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Nash released her waist and reached for the lead, his hands closing over Londyn’s. Together, they brought the mare to a standstill.
The ranch owner and his ranch hand drove their ATVs close to where Nash and Londyn stood with the mare. “Let’s get her back to the ranch,” Mitchell said.
“How do you want to do this?” Nash asked. “I can ride her bareback.”
Londyn shook her head. “No. I’ve led her behind an ATV before. She’ll follow as long as we keep moving.”
Nash’s brow dipped low. “You’re not going to hold the lead, are you?”
Londyn nodded her head, brushing the raindrops out over her eyes. “I have to. If we try to tie it to the back of the ATV, she might spook and hurt herself trying to get away from it. The best thing would be to walk her all the way back.”
“It’s too far,” Mitchell said. “This storm isn’t waiting for anyone.”
As if to demonstrate, the big drops increased in quantity until it was hard to see three feet in front of his nose. Nash shook his head. “We can’t walk all the way back.”
Londyn’s lips pressed into a stubborn line. “I’ll walk her all the way if I have to. She’s been through enough.”
“Look,” Mitchell said. “Get her back out to the road. I’ll go ahead and bring your truck and trailer closer. That way, you won’t be walking all night.”
“Ok,” Nash said. “We’ll get there as quickly as possible.”
Mitchell climbed onto his ATV, turned on the headlight and headed across the field. The sheets of rain smudged the light until it finally disappeared into the darkness.
The ranch hand mounted his four-wheeler. “Leave the other ATVs here. We’ll come back for them after the storm. I’ll lead you back to the road.” He took off, riding slowly, a little ahead of them.
“You should ride one of the ATVs,” Londyn said. “I can handle Butterscotch.”
Nash shook his head. “I’m walking with you.”
Londyn didn’t argue, apparently too tired and emotionally wrung out. She fell in step beside him, walking as fast as she could. Rain pelted her face and soaked her all the way through her denim jacket to her skin. She shivered and wiped the water from her eyes, only to have to do it again immediately.
Nash’s heart pinched in his chest. The woman was far too stubborn to ask for help.
Nash shrugged out of his leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“No,” she said. “You need it to stay dry.”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. I was getting hot.”
“You’re lying,” Londyn muttered. “But I appreciate the gesture, and I’m too cold to fight you on this one.”
“Good,” he said and hooked her arm. “Then let’s get going.”
She walked as fast as she could, obviously anxious to get Butterscotch back to the ranch and hopefully into a dry stall for the night. “I’m sorry you’re stuck in this situation. I’m sure you didn’t sign up for a trek in the cold rain with lightning striking all around.”
“I’ve been in worse,” he said.
Several times along the way, the lightning strikes and ensuing thunder made the mare rear.
Each time, Nash helped Londyn calm the animal and keep her moving.
When they reached the creek, the ranch hand blew through quickly, nearly stalling out when he sank up to his hips in water. He barely managed to make it to the other side. When he did, he turned his ATV around and shined the light down at the creek.
“I’ll take Butterscotch across and come back for you,” Nash said.
“I can do it,” Londyn said.
“Please,” he insisted. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
