“Here’s what I know so far,” Evan began, his voice rushed and etched with concern. “Jack didn’t show up this morning, so I asked around to make sure there were no major emergencies. After that, I went to his house to check on him. The rest of the guys are out feeding the cattle, so no need to worry about that.”
Uttering a relieved breath, Marshall closed his eyes and rested his head on the headrest. Good. Jack was probably at home sick or away for some reason. No big deal.
“I spoke to Edith,” Evan continued. “And this is where it gets weird. Edith was trying to reach him all night, but he wasn’t answering his phone. Jack never came home.”
Marshall’s eyes flicked open, nausea rising as his stomach sank down to his knees.
Jack never came home.
Jack Ellis never went home last night. There was nothing that could be done for it here, sitting in his truck. Marshall revved the engine, parking his car at the main house before racing to the stables.
Last time he had seen Jack, he was saddling a horse to go check on some fence posts that appeared damaged when they were feeding hay to the cows yesterday afternoon. What if he had a heart attack on the ride? Marshall ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. Where would he even start looking? It was still early, and the ranch hands were beginning their morning routine. Few people were milling about. Maybe he could rope a few guys into searching with him.
First, he needed a horse.
Then he needed to figure out what the hell happened to his friend.
CHAPTER 30
The sound of sneakers crunching on gravel came from behind him.
“Marshall, stop! Wait for me!”
Turning to see Colette running toward him, Marshall waited for her to catch up to him as he gathered his thoughts. He pulled off his hat, scrubbing a hand through his messy hair.
“You can’t come with me. I’m getting on my horse and going to look for him near the work site where we were fixing a damaged spot in the fence,” he spoke, his hands gripping her shoulders. “I can’t look out for you and focus on Jack.”
“Can I do something here? Maybe call around?” Her eyes were wide with concern, and he wished he could do something to make her feel better. No one would get any relief until they found Jack, safe and sound.
His mind worked furiously. “Wait until I get back. He could be injured and need help. Once me and the guys spread out to search for him, we’ll know more what needs to be done. I’ll keep you updated.”
Colette nodded and waved him off. “I’ll wait for your call.”
He cupped his hands over his mouth, remembering the animals that had been alone since last night. “Can you checkon Hank and Pablo? Give them some food. Betsy’s not here this morning.”
“Got it,” she said with an eager nod.
He watched as Colette strode toward the main house.
Now, it was time to focus. Where was the most likely place he could be?
His heart hammered in his chest as he strode to Vinny’s stall. Pausing before entering the building, Marshall took a few deep breaths to calm his breathing. If he walked into the stables upset, the horses would react.
Upon entering, Marshall noticed the hay strewn about the concrete floors. Everything was messy, as though no one had been in here yet. His crew kept everything spotlessly clean, as much as possible in a barn. A bucket of grain was spilled nearby, and his heart picked up a renewed fast tempo. Jack had taken charge of the cleanup last night when Marshall needed someone to cover for him. Most of the jobs had been done, just some feeds and checking in on the horses. Marshall had complained to Jack about the fences needing mending again, which pissed him off because they had recently been repaired. They agreed to go check on them the next morning.
There was a chance Jack hadn’t gone out to the fields after all.
Marshall swallowed, walking with a quick step to check his office. Maybe Jack had worked there last night for some reason. The desk and chair were empty. Retracing the night duties, Marshall could only think of checking on the animals or preparing for the next day’s feed as jobs that Jack would have done. He was reluctant to touch anything around him; the scene was just so…disturbing. Jack would never have left the place a mess like this. A sick feeling settled in Marshall’s stomach, worry wrapping around his shoulders like a heavy blanket.
Marshall made his way through each of the stalls, turning the corner to the other row of horses beyond the office. Upon seeing him, Vinny snorted and tapped his hoof on the gate of his stall, eager for his morning ride. There would be time enough for that later. Marshall peeked into each stall besides Vinny’s; every gate seemed closed and secure. This end of the stable was tidier, with everything in place as it should be. Jack must have finished closing up this area for the night and been interrupted before finishing the other side. Or at least that was the best explanation Marshall could come up with.
“I’m coming, buddy. I’m coming,” he called out to his horse, who kept on making a ruckus in his stall. Vinny was upset, his typical morning routine interrupted.
Walking by Checkers and Mocha, he noticed their stalls were completely normal and cared for. A snuffing and snorting sound persisted from his horse, who was growing impatient. Scanning the rest of the stalls, he headed for Vinny, who was antsy and making it known to everyone.
“Let’s go, boy. We’re going to go find Jack.” Marshall lifted the latch on the gate, his eyes catching on something in the stall with his horse. Denim-clad legs in the golden shavings on the ground, alarmingly close to the animal.
“Fuck,” the word came from Marshall’s mouth as barely a breath. Pulling the gate open roughly, Marshall’s gaze darted between the person on the ground and his horse, assessing the risk.
