Page 48 of Meet Me on Blueberry Hill

Sadie set the frame in place, then sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned against her grandmother and rested her head against her chest like she’d done in that photo. “I’m so glad you’re home and nothing was broken. I was terrified when I saw you in the emergency department.”

“Oh, love, I was in good hands.” Gran ran a hand over Sadie’s hair. “I just need to be more careful until this hip is healed. I’m glad Asher was here to help. He’s a fine young man.”

Sadie nodded, her hair rubbing against Gran’s cotton nightdress. Then she straightened and scooted off the bed. “I’ll let you get some rest. Call if you need anything.”

“Okay, sweet girl. I’m tired. There’s no sleeping in hospitals. My own bed feels so good tonight.” Gran kissed her ownfingertips, then pressed them against Sadie’s cheek. “You get some rest too.”

“I will. I’m going to do some work on my computer, then call it a night.”

At least she’d given Dani the copy for the festival, which took one more thing off her plate. Thanks to Asher’s encouragement, she found the confidence to turn it in. And thankfully, Dani liked it too.

After turning off the light and closing the door, Sadie headed back to the living room. The rain had stopped, and a cool breeze blew in through the open window, lifting the curtains in a spectacular waltz.

She drained her cup of tea and carried it into the kitchen. As she rinsed it and opened the dishwasher, a nickering sounded through the open window.

Sadie’s head jerked up, and she found Gus staring at her. “Gus, Gran’s going to be upset if you keep trampling her flowers.”

This time, instead of freaking out, she reached for an apple from the fruit bowl and rubbed it against her T-shirt as she returned to the chair. She pocketed her phone, slid her feet into her flip-flops, and headed out the front door, closing it quietly behind her. She sent a quick text to Gran.

Sadie

Gus got out. Returning him to the ranch. Be back soon.

Gran

Okay, love.

Sadie rounded the side of the house and shivered as a cool wind blew through the apple trees. She should’ve thrown on a sweatshirt and maybe a pair of jeans.

The Percheron stood sixteen hands high, or so Asher had said, and Sadie tried to swallow the mild panic that clawed up her chest as she reached the giant animal.

“Hey, Gus Gus. Want an apple?” She held the fruit out on her palm, and the horse bumped it. Then he opened his mouth and grabbed it with his large teeth, his lips barely grazing her skin. As he munched on the treat, she reached out a hand and touched the side of his muscled neck.

Gus remained where he was, so she ran her hand along his coat. He didn’t have a bridle or anything on his head, so how was she going to get him back to the ranch?

She reached for a small handful of mane and tugged very gently. “Come on, Gus. Let’s go home.”

To her surprise, the animal turned toward the ranch and started walking.

Huh.

Okay, then.

As they walked through the wet grass, Sadie tapped the flashlight on her phone so she could see where they were headed. They reached the apple trees on Gran’s side of the fence, and Sadie saw another light bobbing on the Quinn property, coming toward them.

Her heart picked up speed. “Asher?”

“Sadie? What are you doing out here?” He reached the fence, then shined his light over the escape artist. “Should’ve known you’d gone next door.”

Water dripped from the branches of the apple trees and splattered her on the forehead. She tried to wipe it away, but several more joined. Soon, rain fell at a steady pace, soaking her clothes.

Thunder cracked and fingers of lightning crawled across the sky.

Beside her, Gus whinnied. Asher pocketed his flashlight and hopped over the fence. “Come on, boy, let’s get you inside.” He turned to Sadie. “Thanks. Head back to the cottage before you get soaked.”

She lifted her arms, then dropped them at her sides. “I’m soaked already. Need a hand?”

“I don’t know how he got out, and it’s too dark to see tonight, but if you could get the gate, I’ll lead him back to the stable.” Asher reached for Gus’s mane, then hurled himself onto the horse’s back like some sort of modern-day superhero.

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