“The original ranch house barn has a root cellar.”
My entire body shivered at the idea that Mallory—and possibly Emily—could have been kept on the ranch.
“I know every single one of my ranch hands, and they wouldn’t hurtanyone. You know that. We all grew up together.”
Bubba stood. “Idoknow that, but what if someone else uses some abandoned place on the ranch? That barn hasn’t been used in ages. We were kids the last time we went into the root cellar. I haven’t even laid eyes on it in years. Have you? We have creeks on the ranch. For all we know, she was running in circles. You’ve got thousands of acres, Liam. It’s very possible that’s what happened.”
My stomach turned. “Let me go check on Mallory, then you and I can ride over there. I want this to stay between us. The fewer people who know about Mallory, the better.”
“What about Randy?”
Randy Sanders was my cousin and a cop in Lewistown. I knew I could trust him…but would he feel obligated to report Mallory’s kidnapping?
“I’ll talk to him, but I’m leaving Mallory out of it for now. I promised her no cops, and I don’t intend on breaking that promise.”
He took hold of my arm. “Can we trust this woman?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes. You didn’t see the fear in her eyes, Bubba. She’s terrified.”
He nodded. “I’ll get the horses ready.”
“Great. Give me time to get back to the house and check on her. I’ll meet you in my barn. I’m taking Moonshine.”
I tried to ignore the sick feeling I had building in my stomach. If there was a spot on my ranch where women were being held—where Emily spent her last days—I would never forgive myself.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mallory
Liam’s soft voice roused me from my sleep.
Stretching, I sat up. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
His handsome face broke out into a warm smile. “You need the rest.”
“I guess so,” I said with a slight chuckle.
“Listen, Mallory, I need to check on something on the ranch with Bubba.”
“Bubba? Do I know him? That name sounds familiar.”
“He was here when I got home with you on my horse. He’s the only person who knows you’re here and he won’t tell anyone. I promise you that.”
“Who is he?”
“He works for me on the ranch. I’ve known him my entire life. He joined the Marines after high school, and when he got out and came back home, he started working for me.”
I nodded. “What do you do on your ranch?”
He smiled again, and I felt warmth build in my body at his obvious love for his home.
“I raise cattle mostly, but I also raise quarter horses and dabble in thoroughbreds. My great-grandfather started the cattle ranch.”
Hedabbledin thoroughbreds. Okay.“I wonder if I like beef?”
He laughed softly. “We’ll find out tonight when I make dinner. I just wanted you to know I’ll be gone for a bit. Help yourself to more food, the fridge and pantry are stocked. Lock the door, don’t open it for anyone. Piper is going to stay with you. Is that okay?”
After everything I’d been through, it was so strange that I trusted Liam already. I wasn’t sure if it was because he’d rescued me out in that storm or what. All I knew was that my gut told me he would help me, and that I was safe there. “Yes, I’ll be fine.”
