Page 4 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
What was she going to do?
If she didn’t get the horses off the property, all her efforts would be futile. The man would dispose of them. With only two stalls, and one already occupied, she couldn’t keep the horsesat the cottage. The stables at her current job were already overfilling with prime horseflesh, and people paid handsomely for that right. She called her boss to ask if she could borrow a couple of ranch hands with trailers to move them, and the sympathetic man agreed. Yet without somewhere to transport them to, none of that mattered.
Time was running out.
She called every ranch she knew, and many she didn’t, spoke to workers and managers and owners, asking and reasoning and pleading, yet her search was fruitless. Most didn’t have the space or resources for that many horses with no notice and no compensation. She asked for referrals to other ranches, and then referrals from the referrals, yet the minutes and hours passed without even a maybe.
Desperation tightened sore muscles. The owner had been clear – if she didn’t take the horses tonight, he’d consider them abandoned. The horrible man might even sell them twice. Even if she could take legal action later, the horses would be gone. Destroyed. And it would destroy her.
There had to be some solution, some place where she could take them. Someone who could help.
Rowan.
But no. She couldn’t be that desperate.
Only she was.
A hundred images surfaced, a thousand moments amidst endless emotions. The day they met in the stables, the kind but serious boy, the child who had been her playmate and then her friend, her best friend and then her first crush. Then her boyfriend… until heshatteredher.
She hadn’t visited the spacious ranch where Uncail Frank worked as a caretaker in many years, not since the stern owner banned kids when she was a teenager. Although Frank still visited her regularly, he spoke little of his work, except tomention when the owner passed away and Rowan took control. The ranch was located in Waterstone, an idyllic town a few hours distance. If they could temporarily house the horses, their lives would be saved.
Would Rowan remember? Would he be willing to help? Was she willing to ask him for help?
For the horses – anything.
Her breath stilled as she dialed her uncail’s number. He answered after the first ring. “Frank O’Connor.”
Relief sored, immediately tempered by the dismal chance of success. Usually her uncail’s warm baritone was enough to calm her, yet today nothing could vanquish the turmoil galloping in her stomach. “Uncail Frank.”
“Ciara, how are you?” He spoke carefully and lowly, as if sensing the emotion threading through her voice. “Are you all right?”
“A little overwhelmed.” She paused, steeled herself. “I have a big favor to ask. I saw this story on social media…”
Frank stayed silent as she explained the situation, told him about the horses she hadn’t truly yet saved. He would understand. He’d worked on a ranch since departing the Irish Defense Forces four decades earlier and was dedicated to the animals he loved. Finally, she finished with the question that would determine everything, “Would Rowan let us board the horses at his ranch? Just for a few days until I figure out what to do?”
Frank didn’t answer right away. Then, “Can I call you back?”
“Of course!” She rubbed a chest tight with anxiety. He hadn’t said no. Of course, he’d have to check with Rowan before making his decision.
“Just give me a few minutes.”
A minute turned into five, then to ten and fifteen, as her heart raced like a contender at the Preakness. Time stretched as thefate of a dozen lives teetered at the crux of two paths. If this last chance fell through…
The phone rang.
“Hello,” she said tentatively.
“Bring them.”
Without a doubt, people for two towns heard her shout of elation. “Thank you so much.” Ciara blinked as the world blazed a thousand times brighter. Was this really happening? “Tell Rowan thank you, too.”
“Actually, I wasn’t able to reach him.”
“What?” Unease threatened her joy. If Rowan didn’t know, he hadn’t approved. And if he hadn’t approved, he could evict them in an instant. “Didn’t you call him?”
“I tried, but he didn’t answer.” Frank’s voice remained calm, unconcerned. “Don’t worry. Rowan spends most of his time at the other ranch. He hasn’t visited in years.”
What would Rowan do if and when he discovered a dozen horses at his ranch? If she was anything less than desperate, she would have insisted on reaching him first, but the horses’ lives were at stake. Besides, Frank had worked for the family for decades. He must be certain Rowan would agree or he wouldn’t have told her to come.
