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Ty looked at the clock, then back at Park.  Chance has been in Flag the last two days, right? He and
Tanner are on their way here, right now. You ve got about thirty minutes. Go on, get cleaned up.
Thoughts raced through his mind and tried to come out in a jumble of words.  But I don t think
What if he 
 Park, he s coming here. Let that be enough, for now.
****
As was his custom when riding shotgun in the dark, Tanner kept a lookout as they traveled through elk
and deer country along the I-40 corridor. It would suck to have a vehicle versus animal accident when
he was so close to freedom. Not that he was exactly finished with his obligations, but after two long
weeks, the federal prosecutor agreed with the investigators that Tanner could be released provided
they were assured he would return to testify. Until then, charges would hang over his head and Cass
Cartwright would be out a chunk of money if Tanner failed to appear. That wasn t going to happen.
There were many debts that needed to be paid.
The truck slowed as they approached the intersection at Ranch Road Seven and the WSR. Chance
glanced over at him and Tanner met his gaze.  You okay?
 Yeah. I m kind of glad it s dark right now, though. I don t really need any more reminders of the
accident. Are you sure Park s okay?
 I m sure. Well, unless Ty has killed him by now.
 Ty? Why would Ty try to kill Park?
 Oh, I don t know. It might have something to do with his vegan requirements and Ty s kitchen.
 Oh yeah. I kind of forgot Park was vegan. We never got around to discussing food. Tanner s face
heated, and he was grateful there was still so much time left before sunrise.
Chance snorted.  No, I don t suppose you did. So why didn t you call him? He s been moping
around the WSR ever since we returned from the hospital that day. He wanted to track you down, but
had to settle for a trip to the health food store instead.
Tanner laughed.  Well, I suppose if he was well enough to shop for food after the accident, then he
really is okay, isn t he? Despite the laugh, he could still hear the anxiety in his voice.
The aftermath of the accident had been terrible. While he d held Park, trying to wake him with
whispers and stolen kisses, Ty had dragged T-bone to the road. His brother had been bleeding and
cussing at Ty, calling them all faggots and worse. It had been humiliating, and yet, he hadn t pulled
away from Park despite knowing his brother could see him, would get word to their father. It was a
defining and liberating moment he would never forget.
Less than twenty minutes later, Cass and Manny had arrived, each bringing a ranch truck. Chance
had put a still groggy but finally conscious Park into a seat belt and placed Manny in charge of getting
him to Kingman for medical treatment. After that, Tanner s life really hadn t been his own, because
Chance s pal from the FBI had shown up and escorted him to the Mohave County Courthouse.
For the last two weeks, it had been one government office after another, sworn testimony,
affidavits, and lawyers. Thank God for Cass s attorneys, Cade and Carter. One of them had been by
his side each step of the way. For now, he was officially in a standby status until the next round of
questioning began.
 Yes, Tanner, Park really is okay. Care to tell me why you decided not to call him once you got the
all clear for outside contact? Chance asked.
Tanner chewed on his lip for a minute.  Park is different from anyone I ever met, he said at last.
 No shit. And that means&  Chance said.
The silence stretched for several miles. The reasons made sense in his head, but they had another
fifteen minutes before they reached the ranch house, and he wasn t sure that was enough time to make
Chance understand.
 I don t mean that Park is different in a bad way. He s a good man. He worked helping kids in
trouble. He helped Chad get out of that mess with the school in Flagstaff. He helped me, he said on a
near whisper.
 So why shut him out& or Tanner, is there some kind of worthiness issue going on here?
Because I m pretty damned sure Park would call bullshit. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]