Jameson made his way into the locker room. “Listen up, ladies and gents. We have a situation at the Sterling Ranch. Engine twelve is on another call.”
Barn.
Kenzie.
Wade continued, putting the fear of God into me.
“And Axe. Kenzie’s inside that barn and I can’t get to her. You’ve got to save her.”
* * *
Kenzie
The smoke was rolling, spilling into the barn. Coughing, I threw my arm across my nose and mouth as I raced to Sasha’s stall. She was already anxious, hoofing the hay.
“It’s okay, baby girl.” Another cough almost had me doubled over, the smoke already stinging my eyes. Linseed oil. Someone had set the barn on fire. While I knew that the product could spontaneously combust if not stored properly, I knew better than to think this was an accidental fire.
Not with everything going on.
I grabbed Sasha’s reins, pulling her toward the main portion of the barn. Thankfully, the electricity was still on.
“Stay here, baby girl.” As soon as I headed toward the main door, another burst of smoke came from underneath. We had to get the fuck out of here now.
With both hands on the door, I tried to yank it open. The latch was hot to the touch.
And the door wouldn’t budge.
So I tried again, forced to yank my hands away only seconds later.
Someone had locked me in.
I rubbed my fingertips on my jeans as I took a step back, turning in a full circle.
Don’t panic. Think this through.
The terror was almost blinding.
Additional smoke was rolling, now burning my eyes.
The other door. There was one in the back. I raced down the long corridor, hearing a horrible cracking sound. A split second later and a scream erupted from my throat.
Fire was licking up one wall, a portion of the roof already engulfed.
Oh, God.Think. Think.
Blinking back tears, I did what I could to control my breathing and to keep focused as I ran to the back entrance, shoving on both doors.
They moved, but not by very much. Something had been placed in front.
“Help!”
With one sharp cry, I slapped my hand across my mouth, realizing that no one could hear me. What few ranch hands spent the night were at the other compound, and they wouldn’t be able to notice the fire unless flying embers torched the trees.
Seeing several tools, I rushed toward them, grabbing a shovel.
Everything was getting blurry, breathing difficult, but I refused to die this way. No fucking way.
Not when I’d finally admitted I was in love.
