Page 30 of On the Mountain
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Wade cursed for the umpteenth time. What the hell was wrong with that kid? He dragged his boots over his feet and reached for his wool coat.
“You’re not really going after him, are you?” Marion sat down on the edge of the bed, her huge breasts bobbing from the movement. “I haven’t even begun.”
“I’ll have to take a rain check.” He told her and picked his hat up off the dresser.
“He’s not worth it, Wade.”
His eyes shot in her direction, and knew without question she was wrong. That boy came into his life for a reason.
He tossed her a few bills and then hurried out of the room, stopping only long enough to bang on Joe’s door. The man took far longer than he liked, so he banged harder.
“Okay, okay, I’m up,” he muttered, opening the door while at the same time trying to fasten his pants with clumsy hands.
“The boy ran off. I’m going to go look for him. Round up a few more hands and meet me outside in five minutes.”
“Right.” Joe gave a quick nod and turned back into the room to get his gear. Wade knew, even if at times Joe was a little gruff, he came to like the kid as well.
Taking the steps two at a time, he flew down the staircase and through the still busy saloon until he stood outside in the middle of the dirt road. He looked down the street, but only saw darkness. He swore and headed for the boardwalk calling for the boy, but received no response. Five minutes later, Joe, Neil and Frank showed up and they split up to start searching the deserted street.
He hadn’t been gone long and Wade didn’t figure he could have gotten far. He had just passed the restaurant when Prescott came from within. Elizabeth next to him. “I heard all the shouting. What’s going on?”
“The boy’s missing.”
“How did that happen?” Wade paused and felt a sense of guilt. For what, he wasn’t sure, but he knew he had something to do with it. His reaction in finding him with Marion was startling to say the least. The boy must have been more of a softy than he imagined.
Ignoring his question, he said instead, “We’ve searched the entire town. There’s no sign of him. I’m getting my horse and heading into the woods.”
“You don’t think he went there, do you?”
“He found us, didn’t he?” Wade reminded his brother.
Prescott nodded, then said, “Let me get dressed and I’ll join you.”
“Fine.” He turned and took off at a fast walk toward the stables.
Chuck Rhodes stood by the large steel door. Wade suspected he had been watching and listening to the whole scene on the street. “Have you seen the boy?”
The old man shook his head and scurried back into the barn. Wade frowned, but decided to ignore him. He didn’t have time to deal with him now.
“Saddle up Prescott’s horse. I’ll look after Sty.”
Joe and the other men were already there with their horses ready. By the time Wade had finished saddling up, Prescott arrived and the five men headed out into the night. Another cold evening with a strong gale blew through the trees as they entered the black forest. It was impossible to see anything and Wade knew their efforts would be futile, but he also knew the boy had nothing on but his shirt and pants and would surely freeze to death if not found.
Joe and Neil started hollering for the boy. There was no moon that night and the forest had an eerie quality. The high winds made the branches sway to and fro, and the leaves on the ground swept up in swirls around the horse’s ankles. Above, a bat swooped low, but the only other creature that moved were the five men and their horses. The wind carried the unmistakable scent of pine through the forest arousing a sense of familiarity with Wade. He hadn’t been able to place the boy’s scent until now. It was as fresh and untainted as the wilderness.
“Peter!” Prescott brought his horse alongside Wade, calling out for the boy. “Wade, it’s far too dark in here. There’s no way we’re going to find him.”
“I know that,” Wade admitted, but continued on his search. Out there in the cold woods, the boy was shivering and all alone. He wasn’t sure what had happened tonight, but one thing was for certain and that was the boy’s pain. And the realization that whatever it was Wade had done, had caused that pain.
Joe rode up beside him. “I’m sending Frank back to see if the boy returned to town.”
Wade gave a curt nod before turning his strained eyes back into the darkness looking for any sign. The remaining four men continued to search the surrounding area until at last Wade decided it was best they split up.
“There was a trail back a ways that forked to the right. Prescott, take your horse and follow it.” He reined Sty to a halt and looked back at Joe and Neil. “One of you take the north and one of you take the west. I’ll keep on this trail. If anyone sees anything, fire your rifle.”
With their instructions they rode off and Wade found himself alone. A cold breeze swept through his slick and as Wade drew it closer, he thought of the night before when the boy used it to keep warm. Tonight he had nothing to brace him from the cold elements. He would be freezing. Even with the added protection, the boy had nearly frozen the entire night away. His attempt to control his chattering teeth, had kept Wade awake far into the night, until eventually exhaustion took over and he had drifted off to sleep. Only to find the boy snug and warm in his arms the following morning.
