“Good,” I said. “Keep it clear. If it chokes again, call me.”
We hustled back through the snow, breath steaming in the cold night air. The moment we stepped inside, the warmth hit us, and so did the tension.
My phone buzzed across the nightstand, vibrating with a distinct tone we all recognized. The ranch’s private comms network didn’t light up unless it was urgent.
I crossed the room in two strides and snatched it up. A single message glared back at me, no frills, no wasted words.
Main House: My office. Now.
My gut tightened. Whatever this was, it wasn’t routine.
I looked at my door, at the slice of light under it. I didn’t want to leave. Didn’t want to be ten feet away from her, let alone a hundred. But the ping wasn’t a suggestion. Though the other phones remained silent, it seemed only I was being summoned.
I cracked the door. Sara was perched on the edge of the bed, hoodie sleeves past her hands, eyes on me.
“Two minutes,” I promised.
She nodded, but I saw it, the flash of old panic she tried to bury. I touched my fingers to my chest, then to the door handle. Locked. She mirrored the move. Good girl.
In the main house, Jacob’s office hummed. Jacob stood over the large desk, maps out, a small emergency radio squawking. Diesel, Jax, Flapjack, Bear, all their tight faces. Lily hovered with a thermos.
Diesel looked up first. “Nice work on the gen.”
“Thanks.” I scanned the map. “What’s up?”
Jacob slid a phone across the table.
The town sheriff had texted:
Heads up. Black F-150 seen outside town before the roads closed. He was adamant he needed to bypass the officer set up to turn people around to get up your mountain.
A follow-up:
Name on his ID was Chad Murray.
Something cold settled under my ribs. Chad Murray. High school star quarterback. Homecoming King. Oil and tire store reject. And all around captain of assholes.
That bastard wasn’t getting anywhere near Sara. Especially not after what I saw. “He’s not getting up this mountain.”
“No,” Jacob said. “At least not in this weather. But when it breaks, he’ll try.” His gaze cut to me. “We need to know what we’re dealing with before that. Isn’t that the name of your girl’s ex? Fox mentioned a Chad earlier. Coincidence? Is she in trouble?”
“Not anymore. But he’s not exactly someone to trust. I’ll talk to her.”
Lily poured coffee, handed it to me. “Be gentle,” she said softly. “But be clear.”
On my way out, Bear caught my arm. “You call before you act,” he said. “We don’t do solo hunts in this family.”
This family. I’d been working beside these men for months, but for the first time, it hit me—I wasn’t just a ranch hand anymore. I was one of them.
“Understood,” I said. And I did. But my hands itched anyway.
Back at the bunkhouse, the hall was quiet. Cards shuffled behind me, low voices respectful. I opened my door and slid inside.
Sara stood when I entered. The hoodie swallowed her. My shirt bared her legs. I locked the door, crossed to her, and let her lean into my chest for a breath, just one.
“We have to talk,” I said against her hair.
Her body went still. “Okay.”
