“You sure?”
“I’ll use one of the ranch vehicles or Silas’s if I need it.” He lets out a heavy breath. “Call me ifanythinghappens. Anything.”
“I will,” I assure him, accepting the keys he slides out of his pocket. His hand lingers, holding mine when I reach to take them from him. One of his workers lets out a whistle that steals his attention away, and I pull my hand back.
“Get back to work, cowboy,” I grin at him. “I’ll see you later.”
“I love you.” His eyes linger on the dimples on my cheeks.
“I love you, too.”
Ashley throws a piece of ice at me. “I’ve missed you!”
“It’s been a lot,” I sigh, “I’m sorry.”
“I bet,” She leans her hip on the counter, “I can’t imagine how scary it must all be. I mean,his dad!?”
I shake my head. “It’s insane.”
“Well,” Ashley throws a towel over her shoulder as she steps out of the bar, heading toward the door to open for the day, “All the right things are happening, as soon as he’s caught, you can all move on.”
“They all deserve nothing less.”
Ashley gets the doors unlocked and welcomes in the first few patrons, a couple of families ready for lunch and of course the regulars who take up their seats on the stools at the bar. We may not be in the clear, but this is the right path — just a steady pace and everything will fall into place.
Things get busier around three, with every table in the place filling and a queue making its way out the door. It’s the weekend of the Spring Festival, and while things don’t truly kick off until tomorrow with the parades and the stalls, the town is rammed, ready for the festivities.
“Crap, we’re out of limes,” I grumble. “I’ll be right back.” I call out to whoever is listening and pick up the container to head back to the kitchen. The kitchen staff are working overtime to get the orders fulfilled as quickly as possible; the air in here almost stifling even with the air conditioning cranked up to max.
“You guys good in here?” I yell.
“We’re good, boss,” My head chef calls back without turning to look at me, they’re all too busy but I can see they’re running low on a few items from out back so once I cut the limes, I take a second to run down to theback room, bundling as many of the things into a box I can carry.
I’m just reaching onto the top shelf for the seasonings when the hair on the nape of my neck stands up. I spin around, eyes widening when I see who is standing in the doorway, blocking my only escape.
“You.” My eyes widen, but I don’t get a chance to make a sound when something hard slams into the side of my head and all the lights go out.
Chapter 37
“Alright,” I call, “That’s all of them!”
Steering Pippin away from the calving barn, I wipe the sweat off my brow, the sun beating down on the ranch. It’s been a hard fucking day, my shirt is soaked through with sweat, and it’s not even completely over yet. For now, though, Pippin needs to rest and I can use the ATV to do the rest of the rounds so I steer her to the stables, allowing her to take her own pace on the way there until I dismount and walk her the rest of the way. She comes easily, ready for her dinner and treats, the rest of the stalls empty at the moment since the herd is turned out or being worked.
I hand her a cookie from the stash we keep in here just as my cell buzzes from my back pocket. Pulling itout, I glance at the unfamiliar number lighting up the screen.
“Hello?” I answer, locking the stable door and walk from the barn.
“Roman, it’s Ashley.” Niamh’s best friend sounds breathless. “I don’t suppose Niamh is with you?”
My heart stops. “No. Why?”
“Shit,” Ashley mutters. “She went out to grab some bits from the back and hasn’t come back. No one can find her.”
“What the fuck do you mean no one can find her?” I’m running now, exhaustion forgotten, but I come skidding to a stop when I remember I don’t have my fucking truck.
“She isn’t here, Roman,” Ashley rushes. “And she left her cell.”
“Call the police,” I order, “I’ll be right there.”
