Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Ashley

“I can’t believeGriffin forgot his phone. It’s practically attached to him all the time,” Travis teased as we drove through town toward the vet’s office.

“He seemed distracted today. I don’t know what was up with him.” I stared out the window, taking it all in like it was the first time again.

In honesty, it always felt like the first time. This place, these people, they made life feel so fresh and new. I had no other way to describe it.

Travis tapped my hand to get my attention as he pulled to a stop sign. “Do you think he’ll get mad if we stop to get some candy from the store first? This morning, Daddy told me I could get something small while we were here.”

I wasn’t sure who all knew about my hearing loss, but it seemed someone new would make an accommodation for me every day. It was as wonderful as it was frustrating.

In my mind, I knew they were doing it because they cared. Sometimes, though, that dark part of me believed it was a burden. That the fact they had to stop to get my attention, thereby adding an extra step to the conversation, was a nuisance.

I wanted to be like everyone else again. I didn’t want people to go out of their way for me.

But at the same time, I was terrified to go to the doctor about it. Daddy had told me he’d made an appointment. It was for later this week. We were making a day of it since we needed to go into the nearby city to see the specialist Sean recommended.

“I think Griffin will just be happy to have his phone back. What are a few extra minutes?” I told him when he got closer to the corner store.

He parked, then pointed to himself. “I’ll only be a minute. You want to come in?”

I shook my head. “No thanks. I can wait here.”

Travis took off at a jog, leaving me behind to grab his sweets. I chuckled at the sight of him. Sitting in the truck, I used the time alone to think about how much my life had changed and how grateful I was for the chance to start over.

Mid thought, I looked over to see a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk towards the store. I opened my door quickly and waved as I yelled, “Hey, Adler!”

He startled at my call, though it quickly turned to a grin when he saw it was me. “Hey there, Ashley. Looks like everything worked out after all, huh? I wondered for a while there if you were going to need my help.”

“Thank goodness I didn’t.” We both chuckled.

“I agree. Better that you found your place on the ranch. How are things? Did your surprise go like you’d hoped?”

I dipped my head as I thought about the first time I met Corey that day at the market. I had no idea then that I’d get to this point or that we’d sync so well together in person.

“Funnily enough, it all went better than I’d hoped. The short version is that I showed up on the ranch to meet my pen pal of eight years. We’re together now, romantically that is, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I can’t thank you enough for giving me a ride that day.”

He shook his head quickly, his smile beaming and proud. “It was nothing, man. I’m really glad it all turned out well for you.”

“It wasn’t nothing. Things could have gone very differently if you hadn’t been there to guide me. It all played out just how it needed to for the timing to be right. So yeah, I’m going to thank you immensely for your role in it.”

“Ok, fine! You’ve twisted my arm. I’m the most awesomest chauffeur to ever drive a stranger around.” He threw up his hands with a smirk. “Happy now?”

I smiled back at him as I shook my head. “Was that so hard, my friend? I think you should come out to dinner at the ranch sometime when you get a minute. We’re always cooking too much, and the guys would love someone else to rag on.”

“You’re a far cry from the quiet man who barely spoke the day he came to town. These months on the ranch have been good for you. And sure, I imagine I could come by sometime. Verify it with your boss, then give me a call.”

Travis tore through the front of the shop with a rolled down brown paper bag in hand. “I’ve secured the goods!”

He blushed upon seeing I wasn’t alone. “Looks like it. We’ve got to get a move on, but yeah, I’ll definitely call for the dinner thing. I’m sure Corey will want to thank you for getting me to the ranch safely too.”

“I’ll see you soon. Good to see you, Travis. Be safe you two!” He turned with a wave and went inside the store.

We climbed into the truck to head toward the vet clinic. While we probably could have walked, neither of us mentioned it.

“How do you know Adler?” Travis asked me.

“He’s how I got to the ranch from the bus station. I’d been clueless about the area, and he saw me standing there all lost as could be. When I gave him the abbreviated version of why I was going, he told me I was welcome to call him for a job or a ride or whatever I needed if things didn’t work out with Corey.”

“Ohhhh. That makes sense. I thought there was something more going on there.” He looked embarrassed at having to even mention it.

I shook my head so fast it almost made me dizzy. “No! There’s only one person for me, and he’s on the ranch. Adler is just a friend.”

Travis smiled in understanding. “Sorry to jump to conclusions. Let’s get inside to give Griffin his phone. I think I’ve had enough adventure and assuming for one day.”

We both laughed while we headed inside. The receptionist told us to head on back since he was between appointments.

Travis led the way through the building. He was clearly familiar with the space. At the door labeled with a placard showing Griffin’s name, he knocked and waited for the call to come inside.

When we stepped into the room, it was to find him not alone. Another man in a white lab coat was leaning back in a chair with his legs propped up on the desk.

“Thank you both so much for bringing this in. I wouldn’t have worried, but my number is still the emergency vet line for the area, and I didn’t want to miss a call,” Griffin said as he stood and reached for the phone Travis held out to him.

“No problem! We’re happy to be of service, mister.” We all laughed at his teasing words.

The unknown man clapped his hands together. “I’m glad you finally have that back now. We still need to get my number added to the lineup though since I’m meant to be taking on some of your workload now.”

Griffin nodded absently as he scrolled through his phone. “We can totally do that today. I don’t want this to happen again.”

“I’m Robin, by the way. I’m the backup vet to help with things around here Griffin doesn’t always remember his manners since he thinks everyone can read minds.” The man stood and held out his hand toward me.

“It’s not that. Sometimes I just forget who you have and haven’t met.” Griffin’s voice sounds all indignant at the accusation hurled his way.

“Ashley,” I replied while shaking his hand. These two seemed the type to go on and on with the back-and-forth banter. Maybe me jumping in could put a stop to it.

“Oh yes! Corey’s Ashley. I know who you are.”

I tilted my head. “That’s me.”

The three men started talking as I observed the doctor. He was handsome, though I didn’t particularly feel anything when I looked at him. It was more like I knew what society found attractive, and I based my conclusions around those standards.

My tastes ran towards only one person in particular. Corey—Daddy—was everything I wanted in a partner. He’d been my wildest dream while enlisted, and now he was my amazing reality.

“Any word about your missing guy?” Robin asked us all as my focus returned to the people around me. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed. I doubted it was more than a few minutes.

Griffin grunted as he used his phone to tap his palm. “Not since the call Corey got.”

“You didn’t mention a call. What did he say?” Robin appeared truly enthralled with wanting an update. At my questioning gaze, he told me, “I like being in the know. Plus, I covered for him a few times when he went out to search so I was invested.”

I gave a nod of understanding as Griffin moved to explain the call. I interjected where needed since I’d been with him for the call too.

“You said you think you know the voice? Is it someone you might have worked with that I’d know?”

Griffin shrugged at Robin’s question. “Not sure. I can play it for you though. Then we’ll have eliminated a few more people at least.”

I braced myself to hear the morose audio again. It never got easier.

As soon as the stranger’s voice started, Robin began to laugh though his face was horrified. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Is this a prank? Tell me you’re joking. Say sike right fucking now, Griffin.”

When the other man wouldn’t respond, Robin turned to me and Travis. We both gave him serious stares to let him know that this was in no way meant to be a humorous thing.

“Who is it?” I asked after a long pause.

Robin put his hands on his hips as he leaned his head back. “Give me strength for this,” he mumbled before loudly declaring, “It’s my brother.”

I knew my eyes had to be comically wide at this point. I bet I looked like one of those anime characters some of the men used to watch when we had downtime. Something about the women all having massive breasts that made the shows worth watching for them.

Still, I bet I looked like that in that moment.

“Holy shit. It is your brother! No wonder it felt like a vague memory. I haven’t heard his voice in ages. Not since before…”

“Before what?” Travis took the words out of my mouth and threw them at the pair of men who looked utterly guilty at the unfinished sentence.

“Before my brother’s engagement ended. It was very sudden, and he kind of went underground after. He checks in via text these days, so I had no clue he was with Gerald. I would have said something had I known.”

Griffin nodded to him. “I’m sure you would have. I’m still hung up on the fact that I didn’t realize it was him.”

“You said he went underground? Did you mean literally?” Travis rubbed his hands against his stomach in a nervous manner. “Is it like a bunker or something?”

“God, no! I meant he just went off grid. He was living with his fiancée, and after the split, he didn’t have a place to go. He went by to get his things according to her, but she had no clue where he went after. I’ve tried finding him. My brother is hardheaded enough to stay hidden when he wants to though.”

“So we’re no closer to finding him now than we were? Even with a name on the voice, we can’t figure out where he is.” I tried to keep my tone level. It was disappointing to realize the one thing we’d hoped for wasn’t going to get us any closer to the goal.

Travis raised his hand. “Actually, there is one thing we haven’t done. I know a guy who’s good at finding people. Or rather, I know of him. Atticus has his info. He could probably help us.”

“Who is this guy?” Griffin asked.

“Preacher, that private investigator. I’ve heard stories about him in passing. I think he’d be willing to help us.”

We were all quiet for a moment before Robin spoke up. “Even if you all don’t want to pursue this, I do. That’s my brother he’s with. I need to make sure he’s ok after everything that happened. I can’t just leave it until he deems it worthy of checking in.”

“Then I’ll make the call.” Travis pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The other person answered, and he greeted them with, “Hey Atty! I think I need your help with something.”

It might have been drastic, but it was the only solution any of us could come up with now that our lead was dead in the water. Maybe this P.I. would give us the answers we were looking for after all.

I only hoped those answers didn’t destroy the family I’d just become part of.