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Another flash of lightning nearly blinded them. Thunder followed immediately.
Nash cupped her elbow. “Come on, Londyn. We need to get back to the ranch before we’re struck by lightning.”
She pulled free of his grip, shaking her head. “You go. I’m not going anywhere until I find my horse.”
“I have no way to protect you from?—”
“Shhh.” A sound captured Londyn’s attention. She touched Nash’s arm. “Did you hear that?”
His eyes narrowed. “No.”
Londyn strained to hear anything. The sound came again.
“There,” Londyn said. “Did you hear that?”
“Maybe,” he said, his brow furrowing.
Her pulse whipped into high gear as she peered into the tree line. Something moved in the shadows. “Did you see that?”
“Yes.”
“Butterscotch!” Londyn yelled. “I’m here, girl!”
She started toward the trees.
Nash caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “What if it’s not the horse? It could be a wolf or a bear.” He pulled his pistol out of the holster beneath his jacket.
“That won’t stop a bear,” Londyn said. “And it’s Butterscotch. I just know it.”
“You’d bet your life on it?” he asked, refusing to release her arm.
She nodded. “It has to be her.” Londyn lifted her fingers to her lips again and blew out another sharp whistle.
An answering whinny echoed through the tree trunks.
Moments later, Butterscotch raced down a hillside and out from beneath the trees, running straight for Londyn.
CHAPTER 10
Nash stepped between Londyn and the oncoming horse.
Londyn gripped his arm. “It’s okay. She’ll stop for me.” Before he could stop her, she moved around him as the buckskin mare slid to a stop in front of her.
She grabbed the horse’s lead and touched her hand to her velvety-soft nose. “There you are, big girl. It’s okay. We’re going to be okay,” she spoke as tears ran down her face.
The mare was breathing hard, and her coat was lathered in sweat, but her eyes weren’t wild, and her nostrils weren’t flaring like they had when she’d broken free of the trailer. Hopefully, whatever had gotten into her had passed.
A big drop of rain splattered across Nash’s forehead, followed by another and another.
They had to get Butterscotch to shelter. Fast.
Lightning struck a tree nearby with a loud crack and an ear-splitting boom of thunder.
Butterscotch reared.
Because she was holding tightly to the lead, Londyn’s feet left the ground as the horse rose.
Nash grabbed her around the waist and pulled her backward as Butterscotch came down on all four hooves.
