Page 84 of A Cowboy's Bride
Tansy clapped her hands together in delight. “You didn’t.”
Petra nodded. “And because I’m notorious for forgetting things somewhere and not knowing where I left them, I have AirTags sewn intoallmy bags.”
Aiden leaned over her shoulder, watching as she scrolled through the app settings. “I have never been so happy for someone to be forgetful as right now.” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek then turned to Sasha. “How about we get Tansy and Sydney to take you home?”
Sasha shook her head. “I want to help find Jinx.”
“If it were up to me, I’d say yes. But I think your parents need to approve as well,” Sydney said bluntly. “You don’t want to get them angry enough they stop you and Jinx from being friends.”
The girl straightened, steel in her spine. “My parents would never do that because they know that friends help each other. I don’t know why Jinx is missing, but it’s not because things are bad here. She loves you, and she’s so grateful to be able to live with you. So please, let me help,” she begged.
Petra opened the map that indicated the location of the missing backpack. “Well, you get part of your wish.” She motioned Sasha forward, increasing the size of the map. “Is this your ranch?”
Sasha examined the screen closely then nodded, pointing without touching. “That’s the house. That’s the main arena, and that’s the old barn.” She frowned. “Why is Jinx in our old barn?”
“That is the question.” Aiden glanced around the room, nodding at his brothers. “Looks as if we’re going on a short trip. Be prepared for anything.”
Before they leftthe house Aiden paused to give Sasha one more hug. “We’re going to call your folks to explain why we’re coming over. I know you want to help, but we need you to stay with Tansy and Sydney.”
“As long as we’re going back home, too,” Sasha said firmly. “Jinx is my friend.”
“Absolutely.” He met Tansy’s eyes. “You guys can drive her, yes?”
Tansy nodded. “We’ll keep her safe,” she promised. “I mean that, Sasha. We get that Jinx is your friend, but you will stay with us until I say otherwise.”
The girl nodded, but fear remained in her eyes.
A mad rush began as everyone pulled themselves together and sped out the door. His brothers and Zach hopped into Declan’s truck, while Julia stayed with Tansy, Sydney, and Sasha.
Aiden and Petra climbed into his truck, but before he could slam it into gear and peel off up the drive to Silver Stone ranch, the back doors opened and Petra’s parents climbed in.
Aiden froze for a moment until Pamela tapped him rapidly on the shoulder. “Get going, young man. Multitasking is sometimes a necessary evil.”
“Mom, Dad, this is not the time—” Petra began before Zachary interrupted her.
“Not going to do anything except apologize, sweetheart. Aiden’s brother Declan pulled us aside during the fireworks and explained what you’re doing here.”
“We approve, and whatever reservations we have about the two of you as a couple is nothing other than the typical parental nosiness wanting what’s best for our little girl. Don’t worry about us, we’re here to help in any way we can,” Pamela assured them.
Relief over one trouble solved was wiped clean by their current situation. “Call Sasha’s parents.” Aiden told Petra. “A half-dozen trucks are pulling into their parking lot, and we don’t want to freak them out.”
Petra was on the phone within seconds. “Tamara, hi. First off, don’t panic. Nothing’s wrong with Sasha, but it looks as if Jinx might’ve decided she wanted a little alone time. She’s left our place and I’ve tracked her down to one of your old barns. Of course nobody here will sit back and wait until we know she’s fine.”
Tamara responded and Petra nodded. “Yes, definitely. There were a lot of people around, and it might’ve been too much. We’re pulling onto the Silver Stone drive now. Sasha’s worried, but she’s safe with Julia and the girls.”
After one more final sharp nod, Petra hung up. She twisted her head toward her parents in the back. “When we get there, you two stay with Tamara and Sasha, got it?”
“It’s so cute that you think you can order us around,” Pamela said, once again squeezing Aiden shoulder. “You’re an adorable young man, but you’re a little too cautious behind the wheel. Step on it.”
It was like something out of a police procedural. Aiden slid to a stop outside the main barn as Caleb Stone raced up, jerking a coat over his shoulders.
Aiden joined Caleb, ignoring the group assembling behind them. “She’s somewhere in your old barn, according to what Sasha told us. If she had a panic attack, I don’t want all of us going in there.”
Caleb’s face went as stone cold as his name. “If you need backup, you call.”
“If you can keep Sasha back for right now, that’s probably the best,” Petra said, grabbing Aiden by the hand and tugging him toward the main doors, eyes glued to the screen of her phone.
Declan and Jake stayed hard on their heels as they wove down neatly organized walkways, the scent of horses and clean fresh hay filling Aiden’s senses, the peacefulness around them a sharp contrast to the pulse of fear racing through his veins.
