Escape from the Badlands. Dana Mentink
disappointed that we’ve eliminated the horseback part of the trip.”
Shane stiffened, fighting the urge to stand up and ask Devin to explain in front of everyone about the mishap and the ensuing visit to his brother’s ranch the year before. He stayed put, though, and Devin’s presentation flowed smoothly on, covering the particulars of the equipment and route. Someone settled into a chair next to him, and he was surprised to find Kelly and Charlie there.
Kelly’s cheeks pinked. “Sorry. This was the only spot with two chairs, and Charlie does better when he’s not sitting on my lap for breakfast.”
Shane managed a smile. “Sure.”
Kelly brushed some hair out of Charlie’s face. “Charlie, this is Mr….Shane. He’s a…” She flicked a quick look at him and then back to Charlie. “He’s a racer, like the others.”
And that’s all he was to her. Just like the others. Like the mom who let her down and the other nameless faces that went in and out of her life. He forced a cheerful tone. “Hello, Charlie. Good to meet you. Do you like to ride bikes?”
Charlie nodded. “I gotta trike for Christmas.”
“That’s great.” He watched Charlie tuck into his scrambled eggs, the fork seeming too large in his small fingers.
Kelly eyed Shane over the top of her coffee cup. She lowered her voice to a near whisper. “Shane…” Her words trailed off for a moment. “I was thinking about the reason you came here. It seems like a long shot to find a way to crack Ackerman’s alibi.”
Shane winced, wishing he hadn’t been forced to tell her about the plan. “It’s the only thing I can do to help my brother.”
“My uncle Bill is back with the Tribal Rangers. Maybe he can help you.”
Shane shook his head, surprised at the offer and fairly certain he would not get much help at all from Kelly’s uncle after what had happened between him and Kelly. “I appreciate that,” he said, looking around to be sure no one had overheard. The group was hanging on Ackerman’s every word. “There’s nothing he can do that the cops haven’t already done.”
“Don’t be too sure. He’s very persistent.”
He couldn’t hold back a smile. “Really?”
She returned the smile for a moment before the humor was replaced by a cool expression. “Anyway, it was just a thought. But you’re not giving up—I can tell.”
“Must be a family trait.”
“I wouldn’t have thought so.”
The words stung. He looked away. She busied herself wiping Charlie’s hands and face, looking around, he imagined, to find another spot to sit. She’d just finished her cleanup when Ackerman announced from the microphone, “Let’s introduce you to our new race medic, Kelly Cloudman. Come on up here, Kelly.”
Kelly flushed and walked to the platform. Charlie watched her. “That’s my mama. I’ve got two. Mama Rose is on a trip.”
Shane found himself unable to answer.
Charlie waved and knocked over his orange juice in the process. Instinctively, Shane threw the nearby napkins down on the spill and said in his best John Wayne voice, “No worries, Cowboy Charlie. We got the flood under control, partner.”
Charlie laughed. “You’re funny.”
Funny. A memory of his little brother’s laughter rolled through him.
Funny Shane. The goofy big brother who could always get a laugh.
Lonnie, whose laughter was swallowed up by Shane’s carelessness in a moment that would change everything.
One horrible moment.
His reverie was broken at the sound of applause for Kelly. She waved, and Ackerman hugged her around the shoulder. Just a friendly gesture, a warm greeting that nonetheless made Shane want to launch himself at the platform and knock Ackerman away from her.
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