44
D avis winces, big fingers on his brow as he leans back against the counter. “I’m dying.”
“You’re hungover,” Dakota admonishes. Dark head dipping, she sticks a pie in the oven.
Outside, the storm roars. Fortunately, it’s chased off any remaining paparazzi. Inside, we’re toasty warm and crammed inside Dakota’s kitchen for an all-day brunch. As if good food and more drink will take everyone’s minds off the shadows settling over the ranch.
“Face it, brother,” Ford says. “After we hit forty, it’s all downhill from there.” He holds me in his arms, stroking a hand over my own.
I laugh. “Speak for yourself, Country Boy.”
Both Ford and Davis bark a laugh.
Keena stretches out on her dog bed. Wyatt, Fallon, Ruby, and Charlie are playing trucks with Duke on the living room rug.
I’ve never felt so content. So happy. Everyone has good things coming their way, me included. Ford and I—we’re getting married. We have a future. This is the last day I’ll ever be beholden to Gavin.
With a growl, Charlie drops into a chair. “Next year, we ain’t drinkin’.”
Ruby laughs and kisses his temple. “Next year, we don’t drink so much .”
“Or start fistfights,” Davis adds.
Ford snorts.
“Food,” Dakota announces, slamming a platter of cinnamon rolls down.
Everyone lunges like we’ve been starving for days. We eat standing around the breakfast bar like hungover heathens. Wind rattles the windows. It’s chaos. Duke’s crying, Keena is barking, and Wyatt and Fallon are arguing, but all I can do is smile.
“Oh my gosh,” I breathe. “It’s a madhouse.” I look up at Ford. “I want one just like it.”
He meets my gaze. “Way it’s gonna be, Birdie.” His voice is husky. “Can’t fucking wait.”
The crackle of the two-way radio cuts through the chatter.
“ Anyone alive up there? ”
“You got all of us, Tina,” Davis says as he moves away from the breakfast bar to speak to the ranch’s Guest Services manager. “What’s goin’ on?”
“ Did everyone check out of the chalets? ”
From his spot in the hallway, Davis looks at me. “Reese is in one of the West Chalets.”
I laugh as I grab a muffin. “Time to kick me out.”
Ford chuckles, gives my hand a squeeze. “You’re not goin’ far.”
“ We had another guest in there this summer ,” Tina says. “ Before you started the reno. I show they’re still active in the East Chalets. ”
Charlie groans.
The radio crackles. “ And not to add more bad news, but two horses got out of the barn. ”
Another groan. This time from Wyatt.
“Thanks, Tina,” Davis says. “We’ll handle it.”
“Should you be out in the storm?” Dakota asks, worried.
“No,” Davis says, holstering his radio. “But we can’t leave the horses or a guest unprotected.” He glances at Ford. “You and Wy take the chalets? Make sure they’re clear.”
Ford nods, and Wyatt takes a huge bite of a cinnamon roll in answer.
The brothers move away from the table, grabbing jackets, securing two-way radios, and everyone follows.
“I can help,” Fallon says, reaching for her rain jacket.
“No, you can’t,” Wyatt grunts, and Dakota puts a hand on her sister’s shoulder.
Davis roves his intense gaze around the group. “I want y’all staying indoors. That means you too, Fallon.”
She rolls her eyes.
Charlie tugs the two-way radio off his hip and hands it to his wife. “Phones are down, Sunflower. Use this if you need anything.”
Gripping Ford’s arm, I pull him toward me. “Be careful.”
“I will.” He cups my cheek in his hand, his amber eyes burning. “Stay here.”
“Don’t be a hero,” I tease. “I love you.”
Eyes darkening, Ford lowers his mouth to mine for one hard kiss. “Love you, baby.”
Hushed whispers float through the air as everyone says goodbye, then the floorboards rattle as the men storm for the front door. My heart thumps as they melt into the storm outside.
“Men are the worst,” Fallon grumps. She sits cross-legged on Dakota’s rug with Duke in her arms. She kisses the top of Duke’s dark head. “Except you.”
“They want us safe, Fallon,” Dakota says. She sets a tray of hot tea and coffee on the coffee table. Despite the storm, the large sliding glass doors are open to the deck. Rain comes down in a drizzle. Though it’s only noon, it’s nearly pitch-black outside. A heavy, eerie feeling lingers in the air.
The men have been away for only thirty minutes, but the storm outside is unnerving. Biblical. I hope Ford makes it back quickly.
“No. They want to corral us like cattle because we’re the weaker sex.”
Ruby, curled up in a blanket on the couch, chirps, “I guarantee none of them can ride a bull like you.”
Fallon smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
A rush of wind whips through the open doors, scattering napkins, and I jump off the couch, hurrying to close them. Before I do, something catches my attention and I gasp. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Dakota asks.
“Do you hear that?” I listen closely. There, coming from outside, the faintest of meows. “It’s Mouse.” I look over my shoulder at the women. “I’m going to get her.”
“Reese,” Dakota says, lifting Duke in her arms. “I don’t think—”
“I’ll be fast. Promise.” I grab a flashlight from a side table and slip out the door. I take the steps two at a time down to the grass, calling for Mouse.
I have to find her for Ford. Ever since she went missing, he’s been a mess.
“Mouse? Here, kitty, kitty.” Rain mists over my body, soaking my sweatshirt, and I shiver. Thunder rumbles across the sky. Another lonesome mewl.
“Here, kitty, kitty. Please come here.”
I keep close to the house, then move beneath the deck. Even with the bright beam of the flashlight, I have to squint to see.
That’s when I feel it. Eyes on me. I straighten up, turning to face the darkness. It’s the strange prickling sensation I’ve had all summer. Like I’m being watched.
Another meow.
I wave the flashlight over the grass.
Relief floods through me when I see Mouse and her little pink collar. She stands in the flashlight’s glow blinking those big green eyes.
“Oh, thank God, you little—”
“Reese.” Barely a hiss of a whisper, but I hear it.
Close. Too close.
Before I can run, I’m grabbed roughly from behind. I fall backward against a body. A hand clamps over my mouth, and a sharp stinging sensation pricks my elbow.
Looking around in confusion, I struggle, reaching behind me to claw at my attacker. But the surrounding air is heavy, darker than it was minutes ago.
My arms fall limply to my sides. I let out a desperate, muffled cry. “No, no, please…”
A whisper in my ear, “Just go to sleep. Go to sleep, my shiny little shooting star.”
I can’t even scream.
I’m just falling.
Into blackness.