Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Author:Catherine Cowles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The PageSmith LLC

27

Walker

Silent curses left my mouth as I felt Taylor slump against me. She was in full adrenaline crash-mode.

“She asleep?” Jensen called from up ahead.

“Dead to the world.”

“Can you balance her and Lightning, or should I call for some help?”

I tightened my hold around Taylor. “I’ve got her. We’re not far now.”

Silence filled the air as we continued our journey. My mind drifted to what the hell was going on in my town. Two girls missing. One found, but only after nearly being shot. My teeth ground together. Taylor’s recounting of events didn’t sound like a hunter mistaking a person for game. I hoped she was wrong. Maybe she just thought someone was chasing her. Dealing with a misguided hunter was a hell of a lot better than dealing with a murderer.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I caught sight of the truck and horse trailer. Leaning forward, I whispered into Taylor’s ear, “It’s time to wake up.” Nothing. A little louder and with a slight shake of her shoulders I said, “Taylor, we’re here.”

She gave a small lurch, eyes blinking rapidly. I gave her a gentle squeeze. “You’re all right. We’re just back at the cars. It’s time to get down.” She nodded silently. “Hold onto the saddle horn while I dismount.” She nodded again. I slid off Lightning, grabbing the reins and tying him to the trailer after I did.

“Put one foot in the stirrup, and swing the other around,” I instructed.

Taylor hesitantly obeyed. As her leg rounded Lightning’s rump, I grasped her waist. “I’ve got you.” I eased her to the ground. She wavered on her feet a little, so I kept hold. “Let’s get you in the truck.”

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. Do you think I could have some more water?”

“Of course.” I grabbed a bottle from my saddle bag. Guiding Taylor towards the rear of the truck’s cab, I opened the door. She eased herself in with a little help from me, and I handed her the water. “You can lay down if you want. It’ll just take a few minutes for Jensen and me to get the horses loaded up.”

Taylor gulped down half of the bottle of water. “Okay. Thank you.” She grabbed my forearm, sending a jolt of electricity up my limb. “For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” She released me, and I headed to help J with the horses. By the time we had them unsaddled, loaded, and ready to go, Taylor was passed out in the back seat.

Jensen peeked in at Taylor’s sleeping form. “She’s exhausted.”

I opened the passenger door of the rig. “No kidding. I think it’s an adrenaline crash. A few hours’ sleep and some food, and she’ll be good as new.”

Jensen hopped into the driver’s seat, turning the key to start the engine. “It could have been so much worse. She could’ve been killed.”

I fisted my hands, trying to release some of the rage inside me. “I know.”

Jensen pressed her lips together. “You’re going to figure out who’s doing this, right?”

I reached over and squeezed her hand.

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