This conversation is the last thing I need right now. “I can’t talk about this.”
“No, you never can handle the tough conversations, can you?”
“Where do you get off saying that? You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snap.
“It means that when you get scared, you hide away. It’s better for you not to think or hurt than realize you’re just an idiot whoneeds to let the people you love make their own choices. Let me tell you something,” Dad says as he points his finger at me. “I have lived with my heart outside my body since I met your mother. To fear in a way I didn’t know people could, and I’ve had to deal with it. I’ve had to let you kids be. To let you make your own choices and pray to every higher being that you’d be okay.”
“And when they’re not?” I counter. “What about when you’ve watched the person you love slip away?”
“Then you love harder. You don’t turn your back on the absolute gift that love is.”
Two days ago I watched the woman I love walk away, and I’ve hated myself every minute since.
Before I can say anything to my father, I hear my daughter screaming: “Daddy! Daddy! Help! Daddy!” Through the front window, I see Sadie come running toward the house. I’m already out the door, rushing toward her.
I scoop her into my arms as she’s panting from running. “What is it?”
“Daddy, I’m sorry! I don’t know what happened! I’m so sorry! I-I’m—” She hiccups a sob. Tears are rolling down her face, and I can’t follow what she’s so upset about.
I take her face in my hands. “Sadie, slow down. What are you sorry for? What’s wrong?”
She pants heavily, swallowing air as tears run down her face. “I know you said not to take Cloud out, but I asked Lark to help me, and she said she would.”
I shake my head, confused and trying to piece together why any of that goes hand in hand. “I’m not sure I understand. Why did you ask Lark, and what has you crying?”
Sadie sniffs, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. “Lark was working with Cloud, and she took him out for a ride over an hour ago. She said she’d be back soon. She’s not back, and I’m so scared.”
Adrenaline fills my veins, but I work to keep calm. Just because she’s taking longer doesn’t mean anything.
“Why do you think something’s wrong?”
Her chest heaves with a deep sob, and then she inhales quickly. “Because Cloud came back—without Lark.”
“Lark!” I yell, looking around the clearing from the back of my horse.
I’ve been searching for thirty minutes. Screaming her name, waiting to hear her return my call or walk out.
I check my phone again—still no callback.
I’ve texted her at least ten times and called her twice as many in the hopes that her ringtone might alert me to where she is.
“Lark!” I call out again, but I hear only silence.
I’m never going to find her on my own. I need help.
I grab my phone and call the one person I know will always have my back.
“Tristan? Hey.”
“Jimmy, I need help.”
I swear I can feel the shift of his demeanor immediately. “Are you all right? I’m in the middle of something right now, but I can send someone to you if that’s okay?”
“No, I…it’s important. Look, I can’t get into all the details, but someone might be hurt. Sadie…”
“Is it Sadie?”
“No, no, it’s Lark.”
