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“He better be.” I look up at the door once more, seeing a face I recognize from the ranch.
Luke Caraway walks in with his girlfriend, Cassidy, on his arm. They stand in line to check in as I push myself to standing.
“Be right back.”
I leave Krissy and Addie as I rush through the people and cots, making sure not to take my eyes off him so I don’t lose him in the growing crowd.
“Luke!” I yell, getting his attention as I push through the last of the people making the barrier. “Luke! Where’s Chance? Did he come here with you?”
“Sorry, Dakota, I haven’t seen him since he sent all of us away. We got the last of the cattle we could into trailers, but the last I saw, he was trying to drive the rest to the farthest corner of the pasture.”
“What?” My heart sinks. “He didn’t leave with you guys?”
“No, ma’am.” He takes his hat off and gives a sad look to Cassidy. “He said we all needed to leave and that he would take care of it.”
“And you let him?” With my voice raised, I can’t help but grip my phone tighter in my hand, not knowing if I want to hit Luke with it or call Chance back and demand he to get over here now.
Rationally, I know I shouldn’t be yelling at Luke, but he’s all I’ve got to take my frustrations out on right now.
“You know how he is. The more we stood there and fought with him, the more the livestock was going to be in danger. I’m sorry, I did the best I could do and then I needed to get Cassidy out of town.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s not your fault. There’s no fighting him when he gets his mind stuck on something.” I look at his girlfriend, her face drained of all colour but I can tell she’s trying to put on a brave face, like everyone else in the room. “I’m sorry; this isn’t the best introduction. I’m glad you’re both here safe.”
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
“Please let me know if you hear from him.”
Luke tips his hat in acknowledgment and they both move forward in line for their turn to check in.
Glancing down at my phone in my hand one more time, I unlock it to see the message still unread. “Chance, where are you?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chance
The air is so hot and thick, I can barely breathe.
The only thing saving me right now is the bandana I found in the barn while herding out the rest of the cattle. I managed to dunk it in the trough before mounting Duke. It smells like the worst fucking thing I’ve ever put near my nose, but it’s better than inhaling all the smoke and ash.
“That’s the last of the group,” Wyatt yells over the roar of the nearby fire.
I brace myself for the heat and smoke as the fire gets closer to the ranch. What I never thought of is how loud it would be.
Lowering the bandana from my mouth, I immediately start coughing as the thick air invades my lungs. “Take this up to Beau Campbell’s land and head to the shelter!”
“What about you and the rest of the cattle?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.”
“The fuck you do! I’m not leaving you here alone, Declan.”
“I’m not alone.” I tilt my head to Duke and the cows.
“Now you tell jokes? Your timing fucking sucks.”
“I mean it, Wyatt. I only trust you to make sure those loaded make it to Campbell. Then you need to get to the shelter to make sure Dakota and Addie are all right.”
“I’m not their fucking babysitter.”
