Page 244 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“And you came and got your man.”
“Because my brother ordered me to.”
“At that point, we were not married.” Rod’s hazel eyes sparkled at Wyl.
“I thought of you as my husband even before we were married,” Wyl said.
“I’m glad,” Rod said.
It was mid-afternoon when Wyl’s horse faltered and began favoring one hoof. Wyl gently tugged the reins to stop the steed. “I need to check his hooves for stones.”
“Okay,” Rod pointed. “I’m going to ride over to that bluff to grab a few shots of the Atlantic coast.”
Wyl nodded. “I’ll join you there in a minute.” He dismounted. “Don’t get lost.”
Rod shook his head and rode ahead while Wyl lifted the horse’s hoof and removed the small stone, careful not to injure the horse. He saddled up and galloped on to join Rod, who had ridden over the ridge.
Rod’s horse was standing near the bluff. He rode over and dismounted, thinking it strange that Rod didn’t tie his horse to a nearby tree before heading to the bluff. The view overlooking the ocean was magnificent, but Wyl hardly noticed. Rod was nowhere to be seen.
“Rod,” he called out in a loud voice. “Rod!” he yelled, hoping his husband would appear. Nothing.
He pulled out his cell phone to call Rod. No service. He grabbed the reins of Rod’s horse and mounted his own steed. He rode back and forth along the bluff, shouting for Rod but getting no response. After half an hour of searching, he galloped toward their starting point.
As he returned the horses, he pulled out his cell phone and called Rod.The person you have called is out of range or has powered off the phone.He grumbled as he stabbed at the screen to disconnect that call. He scrolled through his contacts to find General Steinburg and jabbed the screen to call.
“Steinburg,” the General answered.
“I think they kidnapped Rod.” His breath came in gasps, and his heart pounded.
“Where are you?” General Steinburg asked.
“Carrowholly Stables in County Westport,” Wyl said. “We were enjoying a weekend horseback ride. A stone lodged in one of my horse’s hooves, so I stopped to remove it while Rod rode on ahead. When I got to his location, his horse was there, but he was nowhere to be found.” Wyl realized he was yelling at the general as panic had set in.
“Wyl…calm down. We’ll get him back. I’m calling Commissioner Kane. He’ll mobilize Garda and find Rod.”
“Thanks, General Steinburg. I’ll get with my locals and work on things from this end.”
“Keep me posted, Wyl.”
“Yes, sir, General.” Wyl disconnected and raced to the Carrowholly office to check out. Finding Rod was a priority.
* * *
“Glenn Cross.”
“Glenn, Wyl Sterling. I think they took Rod.”
“Wyl, who are they?”
“Ailbe and Declan. We were on a horseback ride in Westport County, and Rod disappeared.”
“How could he disappear?” Glenn asked. “Weren’t you with him?”
“My horse picked up a stone in his hoof, so I stopped to dislodge it while Rod rode ahead to the coast, just over the next rise. I found a riderless horse when I arrived at the spot where he should have been waiting. No Rod.”
“Did they know where you were going?”
“Yes. I told Ailbe we were going horseback riding in Westport County over the weekend. It wouldn’t take long to find us.”
