The mechanic shrugged. “The line isn’t old, did an inspection on everything not that long ago. The cut is pretty clean, but I can’t say for sure someone cut it.”
Liam and Randy looked at each other.
“I’ve got security cameras all over this place, there is no waysomeone could have broken into the hangar and tampered with the gas line.”
“You’re sure?” Randy asked.
“I’m positive. It was simply a mechanical failure and that’s all.”
Liam rubbed the back of his neck. “How fast until you can fix it?”
Josh looked at his mechanic, who said, “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have a new line run.”
“Well,” Randy stated, “we might as well head on back to your place. I’ve got some work I brought with me I can do.”
“I need to check on a few things for the ranch as well,” Liam stated.
When all eyes looked at me, I laughed. “I have homemade cinnamon rolls to make.”
Josh grinned. “I’ll give you a call when we’re up and ready to go.”
Twenty minutes later, we were back on the ranch. Randy had gotten a call that he was needed back at the station and had told Liam to see if Josh could take us up later this afternoon. When Josh said that wouldn’t be a problem, Randy took off for the station.
“I’m going to grab my quilting stuff and head up to your place,” MaryAnne stated. “Do you want to ride with me?”
I looked back at Liam who was frowning as he spoke with Larson. Apparently, one of the horses was having a hard labor and they were worried about the foal.
“Yes, let me tell Liam I’m heading up to the house with you.”
“Sounds good, I’ll go grab my stuff.”
MaryAnne had a rolling storage bag that contained her sewing machine, as well as everything she needed for quilting.
As I made my way into the main barn, I drew in a deep breath. I was really beginning to love the smell of hay mixedwith horse manure and leather. I made my way down to the stall where Liam, Larson, and Bubba were all standing.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I looked in and saw a mare lying on the floor.
“She’s had a pretty tough time of it. I’m going to stay here and make sure everything goes okay. Larson can give you a ride back up to the house.”
“It’s okay, MaryAnne and I are going to head on up to the house to do some quilting, so it’s fine.”
Liam was clearly preoccupied with the mare. He turned to me, and it took a few moments for what I said to sink in.
“Oh, okay, that’s good. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Waving off his apology, I said, “It’s totally okay. You’ll let me know what happens here and if Josh calls.”
Liam kissed me and said, “I will. Have fun quilting.”
“I will. Love you,” I said, giving him another kiss and trying to ignore the strange feeling I had. Glancing at the horse once more, I prayed she and the little one would be okay.
After making my way out of the barn, I saw MaryAnne waiting for me by her car. It felt strange to just go on with life, knowing that the person who had taken me was still out there. Did he know we were getting close to him? Would it spook him? Maybe after I ran, he left. I could only hope that the latter was the truth.
“Ready to get our quilting on?”
“I am!”
Two hours later, I had made six squares for my quilt, and MaryAnne had made seven. We talked and laughed, and it was so wonderful to just be happy and not worried. Liam had sent a text about thirty minutes ago saying the mare had finally given birth to a filly. They had another mare that would be giving birth any day now, and three more in the barn waiting to pop.
