Page 101 of Take My Name

Silas

That’s why I’m your best friend!

Chopping wood until I can’t feel my arms sounds like the perfect way to clear my mind.

Before I can leave early for the day, Ricky tells me a horse ran off after its rider hopped off and forgot to tie it up.

Most of our horses are trained well enough to stay put, so something must’ve spooked it.

The guides are also trained to stay with our guests and call for help instead of chasing after them.

“Bodie tackin’ up a horse to go look for it?”

“He’s out with another guest.”

“Shit. Okay, I’ll go.”

I grab Priest and get him ready, then take off on the trail behind the stables. It takes me three hours to find her.Lilith.

Of-freaking-course.

“C’mon, you hellion.”

She lets me approach without issue, but she’s irritated and timid. That’s when I realize she’s injured. There’s blood coming from a nasty gash on her front left leg.

“What’d you get into?” I ask softly, carefully sliding my hand down but not touching the wound. She punctured it on something sharp.

Most likely one of those posts Bodie was supposed to dig up.

Grabbing my phone, I go to text Bodie to call Dr. Warner since she’ll need to get looked at, but footsteps approach from the other side of the clearing.

A loud whistle, most likely to get Lilith’s attention, and a slew of curse words.

“Oh fuckgoddammitshitfuck.”

“Bodie?” I call out.

Priest whinnies at the sound of branches cracking. I rub along his neck to settle him down, but it’s Lilith who flips out before I can grab her reins. She bucks, something I’ve only seen her do twice, and nails me right in the chest.

I go down before I’m able to stop myself and lose my breath. My head hits something hard, and I groan at the impact.

“Warren!”

Bodie’s voice in the distance grabs my attention, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out. I’m gasping for air, unable to call out for him.

The pain in my chest starts to intensify and my head pounds at whatever I landed on. I try to focus on my breathing and slowing it down before I have a full-on panic attack.

“Oh shit, dude.” Bodie comes into view, kneeling beside me. “Callin’ for help right now.”

He pulls out his cell, but I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.

How the hell did this happen?I’ve been around horses my whole life and should’ve kept Priest farther away from Lilith once I realized she was injured so we weren’t within kicking distance.

“Stay awake. You’re okay.” He shakes my arm, putting the phone to his ear. “You’re gonna be fine, Warren. You’re in shock and knocked the wind out of yourself.”

I try to shake my head. It feels worse than that.

“Leave me here,” I mumble.