Page 67 of Edinburgh Escape

Bryce pulled back the latch, opened the stall gate and screamed, “Montana!”

Ewan and Callum rushed forward.

Ewan pulled Bryce back from the stall.

Maggie pulled the boy into her arms.

Callum turned to find the horse lying on its side, its breathing labored.

Ewan, Callum and Atkins entered the stall.

Callum looked for any possible injuries. When he found none, he shook his head.

“We need to get Alastair in here,” Ewan said. “This horse is sick. He might know what to do. I’ll notify the local veterinarian, as well.”

Callum looked up to check on how Bryce was taking it.

Bryce wasn’t standing outside the gate. Neither was Maggie. She’d probably taken him back to the house to his mother.

With Ewan on the phone, Callum started back toward the house.

Alastair came running across the yard. “Master Bryce and Ms. McKendrick said Montana’s down.”

“Where are Bryce and Maggie?” Callum asked.

“They were heading into the manor,” Alastair said. “Show me the horse.”

Callum led Alastair back into the barn, where Ewan and Atkins were standing inside the stall. Ewan was on the phone describing the horse’s symptoms to the veterinarian.

With Alastair there and Ewan on the phone with the veterinarian, they didn’t need Callum. He needed to get back to Maggie and Bryce.

Callum left the stable and jogged back to the manor. Cook let him in through the kitchen door. “Have you seen Bryce and Maggie?” he asked.

She shook her head. “They were headed out to the stable with you the last I saw them.”

Callum hurried out of the kitchen and down the hallway, peering into open doorways in case they’d stopped in a sitting room or the study. When he found no sign of them, he headed up the stairs and ran for Bryce’s room. Maggie and the boy weren’t there. He ran toward the room he’d shared with Maggie. It was empty.

By that time, his heartbeat hammered against his ribs. He stepped out onto the landing where he found Fiona coming out of Bryce’s room.

“Have you seen Bryce?” he asked.

Fiona frowned. “I thought he was with you.”

“He’s not. His horse is sick. I assumed Maggie brought him back to the manor.” Callum started down the stairs.

Fiona followed, her voice rising. “I haven’t seen either of them. Are you sure they didn’t go back to the stable?”

“I didn’t see them. I’ll go back and check.”

“I’m coming with you,” Fiona said, running to keep up with Callum as he raced through the manor and out through the back door.

When Callum was halfway across the yard, Ewan and Atkins emerged from the stable.

Ewan frowned when he saw Callum running toward him.

“Are Bryce and Maggie inside the stable?” Callum asked, knowing the answer before Ewan spoke.

“No. I thought they would be with you.”