I cupped Jensen’s cheek. “Listen to me. Bryce would’ve found a way regardless. It wouldn’t have mattered if Taylor were locked behind the walls of Fort Knox. He was determined and fucking crazy. The only one to blame is him.”
Her gaze held mine. “I wish I could believe that.”
I sighed, pulling her to me. “Is this why you’ve been pushing everyone away?”
Jensen’s breath hiccupped. “I feel so damn guilty. And sometimes being around everyone just makes me feel worse.”
I brushed my lips against the top of her head. “You have to forgive yourself, J. No one blames you. We justmissyou.”
Jensen’s body began to shake again. “I’m sorry. I’ve missed you, too.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t disappear on me again.” I gave her arm three quick squeezes. “Promise?”
“I’ll try.”
It was all I could ask for.
8
Jensen
My SUV bumpedover the dirt road, but my heart only got lighter the closer I got. I was doing my best to take Tuck’s advice. Just because I didn’t want a romantic partner didn’t mean I was alone in life. I still wanted to stand on my own two feet, but part of that meant knowing when to ask for help. So, I was taking the afternoon off and going to my favorite place.
I rounded a curve in the road and spotted the pull-off I was looking for. I angled my vehicle off the lane and parked. Grabbing my pack from the passenger seat, I hopped out. I took a moment to close my eyes and inhale deeply, tipping my face up to the sun. The scents of pine and crisp early winter air mixed in an aroma that somehow managed to be both calming and invigorating.
This was just what I needed. An afternoon away from daily tasks and responsibilities. Nothing but me, nature, and hopefully, some time with my mustangs. I slung my pack over my shoulders and tightened the straps. The trail I headed down was off the beaten path, one Tuck had shown me in high school. It wove up a ridge and then down into the meadow that was one of the horses’ favorite grazing grounds.
I struck off. Within ten minutes, the tension was already seeping out of my muscles. I wound my way up the incline, nothing but the sounds of birds chirping and critters scurrying in the underbrush keeping me company.
We were headed into the winter months, but there was no sign of snow, and the sun shone so brightly you would’ve thought it was the dead of summer. As I crested the ridgeline, a smile stretched my face. This place was magic. The rocky range dotted with trees dipped down onto what looked like a sea of golden grasses before rising up again into a series of mountaintops.
My gaze scanned the meadow. No sign of my mustang friends yet. I’d hike down and see what I could find in the forests that surrounded the grasses. I started down the ridge, but my step faltered. What was that? A dark form lay just off the path about one hundred yards ahead.
My heart dropped to my stomach, and I started to run. Rocks and dirt sprayed as I flew down the path. I lost my footing, my palms catching the worst of my fall. I scrambled to my feet and kept right on going.
I skidded to a halt, my heart hammering in my chest.Please no, please no, please no.I stepped off the path. Crouched. Placed my hand on the coat beginning to grow shaggy for the winter. I closed my eyes against the pain. Too cold. Too still. The mare was gone.
I blinked against the tears gathering in my eyes. Tears that turned hot with anger when I took in more of the horse in front of me. There, in the mare’s chest, was a gaping bullet wound. My breaths came quicker as my head jerked in every direction, as though the murderer might still be lurking.
I wrenched my pack from my back, frantically searching for my phone. I held it up. No service. I looked from the fallen mare to the top of the ridge and back. I had to leave her so I could call someone. I knew she was gone from this Earth, but it still tore at my heart to leave her alone. “I’ll be back,” I whispered.
I climbed as quickly as possible, my leg muscles burning by the time I reached the top. Two bars of service. I didn’t hesitate. I hit Tuck’s name on my list of favorite contacts.
Two rings later, his roughened voice came across the line. “Hey, Little J.”
“I need you to come to the ridge at Pine Meadow. The place we always go.”
Tuck’s tone was suddenly alert. “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed against the pain creeping up my throat. “I found a mare. She was shot, Tuck. She’s gone.”
“Fuck! How recent?” I could hear him slam a drawer closed.
“It’s been less than a day, no scavengers have been at her, but she’s not warm either.” I stared down at the beautiful creature whose life had been stolen from her.
“Hike back to your car right now. I’m on my way.” An engine turned over in the background.
“I’m not leaving her.”
