Page 84 of Pigeon

“You’re going to hide behind your own sister now, you fucking coward?” shouts a pissed-off Trigger.

Another shot rings out, and the nervous cattle start moving and bawling loudly. This time, I think I know where the shot came from, and it’s not where I think Ivy’s hiding. Turning to tell Cash, I see him nod before I even speak. He’s thinking the same as me.

My next thought is if Ivy’s in a position that puts her at risk if the cattle spook. I risk being seen, but I start moving quickly toward Ivy’s side of the gully. When I stop moving, my phone vibrates. Hiding the light of the screen behind me, I find a text from Ivy.

Ivy: Someone’s right above me.

Dropping my phone to the ground, I lay on the edge and look down. Nothing but blackness.

“Ivy,” I say quietly, then take the first full breath I’ve taken in hours when I hear her voice.

“I’m here.”

“I’m coming down to you.”

“No, it’s a big drop. I came from the end and climbed up to a small, uprooted tree. I think I have to come out the same way.”

Our conversation ends when another shot rings out, and the cattle do as I worried they would. They spook and start running. Cash appears on one side of me, Axel on the other.

“Ivy!” I shout while swinging my legs over the edge and feeling for a foothold. Nothing. Flipping to my stomach, I grip the ground and try again.

The cattle must reach the far end and can’t climb out that way because they circle back, running hard. Even though it’s a small herd, they’re causing the ground to shake.

“Pigeon!” Ivy shouts, terror in her voice.

Axel drops to his belly in front of me and grabs my arms. Holding tight, it allows me to go lower. Searching frantically for a place for my feet, I find nothing. Slamming the toe of my boot into the side of the gully, I make an unstable foothold.

Gripping wrists, Axel keeps me steady.

“Grab my legs, Ivy!” I shout, not knowing if she can yet or not.

When I feel her hands brush my leg, I encourage her upward. I don’t hear anything but the thundering hooves and the sound of her breathing.

“Boots, then my belt. Keep climbing, baby. Use those work muscles. Grab my shoulders when you can.”

Quicker than I expected, I feel her hand land on my shoulder before the other one follows suit. Wrapping them around my neck, she clings to my back.

“Hang on, honey,” I instruct. “When you can, work your way to my shoulders, kneel or stand on them, and Cash can reach you then.”

“Cash lets go of me, and we’re all going down,” Axel warns in a strained voice.

“Climb higher, Ivy. I’ll grab you, girl,” James says from above my head.

Knowing there’s more hands available, I take a deep breath and urge Ivy to move.

She somehow scurries higher, using my shoulders, and then suddenly, her weight disappears. More hands grab my arms, and I’m pulled up to the rim. Laying on my belly, arms burning, I give Axel’s ass a pat. He huffs out a laugh as Ivy’s body collides with mine.

Rolling over, I pull her close and hold her against me.

“Anyone know where the brother is?” Livi asks.

“No idea. It’s too fucking dark to know. The cattle found a way out and scattered. We need to get moving. We’re too exposed out here. Maybe Freddy and the others have him,” Petey says.

Standing, keeping Ivy close, we work our way back around the long gully to the vehicles. Everyone’s on edge, guns held at the ready, but we make it there without incident. No one has seen Ted or the side by side. Everyone loads up, and Ivy guides us to the ranch in silence. There’s plenty to say, but that can wait.

“We’re further out from the house than I thought we were,” Pooh says as the lights come into view.

“How long were you out there before you called me?” I ask Ivy.

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