Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1)

by Rachel Skatvold

Learning to ride a horse turned out easier than Addison expected. The fact that she had a handsome trail guide instructor made the lesson even more enjoyable. Now she understood why Belle acted so fluttery over Colton. He wasn’t just easy on the eyes but patient and kind. He even yielded to her adamant request to ride Skipper. Apparently he wasn’t usually a trail riding horse for guests. Maybe he was special—a VIP horse or something.

  Before they started out, Colton steered his silvery white horse toward her and smiled. “The trail horses are used to following each other in a line so just stay with the rest of the group and try to relax. Skipper’s a little high-spirited but if you’re at ease, he’ll be at ease too.”

  She nodded but found it difficult to concentrate while his blue eyes gazed into hers. Addison had to bite her tongue to keep from flirting. It just wasn’t worth it. She would never do anything to hurt Belle.

  A few minutes later Colton took the lead and the rest of the horses followed. She started out as the third rider in the group of about seven. However, slowly but surely the horses reordered themselves until Addison and Skipper were bringing up the rear. She chuckled at the stubborn natures of the animals. They were obviously used to being in a certain order on the trail. Maybe it was a dominance thing.

  She didn’t mind being last. It allowed her to take her time and enjoy the scenery. Wildflowers sprouted up all along the edges of the trails and vibrant butterflies fluttered above her. Maybe being out in the middle of nowhere wasn’t so bad after all.

  When they finished trudging up the mountain and reached a clearing, Addison felt a buzz in her pocket. Her cell phone was working. She scrambled to get it out of her pocket. What luck! It had two bars. “Whoa,” she cried and pulled on the reins.

  Skipper stopped, snorted and pawed at the ground.

  “Hold on just a sec. One quick text and then we can move again.”

  The horse sidestepped and snorted again, appearing anxious that the other horses were getting too far ahead of him.

  She let go of the reins and started typing on the keypad. Addison had to at least update her sister Brie about what she’d gotten herself into. She’d just hit send when thunder rumbled in the distance.

  Skipper reared up and Addison screamed, dropping her phone in the commotion. Then the horse barreled through the brush and broke into a gallop.

  “Whoa…whoa boy!” Addison grasped for the loose reins in vain as Skipper took her on the ride of her life.

  ~ ~ ~

  Logan knelt on the ground and studied the indention of the animal print in the mud. He motioned for his nephew to come closer. The boy hesitated and crossed his arms over his chest. His body language told Logan that Dylan wasn’t the least bit interested in his survival lesson. Still, the boy didn’t know how stubborn his uncle could be either. He looked him in the eye and used sign language while he spoke. It had always seemed more natural to speak out loud even though Dylan couldn’t hear him. “Do you want to learn or not?”

  Dylan rolled his eyes and knelt next to him.

  “See the shape of the print and claw marks?”

  The boy nodded, made an x over his chest with his arms and made clawing motions.

  Logan shook his head. “No, it’s not a bear. Good guess though. They’re too small and look at the unique shape.” He outlined print and claw marks with his finger. “It’s a mountain lion.”

  Dylan gulped and signed back. Is it still around here?

  “No. The tracks are fresh though. We’re downwind but we’ll still be cautious.” Thunder growled in the distance and Logan studied the dark angry clouds building above them. “We should head back home.”

  They both got on their horses.

  “I’ll let you lead. Do you remember how to find our way back?”

  The boy nodded and led them through the trees while scanning their surroundings for landmarks.

  They were almost to the creek when Logan’s radio sprang to life. Colton’s voice came through the static, sounding tight and frantic. “One trail rider is MIA. I repeat, one rider is MIA.”

  Logan’s heart sprang into his throat as he responded. “Who is it?”

  “I forgot her name. The blond woman that just showed up last night. I think the horse spooked and took off with her. I found her phone.”

  Logan rubbed his forehead and his breath caught in his throat. “Where?”

  Colton described the location—a clearing on the north side of the mountain.

  “We’re about a half mile from there. Take the other riders back to the ranch. I’ll check it out.” Logan clipped the radio back onto his belt and explained the situation to Dylan. Then he motioned for him to follow.

  He knew it. He knew the woman from the city would cause him nothing but trouble.

  Chapter five

  ~ ~ ~

  The shadows of moving tree branches from above sent chills down Addison’s spine. The wind seemed to transform them into long bony fingers reaching toward her.

  She touched a small dried wound on her forehead and winced, remembering her crazy ride through the brush. Addison had finally managed to stop the frightened horse but not before scraping her forehead on a low lying branch.

  This is by far the stupidest thing you’ve ever done, she scolded while following a path that led to the edge of a cliff. She peered over the edge of it, hoping to see something familiar. It was futile. All the trees and boulders looked the same.

  Another crack of thunder sounded in the distance, making her horse side step and whinny. Addison rolled her eyes. “Fine VIP horse you turned out to be.”

  Not only had she gotten separated from the horse trail group, she’d managed to pick the most skittish horse in the stable.

  “Come on Skitter…I mean Skippy…” What was the horse’s name anyway? She racked her brain, trying to remember. “Whatever your name is, I need you to get me back to civilization okay?”

  The horse whinnied, but seemed to calm down.

  She peeked upward as ominous gray clouds gathered above her and a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. The rain started slow at first, but before long the heavens opened into a downpour. Addison pulled the hood of her jacket over her face as a shield.

  She kicked the horse’s sides and made a clicking sound like Colton had taught her, urging him up a steep embankment. The horse had just reached the top when a branch snapped ahead of her on the trail. The animal sidestepped and kicked his back legs up, throwing Addison off balance.

  “Whoa, Skipper,” she called out, finally remembering the horse’s name. Then to her horror, a blur of tawny fur leapt onto the path ahead of them.

  Addison didn’t even have a chance to scream. The horse bucked again, sending her flying through the air.

  She landed limp as a ragdoll on the rocky ground. Her world faded into darkness.

  ~ ~ ~

  A loud feral scream pierced the air, creating a sinking feeling in Logan’s stomach.

  The lion. He knew it for sure.

  Logan turned to his nephew and gulped. “Stay here. I’ll come back for you.”

  Dylan shook his head and signed, I know how to take care of myself. Let me help.

  “No. It’s too dangerous. I need to travel fast. Please just trust me and stay put.” The boy set his jaw out stubbornly but obeyed. Logan didn’t wait for him to respond but forced his horse into a gallop in the direction of the screams. His first instinct was to pray—something he hadn’t done in a very long time. Logan’s heart hammered in his chest as he rode in a haphazard fashion through the trees.

  God, please help me get there in time.

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison drifted in and out of consciousness. When she managed to open her eyes everything looked blurry. Loud screams pierced the air. Too wild to be human.

  Her mind slowly pieced together the events before she blacked out—the horse rearing up and a mountain lion emerging through the brush. She was too dazed to think of how to get away from the danger. Her head pounded so hard sh
e had to close her eyes again.

  Seconds later the sound of hooves approached. Addison blinked and tried to call for help as someone in cowboy boots approached. I’m here…please…help. She couldn’t seem to push the words past her lips.

  A man knelt at her side. “Addie, can you hear me?”

  She blinked hard and stared at him.

  “Please…say something.” His hands framed her face. They were rough and calloused but surprisingly gentle. “Are you hurt?”

  She trembled in fear. “I-I don’t think so. The m-mountain lion…where?”

  The man let out a sigh of relief. “It’s gone. I think it chased the horse. You’re safe.”

  Addison relaxed as the man’s sky blue eyes filled her vision. “Oh, it’s you,” she whispered. Logan looked so different clean shaven that she hadn’t recognized him at first. Was that a tear on his cheek or just a rain drop?

  He let out a nervous chuckle and wiped his cheek with his hand. “Yeah. We really have to stop meeting like this. Just stay still so I can make sure nothing’s broken.”

  Addison stared at his handsome face in a daze as the storm clouds blanketed the daylight.

  His eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

  “Nothing, it’s just…” She paused, feeling dizzy. Then a silly grin formed on her lips. “I was right. You really are a beautiful man,” she mumbled before passing out again.

  Chapter Six

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison opened her eyes but couldn’t make out much of anything in the dim light. Rain pelted above her but it sounded louder then rain on a rooftop. Her body rested on the hard ground with something cushioning her head that smelled like campfire and leather. Maybe someone’s jacket? She sighed and drifted back off.

  The next time she woke up, a dull light glowed above her and the rain had slowed to a sprinkle.

  She heard a man’s voice in the distance. “We’ll start out soon … no, she’s okay. Just in shock.”

  Addison touched a small bandage on her forehead and scanned her surroundings. She was under some kind of a tarp or a makeshift tent, but what happened? Where was she?

  The man outside chuckled. “Well wouldn’t you be disoriented if you saw a mountain lion and fell off a horse?” He paused. “Just relax and prepare the horses. I’ll go check on her.”

  Now Addison remembered everything—the disastrous horse ride and the mountain lion. The memory sent a tremor through her body.

  Footsteps approached and a large hand lifted the edge of the tarp. Just enough light filtered through to highlight Logan’s handsome face. He smiled at her. “Welcome back.”

  She relaxed and rubbed her eyes. “Where are we?”

  He crawled through the small opening and sat next to her. “We’re still in the woods. The storm’s over, but we should try to make it back before nightfall…if you’re okay to travel. If not we can camp here for the night.”

  The thought of spending the night in the woods forced Addison to sit up. “Yes, let’s get out of here.” She winced and held her head as dizziness plagued her. “My head feels a little funny but I’m fine.”

  “You bumped it when you fell and you have a mild abrasion on your forehead. Nothing serious.”

  Addison lifted an eyebrow and chuckled. “Mild abrasion? I’ve never heard cowboys use such fancy words. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a doctor.”

  Logan’s eyes darkened. “I used to be.”

  “Used to be?”

  “Yeah.” He pulled out a small flashlight. “Here, look directly at me. I’m going to check your eyes again.”

  Addison obeyed and remained silent. Logan’s stone-like expression told her that he was done talking about his past. She decided not to bug him about it, even though her mind flooded with questions.

  He finished and turned off the flashlight. “Well, you don’t appear to have a concussion. You should eat something before we go though. It might help you feel better. Do you like jerky?”

  Addison grimaced. “No thanks. I don’t eat very much meat.”

  He rubbed his forehead. “Oh, well what about trail mix?”

  She nodded and allowed him to help her climb out of the little tent. When she stood, it surprised her to see another person—a pre-teen boy with dark wavy hair. He was almost a mini version of Logan, except with hazel eyes. His son maybe?

  Logan spoke up from beside her. “Addie, this is my nephew, Dylan.”

  Addison greeted him but he only responded with a shy wave.

  Logan spoke to Dylan while using sign language. “Could you please find the bag of trail mix for Addie? She’s hungry.”

  Addison hid her surprise as Dylan used a sign she didn’t recognize and then handed her the bag.

  She responded with the sign for thank you before he turned back to take care of the horses.

  Logan glanced at her with curious eyes. “You know sign language?”

  Addison shrugged. “Only the basics. I took a class in college just because it sounded interesting.”

  “Well you’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. “More than you know.” Addison looked around, for the first time, noticing there were only two horses. Fear paralyzed her heart. “Where’s the horse I was riding? Um I forgot his name again…Skippy…Skitter…”

  Logan’s eyes widened. “Skipper? You rode Skipper?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, that’s the one. Why does it matter?”

  He shook his head and a storm brewed in his eyes. “Skipper’s one of my mother’s rescued horses. Colton should have known better than to let you ride him. My mom’s the only one who can handle that crazy animal.”

  Addison shook her head. “It’s not his fault. The horse was so beautiful and I practically begged Colton to let me ride it. I can be quite convincing when I really want something.”

  “I bet.” Logan chuckled and his face relaxed. “Don’t worry about it. The horse will be fine. He’s probably all the way home in his stall by now.”

  “Well, I’m relieved. He took me on the most terrifying ride of my life but I would hate for any harm to come to him.”

  About ten minutes later they started their journey down the mountain. This time Logan let her ride on his horse while he led it down the trail. It slowed them down but Addison was grateful. Her head pounded and every muscle in her body ached. It was all she could manage to just stay on the horse.

  Logan glanced at the setting sun as he walked. “We should be back to the ranch right at dusk. My sister is worried sick. She blames herself for your accident since she encouraged you to go on the trail ride.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. I’ll have to talk to her when we get back.” She blushed, suddenly remembering her dazed ramblings when Logan found her. “By the way, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I’m so embarrassed.”

  He didn’t turn but she could tell from the way his ears lifted that he was smiling. “Oh, the beautiful man comment?”

  She let out a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, I was a little dazed. I don’t know why I said that.”

  He let out an amused snort. “So, now that you’re lucid, you no longer think I’m beautiful?” He turned his head and gave her a boyish wink.

  Her cheeks flushed cranberry red. “No…I-I mean yes. Oh my.” She sighed and covered her face with one hand. The conversation had taken a very uncomfortable plunge and she didn’t know how to dig herself out. “I guess what I mean is your scruffy beard made it hard to tell what you looked like the other day.”

  He chuckled. “Well Addie, I’m not sure what to think of you and your razor-tipped compliments.”

  “I-I didn’t mean to insult your beard. It’s just not something I would normally be attracted to.” She looked off to the side and noticed Dylan grinning at her. If he could read lips well, he was probably getting a kick out of their conversation.

  Logan turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I see.”

  Addison blushed again and shook her head.
“Let’s talk about something else.” She’d involuntarily made it sound like she was attracted to him. Although it was true, she’d never admit it—at least not today.

  ~ ~ ~

  When the lights of the ranch finally came into view Logan breathed a sigh of relief. He’d brought Addie back safely. Hopefully she wouldn’t think of suing them for her injuries. His family didn’t need any more problems knocking at their door.

  Addie had remained silent since he teased her a while back. Logan didn’t know what had gotten into him. She was a fun person to tease and gave him plenty of opportunities but that didn’t excuse his juvenile behavior.

  When they neared the outbuildings, Dylan branched off toward the barn but Logan led his horse right up to Addie’s cabin. He stopped in front of the porch and reached to help her down. This time she didn’t object. In fact, for just a moment as he held her waist Addie’s jade eyes twinkled at him in the moonlight.

  He let her go and cleared his throat. “Well, I’m glad you’re okay.”

  She nodded. “Yes, thank you for saving me.”

  Logan avoided her eyes to keep from getting lost in them again. “Of course. Anytime.”

  His father, sister and Ava came running out of the ranch house. Logan met them halfway and put his hand up. “Everything’s fine. Addie just bumped her head and wants to rest. We’ll talk more about it in the morning. I’m too exhausted to discuss it any further tonight.”

  His father relaxed and patted Logan’s shoulder. “Of course, son. Please stay in the guest room at the ranch again tonight. I’d hate to think of you traveling up the mountain after dark.”

  “Sure. Thanks Dad.”

  His dad nodded as he walked past with Belle. Then they started talking to Addie by her cabin.

  His sister-in-law stayed put with unspoken questions hiding behind her gaze.

  Logan smiled and patted Ava’s arm. “Dylan’s just fine. He’s in the barn taking care of his horse.”