Page 35 of Bravo

“Your mother called the fire department. They’re trying to get out here, but we’re not the only ones who called for help. Tree took down the power line,” he says, gesturing toward the pole that once stood on the other side of the barn. “My best guess is it sparked when it hit the barn.” He shakes his head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“The horses?”

He’s in shock; I can see it all over his face. But the barn is coming down any moment, and we need to make sure it’s empty.

“Right. Sorry. We have seven out.”

“Seven? We’re missing three.”

He nods. “Three of the horses got out, thanks to the damaged paddocks. Rev is one of them,” he adds quickly.

“They’re not in the fire?”

He shakes his head. “Stalls are empty.”

Thank God. It’s unfortunate that they’re out in the storm, but if we can get this fire out, we can go after them at first light. It’s far too dangerous to go out right now. Not until the fire is under control and this rain lets up. They’re better off seeking their own shelter in one of the run-ins scattered throughout the pastures.

Tucker rushes forward, his cheeks red and ash-stained. “Sammy’s not back.” He coughs.

“What do you mean, she’s not back?” The blood in my veins chills, and not because of the storm around us.

“She went after the runaway horses on foot. Leon tried to stop her, but he just got back. Said they lost each other somehow.”

“She’s out there alone?” Dread coils in my belly as I look off into the distance. She couldn’t have been dressed in protective clothing. Nothing warm enough to brave a few hours out in the ice.

He nods.

The rain lets up just enough that it’s not pounding down on us.

What’s left of the roof crashes down, and sparks fly into the air.

“Get all of the horses into the east barn. Get them settled and fed. Make sure there aren’t any injuries needing tending ASAP.” I head toward the UTV parked off to the side.

“Where are you going?”

“To get Sammy.” I climb into the UTV and fire it up. Lights illuminate the barn, highlighting that the entire thing will have to be rebuilt.

“Here.” My father tosses me a med pack they must have pulled out of the barn before the entire thing went up. “Stay safe. We’ll head out after you as soon as we get the horses settled.”

“Want backup now?” Elliot asks, rushing over.

“No, I’ll get her. Make sure the horses are safe.”

He nods. “We told her not to go. She took off after them anyway.”

Anger heats my veins even as the rain continues to chill me to my bones. “Get everyone else inside and warm as soon as the horses are situated,” I tell Elliot. “If I’m not back in an hour?—”

“Come find you. Got it.”

Thinking of all the ways this could go horribly wrong, I take off down the path that leads around the barn and toward the back pasture. Thankfully, the UTV’s roof is covered, but both doors are wide open, giving the freezing rain a perfect chance to pierce the side of my face like needles.

I drive slow, knowing Sammy is on foot, but as the storm picks up steam again, I lose all visibility. Adrenaline kicks in.

If I don’t find her, she’s going to freeze to death out here.

Why in the world would she go out alone? It’s insanity!

God, please let me find her.

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