Tumbleweed (16 page)

“Me too. Sue is going to spend the night with Cheyenne and David. They said Blue and Rover could hang out there. Jim's dogs'll be okay here tonight. David said they found a couple of mares but that's all so far. We have some time before we need to get into town; I figured we'd look for a while too. David said to leave any horse we find there for the night.”

“Do you need help seeing if you can get to your clothes?”

“Nah, you and Aaron just spend a few minutes with your dogs. I'll be right back and we can get going.”

I nodded. I wanted to grab him by the waist and cling to him, to bury my face in his chest and beg him to wrap his arms around me. Maybe if I clung to him long enough, this nightmare would fade and everything would be okay again. Even as I yearned for it, part of me was bothered by the fact that I seemed to draw strength from this man.

“Hey kid, you hanging in there?” I joined Aaron in petting the dogs.

“Sure,” he tried to smile reassuringly at me, but his eyes faltered. “How did you know?”

“The air got really still. Trust me, if you are ever unfortunate enough to be near a tornado after today, you will remember the feeling in the air just before it drops out of the sky.”

“Yeah, well, I'm really glad you met me at the bus today.”

“Me too, kid.” I opened my arms and he ran to me for a hug.

“You guys ready?” Ethan asked quietly as he opened the door to his truck.

“Sure.” Aaron pulled away from me and quickly piled in. I followed, trying not to think about a lot of things, like what would have happened if I hadn't met Aaron at the bus, where Tumbleweed was, and what we were going to do now.

Once we got to David and Cheyenne's, we lost no time in saddling three horses. Sue met us at the barn to let us know where they'd searched already. We marked out on the map where we would cover, and then headed out. Aaron rode the little quarter horse that I was supposed to have already bought him. I rode Lady and Ethan rode Jezebel. They were two of the last mares on the property. I think Ethan had held them until last, knowing that I had a bit of a soft spot for them. That, or they were the least trained since they'd been stuck with me. I preferred to think it was the former.

We rode in silence, our eyes always scanning for any sign. The horses spotted the stallion before we did. All three mares starting acting jittery so we knew to be on full alert. Ethan was the first of the three of us to see Zane's Diamond – the pride of Mountain View – lying in the pasture. He slid off his horse and approached the animal with me right behind him. My head knew what we would find. My heart hoped for a miracle.

What had once been a golden coat was matted and dingy. Eyes that had been bright and kind now stared vacantly without seeing. A thick knot formed in my throat and I glanced at Ethan, then Aaron. Ethan ducked his head for a moment then swung back on his horse. Aaron wiped his eyes fiercely with the back of his hand and wheeled his little mare to the side, anxious to move away from there.

“Let's keep going. We'll come back for him tomorrow. I want to find the others first.”

No one else spoke. I knew there was a chance some of the horses had not made it. Knowing in the back of your mind and seeing in front of your face were two completely different things. It was getting harder to tell myself that Tumbleweed was fine.

I knew Mac was okay. That horse was smarter than most people. I'm surprised he hadn't beat us to the cellar. As if on cue, the mares' ears pricked forward at a distant whinny from a member of their herd. Ethan glanced at me, a grin daring to tug the corners of his mouth, before kicking Jezebel into a lope. Aaron and I didn't even need to nudge our mounts, they instinctively followed suit.

Mac burst through the trees that lined the field, heading straight for us. Aaron and I reigned in a little, hanging back to give Ethan a chance to greet his old friend alone. The mustang tossed his head and whinnied loudly as Ethan swung off the mare's back. Ethan laughed and strode over to Mac. The two friends greeted each other fondly. Mac's head bobbed and he pawed the ground as Ethan stroked his neck and beamed at him. When we could stand it no longer, Aaron and I joined Ethan in welcoming Mac.

Once Ethan had assured himself that his horse was indeed fine, he took the tack off of Jezebel and saddled Mac. Aaron and I started without him, confident he'd catch up and eager to find Tumbleweed. We didn't have long until it would be time to call it quits until morning. There was little chance of doing any good at night and daylight was quickly fading.

Ethan reclaimed his spot in front, Jezebel's lead tied to his saddle. We looped around in one last sweep of the field before heading in. When we were just about to clear the woods that stood in between the two farms, Mac pulled sharply to the right.

“Hey buddy, what's wrong?” Ethan patted the horse's neck.

“Maybe he sees something,” Aaron ventured hopefully.

“We could follow him for a few minutes, right?” I looked at Ethan expectantly.

“Sure, why not?” Ethan loosened his reigns, giving Mac the freedom to lead the way. We came to a ravine and just as we were preparing to jump across it, Mac sidled up to it and Ethan held his hand up for us to stop. My gaze followed his and my soul leapt with
joy. Our not-so-little orphaned colt was lying in the ravine. Terrified, but okay.

Ethan and I both dismounted and handed our reigns to Aaron. I slid on my behind down to Tumbleweed, rather than risk tumbling head-over-heel. I'm sure Ethan made it down more gracefully, but I didn't care. I held my hand out for Tumbleweed to smell me, crooning to him all the while. My voice and touch calmed him, and I quickly checked him over for injuries. Ethan was more qualified for that job, but I didn't care. The mama in me had to see for myself.

“Do you think you can help me get him out?”

“Of course.” I frowned briefly at him and surveyed the situation. “It looks less steep over there. Let's try that.”

“Let me get my rope. We might be able to lead him out,” Ethan grabbed the remaining rope from his saddle and fashioned a makeshift halter and lead for the colt. With him tugging and me shoving from the rear, we managed to get Tumbleweed back to Aaron and the other horses. We tied his rope to my saddle and made our way back to David and Cheyenne's. They were waiting for us, having found the body of one gelding but no trace of the other. We bedded the horses down for the night and, after profusely thanking Cheyenne and David, piled back into the truck. We were running late but figured Jim would understand the delay.

Ethan dropped off Aaron and me at the hotel and then went to retrieve Jim since we wouldn't all fit comfortably into his truck. I kept my wadded up ball of clothing with me, hoping to put together some sort of change of clothes so Aaron and I could get a shower.

I was completely dependent on Ethan's money at this point because I had no idea where my purse was. I knew I needed to report my credit and bank cards missing but wasn't sure what numbers to call or even what my account numbers were.

After we got our showers, I dragged Aaron down to the hotel business center to look up the company contact information online. I was curled up in the middle of the bed explaining the situation to the last company on my list when Ethan and Jim arrived.

Aaron bounded off the bed to greet Jim with a handshake and Ethan with a hug before returning to the business of watching cable television.

“Jim.” I smiled warmly as I hung up the phone.

“Hailey, I'm so glad you are okay.” He enveloped me in a hug that took me by surprise.

“No one was hurt, but your farm didn't make out so well.”

“We talked about that a bit on the way over,” Ethan interjected. “Looks like Jim might already have his mind made up about what's next.”

“Nothing's set in stone. Not yet anyway. Let's see what the insurance company says tomorrow,” Jim hedged. I looked from one man to the other, not liking the body language I was picking up on.

“Why don't we get some dinner? Maybe Hailey and I can grab a beer later and I'll explain the idea to her then,” Ethan suggested.

“Sounds great. Dinner is my treat,” Jim leapt on the suggestion like a man who'd just received a stay of execution. I eyed Ethan, trying to pick up on some psychic vibe from him.

“Food, sweet, I'm starved,” Aaron bolted off the bed to wait at the door. Ethan called David to check on the horses and we were ready to go.

For once in my life, I really only toyed with my food. Anything I managed to force down just sat like a stone in my stomach. Ethan didn't eat much more than I. He watched me from across the table, and I tried to read the secrets behind his eyes. There was something burning there that I could feel despite the distance between us.

The talk was small, as if no one could make their brain function hard enough for conversation that was too deep. Aaron seemed oblivious as he shoveled in anything that didn't get out of his way first, happy to be in a restaurant with his favorite people. Like somehow he knew it would all be okay. I didn't have his faith. I didn't think things were going to be okay. There was a sinking feeling in my soul that said things were very much not okay.

Chapter Twelve

“You know,
I'm beat after my flight. I think Aaron and I had better call it a night,” Jim called a blessed end to dinner.

“Do you want us to walk you back?” Ethan rose to his feet.

“Don't be silly. The hotel is across the parking lot. You two take as much time as you need. Aaron and I will be just fine,” Jim waved him off.

“Yeah Mom, you and Ethan go out,” Aaron chimed in. I nodded and blew him a kiss. We watched them go.

“Alright, cough it up. What's going on?”

“He wants to sell.” Ethan wasted no time with pleasantries.

“No.” I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. “He said nothing was written in stone. He'll change his mind.”

“Prices are falling fast, but haven't bottomed out. He doesn't want to ride the market out. I don't think he's going to change his mind.”

“What are the odds the new owner would take us on?” I knew it was ridiculous even as I said it.

“I doubt it'll even go to one owner. He'll bust it up. People aren't buying the big tracts and it's worth more in smaller parcels. It actually has good blacktop; it'd make a good subdivision.”

“Stop!” I held my hand up, a vision of my family's farm dancing through my mind, taunting me. “Just stop. I don't want to hear any more.”

“It'll take a little bit of time. You and Aaron can stay with me while you figure it out.” He reached out to take my hand.

“Stay with you where? The houses are demolished.”

“We'll figure that out tomorrow. I think part of the main house is livable.”

“You're right. We'll figure that out tomorrow.” I took a deep breath and willed the panic to dissipate. “Take me dancing tonight?”

“Sure, I'll take you dancing tonight.” His eyes met mine. I wanted to drown in the sea of green and gold right. No tomorrows, just his eyes—calm, steady, reassuring. Like him. We left the little restaurant and wandered down the street a ways to a little bar that could probably be better described as a dive. We snagged a table in the corner and fed a five to the jukebox. Nothing feeds a ragged soul like music.

There was a modest crowd. Not so much as to make us feel like cattle in a chute, but just enough to keep us from feeling conspicuous. We drank our first beer in silence. By the time Ethan waved for a second, my feet were itching a little. I didn't ask; I just tugged him onto the dance floor with me. In my mind's eye, I could almost see Jacob shaking his head reproachfully at me as I pulled Ethan close. His hands rested lightly on my hips, unsure of himself at first but only at first. Soon the music took over, the beat coursing through our bodies, pushing and pulling with a will of its own.

Wow he smelled good. I had forgotten how good a man could smell, how good a well-defined bicep felt, for that matter. I couldn't resist running my hands gently down his arms and back up to his shoulders.

“Too much more of that and I can't be held accountable for my actions,” he growled softly in my ear.

“Don't you know you're supposed to suffer in silence while I can toy with you?” I pouted at him.

“Is that how it works?”

“Sheesh, you sure don't know much about this guy-girl stuff, do you?”

“Not a thing.” He nipped at my earlobe, and I nearly melted into a puddle right then and there. I was saved by the jukebox as the beat changed from slow and sultry to light and cheery. Ethan surprised me by instantly moving us into a Texas two-step. I laughed outright
and amazed even myself when I kept up. We danced and laughed as if we didn't have a care in the world. For a while, there were no storms on the horizon, no fears, no obligations.

When we finally collapsed back into our chairs, my chest was heaving from the exertion and my face was flushed from several things. We ordered fresh beer and a pizza then sat smiling stupidly at each other for a bit.

“Are you angry with him at all – with Jim, for selling?” I broke the silence.

“Nah. I was at first. I'm disappointed. But I can't blame the guy, really. He hasn't turned a profit on that thing in so long. It's not like he can even afford to fly out all that often anymore with airline tickets going the way they are. It just is what it is.” He shrugged and motioned the waitress for another round of beer.

“I don't know what we're going to do,” I blurted out. “There are no jobs down here for me. I have no savings to carry us through. I didn't even have renter's insurance, so we have nothing.”

“Don't borrow trouble, darlin'. We'll figure it out as it comes.” He took my hand in his, brushing my palm gently with his thumb.

“Why is it some people have a dream and just simply get it? Others give them up without even trying. Then there's the rest of us. We spend our whole lives chasing our dreams like a bulldog chases his tail.” I sighed heavily and twirled the nearly-empty bottle of beer between my fingers.

“But a bulldog's tail is docked. There's no chance he'll catch it.” Ethan tried to follow my drunken logic.

“Exacta-mundo, yet on I chase.”