Page 50 of Rancher's Heart

Climbing in the truck, I pulled out of the hospital parking lot stomping the accelerator so hard the tires squealed, and people on the sidewalk turned and looked at me.

A ringing through the speakers made me jump and I reached out to answer the call. “Where are you?” Griff’s gruff voice cut through the truck.

“I’m on the road.” I sniffled and wiped my eyes. My tears hadn’t stopped since I got the call.

“We’re at Kipp’s come here.” His voice was different, harsher, more menacing. “Want me to stay on the phone with you?”

“No, I want you to find my boy,” I yelled. “Griff, I don’t care what you have to do to find him and that means if you have to do what you do best, do it.”

“Oh, I guarantee I will do everything,” he said through gritted teeth.

Cattle dotted the landscape, and whizzed by as I drove as fast as this truck would let me. I was at a loss, helpless, the absolute worst feeling as a mother. Did he have his implant in? Could he communicate with whoever took him? He was playing his videogame so there was a good chance he didn’t have his implant in. Oh my god, he was out there all alone, without me, god knows where.

Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm my racing thoughts but the anxiety just kept building until I was gasping for air. My entire body shook, and I should pull over, but I pressed the gas harder and barreled down the highway.

Slowing, I made the turn into Kipp’s yard and drove like a bat out of hell up his road. Lurching to a stop, I didn’t even bother turning off my truck. I ran into the house and smacked into Griff. His arms wrapped around me, my legs felt like they were going to give out from under me, and I clung to him sobbing.

“What do you know?” I asked when I pulled myself away from him. Looking up at him, I searched his eyes but only saw disappointment. “If you know nothing, then where are you going all dressed up for war?” When I took a step back I realized he was in all black, with a gun slung over his shoulder and one at his hip. The other four walked up behind him, looking exactly the same. Troy walked out of the kitchen, apparently one of them now too. “What’s going on?” I looked from one man to the next. They set everything down and Griff led me into the large kitchen where my friends sat waiting for me. As I took my seat the girls gathered around me. I was going to need every ounce of strength they had to give me.

“We’re starting with Desmond Tucker, and we’ll work our way through town.”

“What made you decide to start there? Did you hear something?”

“No, just a hunch,” Nash responded.

“So, what you’re going to go bust his house up just on a hunch? Look, I know you five are hell-bent on making this guy disappear, but this isn’t the way. I thought you five were better than that.”

“I know they’re better than that so I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’re running around like chickens with their heads cut off,” Phil said from behind me. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “You five, rather six can’t go off half cocked hoping this is right. To which I will tell you, it’s not. I’ve got eyes on Tucker and Violet, and it’s not him.”

“Then who the fuck is it?” I yelled, forgetting Kipp and Nora’s kids were sleeping.

“Why don’t we take this into the kitchen,” Phil said as he ushered all of us into the room, and closed the doors behind him. “This was someone close by, who knew Parker goes between Troy’s and Griff’s.” Phil took a seat at the table, and the men all joined him. Nora put her arm around my shoulder.

My phone buzzed and I looked down at the message that popped up on the screen.

Unknown: I have something you want, and if you give me what I want you can have him back.

Bile burned the back of my throat as I stared at the phone. Kipp was closest to me and held out his hand. His frown deepened as he looked at the text. “Is this the first time Billy’s contacted you?” Kipp asked and I slowly shook my head.

“He’s talked to me in town and I’ve had a few texts since the incident. I just ignored them and forgot about it,” I said quietly.

Griff rested his elbow on the table and rubbed his forehead. “Damn it, Elle.” The voice came from behind me and I looked back at Troy. “Why do you have to take care of everything on your own?” He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “This time, it might get him hurt.” He clenched his jaw and I knew he wanted to say more, but Griff had stood. Kipp stood and gently placed his hand on Griff’s shoulder and said something tohim that I couldn’t hear. Griff relaxed slightly. If looks could kill, Troy would be a heap on the floor.

“Me? You’re the one that had him. You were supposed to be watching him not fucking around with your horses. Did you have a girl out there that you were with? You lost track of time fucking some bimbo? They’ve always been more important to you.” I yelled. “As long as he’s been with me he was safe.” Tears ran down my face and Griff wrapped me up in his arms as I sobbed.

“Hey, don’t do that. Everyone’s on edge. It’s nobody’s fault but Billy’s.” Griff’s voice was muffled as I buried my head in his chest.

“Elle, can I have your phone?’ Ryder asked quietly when I’d calmed down slightly. I handed my phone to Ryder, and he read through the texts.

“Nothing in them would make me think Parker would be put in danger,” Ryder said as he handed the phone back to me.

“What did they say?” Griff asked as he looked at me.

“Nothing you need to see,” Ryder said as he looked at me. “Nothing that should have been said to you.” I nodded, but it didn’t matter. I’d caused this, and I wasn’t going to hide that fact.

“Everyone needs to take a breath and sit back down. You can’t run off half-cocked; these guys are unpredictable.” Phil folded his hands on the table and leaned forward. “If we had more time, I’d go watch them for a few hours but this isn’t going to play out that way. Ryder, what can you get in that house to see what’s happening?” While I knew the five probably didn’t need a “leader” Phil had taken charge and gotten everyone back on track.

Griff reached over and took my hand in his, but he didn’t say anything else to me. Troy glared at me and I blamed him, as much as he blamed me. It would be hard coming back from this one.

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