Page 2 of Rocky Ride

“That looks beautiful,” said Virge. “Look at all that food. I love those lemon things Olivia used to give us when we ate here.”

“Dad can’t eat here anymore,” I said. “Maybe after a year or so, he’ll be able to do it.”

Virge made a face. “A whole year before we get roast beef and gravy again?”

“Maybe sooner. See how he handles it.”

“Ain’t going good so far. Bet he doesn’t even show up for the reception.”

Billy was in the doorway talking to Ted about something serious but there wasn’t any sign of Travis.

“He left the funeral home before us, so he should’ve been here by now,” I said to Virge.

Virgie shrugged. “He went home. Bet you a buck.”

“Damn it. He needs to be here.”

“Don’t look behind you, but that fucker Miller Ravary is here. I wonder if Dad saw him at the funeral home.”

“Hope not,” I said. “If he sees Ravary at Olivia’s funeral or her reception, he’s as good as dead.”

I didn’t know many people who lived in Coyote Creek, so I was happy to see Savanna and Jack come in together. They used to be a couple but now they were only friends.

“Where’s Travis?” asked Savanna.

“He hasn’t made it yet,” said Virge.

“Might not be able to come,” I said. “You know how he gets.”

Savanna nodded, but Jack drew a blank look.

“I feel so bad for him,” said Savanna. “She was turning into the station, so she was obviously coming to see him. So sad.”

Something in Savanna’s voice ticked me off a tiny bit. Me and Virge both liked her a lot when she lived with us for a while, but this was different. If Virge noticed it, he’d be sure to tell me later. My brother didn’t miss much.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

Travis parked behind the house and went in the back way thinking he couldn’t leave until the following day when he got the ashes from the crematorium.

He took his suit off and hung it in the closet, then stood and stared at the rest of his clothes wondering what he should take to the mountains.

Might already be too much snow at Uncle Carson’s cabin to drive all the way up there. Probably was, but he’d have to wait and see. No barn up the mountain for Outlaw, so he couldn’t go. Max and Sarge would be okay to come with him as long as they didn’t tangle with any bears.

Bears, cougars and wolves were a danger to the dogs farther up in the mountains. He’d have to take their leashes, along with their food, beds and biscuits.

“I’ll need my rifle, and at least one handgun.”

I need to make a list.

Picking the biggest duffel he had, Travis tossed it on the bed, then went to the barn to sit with his horse for a while. He had to explain to Outlaw why he couldn’t take him to the mountains.

Dry Run Roadhouse.

Dad never showed up at Olivia’s reception—the one he organized and paid for, and it was pretty depressing for Billy and me and Virge. Everybody was asking where he was, and we made up shit likehe wasn’t feeling goodand lies like that.

We never told anybody how bad Travis really was. No point doing that. They’d just ask us more questions that we didn’t have answers to.

The truth of it was, he’d never been worse, according to Billy who’d lived with our dad longer than us and had seen some really bad shit Dad had done. We were all worried about him.

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