Page 138 of Captivated

“Actually, Nate’s the reason I’m calling.”

Derek chuckled. “Now thatisweird.”

“What is?”

“I was going to call you.” Another pause. “I thought Salvation had done him a lot of good—until he got home.” A soft sigh filled Robert’s ear. “He’s a mess.”

“Would that have something to do with a certain ranch hand?”

Derek’s breathing hitched. “Why yes, it would.”

“Thought as much. Zeeb’s a mess too.”

“That was why I was going to call. I was thinking of sending Nate back to Salvation on another visit. Just a regular stay at the dude ranch.”

Robert had already had that idea and dismissed it.

“This situation doesn’t need a quick fix, a Band-aid. It calls for a more permanent solution.”

“You sound as if you have something specific in mind.”

“That’s because I do. Here’s what I was thinking…”

They talked for maybe twenty minutes, a back and forth of ideas, and by the time they were done, there was a flutter in Robert’s belly, his spirits a little lighter.

“You think Nate’ll go for it?” he asked Derek.

“The way he was talking a couple of days ago? Yes, I think so. What about you? This is a big undertaking on your part.”

Robert smiled. “As soon as we finish talking, I’m going to round up Toby, Teague, and Sol. If they agree with us, I’ll call you back. Then it’ll be up to Nate.”

“I’ll be waiting by the phone.” Derek paused. “I have to do something, Robert. I can’t sit back and watch him undo all his hard work.”

“I know. I’m watching Zeeb go through hell too. This calls for an intervention.” He hung up, then sent texts to Teague and Sol.

Come on up to the house for a meeting.

Toby came out onto the porch with two glasses of iced tea. “I thought you might need this.”

Robert took it. “Thanks. I hope there’s enough left in the fridge. We’re about to have visitors.” His phone pinged, and he glanced at the screen.

Teague: On my way.

One down, one to go.

It pinged again.

Sol: Give me five minutes to finish this up and I’ll be there.

Two for two.

Toby sat beside him. “This sounds serious.”

Robert leaned back in his chair. “I finally talked with Zeeb this morning.”

“Well,someonehad to. How did it go?”

He huffed.

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