Page 258 of Cowboy Daddies

Rushing out of the house, she ran after him. “Wyatt! Wait!”

He ignored her, running into the stables. Without thought, she ran after him.

That’s when she realized where she was.

Oh no. This wasn’t good.

Her heart started to race. A number of the horses were in here, and the hands were all done for the day.

But they weren’t free. As long as she didn’t go into any of the stalls, she’d be fine.

“Wyatt? Wyatt, please, where are you?”

Where was her phone? She needed Jeb. Shit. She’d left it in the house.

Just get Wyatt and get out.

A muffled sob hit her ears, making her wince. Where had that come from?

She followed the noise until she came to the last stall. A huge, black gelding was inside. Along with Wyatt who was huddled in the corner.

Oh no.

Oh god.

The horse would hurt him. She knew it would. But she had to save him. Nothing would happen to Wyatt.

“W-Wyatt. Y-you got to c-come out.”

“I don’t have to do anything,” Wyatt said, shifting around so he had his back to her. “Go away.”

“I k-know you’re m-mad at me. But it’s n-not safe in t-there, Wyatt. You’re g-gonna get hurt.”

“No, I’m not.” He turned back to stare at her curiously. “This is Frost. He wouldn’t harm me.”

She heard his words, but she was too far gone for them to really penetrate the fear buzzing inside her.

“I’m gonna . . . I’m gonna let him o-out. Then y-you go. G-get out of h-here.”

“Casey? What are you doing? What’s wrong?”

Opening the latch, she moved the door back. The horse moved and she cried out with fear. He shied back and she ducked down, crouching into a ball.

“Casey!”

“Wyatt, stay there. I’ll c-come to you! I’ll p-protect you.” Casey forced herself to move past the horse. She had to crawl, unable to get her legs to hold her weight.

The horse neighed and she threw herself at Wyatt, wrapping herself around him.

“Casey? What’s wrong?”

But she couldn’t answer him. She had to keep him safe.

Keep Wyatt safe.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jeb walked toward the house, stilling with a frown as he saw that Frost was out of the stables.