Escape From the Badlands by Dana Mentink Read Free Book Online Page A

and Olivia. A shadow crossed Chenko’s face. “Nice folks helped us out. I was really sorry the gal was killed.” Chenko shook his head. “You’d think that kinda thing wouldn’t happen out here in God’s country.”
    Shane imagined what his brother would say. It’s all God’s country, but anywhere there are people, bad things can happen. He wondered how his brother was doing, locked in a cage, the threads of his faith loosening like a flag fraying in a vicious wind. “Did you have the same team working for you then?”
    Chenko raised an eyebrow. “Team?” He laughed. “By team, I suppose you mean Devin. Yeah, been with me for a couple years now. He’s great with people, but he could use some schooling in business. It’s all about connections and keeping your eye on the goal. He’s got his sights on something else most of the time. As my daddy used to tell me, if you don’t keep your eyes on the prize, someone else will take it.” Chenko noticed a newcomer to the group, a mustached man with a bald head toting some serious camera power. “Speaking of which, if you’ll excuse me, I smell publicity in the air.”
    Kelly arrived with a bright-eyed Charlie in her arms. Shane opened his mouth to call to her but closed it abruptly when Devin gestured her over. He whispered something to Betsy, who frowned for a moment before leaving the table.
    Kelly sat next to Devin with Charlie on her lap. She looked rested, in spite of the harrowing night, slim and strong in the pair of jeans she must have popped in the camp dryer and a race T-shirt. He watched the three of them chatting, laughing, and his heart sank. Man, woman and child. A family. Though Kelly had echoed his desire to not have children, she seemed to have fallen into the mother role so naturally, so willingly.
    And Charlie, the little boy with the wide brown eyes, put his hand up and rested it on her cheek.
    The gesture knifed through him. Charlie needed Kelly, depended completely on her protection and care. Relied on her to keep him safe.
    The terror he’d felt when he’d run down to the river flooded back into his gut.
    Please…please don’t let me see him there, face down in that water. Please…
    He’d offered the plea automatically, like an ignorant child.
    No one up there, Shane. No one for you.
    He downed another slug of coffee, relieved when Kelly led Charlie away to prepare plates of food. Devin rose and hopped onto the tiny platform at one end of the lodge, tapping a cordless microphone.
    “Good morning, racers. Today is your last day to back out before the official torture begins in the morning.”
    The racers responded with laughter and good-natured heckling. Devin turned on a small laptop computer and pulled down a screen. “The race is divided into three legs.” He grinned. “You cowboy types were no doubt disappointed that we’ve eliminated the horseback part of the trip.”
    Shane stiffened, fighting the urge to stand up and ask Devin to explain in front of everyone about the mishap and the ensuing visit to his brother’s ranch the year before. He stayed put, though, and Devin’s presentation flowed smoothly on, covering the particulars of the equipment and route. Someone settled into a chair next to him, and he was surprised to find Kelly and Charlie there.
    Kelly’s cheeks pinked. “Sorry. This was the only spot with two chairs, and Charlie does better when he’s not sitting on my lap for breakfast.”
    Shane managed a smile. “Sure.”
    Kelly brushed some hair out of Charlie’s face. “Charlie, this is Mr….Shane. He’s a…” She flicked a quick look at him and then back to Charlie. “He’s a racer, like the others.”
    And that’s all he was to her. Just like the others. Like the mom who let her down and the other nameless faces that went in and out of her life. He forced a cheerful tone. “Hello, Charlie. Good to meet you. Do you like to ride bikes?”
    Charlie nodded. “I gotta trike for