Page 18 of River Ride

Wyoming/Montana Line.

Mick and Rowdy both pulled into the big parking lot at the Welcome to Montana rest area. The kids spilled out of the trucks and Davey had Bullet on a leash and took him for a run to the doggie area.

“I’m going to the washroom, Mama,” said Tammy. “I’ll be right back.”

Annie nodded. “Lucy and I are coming too. We’ll catch up with you.”

The girls weren’t far behind Tammy, but when they got to the ladies’ room, Tammy wasn’t in any of the stalls.

“I’ve had enough of this,” said Annie. She ran back to the bench where Rowdy was having a smoke and told him Tammy wasn’t in the bathroom.

“Shit, Annie.” He turned his head to see how many rigs were parked in that designated area and there were three. “Maybe she’s doing the truck thing again. I’ll go talk to those drivers.”

“Thanks, honey.”

Rowdy sauntered down the grassy slope to the secondary parking area and the driver of the first truck was nowhere around. Probably sleeping inside.

He moved to the second truck and that driver was sitting on the sidestep smoking. “You see a girl pass this way?” asked Rowdy.

The guy laughed. “Why? Did you lose one?”

“Yeah, I misplaced one of my kids,” said Rowdy. “Serves me right for having so fuckin’ many.”

They both laughed.

“Only saw the kid running with the dog.”

“Yep. Davey and Bullet. They’re not lost.”

“How many kids you got?”

“Brought four on this trip. Left the little one at home.”

“You toting horses?”

Rowdy nodded. “Kids are in a few rodeos in Montana. That’s where we’re headed.”

“Good luck to y’all.”

“Thanks.”

Rowdy walked away from the second rig and heard the engine of the third one start up. On a whim, he crouched down and looked under the trucks and saw Tammy scrambling out from under the third truck.

He ran and grabbed her leg and pulled her clear as the rig backed up. “You stupid, stupid girl.” Rowdy was hollering at her when Annie caught up.

Rowdy roughly shoved Tammy towards Annie, and shouted, “She was hiding under that rig and almost got herself fuckin killed. I’ve had enough of this. Secure her in the back of your truck and use the D-ring, Annie. Enough is enough.”

“You’re right, Rowdy. Enough.”

Chapter Four

Wednesday, July 3rd.

Holiday Inn. Butte. Montana.

When it was time for breakfast with the kids, Annie and Rowdy took Tammy to the truck and secured her in the back seat.

“This is not punishment, Tammy,” said Annie. “This is a safety measure to keep you out of harm’s way while we eat breakfast.”

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