Page 27 of Buried Roots

Then, I shoot a text to Bailey, telling her that my horses are missing, and that Owen and I are going to search my property for Trinity.

Bailey responds, saying she and Dakota will go search the river, as sometimes Trinity likes to take the horses there.

When Owen walks in, he’s wearing a pair of worn cowboy boots and a red plaid fleece. “Thanks for racing over here, Queens.”

“Of course.”

He holds out another long-sleeved fleece. “Put this on. It should fit, it’s Bailey’s. You’re gonna need it. That night air’s a little chilly on a horse.”

“I’m coming?” Butterflies thrash in my stomach. I’ve never ridden a horse before, but I have to help.

“You don’t have to. I’m sure Trinity’s fine, Willow. She knows not to ride Eclipse yet—it’s too soon after she gave birth. They can’t be far.” His lips quirk up. “We just have to find her and tell her she’s in deep this time.”

“Go easy on her. She had a rough night.” I realize I have to talk to her myself. “Never mind—I’m coming too.”

Owen lets the other mare, Raven, out of her stall, and her tail swings as Owen gives her a quick brushing. “This will relax her, which makes for a smoother ride,” Owen says. The horse stands patiently while Owen places a pad and two-person saddle on her back, then releases its straps, all in a fluid motion. There’s a rhythm to it that the two of them clearly perfected long ago.

And I hate that this constantly crosses my mind, but Owen’s… ridiculously hot. And not because he’s suddenly a cowboy per se, but more because this is like breathing for him.

After I slip on Bailey’s shirt, Owen says, “Let me help you up.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re gonna want to keep your back straight and hold on.” Owen guides my foot in the stirrups, then hoists me up so I can fling my leg over the saddle.

Then he climbs on behind me. When he wraps his solid arms around my waist, it makes me feel way too much for someone I’ve known for three days. Maybe I prefer country to city boys?

He whispers into my ear, “You ready?” My skin breaks into goose bumps.

“Ready,” I squeak. My heart’s pounding a mile a minute and not just because we’re sitting on top of a very tall, very proud, stud horse.

“I can tell you’re not breathing, Queens.” He rubs my arm. “Inhale. Exhale. Then do it all over again.” His hand lands on my back, tracing circles, clearly hoping it jump-starts my stalled lungs. “I’ve got you, don’t worry.”

I know he does. In our brief time together, I’ve learned that.

As he whistles and tugs the reins, Raven trots forward. The wind hits my face as I get a view of the bright full moon in the lavender night sky. The cool mountain air fills my lungs, and it’s so euphoric, I want to breathe it forever. There’s not another soul out here, and it’s so different from the world I know, it’s almost surreal.

Owen says, “Hang on,” before he gives the reins a whip. Raven breaks into a run, and I pull Owen’s arms tighter around me. A rush of adrenaline floods my veins, like I’m on a roller coaster. I suspect that if it was just me, the ride wouldn’t be anything close to smooth. But Owen’s gentle command of Raven and their mutual respect make it appear easy.

When I lift my head to the sky, something deep inside me breaks free. Although I can’t place what it is, there’s a sense of weightlessness now that it’s gone.

Admittedly, I’m starting to miss New York—the sights, the sounds, getting any kind of food delivered to your doorstep twenty-four hours a day. But here, you can havethis.

In the distance, on the other side of the lake, I see a shadow of two horses, one big and one small. There’s a fire roaring beside a pup tent.

When Owen tugs the reins and Raven halts, I squeeze my thighs to hold on. The trapped breath escapes my chest when Owen says, “We’ve found her.”

At the campsite, Trinity strokes Oreo’s mane, refusing to make eye contact with Owen and me.

After he and I climb off Raven, Owen says, “Trinity, your sister’s beside herself looking for you. Ma would tan your hide if she knew.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Trinity’s tiny voice cracks around her words. “I shouldn’t of run away, but I had to. And I didn’t ride Eclipse. I know she’s not ready yet.”

“How did you get here so fast?” Owen asks.

She stares at the ground. “I jumped in the back of Mary Louise’s truck when I saw she was leaving.” She looks at Owen with fiery eyes. “And don’t yell at her. She didn’t know I was there with all the cotton bales.”

A howl echoes through the trees, and I jump. Was that a wolf? A coyote? I shake off the willies when I say, “Aren’t you scared out here, all alone?” Because I am.

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