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The promise carries a heavy weight that settles on my shoulders, weighing me down, but also grounding me. My purpose is suddenly clear. It doesn’t matter if I’m a terrible horse trainer or a much better firefighter. Those are just jobs. In a short time, these two have come to mean more to me than I ever thought possible.
It’s way too early—but one day, they’ll both be mine. My son… my wife. The pieces of my soul that I never knew I was missing.
“Tilly is going to bring the truck up to halfway,” Tucker says, coming over to us and breaking the spell. “Let’s start hacking to the drive-up trail.”
Theo slumps against me, clearly exhausted, and before he has a chance to protest, I lift him into my arms. He cuddles under my chin, and even though he’s really pretty big to be carried, the trust warms me to my core.
“I can carry him,” Arden offers, still holding Carrots.
“If you’re okay with it, let me,” I say. “I’m used to carrying over rough terrain.”
She nods her head in agreement, and steps close to my side, just near enough that we brush against one another with each step. Tucker grabs some flashlights and headlamps, helping get them on everyone before we begin the trek down the mountain.
My arms are screaming, my back tight with strain, when we finally see a truck up ahead. All the lights are on, shining like a lighthouse steering us home. When she spots us, Tilly jumps out of the truck, rushing around to open the back doors.
Theo is snoring in my arms. He passed out almost immediately and didn’t wake once, even when we hit small bumps along the path. Fortunately, we didn’t have too far to go, but hiking in the dark is much more difficult.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, lowering the tailgate for the dogs. They both hop up, lying down to rest in the bed immediately. It’s been a long day. Arden climbs up, sliding in and reaching her arms out to take Theo. Lifting him, I slide him onto the seat, and she pulls him to snuggle against her, dropping Carrots on his chest. Theo begged us to bring the bunny with us, and after the fear of him disappearing, neither of us had the heart to refuse.
“All good. The bunny might have an injury, but Theo seems in good shape,” Tucker supplies the answer. “Everyone else head back to base camp?”
“Yeah, everyone was totally fine. The volunteers are accounted for and none reported anything concerning on their paths,” she updates us. “Did you say bunny?”
Once the dogs and SAR bags are secure, Tucker clamors into the passenger seat and Tilly goes back to the driver’s side, climbing into the truck and snapping her buckle into place before starting it up.
“Hi, I’m Tilly, by the way,” she introduces herself to Arden.
“Oh, hi,” Arden says, exhaustion creeping into her voice.
“There’s some fresh coffee for each of you in the cup holders back there,” Tilly says as steers the wheel, turning the car to drive down the mountain. Arden reaches for it, humming appreciatively, and the sound goes straight to my cock. Despite my fatigue, it twitches to life, and I try to adjust myself discreetly. Not the time.
“Thank you so much,” Arden says, pausing for a moment. “Your name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, no reason to be sorry! I’m Drew’s other half. And I own the New Moon Bakery,” she says cheerfully. “Oh, and I’m Hot Dog’s Mom.”
Arden hums again, driving me crazy. “Jeremy brought me some of your pastries; they were amazing.” And her words have a huge smile lighting up Tilly’s face. Theo remains asleep between us, and Arden reaches across him, grabbing my hand.
“Stay with me tonight,” she whispers, so quietly that I almost don’t hear it.
“I’ll stay forever if you let me,” I agree, giving her hand a quick squeeze. Her light touch is everything, and I roll my hand to intertwine our fingers, fitting them together like a puzzle.
All the pieces click into place. And I’m just so thankful that they’re fine. Here with me.
Safe.
For now.
Chapter Seventeen
The hair on the back of my neck stands up, causing the quiet morning to fill with a sudden dread. It’s that sixth sense of eyes on me, raking down my back with malevolence. Prince dances below me, lifting his hooves and snorting at my sudden unease. I drop a hand to his neck and he calms immediately, but his ears flick back and forth, reacting to my discomfort.
The saddle shifts when I adjust my weight, slowly assessing my surroundings. Dust floats in the air, the dirt smooth except for where Prince’s hooves sunk in rhythmically as we trotted. The sun shines, but puffy white clouds break up the rays, making it the perfect day to spend training him. My head swivels, looking up toward the forest, but although the feeling of eyes remains, I can’t find anything unusual or out of place.
The ranch looks like it always does.
You’re just on edge because Theo went back to school.
Today was his first day back after the terrifying rescue. Although he’s been begging me for the better part of a week to return, having him out of my sight gave me paralyzing, debilitating anxiety. That must be what’s causing my unease.
