Page 73 of Captivated
And do what? Watch him sleep?
Robert was right. A little space was called for.
As he approached the rear of the cabin, cold spread outward from his core.
His car isn’t there.It hadn’t been in its usual spot by the barn either.
Zeeb got out and hurried around to the front porch. The door wasn’t locked, and when he entered, it became obvious the place was empty. Nate’s stuff was still there, however.
Something is wrong.
He got back in his truck and headed for the bunkhouse, his heart racing. He gave himself a mental kicking for not following his instincts.
Damn fool. Anyone with eyes could’ve seen something wasn’t right.
Cold panic rose, thick enough to seize his throat.
Where are you, Nate?
He was doing better, sure, but there was still a shitload of stuff in that guy’s head that Zeeb had no idea of.
Then call him, you doof.
Zeeb parked the truck, and as he pulled his phone from his pocket, a message popped up from Robert.
Meet me at the bunkhouse.
He grabbed the bag and hurried over there. The boss stood outside, talking with Teague.
“Nate isn’t at the cabin,” Zeeb blurted as he drew nearer. “His car’s gone too.”
Teague gave Robert a nod before walking away. Robert sighed. “I know. I had a call from Derek. He’s at home with his dad, but he’ll be coming back later today once he’s slept.”
Zeeb gaped. “What is he doin’ back in Boise? Why did he leave? An’ why didn’t he tell a goddamn soul he was going there?”
What hurt most was Zeeb had come to believe he and Nate had a connection.
An’ then he goes and does this.
Maybe their connection wasn’t worth shit.
Robert frowned. “You remember what Dave was talking about yesterday? A young man who’d committed suicide, from Dave’s hometown?” Zeeb nodded. “Well, it turns out Nate knew him. From what Derek says, Nate must have left Salvation rightafter we saw him last. He drove to Oregon to talk to the guy’s parents.”
“He went toOregon, just to talk to them?”
Robert nodded. “Exceptconfrontis a more apt description. Whatever he had to say must have been important. He ended up in a police cell. They let him go, and Derek took him home. Apparently Nate is adamant he’s coming back here.”
“Nate must’ve thought a lot about this guy to do something like that,” Zeeb mused. “An’ confront them about what?”
“Derek didn’t say.” Robert’s expression grew solemn. “But what I want to stress to you is that when Nate shows up, don’t press him for details. If he wants to talk, fine. If not, you keep right on doing what you did before.”
“I hear ya.”
Robert met his gaze. “By the way, Derek thinks whatever we’re doing here is working. That’s the only reason he’s letting Nate return. He thinks we’ve made a difference.” He smiled. “Except I should sayyou’vemade a difference.”
His praise took the edge off Zeeb’s hurt.
“Zeeb, you got a minute?” Sol strode across the gravel toward them.