“Hooper,” I say as he answers with a drawling hello. “Where’s Madison?”
There’s a pause and I swear I can hear the lazy smile stretching across his lips. “Didn’t you see my message? I dropped her at your boyfriend’s ranch.”
I ignore the dig. I will not be dragged into a fight right now. “You were supposed to drop her off at my parents’. We’re?—”
“Yeah, I know, but Mad told me it would be fine to leave her at the ranch. She said you were meeting her there.”
“And you believed an eight-year-old girl without checking with me?” My voice rises as the first streaks of panic pound through me. Why has Madison gone to Oakwood Ranch? She knows I’m not there.
“Was Dylan there?” I ask.
“I didn’t see him.”
“Mama?”
“Who?”
“Did you see anyone?”I ask.
“Er… no, but I was in a rush to catch my flight. Mad seemed fine when she got out.”
My heart pounds a rapid drum in my chest. My hands start to shake. I think of how sad Madison was this weekend. How many times she asked about the horses.
“Hooper.” His name comes out in a rush. “Turn around right now and get Madison. I’m not at the ranch.”
“What? Where are you?”
“I’m in the city. You have to go get her.”
“I can’t.” His tone turns whiny, bringing with it memories of our marriage. All the times I begged him to stay home with me when Madison was a screaming newborn and I was so tired, strung out, and scared. “I’m already at the airport and through security,” he says.
“What? How long ago did you drop her at the ranch?”
“About an hour or so.”
The scream rises up, barely contained. The next words I speak are fierce. “You abandon our daughter without bothering to check if there’s anyone to take care of her, and you don’t think to tell me for an hour? You’re a selfish prick, Hooper.”
I end the call. My heart continues to pound as reality sets in. This is all my fault. I shove away the anxiety and the guilt threatening to consume me. Neither will help me now. I’m onthe east side of the city. Oakwood Ranch is west. I’m on the wrong side, and it’s the start of rush hour.
I’m hours away.
Madison needs me. She needs help. I need help.
I tap my phone screen, and as the ringing fills my ears, the truth hits me with the force of a sledgehammer.There is only one person I trust to help me—Dylan. I can’t pretend it’s not true. I trust him with everything. With my life. With Madison’s. I know he’ll help me.
THIRTY-NINE
DYLAN
DYLAN:Don’t forget the feed delivery is arriving this afternoon. I’ve cleared space in the store for it.
TRAVIS:Got it!
DYLAN:And check the alfalfa bales for mold before stacking them.
TRAVIS:Will do.
DYLAN:I’ll be back in a few hours.
