Page 35 of Rainbows Over Cedarwood

“Yes, him. I like him, tot.” He stepped over to the couch and tugged his son onto his lap once he’d plopped onto the cushions. “He’s a nice guy, isn’t he?”

“Is he going to be your boyfriend?” Wyatt draped his arm around his father’s neck.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to hold his hand?”

“Something like that.” He stroked the hairs at the back of Wyatt’s head. “He’ll come over here and we’ll go over to his house sometimes. Would you be okay with that?”

Wyatt shrugged. “Then he can live here with us.”

“No one says he’ll live here.”Christ.They’d just started dating. He cared deeply for Colt, but he didn’t know the future. They could last forever or only a few months.

“Okay.” Wyatt slid off Ashley’s lap. “Dad?”

“Yes?”

“He’s nice. I like him. He doesn’t yell at me and lets me have ice cream at the diner.” He strolled into his bedroom, leaving Ashley in silence.

His kid liked his boyfriend? That was a score he hadn’t expected. Then again, the vote of confidence wasn’t forever. There would be bumps along the road, but he had some progress. Now if he’d make progress in finding Colt.

He glared at his phone. “Ring, damn it.”

As if on cue, the device lit up and Jordan’s name showed up on the screen.

“Holy shit,” Ashley blurted. He touched the Connect icon on the phone and pressed the device to his ear. “Hello?”

“I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” Jordan asked.

“Bad. Hit me with that first.” He held his breath.

“We found Colt. When he deposited the money from the diner, someone robbed him and beat the hell out of him.”

Ashley sagged in his seat. “Oh my God. Jordan.”

“He’s at Cedarwood General. The good news is he’s bruised and has a couple of cracked ribs, but he’s awake. He doesn’t look fantastic, but like I said, he’s going to make it,” Jordan said. “He crawled across the yard to the house next door. They called the cops and the ambulance. But the bank has video surveillance of the incident, so we’ll get to the bottom of this. The other thing to be thankful for is that he’s going to make it. He’s got stuff to live for.”

“Can I see him?” Ashley asked. “Think they’ll let me go to his room at the hospital?”

“Go and find out. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no? You wait and eventually he’ll be released and you can help him home. If they let you up, then show him you’re in his corner. When you get there, he’s probably being interviewed so give him a moment, okay?”

“I can do that. Thanks, Jordan. I appreciate the help.” Ashley blew out a long breath. “Thanks.”

“You gave me the tip, but he did the hard work. He crawled his busted ass over to the house next to the bank. That’s pretty heavy stuff,” Jordan said. “Go see him. We’ll be up later.”

“Cool.” He swiped his thumb across the screen and ended the call. He needed help if he was going to go to the hospital. More than likely Wyatt wouldn’t be allowed up to Colt’s room—if Ashley was allowed to visit. He dialed his mother’s number. While he waited for the call to connect, he hollered for his son. “Wyatt? Put your shoes on.”

Four rings later, his mother answered. “Can’t get enough of me, can you?” she asked.

“You’re right. I also need help. Are you busy?” Ashley fumbled into his shoes. “I need to go to the hospital.”

“Is Wyatt okay?”

“He’s fine. It’s Colt. I’ll explain once I pick you up. Can you help?” He tucked the phone between his ear and his shoulder.

“Stop by the house and I’ll be ready. See you in a few.” She hung up on him, leaving him in silence.

Wyatt stood by the door with his shoes on and his bear under his arm. The sight stopped Ashley in his tracks. Wyatt only grabbed his bear when he was worried. He hadn’t even brought the bear with him when he’d spent the night at his grandmother’s.

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