"Yeah." She nods, but I can see the fear in her hazel eyes. "I'll be fine."
I cup her face in my hands, studying her. Looking for any sign that leaving her alone is a mistake. But all I see is a woman who's trying to be brave, even when she's scared. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I know." She nods, licking her lips.
I lean in and kiss her. It's supposed to be quick, just a goodbye, but she responds, her hands coming up to grip my shoulders, and I deepen it. When I pull back, we're both breathing harder, and I don't want to leave her, but I have to. I have a job to do, and I need to prove that I trust her.
"I'll be back soon," I promise again.
"You better be. I'm gonna miss you."
I force myself to stand and walk away from her. It's harder than I imagined it would be, but I do it because I have to for both of us. Out in the barn, Blackjack snorts when he sees me coming with his saddle. "Yeah, I know. It's early."
He stands patient while I saddle him up, but I'm distracted. My mind keeps going back to Paisley, alone in the cabin. What if she decides she can't handle it? What if being by herself reminds her too much of why she was in that field?
"She'll be fine," I mutter to myself, checking the cinch one more time. "She's stronger than you think."
I hope to God I'm right.
The ride out to the Henderson place takes longer than usual. The snow's deep in places, and I have to guide Blackjack carefully. The sky is that particular shade of gray that promises more snow, and the wind cuts through my jacket like a knife. I pull my hat down lower and keep going, thankful I thought to get a ski mask, at least my face is protected.
When I finally see the Henderson ranch house in the distance, smoke is rising from the chimney. There are tracks in the snow leading to the barn, fresh ones. At least someone's up and moving.
I dismount near the front porch, tying Blackjack to the rail. Before I can knock, the door opens, and a man around my age steps out. I recognize him as Frank Henderson. I've met him a handful of times at the feed store, but never his wife.
"Chase, thanks for coming out." He extends his hand and I shake it.
Reaching up, I take my hat off, and pull my mask aside so I can talk to him. "Eli said you had some cattle missing?"
"Yeah, or we thought we did." He runs a hand through his hair, looking embarrassed. "Come on in. Shelly's got coffee on."
I follow him inside, stomping the snow off my boots. The house is warm, and I'm thankful for it after that cold ride. A woman with blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail is at the stove, and she turns when we walk in.
"You must be Chase. I'm Shelly." She smiles. "Coffee?"
"Please."
She pours me a cup while Frank and I sit at the kitchen table. He clears his throat. Judging by the layers he's wearing, he's already been out today. "So, about those cattle. Turns out they weren't rustled."
I raise an eyebrow. "No?"
"No. They must have gotten turned around in the storm. Ended up on the Mitchells' property about two miles east of here. Jim Mitchell called this morning, said he had them penned up and ready for us to come get them. That's why I'm up so early, I finished everything around here already, and I'm heading out after I grab breakfast."
Relief washes over me. "So it's settled then?"
"Yeah." Frank nods, groaning. "I feel like an idiot for calling it in, but with the storm and everything, we just didn't know."
"Don't feel bad. Better safe than sorry, especially with livestock. It wouldn't be the first time that we've had cattle rustled out here, and sometimes it's bad shit going down." I take a sip of the coffee she sat in front of me. "I'll write up a report, mark it as investigated and case closed. Sound good? That way if something does show up later, I've at least checked on it."
"That works for us," Shelly says, joining us at the table. "We just appreciate you coming out in this weather."
We talk for a few more minutes, mostly about the storm and if they have enough supplies to last. "If you need something," I tell them, "I can always ride Blackjack to meet Eli."
"I appreciate it," Frank says. "I think we're good, but it's the first time I've had to worry about someone else out here besides me." His gaze goes to his wife. They must be newlyweds.
Shelly grins over at him. "I knew what I was in for when I married you."
When I finish my coffee, I stand. "I better head back. The storm should pick up by tonight." I point at the alert that's just come across the satellite phone I carry when I go out in the field.
