Page 35 of Samuel

“What’s wrong?” John called after him.

“Evie went into town. Got turned around from thesounds of it and that piece of shit car she drives broke down. She doesn’t know if she’s on the right road to get back here.”

John’s face dropped. “It’s hot as hell out today.”

“Yeah.” Worry tightened in his gut.

“Okay, I’m coming back with you. I’ve got what I need for a statement and we can split up. I’ll take the road out by the old Johnson property. That’s the only other way I can think of that she’d take. You can take the main road to town.”

“Okay.” Sam swung his leg over Jasper and pulled himself up into the saddle. “You call me the second you find her.”

“Same for you.”

Sam nodded, not waiting for John to make it to his truck before he had Jasper at a full gallop, racing back towards the ranch.

“Go on!” Sam was pushing the limit of how fast Jasper could run.

His horse bolted up the close field and Sam jumped down, sprinting for his truck just as a vehicle turned into the Ranch’s driveway.

Jake.

And he could see Evie sitting in the passenger seat.

Thank you, God.

“Evie!” He pulled the door open, shocked to see how pale she was. Her dress was clinging to her body, soaked with sweat. “What the fuck happened? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Cowboy. Just got a little too hot and Jellybean didn’t like it. Good thing Jake was there to catch me.”

His stomach lurched. “Catch you?”

“She fainted on me as we were getting her to my truck.” Jake walked around to shake Sam’s hand.

“Christ, Bluebell. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. I promise. Jake is just going to check me over quickly before he gets back to his other patients.” She smiledat him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Sam, you have to move so I can get down.”

“You just passed out and you think I’m going to have you walking up to the apartment? Fuck no.”

“I can walk.”

“I’m carrying you. End of story.”

“No, you don’t need to do that. Honestly, I just overheated.”

He growled and heard Jake laugh as he opened the back door of his truck.

“Don’t be such a caveman, Cowboy. How about this? I walk, but you walk back with me and tell me what you found with the herd? I’ve been worried all morning.”

There she was, worrying about him when she should be focused on herself and the baby. Fine. He’d give her a chance.

Sam held out his hand and helped her get down out of the truck. Instantly, he knew it was a mistake.

Evie swayed, pressing her hand to her stomach. In one swift movement, Sam stepped forward, scooping her up into his arms. Her hands locked together behind his neck as her head rested on his shoulder.

“Looks like you don’t quite have your sea legs.”

“Why would I need sea legs? We’re on a cattle ranch.”

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