A Sweet Chase (gxg)

Nine

"You look like just the guy I could talk too," Ryn said immediately upon heading up to the bartender.
He was a short man, probably in his late thirties with a moustache so perfect it almost looked ugly.
His hair was raven black and hung above his shoulders. He wore a black shirt that was tucked into his denim pants. Everything about him reminded her of Doc Holiday from the tombstone and in an interesting way it made him amusing to Ryn.

"How can I help ya?" He asked, a smug look on his face as he eyed her up and down and she tried not to gag at his obvious likeness of her.

"I'm looking for someone,"
The guy chuckled and busied himself afterwards at wiping the countertop.

"I don't know if you're aware of what I do here, but I don't make it my duty to know people. I'm not the cops, nor do I work at the sheriff's office."

"Oh you're right, you're something far better. You're a bartender. And one that happens to work in a not so big town and who would happen to notice every strange person that comes through here because let's face it, this place is usually the first place everyone would go too."

"Look, lady, I don't usually pay attention to faces unless they're hot or cause trouble. Who are you looking for, I just might be able to help?"

"I'm looking for this woman," She pulled out her phone to show him a picture of Therese she'd gotten from Harper.
The bartender chuckled while running his fingers across his stache.

"How can I forget a face like that? She was here late last night, but left in a hurry."

"Was she with anyone, a man perhaps?"

"I don't look at men unless they cause trouble, other than that I don't have a reason to."

"Okay. Here, do you recognize him in any way?" Ryn asked holding up a picture of Chad and the bartender frowned.
He had a look of confusion on his face and she knew instantly that he recognized him.

"May I ask why you're looking for these people?"

"Of course, you're entitled to ask questions too.
I'm looking for the girl, not so much the guy. See, I broke up with her a few weeks ago while I was on a trip. I came back home to find that she had sold all the things out of my apartment and had even taken money out of my bank account." Ryn lied and was rewarded with a look of pity from the bartender.

"That's something. So you're looking for her because you want your money back?"

"And I need answers to other things as well."

"I see."

"Yeah, so any help I could get on locating her would be highly appreciated," Ryn said with a flirtatious glare to the man and he smirked.

"The guy, that you showed me. His name is Chad. His father was a well-known sheriff in this town. Died a few years ago sadly. He has a ranch up north, about ten miles from here. Could be where your ex-girlfriend is."

"Thank you," Ryn smiled and backed away from the counter.

"No problem, it's my pleasure helping a beautiful lady like you."

"Oh, thanks." Ryn chuckled.

"Well it was nice talking to you, you've been really helpful, but I should get going," Ryn said beginning to move further from the counter and the man chimed.

"Wait. Can't you stay for a few drinks, it's on me?"

"I shouldn't, I have to get going."

"Okay, I understand but can I at least get your name or phone number?"

Ryn laughed while walking away. Over her shoulder, she cast a look at the bartender and grinned.

"Bates is the name." She called out and was gone in a flash.

________________

"Harper," Ryn knocked on the door to her room and was waiting for her to respond. She'd been outside for a while, standing hoping Harper would answer but now she had begun to realize she must have been asleep or had gone somewhere.
It wasn't late at all, probably around supper time but she figured the redhead must've taken an early bed or something.

Ryn had stopped knocking now and was making her way back to her own room was suddenly the door to Harper's room opened.

"Hey, sorry I was in the shower," Harper said quickly.
Ryn couldn't help but stare at the beauty before her, standing in the doorway.
Harper had a white towel wrapped around her lithe body hanging low at her thighs, while another was clutched in-between her fingers as she dabbed it into her wet hair.

"Oh, I thought you were sleeping,"

"At this hour?"

"Yeah."

"Well, did you by any chance get an address or anything?" Harper asked and was suddenly aware of how strongly Ryn had been staring at her.
The way her eyes travelled down her frame then up again made the heat rise in her cheeks.

"Um, I-uhh, the bartender did recognize both Chad and Therese. He confirmed that they are staying on a ranch and that it belonged to Chad's father."

"Wow, so that easy huh?"

"Not quite. We still need the exact address. But that's the easy part, we can get it from anyone." Ryn replied confidently and Harper smiled.

"Good. So when are we heading out there?"

"Early in the morning, we both need to get some rest right now."

"I agree, I ache in places I never knew I could," Harper said and Ryn laughed.

"Anyway, I'll come wake you when I'm ready for us to leave. Make sure you go to bed early cause I'm knocking at your door fairly early.."

"Wait. where are you going?" Harper called out when she noticed Ryn was beginning to move from the doorway again.

"I'm heading back to my room,"

"Okay, to do what?"

"Well, I'm going to shower then head out to see what I can find to eat. I may go to one of the local diners."

"Okay. Can't we do it together, finding something to eat I mean?"

"I don't see why not," Ryn answered.

"Alright, I'll meet you downstairs in about fifteen minutes," Harper spoke and Ryn nodded.

"Sure. I'll wait for you."