Chapter 29 Chase
CHASE
The hour it takes me to find Luke is the longest sixty minutes of my fucking life.
Sometimes an eight-second ride felt like it dragged on forever, but I’d rather have Black Tornado trample me a thousand times over than the bone-deep terror of thinking about Molly’s son out in the storm.
When I finally spot Gumdrop’s tail through the deluge, they’re huddled under a tree.
Thank God he kept hold of the horse’s reins instead of letting the animal go.
Gumdrop could have found his way back to the barn, but I’m not sure I would have spotted Luke on his own or shouted loud enough for him to hear me over the roar of the wind.
I dismount and drop Fancy’s reins, knowing she’s not going anywhere without me.
“Luke. Buddy.”
His head is down, thin arms wrapped around his legs.
He’s wearing a raincoat and cowboy boots, but looks drenched to the skin, which I am, too.
I don’t let myself think about how long he’s been here, the possibility of lightning strikes, or how long it would take hypothermia to set in at this temperature.
“Luke.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and he startles. I can’t tell if his cheeks are wet from raindrops or tears.
“Chase,” he sobs and scrambles into my arms, throwing his arms around my neck. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have taken Gumdrop without—”
“Hey.”
I cup a hand on either side of his face, and it takes a second to get him to lean back enough that I can look him in the eye.
“You’re safe, and that’s all that matters. Your mom is scared out of her mind, so we need to get you home, okay?”
“Okay.” He nods. “I think I can still ride and—”
“You’ll ride with me, and Gumdrop will follow Fancy. I’ve got you, buddy.”
His chin trembles. “You’ve got me.”
“Yeah.”
We climb out from under the tree and I lift him into the saddle. I tie Gumdrop’s lead to Fancy’s saddle and swing myself up behind the boy, then take off my jacket and wrap it around him like a blanket.
“You need that,” he says, looking over his shoulder at me.
“I’m fine,” I say. My heart is beating with so much relief, I’m not sure I could feel anything right now.
As the rain beats down on us, my horse—the best fucking animal that ever walked the planet—is steady and sure-footed as she makes her way back to the barn. Thank God for Fancy because I can still barely see three feet in front of us.
Luke begins to tremble, and I pull him tighter against my chest, wrapping an arm around the front of him and hoping that some of the warmth from my body seeps into his.
The house and barn are still dark as we approach, and I waste no time putting both horses in their stalls, Luke at my side.
I lift him into my arms, and once again, he wraps his arms around my neck.
His heartbeat thunders through the layers of clothes he’s wearing, and I run to the house through the darkness.
Molly opens the door just as I reach the top porch step.
As long as I live, I’ll never forget the look on her face when she realizes I’m holding her son.
If I never do another thing right in my life, I can die a goddamn happy man because I did this thing for her.
I kept my promise to bring her boy home.
I start to back away through the open door as Laurel throws her arms around Molly’s waist, and the three of them hug. But with faster reflexes than I’ve seen before, Molly reaches out, grabs my wrist, and tugs me forward.
My heart is in my throat as Laurel clamps a hand around my thigh, and I’m drawn into their group hug as if I’m part of the family.
Like I belong.
And as much as I want to, I still don’t know if I can let myself believe that. Luke would have never ridden into that storm if it weren’t for what he witnessed from me earlier, plus the riding lessons that made him comfortable enough to take Gumdrop out on his own.
I’d like to blame my father, but Malcolm fucking Calhoun wouldn’t have entered their lives if it wasn’t for me.
Yeah, he started the fight and pushed me past my breaking point when he slapped Molly’s son.
I let that rage consume me, just like I did back when I was eighteen and ended up in jail for beating the shit out of my dad when he went after my mom one too many times.
Just thinking about the horrible cycle of violence makes me want to cry the way the three of them are.
When Molly meets my gaze and glides a thumb across my cheek, I realize it’s not raindrops she’s wiping.
She’s brushing away tears.
That thought has me pulling back even though my body screams at me to stay.
I clear my throat. “I need to take care of the horses. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I’m coming with you,” Luke says, even though I can see him shivering.
“Sweetie, you need to get warm,” Molly tells him.
I nod. “It’s okay, Luke. You—”
“I want to take care of Gumdrop.”
It’s funny, because if you’d asked me before this moment, I would have said Laurel was the spitting image of her father and Luke took after Molly. But there’s a stubborn set to his jaw that is all Teddy.
I lift my gaze to hers, and she gives me a slight nod.
“Put on some dry clothes,” I tell the boy. “You’re not going to be any good to Gumdrop if you can’t ride because you catch your death of cold.”
Molly swipes a hand across her face, but an almost smile curves her lips. “My grandpa used to use that saying,” she tells me.
“Mine too.”
“We’ll bring him out in a few minutes.”
I take another step away. “I’ll be in the barn.”
I have to break this connection. It might be invisible, but it’s as strong as any chain binding me to her. Which is not smart for either of us. I just don’t know how to stop it from getting stronger.
The rain is still coming down in sheets, but the wind has died down and there’s no more thunder or lightning, indicating the worst of the storm has passed.
I gather dry towels and fresh hay, then start rubbing down Fancy with long, steady strokes to get the rain and sweat off her coat.
Her breathing has settled, but she’s still damp and needs attention.
It means something to me that Luke wants to be responsible for Gumdrop after everything he’s been through today and tonight.
The three of them enter the barn a few minutes later, and Luke dries and brushes Gumdrop the way I taught him.
Molly stays at his side, but Laurel comes into Fancy’s stall with me.
When we’re finished, the twins help me put the supplies away.
They work quietly, like they understand this is part of releasing the trauma hold this day has on all of us.
“Okay.” I nod. “I’ll see you—”
“Will you read us a bedtime story?” Laurel asks.
I feel my jaw go slack.
“Honey, Chase has to be exhausted,” Molly says with a smile that trembles at the corners.
“Please,” Laurel says, with those big brown eyes.
“Charlotte’s Web,” Luke says.
And there you have it. I’m a fucking goner.
“You guys go to the house and get your jammies on, brush your teeth, whatever else your mom tells you to do. I’ll change into dry clothes and be over in a few minutes.”
They nod like there was never any doubt I’d say yes.
Molly mouths, “thank you,” before taking their hands.
I give Fancy and Gumdrop another half scoop of oats each because they’ve more than earned it, and then head to the Airstream.
Princess is on the bed in her usual spot, clearly not bothered by thunder, lightning, or the fact that her owner has fallen head over heels in love with a woman who might never belong to him.
“Tell me it’s going to be alright, Princess.”
She scratches an ear then heads for the litter box.
Great. I ask my cat for advice, and she goes to take a shit. That sends a clear message.
I change into a pair of loose-fitting athletic pants and a sweatshirt, grab a different rain jacket than the one I wrapped Luke in and shove my arms into it, then push my feet into my Muck boots.
The rain is finally starting to ease up when I walk into Molly’s house, and I place my boots on the mat next to the front door, hang my wet jacket in the laundry room, then head up the stairs.
The kids are together in the bed in Laurel’s room, the sheets and quilt tucked under their chins.
“Luke,” Molly says as I enter, her voice soft but stern. “What do you want to say to Chase?”
The boy scoots up to a sitting position. “I’m real sorry I broke the rules and took Gumdrop for a ride without you. I wanted to clear my head like you do sometimes, but I promise I won’t do it again.”
This kid is killing me, one sweet sentiment at a time.
“Trust me,” I tell him, my voice hoarse with emotion.
“You’re looking at somebody who spent his life learning lessons the hard way.
I also owe you an apology.” I rub a hand across the back of my neck.
“All of you. What happened today… Luke, no one should ever lay a hand on you the way my father did, and I hate that he was here because of me.”
Molly, who’s sitting on the side of the bed, reaches for my hand, but I shift away. I’m afraid I won’t be able to get the words I need to say out with her touching me.
“I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know that I reacted the way I did. My father was wrong, but I was also wrong to hit him. Physical violence doesn’t solve problems. I want you to know you’re safe with me. You don’t have anything—”
“We know,” Laurel says matter-of-factly. “You saved Luke from the storm.”
“You were defending me,” Luke agrees then adds in a softer tone, “I don’t like your dad.”
“Me neither,” Laurel says.
“That makes three of us.” Molly’s eyes are gentle when I meet her gaze. “Thank you for the apology, Chase, and for rescuing Luke.”
“And Gumdrop,” Luke adds, then lets out a wide yawn. Laurel follows suit.
Molly stands and hands me a book, careful not to touch me this time. And even though it’s what I needed a few seconds ago, now I want to howl in protest. Instead, I sit down, flip the book open, and start reading.