susannah. “Mom was crying. She can’t believe she has a grandson.”

Zach came out of the shower. “You smell better,” his aunt said.

Zach asked, “Do you mind if I turn the TV on?” I haven’t seen TV since I left home.”

“Have at it,” Kyle said. He was sitting next to Susannah on the couch, his arm draped over her shoulder.

“Happy now?” he asked.

“I’m more relaxed than I’ve been in a long time,” she said. “Everything turned out so well.”

“Yeah, we dodged a bullet,” Kyle said.

“I’m going to get ready for bed,” she said. “What a day.”

When she returned in a few minutes she was wearing her robe. She sat beside Kyle, and pulled his head down, “I feel downright sinful,” she said in a low voice, for Kyle’s ears only.

“How so?” he asked.

“I’m not wearing anything beneath my robe,” she whispered.

“Naughty, naughty,” he said.

“Not yet, but I’m going to be, and I intend to enjoy it.”

“Good for you, and good for me too,” he whispered.

Zach was engaged with the TV and paying them no attention.

“Zach, we’re going to bed,” she said.

“Goodnight Aunt Susannah, good night Dad.”

“You know better than that young man. You get over here and kiss me good night,” she said,

He got up and came to the sofa and leaned over and kissed her cheek. Goodnight, Aunt Susannah.” He hugged Kyle. “Goodnight Dad.”

“Good night, son,” Kyle said, He and Susannah went into the larger bedroom.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Kyle said, “I feel gritty. Join me?”

“Don’t mind if I do,” Susannah said.

“You really didn’t have anything under the bathrobe, did you,?” he asked.”

“Only me,” she said, giggling.

He soaped his hands, “Turn around and I’ll wash your back.”

“What about my front?” she asked.

“I’ll do that next,” he said, as he ran his soapy hands down her back and legs. “Now turn around.”

She stood there, looking at him, an impish grin on her face. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing’s wrong, in fact, it couldn’t be more right. I just don’t know where to start,” he said.

“I always start at the top and work my way down,” she said, giggling again.

“You giggle more than any woman I ever showered with,” he said.

“It tickles,” she said, as he thoroughly washed her breasts with his tongue, and then with soap. He soaped her belly and her legs.

“What about the rest?” he asked.

“Go for it,” she said.

He inserted a finger between her folds, and moved it around until he found the magic spot, and began gently rubbing it. He felt her tense as her passion came with a rush. She arched her back and grabbed him around the shoulders as she ground her hips into his groin, pinning his member between them.

Spent, she said, “You had better hold me up for a minute.”

He held her into a tight embrace. When he felt her relax, he said, “Now you can do my back.” She obliged. He turned and she washed his chest and legs.

“What about the rest,” she asked.

“As a wise person once said, go for it.”

She took him in her hand, “Look,” she said, “all of the wrinkles are gone.” She rinsed the soap off.

“Now what?” she asked.

He put his arms around her just beneath the armpits, and lifted her. “Wrap your legs around my hips,” he said. He slid himself inside her channel, lifting and lowering her on his shaft.

“Oooh, I like this,” she panted, as he made love to her. As her sex took over, he was moving against him.

“Wait for me,” he said.

“You had better hurreeeee,” she said. “Ooh, I can’t stop it,” and surrendered to the demands of her body.

“Here I come,” he said. He leaned against the wall to maintain his balance, as he began to pulse into her.

Standing under the cascading water, he held her tightly for a couple of minutes.

He turned the water off.

“Now, I suppose I have to dry you off?” he said.

“An important part of the bath,” she said.

When they finished toweling each other off, they lay on the bed. “That was fun,” she said. “We have to do it again, some time.”

“Anytime milady needs her front washed, she has but to ask,” he said in a solemn voice.

In the bed, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her tenderly. “Goodnight, honey,” he said.

“Good night, darling,” came the sleepy reply.