“Sorry,” I muttered against the rim of my cup.
“That’s better. Now fix that face before anyone turns up. Although I doubt it with this rain coming in.” She walked out through to the main room. I could hear her shuffling papers around on the information desk.
Everything she said went in one ear and right back out the other. It was safe to say yesterday’s fight with Tia had put me in the worst fucking mood possible.
It took all I had to not go back round there in the middle of the night and smash that damn door down. But it would have only made things worse. Tia liked her space. She liked to feel safe. I cared about her too much to push her that way.
I wanted her to open up to me. It was clear that she’d lived a very lonely life, taking care of number one. But it was no way to live.
I still had no idea what happened to her friend, and by the sounds of it, Tia was very much present for the whole thing. I knew that feeling well. To watch someone you love die and feel completely helpless to save them. Memories like that haunt forever. I still had nightmares about Spencer, eleven years on. Whatever happened with Lily, happened only a handful of weeks ago. Tia was still grieving, heavily. The grief alone had already written her future. The plan was made.
That fucking plan. Do the job and go back to New York. No exceptions.
She wouldn’t stay just for me. And she was right about warning me. I heard her loud and clear at the engagement party. Still, I went into this knowing a woman like her would turn my world upside down. I had no one to blame but myself.
I loved her, and I knew she loved me too. I assumed it was enough, and that if I told her how I felt, and laid it all out for her, then she’d at least think about it. But it was a hard no, followed by that door slamming shut in my face.
“Hey Colton,” Patsy called out, pulling me from my dark thoughts.
I got up and stamped through the doorway.
She was behind the information desk with the phone held up to her ear. “It’s Bill Ackley. Coyote spooked his horses again. One of them got loose.”
“For fucks sake,” I growled under my breath. “I just rebuilt the fence.”
She shrugged. “He’s worried about the storm.”
“What storm?”
She put her hand on her hip again and flashed me an irritated look. “Are you serious? I just told you, there’s a storm coming in.” She groaned and spoke back into the phone. “He’s on his way Bill. I’ll send him east of the river if you’re heading west.” She put the phone down, shaking her head. “Damn coyotes. You better get out there before the weather turns. I’ll call Betsy to saddle you up a horse. And be careful. No heroics today please.”
This was all I needed. I slammed my cup down on the desk and headed to the door for my jacket. I needed to see Tia. I had to talk to her. Maybe a night apart had changed her mind. As soon as I stepped out of the door and turned up toward the Rabbit Hut my heart sank.
Her car was gone. I looked down at my watch, noticing that it was way too early for her to be at work. Shay and the others wouldn’t be up there until noon.
Then it hit me, like a salt coated bullet. I knew exactly what she was doing. The job was almost over and she was wasting no time in having one more reason to stay. The quicker she wrapped it up, the quicker she would be back on the other side of the country.
I wasn’t giving up just yet though. If that fucking horse wasn’t lost, I would have been half way to the summer camp by now, begging her to not give up on me. But it would have to wait. I still had a job to do and a damn horse to save.
* * *
The sky was turning charcoal grey up ahead and the warm spring breeze pushed it over faster than I liked. Distant thunder buzzed above. I could only hope to find the poor animal before the rain hit hard.
Although it was still dry, the river had picked up its pace, telling me the rain was coming in from somewhere else. I kept to the bank, with my eyes wide open. My horse, Rashi, whinnied at the clap of thunder and staggered back a little.
“Whoa. Steady, boy.” My voice soothed him enough to keep him heading down the rocky trail. He was a good horse though. Stable and brave. Rashi had been out with me several times in harsh weather and this was no different.
I carried on down the river side, spotting a herd of deer dart back into the forest before the storm rolled in. It wouldn’t be far off now, and I had no desire to stay out for long. I needed to see Tia. I hoped that the storm would force her back to the cabin, and we could at least talk about yesterday. I couldn’t seem to rid my mind of her, and with Rashi sensing my somber mood, I knew I needed to snap out of it and focus on the task ahead.
The wind picked up and the drizzle began, spitting at first then quickly turning to a full on shower. It wouldn’t stop me. I just needed to keep my eye on the rising river. Rashi whined again as thunder crashed directly above us.
“Easy. Easy.” I patted his neck and nudged his side with my boot to keep him moving a little further up the bank. That’s when I spotted her. The small, chestnut mare. She was stuck on a ledge just above the river. Scared, but unharmed and easy enough to get to. It wouldn’t take long to climb down and attach a rope to lead her back up.
Rashi’s nature took over, leading me straight to the scared mare on the best track. The rain was falling hard now, and we both needed to keep a strong foot on the ground. He stopped at the top of the ledge, and I climbed down, peeking over the edge to where the mare was.
Her hooves kicked at the wet crumbling earth, and I could see the cracks forming underneath her. I needed to get down to her before she broke it off and fell down to the river bed. It was still dry on the sides but rising fast. Either way, if it broke with her on it, she wouldn’t survive. The fall would break her legs, or the dead trees growing out of the rock side would impale her. Even if the river was completely full, the current would drown her within minutes.
I grabbed a rope from the saddle and tied it to Rashi. He was well trained and would pull her up on my command. On a dry day, I could just walk down and lead her up, but the ground was slick with mud and there was no way I could just breeze on down there for her.
I wrapped the rest of the rope over my shoulder and eased myself down. “Steady, girl. I got you. I got you.”
She brayed slightly and steadied her legs. By the time I reached her, I had mud up to my knees. Rain dripped from my hair and into my eyes. I blinked hard, trying to clear my vision as I approached her carefully. Luckily, she didn’t try to bolt over the side and even crept a little closer to me.
“That’s it. Nice and calm. Good girl.” I tied the rope around her and whistled to Rashi to pull her up.
Just as I made the harsh sound, a bolt of lightning struck the tree on the other side of the river, freaking the mare enough to kick out. “Woah, girl. Rashi, pull up!”
On my command, the rope tightened and the mare followed it up but not before kicking out again and catching my chest. The blow from her shoe threw me back off the ledge, and I tried to reach out for something, anything, but it was too late. The air left my lungs as my body flew down at least twenty feet to the bottom of the river bed.
I braced myself for the impact of the pebbled beach beneath, but I could never have prepared myself for this landing. A searing pain shot through my body when it hit the ground, sending ripples of fire through my muscles.
Rain hammered at my face, blinding me from the sight. It took all my strength to lift up my head enough to see the damage. I howled at the movement and lost my breath at the gruesome sight.
A branch as sharp as a spear stuck out of my stomach, slick with blood. Just as I’d feared this fate for the horse, I’d gone and fucking done it myself.
The river rushed in my ears, creeping closer and closer up the bank. I had to move, impaled or not. If I stayed down here, I’d drown. The adrenaline bubbled in my veins and shot through my body, pushing me to the brink of survival. I reached out for another branch above my head and pulled my body up.
<
br /> The gutteral sound from my lungs boomed against the mountains as I lifted my body off the spear. It was excruciating, and I could feel the warm blood pouring down me as I staggered to my feet. I wasn’t up for long though. Two steps later, my body thumped back to the ground and my vision turned black. The last thing I saw as my mind faded to unconsciousness, was Tia, sketching our waterfall, naked in the woods.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Tia
My paintbrush swirled around the last curve, leaving a flourished feather at the bottom of the mural. It was small but identical to my tattoo, and it was enough of Lily to leave behind. Here she’d stay, forever with Shay’s fishing boat and Mackenzies flying peacocks. Even Kyle and Tucker had put their own designs on the final piece. Kyle had chosen a guitar whilst Tucker surprised us all with the image of his deceased mother.
I stepped back, taking in the painting. It was moving. Personal to each of us, and dream like despite the many aspects of reality hidden between the brush strokes.
Another day of painting and it would be finished. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. Almost noon and still no one had arrived. I’d expected the builders to arrive an hour ago but only Roger turned up to inspect the latest huts.
My paint covered finger hovered over the screen, checking the nonexistent messages. I’d expected something from Colton by now. He wasn’t the kind of guy to give up without a fight.
But I couldn’t keep playing this game with him. I had to decide if I was staying or going. The longer I wasted thinking about it, the harder the choice would be.
I’d been so set yesterday. My plan was as always to leave and wish him well. But as I stepped out of my front door this morning and inhaled that rich mountain air, I knew I’d be a fool to leave. Could I really do it though? Turn in the city life for the mountains.
I slipped my phone back in my pocket and placed the lid back on the paint tin.
“Wow, Tia,” Roger’s voice boomed through the large hall. “It’s perfect.” I smiled with pride as he walked the wall, taking in all the intricate details.
“I couldn’t have done it without the kids. They were the real artists here. Where are they, by the way? We still have some finishing touches and they were due over an hour ago.”
“It’s this weather. I’ve had to cancel the construction crew for today too. I’m afraid we’ll have to call it a day ourselves. It’s not safe here yet to wait out a storm.”
I grabbed my bag as he ushered us quickly from the building. The rain was pouring down, and I wasn’t sure how I hadn’t noticed it before. Huge black clouds weighed high in the sky flashing with distant lightning.
“Don’t get yourself caught up in this one, Tia. Head straight back to your cabin, okay?”
He began locking up the premises whilst I dashed through the downpour to my car. “I will do . Call me when work can start back up.”
Maybe this was a sign. The universe, finally giving me a break. If the job prolonged, I’d have to stay and it would give me more time with Colton. With more time, came more doubt. Who could tell how strong our feelings would be for one another by then.
I wasn’t an idiot. I knew exactly how my brain was working. It was grasping at anything to change my mind and stay.
Then just fucking stay. Stop working so hard at ruining your happiness. Take the fucking pluge, already.
The mashed up voice in my head was less like the devil on my shoulder, and more like the angel I wanted to hear. I had to stop thinking. I had to go with my gut, and as soon as I started the engine, my gut told me to see Colton.
My tires skidded down the trail towards the ranger station. It wasn’t exactly designed for off-road adventures. I pulled up next to Colton’s truck and breathed a sigh of relief that he was here. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would say to him but I didn’t care. I just needed to see him, and maybe then I’d know what to say.
He wanted me to talk. To open up. I could at least try for him, couldn’t I? Even if my mouth clamped shut, I was sure he would be grateful for the attempt.
I darted from the car to the porch and ripped open the door to the station. I was soaked already and my wet hair dripped down my face.
“Miss Lopez.” Carl smiled over to me from the information desk. “I was just about to call you. You should stay indoors for the rest of the day until the storm clears.”
I glanced around the empty station. There were no hikers or people browsing the gift shop. The TV was broadcasting the local news, and I could smell a freshly brewed pot of coffee, drifting in from the kitchen. “Where is everyone?”
“I’ve just sent Patsy home. No point in her being here with no visitors. And Ranger Haxley went out looking for a horse. He shouldn’t be too long.”
Why didn’t that surprise me? A storm crashes in and he’s out playing pet detective. “You didn’t go with him?”
He sat down at his desk and sipped his coffee. “I wasn’t here when he left and it’s only the one. He can handle it just fine on his own.”
I didn’t doubt he could but something didn’t sit right with me. Nausea rolled around in my stomach. I knew Colton. He was good at his job and he could handle it just fine, but I also knew the guy a little too well. Colton would do whatever he had to to save a life. It was in his nature, and he wouldn’t come back until the horse was safe and back in its stall. “Has he been out for long?”
Carl shrugged with that innocent dopey look he usually wore. “A couple of hours maybe.”
“Is that normal?”
“Huh?”
“To be out that long, looking for a horse during a storm. Is that normal?”
He still had that dumb look on his face trying to think of a response. “Um, well...I guess.”
I grunted at him and pulled out my phone. The lack of confidence in Carl’s voice, mixed with my nerves, had me worrying far too much.
He’d be fine. I knew he’d be fine. I just needed to know for sure. I couldn’t sit around here waiting for him to turn up whenever he pleased.
I scrolled in my phone for his number and hit the green button. When I held it to my ear my heartbeat pounded along with the dial tone. “Come on, pick up.”
My knee jigged up and down as I waited for a response, but Colton didn’t answer.
I almost jumped out of my skin when the station phone blared out. Carl reached for it. I prayed it was him, checking in to let us know he was fine and sat in some farmer’s kitchen, eating pie, waiting out the rain.
“Ranger Station,” Carl greeted. He paused to listen to the person on the other end, his face turning unreadable. “Both of them? You’re sure it’s Rashi? Okay, thanks for letting us know.” As soon as the phone was down I noticed his jaw tick.
“What is it?”
“The lost horse came back.”
“That’s good, right?” I asked, frantic for confirmation.
“Colton’s horse was with it. They must have fled back to the farm together.” He paused, looking up at me with concern in his green eyes. “They were alone. No Colton.”
My restless knees turned to jelly. I whispered back, “That’s not good, is it?”
He ignored my question and lifted the old radio microphone to his mouth. “Ranger Scott to 450 Police Department.”
A voice crackled back instantly. “450 receiving. What can I do for you, Ranger?”
“Ranger Haxley is missing. It’s probably nothing, but ready your men for a possible search and rescue.”
“Area?”
“Send them north and west. I’ll go further south and get our volunteers to head east up the river.” Carl looked up at me. “Did his phone ring, Miss Lopez?”
I nodded back. “Yeah, but no answer.”
He put his head back down to the mic. “His cell phone’s on. Can you track it, Officer?”
“Will do, Ranger. Keep your radio close, over and out.”
He put the microphone back in its holder and headed straight for the coats by the door. I ran over
to him and gripped his arm. “This is bad, isn’t it?”
He stopped and flashed me a fake smile. “I wouldn’t worry. Colton can take care of himself out there, and I only called the cops in case we need them later. I’ll get our volunteers searching the area. Knowing Colton, he’ll probably be back before us. He’ll be fine, Miss Lopez. We just have to take precautions. He’d kick my ass if I didn’t follow procedure.”
I’d been given fake reassurance too much in my life. Told happy lies to give me hope. I could see the bullshit a mile away, and Carl was a shitty liar. I didn’t tell him that though. He was trying to help, and I wouldn’t waste his time when Colton was out there.
“I’m gonna have to ask you to stay here, Miss Lopez. I have a radio in my truck and we need to keep the line clear, so whatever comes through, don’t answer it. I’ll hear it on my end.” He zipped up his waterproof jacket and grabbed his car keys. “Just relax and don’t leave the station. He’ll be fine, I promise.”
More lies.
I felt like screaming when the door clunked shut. I couldn’t just sit and wait. Colton was out there in the middle of a storm with no transport home. My heart pounded in my chest. As much as I wanted to believe he was fine, I just couldn’t. Colton would never leave the horses out there alone. Something must have happened.
I waited for Carl’s truck to squelch off down the trail before running to the hooks to grab the other set of keys. There was no way I was staying here. The storm could go fuck itself. I needed to help find Colton.
* * *
It had taken me a few minutes to get used to the giant truck. I’d never driven a vehicle this large before, but it was safer than my tiny red rental. The tires cruised down the track, flying through the muddy puddles.
The wind was relentless, beating against me. But the rain was calming down, and I lowered the speed on the wipers, making it easier to see up ahead. With the dark clouds quickly blowing over, the sun edged through, giving me even better visibility.
Lost at Heart: A Steamy Small Town Romance (Bluerock Series Book 2) Page 17
