Page 57 of Unruly

That’s not normal.

I shoot off a text to Aunt Aria.

Me:

Hey, are you guys okay?

She texts back a few minutes later.

Aunt Aria:

There was an emergency at the Ranch—we came out here. You can stay and work or close down for the evening and come out here. We’ll all be here.

Fuck … Is that why I haven’t heard from him all day?

Me:

Is everything okay?

I only give Aria a few more moments before deciding, fuck it.

Looking over at Hank at the end of the bar, shooting the shit, I holler, “Your tabs are paid. Go home before I change my mind.”

The few men scurry out of the bar, and I’m able to close up within a few minutes. My mind is racing with a million things that could be an emergency at the ranch, and Aria still hasn’t texted me back.

I text Cash.

Me:

Hey. What’s going on?

Me:

I’m on my way.

I slip my helmet on and head toward the ranch.

Five minutes later, I find myself turning down the dirt road that leads to the main house, my headlights cutting through the dark fields. Dust billows behind me on the dirt road leading to the ranch. The Thornwood sign creaks in the breeze as I pass under it, lights glowing from the main house, then I notice all the vehicles.

My brow furrows as I scan them—Luke’s truck, Matt’s, Rhett’s, Colt’s, Dawson’s, and a few others I recognize. Of fucking course, I don’t see Cash’s truck or bike. I park, kill the engine, and climb out.

As I approach the house, I spot Rhett and Colt standing off to the side of the porch, sharing a cigarette. They speak quietly, heads bent close. Neither look up.

Rhett stands with his arms folded tightly across his chest, and the look on his face is pure exhaustion. It looks like he’s run himself ragged all day. Colt isn’t much better. His shoulders are slumped, and neither of them seem interested in the cigarette they’re passing back and forth.

Peeking around as I walk up, I still don’t find any sign of Cash through the windows.

A fresh wave of irritation rolls through me.

Pushing it down the best I can, I break the silence. “Hey! What’s going on?”

Colt glances up first. The second he sees me, something softens in his face as he gives me a sad, tired smile. “Halle …”

He steps forward and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a big hug. “I’m glad you’re here,” he murmurs.

His words catch me off guard. When he pulls away, I look between them. Rhett finally lifts his head—his eyes bloodshot.

“Hey, Hal.”