Page 26 of Chasin' Cole

Brock rounds the corner just as we start headin' toward the pasture. His eyes dart from his best friend to me to our twined fingers, then back up to my guilty face. He goes to say somethin', his face red with anger, but stops himself and turns, heading back to wherever he came from.

When I look over at Cole, I can see the panic written all over his face.

“He’ll be fine,” I try comfortin’ him. “Brock needs our help. We’ll explain everything to him once the fire is out.”

“Rose…” Cole trails off, droppin’ my hand.

“You love me,” I remind him. “You love me, and I love you. Let’s remember that. I…I need you to remember that while we do this.”

“I know,” Cole shoves his hands into his pockets.

“He can be mad later,” I try. “Let’s just help him now.”

I step forward to kiss him, but Cole takes a step back.

Sometimes secrecy is good.

People have a way of ruinin' good things.

Chapter 9 – Just A Summer Fling

Smoke swirls high in the sky as I follow Della Ray on one of her horses. We're racin' against the clock to get her herd of cattle into one of Brock and Lacey's pastures as the wildfire spreads across the dry, thirsty grassland, threatenin' everything in its path.

Sweat trickles down my back as I grip the reins in my hand and dig my heels into the white stallion tailin' behind Della Ray.

Faster.We need to move faster.

The sound of my heartbeat pounds in my ears as we reach the far corner. Nearly 200 head of cattle are cowerin' from the smoke, heat, and cinders.

It's chaos. Absolute chaos.

I turn in the saddle, gaze at the flames devourin' the acreage behind us.

"We're not gonna make it!" I holler at Della Ray.

She adjusts the black cowboy hat on her head. There’s a wild look in her eyes. "Yes, Rose, we are!"

I round one side of the cattle, pushing them towards Della Ray. She whistles andwhoops, keeps them movin' forward as I zig-zag behind, comin' up the rear so they can't run back.

Forward.

We have to keep pushin' forward.

I wipe my brow with my arm as my body cools from the sweat pooling under my shirt. I'm gettin' too cold.

Adrenaline. Exhaustion. Fear.

They're all flooding my system as the fire nears.

Just a few short hours ago, my hand was safely tucked in Cole's as we wandered the county fair. Hordes of people. Fair rides and games. The smell of fried food waftin' through the air. I haven't seen him since Della Ray called for me to help her and his fingers slipped out of mine. Is he safe? Are he and Brock workin' together?

My throat tightens as I inhale more smoke.

We need to get out of here.Now!I need to make sure Cole's alright.

"Just about there!" Della Ray yells over the sound of bleatin' cows and the crackling inferno inching closer to us by the second. I push open the gate as the herd runs through it.

I lick my dry lips as I nervously glance over my shoulder. Deep grey smoke seeps into the sky above us, engulfing everything in its wake.

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