Naomi laughed softly. “Honey, she’s probably reading those sketchbooks. That girl looked more relaxed today than I’ve seen her since she got here.”
Caitlin exhaled a little.
“Her phone’s going straight to voicemail.”
Naomi paused.
“Well, Cal’s SUV is still parked up by the farmhouse. I saw it when I came back from the south pasture.”
Relief loosened Caitlin’s stomach briefly.
Okay.
Okay, maybe they were talking.
Maybe Izzy left her phone somewhere.
Maybe—
But something still felt wrong. Cold. Persistent.
Caitlin pulled the phone back from her ear long enough to send a text.
Call me now. I’m worried.
Delivered.
No response.
Her pulse climbed.
She hit call again.
Straight to voicemail.
Now she knew. This wasn’t right.
“Naomi,” Caitlin said sharply, already grabbing her purse. “Can you go check on her? I’m on my way, but she isn’t answering and I don’t like this.”
Naomi went silent for half a beat.
Then—
“I’m headed there now.”
* * *
Bridlepath Farm — 5:19 PM
Naomi swung up onto one of the lesson horses bareback, boots digging lightly into the horse’s sides as she started up the long drive toward the farmhouse.
The evening air had gone strangely still.
Halfway up the hill, she slowed.
Something didn’t feel right.
The closer she got to the farmhouse, the tighter her stomach became.
