Page 43 of Never Left You

“What about last night?” I acted dumb.

I was distracted by Lachlan planning calving season, Wyatt coming home, and the moving cows into the barn, and it only helped cool the feeling in my body for a millisecond. As soon as the tasks were done and I was back to my normal routine, the memory of Cash’s arms around me seeped back. I even hung around the stables for as long as I could, hoping Cash would show up, maybe pull me in for another embrace. But he didn’t come in. I texted him, asking if he was planning on coming by today, but like always, no response.

It only added to the confusion. Cash and I were friends, he was Sylas’s best friend—I shouldn’t be constantly checking my phone to see if he had texted. I shouldn’t be wanting…more.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“It was just a hug.” I said, trying to even convince myself.

“That was not just a hug. Coming from someone who called Cash an asshole less than a month ago and threw a brush at his head—”

“Kyla.” I frowned at her, exasperated. “It was just a hug between old friends. He was excited, I was excited. It just happened.”

Before Kyla could respond, her jaw opening to no doubt give the best remark to that, I heard hooves hitting the ground with force as Buckle galloped up to the porch. Rhett was alone, his hair completely disheveled and a look of pure terror on his face.

“Hey Cowboy,” Kyla smiled, only to fade once she really saw the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

Rhett looked at his wife and then me. “Stetson and I got separated—”

“What?” I shot up from my chair. “What do you mean got separated?”

Nerves shot through my entire body as my heart rate began to pick up. I could feel my limbs starting to shake as I glared at my brother.

Rhett swallowed. “We went to the lake, rested the horses and then on the way back…we started to race and when I looked back…he wasn’t there.”

“Rhett!” I screamed, anger bursting through the air. “And you ran back here instead of following the horse!?”

“He knows his way back to the ranch. I was hoping he would come here.” Fear streaked across his face as I tried to keep mine at bay.

“He’s seven, and that’s eight miles of land for him to navigate in the dark! Kyla”—I turned back to her, and she looked just as terrified as I felt—“Call my parents please. Get them on the land.”

Kyla already had her phone to her ear before I dashed off the porch, looking at Rhett. “Please get your ass out there and find my son before the sun sets all the way.”

Rhett didn’t even respond; he kicked Buckle and flew off towards the pastures. My heart raced; panic was setting in, but I had to stay logical. I had to remain calm and find my son.

When I was twelve, I got separated from a group, and it took me a while to find my way back home. I ended up going to the lake and followed the river back to the gardens, but that was in broad daylight. It was getting darker. Though I had taught him the land, that logical side of me wasn’t loud enough. My son was missing. He was alone. He was somewhere on the land, without a source of light…

My body began to shake as I watched Kyla pace in the house while she spoke on the phone. The sight of Rhett on Buckle getting smaller and smaller…all I could think about was how helpless I was. How helpless and afraid Stetson must be. I placed my hand on my chest, told myself to breathe, and tried to pull myself together.

Pulling out my phone, I went for the one name I wouldn’t think I’d go to in time like this. I would have thought my first instinct would be Wyatt, or Lachlan…anyone but who I chose.

I ran to my truck as the phone rang over and over as I tried to reach Cash.

Fourteen

Cash

Charmingwasrelaxed,Hookwas chowing down on fresh hay, and Nova was enjoying her nightly brushing. I wasn’t concerned when I came into the barn to only a ranch hand mucking out the stalls before the horses came in from the pasture. As much as I wanted to see Abi, it was probably a good thing she wasn’t here. I would have wrapped her in my arms again.

That’s all I could think about.

All. Day. Long.

Abi in my arms.

Me in hers.

It happened so fast. One minute I was flying through the air, focusing on nothing but the dirt in front of me. The next, she was in front of me, asking if I was okay, and I couldn’t help myself. I needed to feel her. Her heart was beating just as fast as mine, but the moment her arms wrapped around my waist, the world slowed. Our breaths matched, and everything made sense.

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