“I just love being here. I’ve missed it so much.” I pet Rex’s coat, enjoying the silkiness of it under my touch. “I wish everything were different and that I didn’t feel like an outcast here.”
I stay planted on my horse’s back for a while longer before hopping off, grabbing my phone from the saddle bag, and snapping some pictures. I’m not going to share them with anyone other than myself. I might even get a few printed for my room.
Keeping a hand on Rex’s reins, I guide him away from the lookout and walk through the fields, my mind consumed with so many thoughts I couldn’t entirely think straight.
The sun continues to rise, the air growing warmer, but not completely. It’s still early in the year, though not early enough to be cold. I knew the weather for today would be cool, but by midday, it’ll be in the high sixties, maybe even rise above seventy.
Today would end up being around seventy, I’m sure of it. Just because the weather reports one thing doesn’t make it exact.
Not paying attention to where exactly I’m walking, I don’t see nor did I hear it. I didn’t pay heed to Rex’s motions, his urgency, not until it was too late, the diamondback rattlesnake strikes, getting me just above my boot. I let go of Rex’s reins, and he runs, but he doesn’t entirely desert me. Just enough to get away from the god-awful snake.
I scream and jump back, my heart racing. The snake strikes again, getting me a second time before slithering away as I cry out from the pain.
Not good. Not good at all.
I’m such an idiot.
“Rex,” I whistle and call out to my horse while limping toward where he’s now grazing. “I need to get back to the house.”
When I make it to Rex, I pull the radio out Tyler gave me, and pray like hell my brother doesn’t answer. With a push of the button, I raise the radio to my quivering lips. “Tyler,” I croak out and try again. “Tyler, you there?”
“Yeah?” The one word came over the radio, no sooner than I called for him. “Everything good?”
“Ugh. Not really.” I lick my lips, trying my best to think past the pain in my leg. I don’t want to tell him or anyone else, but this is something I can’t be stupid with. “I’m gonna need medical assistance.”
“The fuck happened?” Tyler shouts.
“I’m also gonna need a ride back, but a rattle got me.”
“Fuck. Tell me you didn’t go past the lookout.”
“Yeah, why?” What’s wrong with past the lookout?
“Shit. Your brother is on the way to you. Hold tight.”
That’s the last thing I want. He’ll be sure to yell at me, and I don’t need that right now.
Ignoring the order, I shove the radio back in, grab the extra lead in the bag, and use it to make a tourniquet just above my kneecap before I make the herculean effort to jump up on the back of Rex’s back, crying as the pain becomes excruciating. I know better than to not be on the lookout for snakes. I know to watch and listen to my horse’s cues.
“Come on, boy, take me home,” I tell Rex, urging him in the direction of the house.
We make it a quarter of the way by the time Maddox gets to me.
Sweat beads my skin, and I swear I’m hallucinating when I see the sight of Tyler King with my brother.
What is he doing here?
“Swear to Christ, Della,” Maddox shouts, but he’s not the one who gets to me as I nearly fall off Rex’s back. “Shadow, get her in the Polaris. I’ll take Rex back to the barn.”
Shadow?
“I’ve got her. Ambulance should be there by the time we get back,” the man holding me says, setting me in the seat next to him. “Hold on, Della. Sweetheart, this is gonna be bumpy.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Shadow
Fucking Christ.
