Page 39 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
The phone wasn’t there.
She reached into the other pocket. Still not there.
Which meant…
She truly was on her own.
Another lightning bolt struck dangerously near. The pungent scent of charred grass filled the air, stinging her nostrils and burning her lungs. The ranch was no longer visible through the heavy sheets of pounding rain, as shivers overtook her. The day had been hot, but the rain seemed as cold as ice as it saturated her clothing, seeped into her bones. She took one last look at the shed, a fading gray shape through the rain, yet turned the other way. She couldn’t leave Snowflake on her own.
Ciara struggled forward, yet as the adrenaline lessened, the pain in her ankle soared, like a vise gripping her between jagged metal teeth. A large blue mark was rapidly forming on the swelling joint, mottled with purple and gray. She gasped as she tried to walk.
She blew out an even stream of air, ordered herself to remain calm. After falling off a horse more than once as a child, she’d suffered multiple sprains and a couple of fractures. Fortunately, this more resembled the sprains than the fractures. There had been no popping or breaking when she fell, and the ankle did not appear crooked or have any numbness. Although it hurt, she could put minimal weight on it.
Of course, it would still slow her down. A couple of miles would be a swift gallop for Snowflake, yet it would take her long minutes to hobble the same distance, especially in the raging thunderstorm. Still, she didn’t have a choice. Pulling her jackettightly around her, she started the perilous trek back to the ranch.
“What do you mean she hasn’t returned?” Rowan growled, his voice emerging far harsher than he intended. He checked his watch, rumbled in a lower voice, “She left hours ago.”
“I know.” Normally Spencer would have given a smart retort about Rowan’s curt tone, now he simply echoed it. “We’ve been so busy no one realized until Davey asked where she was.”
Thunder roared outside the wide picture windows, rattling the floorboards and shaking the dishes. Rowan stood in the kitchen with his brothers and Frank, their mutual concern, worry and determination as heavy as the gray clouds looming outside. Rain pounded the roof, its furious tattoo like a thousand racing horses. “She would never keep Snowflake out in this weather. Did you try her cell?”
“Right away,” Frank confirmed. “It went straight to voicemail.”
Rowan removed his own cell phone and swiftly dialed the number he knew by heart. It rang, but no one answered.
“Do you hear something?” Davey asked.
Rowan narrowed his eyes. There was another noise beyond the storm, some sort of melody. He stepped into the hallway, and then over to the mahogany table by the front door. The space where Ciara often tossed her belongings was abuzz, vibrating and singing with theBad Boystheme song. Her cell phone buzzed into sight, lit with the incoming call he’d made.
The concern crushing his chest obliterated any semblance of amusement. “She forgot her phone.”
Frank cursed lightly. “She was just going for a ride. I told her to check the weather.”
“It shouldn’t have mattered.” Quinn gestured to the plains outside the window, now hidden behind gray, cottony swirls.“The rain was visible for miles. She should’ve had time to return.”
“Unless she couldn’t,” Rowan voiced what they all suspected. What theyfeared. “Unless something stopped her.”
“Do you think she’s hurt?” Concern deepened the grooves in Frank’s features, aging the normally stoic man. “She’s an adept rider, but this weather is dangerous for anyone.”
Another brilliant flash of light illuminated the world, followed by deafening booms. As the lights flickered, unease turned to pure fear. Ciara was out there somewhere, possibly injured, probably trapped, undoubtedly exposed to the dangerous storm. He could wait no longer. “I’m going to look for her.”
“So am I,” said Quinn.
“And me,” added Spencer.
“Me, too,” declared Frank.
“Count me in,” exclaimed Davey.
Taut muscles loosened ever-so-slightly. Even in the most difficult times, his brothers supported him. But he couldn’t put them in danger. “It’s a nightmare out there. You can’t access the path by car, and I won’t expose another horse to the elements. The only way to travel is by foot.”
“I’m not staying behind while Ciara is in danger.” Quinn’s tone was pure determination, as the others gave similar sentiments. Rowan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He couldn’t let them all go. “Frank, why don’t you stay here with Davey in case Ciara returns?”
Frank grimaced, hesitated, but then nodded roughly. They couldn’t let Davey go out in this weather, and they needed to make sure he didn’t venture out on his own. Plus, if – when – Ciara returned, someone should be here.
“We won’t let you down,” Davey said.
“I know you won’t, buddy.”
