Page 94 of Someone to Hold

I don’t bother with the waterproof cover that goes over the orthopedic boot, but as I open the door, the lights go out. The property is so dark I can’t even see through the torrents of rain.

“Take my hand, honey. I’m sure he’s in the stall with Gumdrop.”

“When is Chase coming back?” Laurel yells, as if his return will make everything better.

“I don’t know. Hopefully soon. Right now, we need to find your brother. He probably wanted to make sure the horses were safe and dry.”

I’m not sure she hears my words or if they’re swallowed by the wind howling around us.

We’re wearing rain jackets but are still soaked to the bone by the time we enter the barn.

“Luke,” I call, shining the flashlight toward the end of the wide aisle.

A horse’s whinny is my only answer.

“Luke, you’re scaring your sister.” I pitch my voice low, soothing. “I need you to come out.”

Laurel squeezes my hand more tightly as I stalk down the aisle. “Seriously, Luke?—”

My voice cuts off, and my heart drops to my toes as I peer into Gumdrop’s empty stall.

Fancy lets out an agitated snuffle, like she’s telling us to get our asses in gear because this isn’t good.

As far as I’m concerned, that could be the understatement of the century. My son is out in a violent storm on the back of a horse.

A horse he has very little experience riding.

“Mommy, where did he go?”

“I don’t know, but we’re going to find him.” Yet my mind races as it catalogs all the terrible ways this night could end.

We both jump and grab each other as thunder booms around us so loud it rattles my teeth. A moment later, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the sharp crack of lightning that’s too close. There’s a horrible sound of glass breaking, and I run to the end of the barn and pull open the door to see that a giant branch from one of the old cottonwoods has landed on the greenhouse roof.

“Your flowers,” Laurel sobs.

“They aren’t important now. We need to find your brother.”

I shoved my phone in my jacket pocket when we left the house, and I pull it out, ready to call emergency services. I’m sure they’re inundated, but I don’t know what else to do.

No service. Damn.

I turn the phone off and on again, hoping for a signal.Nothing.

“Laurel, I need you to go back to the house while I search for your brother.”

“I want to stay with you.”

“It’s too dangerous, and?—”

Just then, headlights sweep across the far window of the barn, casting shadows along the wall.

“Chase is back,” Laurel says.

God, I hope so.

“Take the flashlight while I?—”

“I’m staying with you,” she insists, her voice trembling.