Page 42 of Cougar Chronicles

“Oh, God.” Jack’s heart had plummeted to his stomach. Something was wrong. She wouldn’t just…take off.

“How’d she go? She doesn’t have her car.”

“Carlos took her.”

He had scooped Sam into his arms and carried him quickly back to the house. “Luisa!” He slammed the door. “Luisa, where are you?”

She’d come running. “I’m here. Goodness, what’s wrong?”

“Where’s Holly?”

“She had to go. Carlos drove her home.”

“Why? What happened?”

“She just said she was sorry. That something came up.”

“Is she okay?”

“Yes. She was fine when she left here. She said she’d call you later.”

“Oh. Thank goodness.”

“Does that mean she’s not goin’ ridin’ with us today, Daddy?” Sam’s big eyes held sadness.

“I’m afraid so, pal,” Jack had said, kneeling down to face his son. “But I’m sure she’ll come back soon to go ridin’.”

“But she promised.”

“I know. I’m sure she has a good reason why she can’t go today. Tell you what, we’ll go ridin’ anyway. Just you and me. How does that sound?”

Sam had sniffed. “Yeah, that’d be good I guess.”

Jack had spent the rest of the day with his son. His heart drank in the pleasure of being with his little boy. When Sam had fallen asleep to a story of the Old West, he’d had an innocent smile on his face.

He’d finally stopped wondering why Holly hadn’t stayed to spend the rest of the weekend.

Jack had taken care of his son, made sure he was happy and unhurt, because that’s what a father did.

No one existed to take away Jack’s own hurt.

Nearly midnight, and here he sat, watching his son sleep. How was it possible Sam had been so upset by Holly’s departure? He’d known her only two days.

Jack understood. Holly had that effect on people. He’d only known her for a little over a week himself, unless he counted their hot one-nighter. That only added ten hours, anyway.

Damn her! Her age had never made a speck of difference to him. That had to be what this was about. How could she disappear without any explanation other than “something suddenly came up?” It sounded like a bad sitcom. Luisa had said it had come out of nowhere. Holly hadn’t gotten a phone call or anything. She’d just up and said she needed to go home.

If she’d come to the barn to tell him what had happened, or if she’d even told Luisa, he’d have understood.

But no. She’d just left.

Now she hadn’t called.

Jack leaned down and gave his son a quick peck on the cheek. “Sleep tight, pal,” he whispered. He tucked the cotton sheet around him a little tighter and left the room.

He fell on his bed, still fully clothed.

It was over.

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