Page 43 of SEAL of Valor

Bobbi whinnies at me, so I smile and give him one, too. “You be good to me, too, boy.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that.”

I stiffen at the sound of her voice, barely audible over the storm. “A saddled horse?” Turning away from Bobbi, I study her. Dressed in jeans, boots, a thick jacket, and a baseball cap, she looks every bit the cowgirl I once fell in love with.

Only this time, she’s got a backpack full of medical supplies on her back. “No, your smile.”

The words are a knife to my gut because any true joy I had died when she left. “Let’s go. You’re on Buttercup.”

“Buttercup?”

“Your mom let Anastasia help name her, and given her obsession with The Princess Bride, it’s what she went with.

“She looks like a Buttercup. Hi, girl.” Reese smiles as she greets the animal, and the sight of it is too much. I turn away.

“We need to go. The cows are too close to that main road.” After unclipping the lead rope I’d used to hold Bobbi in place while I prepped him, I guide him over toward the door. After pushing it open, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Looks like the storm has let up just a bit. Let’s hope it stays that way.” I guide him out into the rain and climb into the saddle.

There were times I joked about how I felt more at home in a saddle than in my house, and even though I live alone now, that statement is still one hundred percent true. Any day of the week, any hour, I would rather be in a saddle than anywhere else.

I glance over right as Reese climbs onto Buttercup. Seeing her now, you wouldn’t know that it’s been years since she was on the ranch. Has she even ridden since then?

Before I can focus too intently on that, I urge Bobbi forward and start toward the main gate. I guide Bobbi right next to it, then lean down and undo the chain, swinging it open as I move him inside. As soon as Reese is through, I shift Bobbi and grip the gate, swinging it closed and securing the chain.

Then, I click my tongue and apply slight pressure to his side, urging him to gallop. We race through the pasture, and I note that the mud has already gotten thick. Too much more and it won’t even be safe for the horses.

We just have to hope we can find the cattle and get back to safety before that happens.

Come on. Where are they?

With the limited visibility thanks to the sheets of rain falling down on us, I can hardly make out anything. It’s been nearly an hour of searching, and so far, we’ve got nothing. The tall trees overhead are swaying dangerously, and more than once, I’ve heard a worrisome crack.

If we don’t find the cattle soon, we’re going to have to turn back. Otherwise, we risk injury to us or the horses.

We rode the fenceline first and found the fence they blew through, likely during the start of the storm. Thankfully, there was no other damage to the exterior fencing, meaning the animals getting on the road is a concern I’ve been able to set aside.

Now it’s all about finding them.

“Over there!”

I turn at the sound of Reese’s voice, then spot a dark shadow in the distance. Yes.

The herd is gathered around the small sunshade, drenched in water and covered in mud. Their mooing grows louder the closer we get, and they watch us with wide, anxious eyes.

“North pasture!” I call out to her, hoping she remembers. We spent years working cattle together. Riding. Here’s hoping she didn’t lose what it felt like.

She offers me a single nod.

Lightning splits the sky.

The cows bolt.

I urge Bobbi into a run, racing to catch the few headed straight for the fence that borders the far road.

We cut them off, and I glance over as Reese drives the others toward us.

After reuniting the stragglers with the main herd, Reese and I work together to herd them through the storm, guiding them back toward the north pasture. It doesn’t have quite the shelter the south pasture does. However, it will be far safer than what they’re in now. And it’s nowhere near a road.

Once they’re through the gate, I move around to do a head count while Reese scans for injuries.