Page 95 of Mountain Rescue
That night, and as he did every night before going to sleep, and even though he had it memorized, he read Rachel’s letter. He lingered over his favorite words. She loved him. It had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he hadn’t tried to call her. When he talked to her, it would be in person. God, he missed her.
The next morning, he loaded Lego in the trailer. “We’re going on an adventure, buddy.” Lego snorted, telling Dallas he wasn’t quite believing it if it involved a horse trailer. Once he had Lego loaded and settled, he walked over to his family. Every single one of them were there to see him off except for Shiloh. She’d called him last night, and they’d had a long talk. She thought what he was doing was awesome and promised to come see him and the operation when she could get leave.
“Take your time and drive safe.” His father hugged him. “I love you, son.”
Denver, Austin, and Phoenix took their turns giving him a hug and pats on the back.
“I just want you to be happy,” Cheyenne said as she wrapped her arms around him.
“That’s the intention.”
“If you see June Denning, tell her she’s welcome back anytime. She was a hoot.”
“I will.” He was sorry he’d missed meeting Rachel’s grandmother.
His mother cried. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“I’m sure. I love you, Mama mine,” he whispered in her ear as she hugged him.
“You call every night when you stop so I know you weren’t in an accident and laid up in a hospital somewhere. Google says there are four thousand incidents a year involving horse trailers. You better not become a statistic.”
He glanced at his father and siblings. “Someone needs to put a child lock on her Google access.”
“I did,” Austin muttered. “She figured out how to unlock it.”
When his mother wouldn’t let go, he pried her arms from him. “I’m not going to be a statistic, but I’ll call you every night when I stop.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
After another round of hugs and goodbyes, he was finally on his way. Fifteen minutes later but still on Manning land, he stopped on the last rise before reaching the highway and got out of the truck.
He’d never told his family about his problem with being touched, and knowing they’d all want to give him a hug, he’d steeled himself not to cringe. Funny thing, though. He hadn’t minded at all, and that was a welcome surprise. He still didn’t like the idea of strangers touching him, but he was making progress. That was good. Damn good.
Except for his years in the Navy, he’d spent his life on this ranch, and as he turned in a circle, taking in the incredible views and his family’s land, there was an ache in his heart that he was leaving. Grazing cattle dotted the landscape as far as he could see, in the far distance Phoenix’s horses romped in their pastures, and over a hill and not visible was Cheyenne’s dude ranch.
He loved this place to the bottom of his soul, but there was nothing here for him. Whether he was leaving for good or not, he didn’t know, but he was excited about his future. Lego stuck his head out the trailer’s open window and nickered.
“Ready to get going, huh?” He pulled a mint from his pocket. The mustang lipped the mint from his palm. “Let’s get this show on the road.” He scratched his horse’s muzzle, then got back in the truck and drove away.
Five long and exhausting days later, Dallas pulled to a stop in front of the second cabin he’d shared with Rachel. Jack was letting him stay here until he found a place to live. He stared at the cabin for a minute, remembering the night he’d raced back here to find her gone. That had gutted him, and he never wanted to feel that kind of hurt again.
“As soon as I get things settled here, wildcat, I’m coming for you.”
He called Jack to let him know he’d arrived, then unloaded Lego. After tying the halter line to the trailer, he carried his suitcases into the cabin. That done, he went back outside. “You ready to see your new home, buddy?” Lego nudged his pocket, wanting another mint. Dallas gave him one, then untied him and walked him over to the barn. He’d unload his saddles and tack later.
Knowing Dallas was bringing his horse with him, Jack and Noah had put a rush on getting the barn’s foundation, walls, and roof finished to the specifications Dallas had given them before he left for Colorado. He walked his horse inside and looked around.
Only one stall was finished, and it had a gold plaque with Lego’s name on it on the door. Dallas laughed as he led Lego to it. “Guess this is your new home. What do you think?” Lego stuck his head over the top of the door as if inspecting his new digs. Because the mustang had spent five days in a trailer except for the times he’d been walked, Dallas didn’t want to coop the horse up yet. He took him out to the enclosed pasture, unhooked the line from the halter, and slapped Lego’s rear end. “Go explore.”
For a few minutes, he watched Lego, appreciating the beauty of a galloping horse. Gray with a black face, black mane, legs, and tail, Lego was a striking horse. There was a water trough near the gate, but it was empty. Dallas grinned at seeing the old-fashioned pump next to it. After filling the trough, he whistled. Lego spun around and raced to him.
Dallas flicked his hand through the water. “Thirsty?” Lego lowered his head and lapped up water. Hearing a vehicle approaching, Dallas recognized Jack’s truck. “You hang out here for a bit while I talk to Jack.”
“How was the trip?” Jack asked, coming up next to him.
“Long.” He lifted a chin toward the barn. “I didn’t expect you’d get this much done by the time I got back.”
“Noah pushed the men hard to get the walls and roof up so he could have a stall ready for your horse.” He eyed Lego. “I don’t know anything about horses, but that one’s a beauty.”
“Yeah, he is. I’ve had him since he was weaned from his mama. My brother took care of him while I was away.” There was something he’d thought about on the long drive from Butte. “Noah mentioned that he invested in the foundation.”
