Page 7 of Lost and Found

Russell opened the packages and ate a few, feeling better after a few minutes. “I was so stupid.”

“In matters of the heart, everyone is stupid at one point or another,” Rafe said. The gentleness in his eyes told him Rafe knew exactly what he was talking about.

“I suppose. See, I fell for Jase hard, and he and I had this place together. I was the one with the car, so I drove where we needed to go.”

“And you saw Jase’s friends and his family, but not yours. And suddenly your sense of self was gone and he was controlling everything.”

Rafe really seemed to understand. Russell’s mouth hung open. “How did you know?”

“Controlling asshole. I’ve seen it on the tour. Kid named Archie woke up one morning to find his life was gone and so was his lover, as well as all the money he’d earned, and everything else too. He had a lot of promise, but the situation broke him and that was it. His next ride nearly killed him because his head wasn’t where it needed to be.” Rafe passed him a few more crackers, and Russell ate absently.

“That nearly happened to me,” Russell admitted. “See, I had this business idea. I thought it was something Jase and I could start and run together—something to build our lives on. God, was I stupid, and I wasthisclose to giving him half of it.” He held up his fingers. “But my dad figured something was wrong and drove all the way to Denver to see what was going on. He showed up and assessed the situation in about an hour. Then he sat me down and coaxed my plans out of me.”

“Did you believe him?” Rafe asked.

“Not at first. But what Dad said opened my eyes, and when I looked again, I saw what a shit show I’d made of things. Still, it took me another month for it all to sink in, and then I had to find a way to get the bastard out of my life. I could see what he was doing, but I didn’t know how to stop it. I thought I was an adult and didn’t want to ask my father for help.” He shook his head slowly, trying to keep his thoughts from taking him right back there. “In the end, I kicked him out of the apartment, which was in my name because I was paying for it. I thought he was gone. I went back to my friends, who thankfully didn’t give me too much shit. They never liked Jase anyway, and they were glad he was gone.”

Rafe nodded slowly. “I get the idea that the story isn’t over.”

“Are you sure I haven’t told you this story before?” He was teasing, but Rafe really seemed to know what was coming. “You’re right. I kicked him out, but he kept talking smack about me. Once I graduated and started my company, he tried to say that I had told him it was ours. That I’dpromised. He didn’t have a leg to stand on, thank God. He was just after money. Dad handled that part for me, and I haven’t seen him again.”

“Shit.” Rafe drew in a long breath. “That guy isn’t worth getting yourself upset—and eating crackers—over.” He smiled, then called the server over and paid his bill. “If I were you, I’d do my best to never think about him again. He ain’t worth it. Just chalk it up to experience.” He looked Russell in the eye. “And another thing…. I know you’re embarrassed about it, but you don’t need to be. We’ve all done stupid stuff when we were young.” Rafe stood and placed his hand on Russell’s shoulder. “It shows that you have a heart, and there ain’t nothing wrong with that.” He patted once and then his hand slipped away. “I need to get back. But I’ll see you around. And thanks for the offer of help. I’m not too proud to accept.”

Russell instantly missed the touch as he watched Rafe head for the door. Maybe heading home wasn’t such a bad idea. They said letting go of the past was cathartic. He didn’t know about that, but holding on to it was definitely tiring. And he had work to do in the morning.

Chapter 3

RAFE SLEPTin the guest room because the thought of sleeping in his uncle’s bed didn’t sit right with him. He figured that in the morning, he’d make the rounds with a list of chores to complete and get them started. There wasn’t a lot of time until winter set in, so he’d have to patch what he could. But for now, he needed to figure out a way to sleep in a strange house. At least the dogs didn’t try to sleep with him. He had left the door to his uncle’s room open and found all three dogs on the bed, blinking at him in confusion before lowering their heads again.

He found clean sheets and blankets in the linen closet and made up the guest bed. Then he showered and climbed under the covers, clean and tired, crisp sheets sliding against his skin. He should have fallen asleep easily. After all, he was in a comfortable bed that wasn’t in a hotel, and the bed was his. But sleep eluded him, and Rafe stared up at the ceiling for a while, then reached for the envelope his uncle had left him. He pulled out the key and let it dangle from his fingers. He’d have to clean out the house eventually, and hopefully he’d unravel some of who his uncle was.

Rafe rolled over and closed his eyes, setting the key on the nightstand. He was half asleep when the bed bounced and a heavy weight settled near his legs. He sighed and sat up, glaring at the dog, who jumped down and found a spot on the floor. He looked around. The others had moved into his room as well and were scattered around the bed. “Dogs,” he muttered. Then he rolled back over, closing his eyes, and finally let sleep take him.

RAFE BOLTEDupright the next morning at the sound of all three dogs barking. He hurried out of the bedroom. “Jesus, who the hell is outside at this hour?” he said to himself as he pulled on pants and a shirt and wandered into the living room. Using his phone, he checked the time and was surprised to find it after nine. Even more shocking was the sight of a large, shiny red truck parked in front of the house. The dogs continued barking, and Rafe shooed them out of the way, then opened the door as a heavyset man in a suit and tie stepped onto the front porch. “Can I help you?” Rafe asked.

The man extended his hand. “Grant Mendeltom.”

“Rafe Carrera. Good to meet you. I understand we’re neighbors.” He blinked and wished he’d had the chance to down some coffee before this encounter.

“We rightly are.” He pushed his hat back on his head. “I won’t beat around the bush or blow smoke up your ass. This ranch is worn down, and if you want to sell, I’m interested in buying.” Rafe wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d pulled out a checkbook. “I’ll give you a good price, and you can move on with your life.” Grant looked around, curling his lips slightly as if he didn’t like that he saw. “This land would make a nice addition to my spread, so it’s more valuable to me than anyone else.” He shook his head and sighed as though making his offer was doing Rafe some sort of favor.

“Would you like some coffee?” Rafe offered. “I could make some.” He was going to be polite, though this man reminded him of a fat, slippery eel. Even if Russell hadn’t said anything about him at the bar, Rafe would have known there was something off about him. His smile and the look in his eyes didn’t match. The man’s smile attempted to be warm and engaging, but his eyes were like those of a wolf, a predator ready to pounce at any second. Rafe couldn’t wait for him to leave.

The dogs had all gathered around Rafe, not growling, but sitting together, watching, protecting, looking up at him every so often, as if they were just waiting for the sign to run this man off.

“No, thank you. But that’s very kind,” he said. He reached inside his jacket pocket. “Here’s my card. Call me when you have a chance to look at this place and see all the work that will be needed. Save yourself the time and effort.” That smile was back, and Rafe nodded, but stayed where he was. He refused to look away, even as Grant held his gaze. When Grant finally turned back to his truck, Rafe watched him go before returning inside the house.

He set Grant’s card with Russell’s, wondering what sort of collection he was going to end up with. Russell had told him his card was “just in case,” whatever the hell that meant, but looking at the name made him remember the vulnerability Russell had shown him.

That sort of boggled his mind. It could have been some sort of play to get Rafe to trust him, but to what end? From what he’d said and the look of him, Russell had all the money he could want. And if he wanted to buy the ranch as well, he didn’t really act like it. And since their stiff first meeting, he’d seemed to change. Although it was obvious he had money, when Russell looked at all the work to be done at the ranch, he had offered to help. When Grant Mendeltom looked at the ranch, his gaze had been predatory and filled with avarice. Grant wanted this ranch badly, for whatever reason.

Rafe had no intention of selling the ranch, though. It was his, and it could be a home. Granted, he wasn’t looking forward to living next to Duane and Grant Mendeltom, but what the hell could he do about that? At least out here there was enough space between them.

“Come on, guys,” he told the dogs, then took them in the house and got them fed. He was coming to the end of their food, so he really needed to drive into town for supplies. But before anything else, he had to check on the horses and cattle. They came first.

SWEAT BEADEDon his forehead even though it wasn’t that warm, but the sun shone as he made the final repair to one of the paddocks. At least with that done, he could put the horses outside when the weather was good. The dogs either played or lay in the sun while he finished the last of the repairs, thankful that there had been supplies in the barn. Once he put the tools away, he checked the gates and then let one of the horses outside for a while. The animal ran and explored his space happily while Rafe eyed the rest of the paddocks, assessing the work. Then he heard a car pull up.

“Lots to do,” Luther called as he got out of his car with his dad, both men heading over. “I see you got right to work.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com