“It’s dispatch. They’ve found the vehicle belonging to Taylor Lawson at the trailhead for Creek Line trail.”
My chest loosened even further, but my gut still churned. Anything could have happened to her. “Thanks. Call in search and rescue. Let them know that Tucker is searching the area on foot and that Jensen and I will be on horseback.”
“You got it, boss.”
I hung up and shot off a text to Tuck, letting him know that Taylor was in the area. Then I dialed Jensen. She picked up on the second ring. “Find her?”
“Not her, but we did find her car. Can you meet me at Creek Line with the horses?”
“I’m on my way.”
“See you soon.” I ended the call. I just hoped we got there in time.
26
Taylor
Aquick look back could cost me everything. I knew if I went down, whoever was hot on my heels would be right on top of me. I tried frantically to right myself, wind-milling my arms, attempting to find purchase on anything. I caught only air.
The overcompensation sent me careening to the left.Shit, shit, shit.I landed with a thud, and then I was sliding—over the side of the fucking ravine, I realized. Downed branches and tree roots gouged at my body as I continued in a half slide, half roll. I did my best to shield my face with one arm and grapple to slow myself with the other.
What I assumed was a rock jabbed me in the tailbone, right before I was sent into what felt like an overgrown Brillo pad. I lay frozen. I strained to hear the sounds of anyone following me down the incline. I heard only the gurgling of the creek, and a bird call overhead. At least at the bottom of the valley, I had gained some distance from the psycho hot on my trail.
Ever so slowly, I pulled my hand away from my face. Dry, thorny branches scraped against my arm, and my skin burned like a million fire ants had bitten me all over. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the brightness. Apparently, I’d lost my sunglasses on the way down. And my water.Shit.
Taking in my surroundings, I realized that I had landed in the middle of a patch of some sort of briar bush. I peered through the brambles at the ridgeline above. There was no one. I ran my gaze along the rim of the ravine as far as I could see. Nothing.
My breath came in quick pants. What should I do? Stay where I was, or get out of here as fast as humanly possible? The crazy had a gun. What if he were lying in wait for me to leave my cover so he could shoot me dead?
I forced myself to slow my breathing. I counted as I inhaled for three, then when I exhaled for three until my heart began to slow, as well. “Think, Taylor,” I said quietly to myself. “Use your brain to figure a way out of this.”
I took a moment to get the best look I could through the bush’s branches. Maybe I could army-crawl towards the creek and then let it carry me downstream? That way, at least I wouldn’t be a standing target. I shivered at the thought of how cold I would be once the sun went down. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.
The sound of a snapping branch had my spine going ramrod straight, and my heartbeat seeming to trip over itself. Tears of fear and frustration leaked from the corners of my eyes. This was it. I was going to die. I would’ve thought I’d almost welcome death, feel relieved that maybe, just maybe, I’d be reunited with my mom.
My breathing picked up its pace again as I realized that I really didn’t want my life to end, even if dying meant seeing my mom again. I wanted to keep learning how to play bridge with Arthur and Clint. Help Noah fall in love with reading. Have too many tequila shots with Jensen. Be subjected to another of Irma’s schemes. Hear Walker call me “Short-stack” with a smile in his voice.
I wanted more of this life I was building.
Attempting to stay as still as possible, I tried to silently count my breaths again. It didn’t work this time. I was too freaked.
I tried to see who or what was coming, but I didn’t have a good angle. Footsteps grew closer, and I held my breath, my lungs burning.
“Taylor? What are you doing in the bushes?” It was a voice I recognized. Tuck.
I shot from the brambles and launched myself at him so fast, you would have thought I was an Olympic sprinter. Tuck caught me with a grunt, stumbling back a few steps. I then proceeded to burst into tears.
Tuck patted my back awkwardly. “There, there now. Everything’s okay. You’re not lost anymore.”
I started hyperventilating at the reminder that I hadn’t only been lost, I’d been shot at. I pushed away from Tuck. “We have to go. Someone’s after me.” Tuck’s brows pulled together in a look that was part concern, part disbelief. I tugged on his arm. “I mean it. Someone was shooting at me!”
That had his shoulders straightening and his gaze moving to the ridgeline. Mine followed. Just as I was about to beg him to get us out of there, I heard a gruff shout. “Tuck!” Two people on horseback appeared a ways down the creek, and as they got closer, I saw that it was Walker and Jensen.
I let out a sigh of relief that turned my muscles into mush. Just as Walker slid off his horse, I started to crumple to the ground. He reached me just as my knees were about to hit the dirt. “Fuck,” he barked, pulling me into his arms. Turning to Tuck, he asked, “What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know. I just got here about sixty seconds before you did. She says someone shot at her.” The last statement had the two of them eying one another, having some sort of silent conversation.
Walker carried me over to a smooth boulder. Gently setting me down, he turned to Jensen, who was in the process of dismounting. “J, grab me some water, a granola bar, and the first-aid kit.” Walker’s gaze came back to me, roaming over my face in a way that was full of warmth and comfort. “Are you okay?”
