Chapter Eighteen
Colton
Before heading to the stables, we stop at The Branch Haven so Sam can pick out a cowboy hat. As soon as he saw Bodie and me wearing ours, he wanted one too. Luckily, there’s a variety of options for kids to pick from, but he chooses a black one to match me.
“Lookin’ like a real cowboy now.” I beam, taking a few pictures to send to Amelia.
Then I ask the receptionist to take one of all three of us.
“Cheese!” Sam giggles when we kneel next to him, wrapping his arms around mine and Bodie’s shoulders. Then I lift him up, and we take a few more.
“Alright, let’s go.” I set him down so I can pay but then notice a wooden rocking horse that must be new to the shop. “Do you think Lily would like this?”
Since she was sad about not being able to go with us today, maybe this will make her feel better and more included.
“Yeah!” Sam exclaims. “She’ll love it.”
I beam at the thought. “Perfect.”
Once we check out, I put the rocker in the back of my truck, and then we walk to the stables since it’s not far.
Bodie picks out the best horse that’s familiar with kids and never strays off the trails. I show Sam how to groom him and put on the saddle before he climbs on.
“Remember to keep your reins close and don’t drop ’em,” I remind him, making sure he has a good grip on them.
He grins wide, tightening his hold. “Okay, Dad.”
My heart stops mid-beat at the unexpected term of endearment. I’m not sure how to respond, and don’t want him to think calling me that is a bad thing. But I don’t know what Amelia would think about it, especially after Lily asked me if I was her daddy a few nights ago.
Maybe he’s confused or hopes I’ll become his dad since he’s never met his.
Either way, I could only dream of being theirs someday.
Instead of correcting him, I give him a high-five.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say once I’m on my horse.
Bodie leads us out to the trail, with Sam in the middle, and me following. It’s a warm and sunny day, nearly perfect for riding up the mountain. Between the birds chirping and the waterfall sounds from Willow Falls River, it’s a quiet and peaceful ride.
“Give him a little kick,” I tell Sam. “And hang on.”
The horses gallop up a hill, and we’re greeted with a beautiful view of the sun over the property.
Sam’s wide eyes as he scans along the tree line make me smile. “When I get big like you, I wanna live here.”
“You do?”
“Yep, and maybe I can have my own cabin and horse.”
I can’t help feeling hopeful that someday his dream will become a reality.
“I’d love that,” I tell him honestly.
“And maybe Mom and Lily can come visit.”
I snicker. “I’m sure they’d love to.”
We stop at one of the streams so the horses can drink some water. There are only a few other people on the trails, but otherwise, it’s been a quiet ride.
“You’re doin’ really well, Sam,” I say, noticing his posture and how he holds the reins.
“He’s a natural,” Bodie adds.
“That’s ’cause Imma cowboy!”
“You sure are.” I laugh when he waves his hat over his head like a lasso.
I’m going to miss this when they leave. He’s such an easygoing, adventurous, and fun kid to be around.
Every morning, he watches me make breakfast, assisting where he can, and then helps Lily cut up her food into smaller pieces.
He fills up her cup with milk and makes sure she’s buckled in her booster seat.
I’ve gotten used to our routine and even look forward to it.
“Colt, why does someone wanna take me from Mommy?”
His question takes me off guard as we ride side by side down the hill.
“I dunno, buddy. Some people are bad, and we don’t always know why. But you don’t gotta be scared ’cause I’m never gonna let anyone hurt you.”
He glances up at me with a confident smile. “I know you won’t. That’s why I called you Dad, even if you aren’t my real one, you’ll protect me like Dads are supposed to.”
Fuck, now everything’s blurry.
Moving my horse closer to his, I reach over and wrap my arm around his shoulders. “Always, buddy. No matter what.”
Bodie looks at us over his shoulder, and without even speaking, I know what he’s thinking.
I’m in fucking deep.
Once we return to the stables and groom the horses, I drop Sam off with Bodie so I can go to the hardware store to get extra locks and cameras. The girls are still gone and Lily’s at daycare, so I have time to get everything installed before everyone returns.
Sam runs around outside with Remy while Bodie and I cuss at the doorbell that won’t connect to the WiFi. Granted, it doesn’t always work out here, but it should still be an option.
“I’m gonna reset the router, hold on.”
“Maybe give it a good kick,” Bodie quips.
“More like gonna put my fist through it,” I grumble, whipping the door open.
I mess with the device, unplugging and resetting it a few times before it finally shows up on my app.
“Alright, I think it’s—”
Remy barks in the distance, but it’s not his usual playful one, it’s more aggressive. Then, a loud, piercing scream.
“Oh, shit. Sam!” I sprint down the steps with Bodie close behind. “Where’re you?”
He screams again, but it’s closer than before. Remy’s still aggressively barking.
“Think it’s an animal?” Bodie asks as we rush down the driveway past our trucks.
“Maybe. Where the fuck did they go?” I call his name again, then Remy’s.
Moments later, Sam runs out of the woods, nearly panting. “It’s…a…big cat.”
I capture Sam in my arms, then look him over to make sure he’s not injured.
“Bobcat, maybe?” Bodie asks.
“It had kittens,” Sam adds. “Remy tried to scare it away when they got close to me.”
Oh shit. Bobcats don’t typically attack larger dogs or humans unless they’re sick or feel threatened. It’s not uncommon for Bobcats to be in these mountains, but they rarely cause a problem since they tend to stay away from people. But if she has babies with her, she’d be more on guard.
I carry Sam toward my house, then set him down on the first step of the stairs. Opening my truck door, I pull out my rifle that I keep under the seat for emergencies and quickly load it. Remy stopped barking, which either means he’s hurt or he scared them away.
But I’m not taking any chances.
“Bodie, take Sam inside.”
“No, I don’t wanna leave you!” he cries.
“I gotta find Remy and make sure he’s okay. I’ll be back.” I kiss the top of his head. “Listen to Bodie.”
“C’mon, Sam. We’ll be safe in the house.”
“I’m scared for Remy.” His bottom lip trembles.
Bodie grabs his hand and leads him up the staircase, and I walk into the area Sam ran from, calling Remy’s name. My heart beats wildly at the fear that something happened to him or I won’t find him at all.
Not only will I be crushed, but Sam will be too.
I told him not to go too far and to stay in the driveway, but knowing how much Remy loves to explore, Sam followed wherever he went.
“Remy! Home!”
There’s whimpering to my left, and I rush through the trees toward the sound, calling out his name a few more times. And then I see him.
He’s lying down, still breathing, but just barely.
“Remy!” Kneeling, I lift him in my arms the best I can with my rifle under my arm. There’s blood around his neck, but it doesn’t look too deep. A single claw scratch. At least that’s all I can see when I rush out of the woods and to my truck.
I manage to get him in the backseat and tear off my shirt to put pressure on his wound.
“You’re okay. You’re okay,” I mutter soothingly when he cries out.
Bodie swings the door open. “You find him? He okay?”
My eyes shift to Sam, who’s next to him. “He should be, but I’m gonna take him to the vet to get looked at.”
The last thing I want is to scare Sam, so I keep it vague.
“Text or call me when you get there,” he says.
“I will.” I jump in the driver’s seat and back out of the driveway, then call the animal hospital to give them a heads up we’re coming.
It’s thirty minutes away, but I make it in twenty.
Everything’s a blur from the moment I carry him in, and they lead us into a room. I set him down, and they immediately take over, looking at the wound and for any others. They find a bite mark on the other side of his neck, but it’s not as deep as the claw marks.
“Is he gonna be okay?”
“He’s lost a lot of blood. We’re gonna prep him for surgery.”
“Surgery? What for?”
One of the vet techs explains he’ll need a blood transfusion, and once they clean the wounds, they’ll get a better idea of the internal damage.
I get thirty seconds to tell him he’s going to be okay and that I love him before they take him away. Remy and I have been through so much together over the past seven years, my heart shatters at the thought of losing him.
“Mr. Langston?” I turn at the sound of my name, trying to hold back my emotions. “I found an extra scrub top that should fit you, if you’d like it.”
Looking down, I remember I’m shirtless and covered in blood.
“The bathroom’s down the hall.”
I take the shirt. “Thank you.”
Once I’ve cleaned up and get dressed, I head out to the waiting room and text Bodie an update. Then I call Amelia.
But she doesn’t pick up.
I try again five minutes later, and this time it goes straight to voicemail. I’d be worried if she weren’t with my family and Raven. Most likely, they’re still at the strip club, and she can’t pick up.
Sitting in one of the uncomfortable chairs, I hold my head in my hands and say a silent prayer. Remy’s strong, and he’s going to pull through, but I need to feel like I’m doing something to help.
The thought of coming home each night and not being greeted by him tears me apart. Especially once Amelia and the kids leave, I’ll be left alone in the house without him.
“Mr. Langston.”
I sit up, then stand when I realize it’s the vet in front of me.
“How is he?” I ask eagerly. “Can I see him?”
“Let’s talk in the back.”