Page 42 of SEAL of Valor

He shakes his head, and water droplets fall from his face. “No. I just saw them. They looked scared.”

Oh no.

“What do we do?” he asks frantically.

“You go home. This storm is only getting worse. You need to go home before it gets too bad. Text me when you get there so I know you got back safely.”

“But the cows?”

“I’ll handle the cows. Go.”

He hesitates for a moment. “Okay, yes, sir.” Then, he turns and sprints toward his old Ford Ranger parked near the main house.

Since Vivian will want to know why I’m taking a horse out in this, I jog toward the main house and climb the steps.

Vivian opens the door before I’ve even had the chance to knock. Dressed in a windbreaker and mud boots, she looks about ready to march out into the storm, too. Which, given her hospital visit two nights ago, is ludicrous.

“I was just coming out to help.”

“Everything is locked down.”

She narrows her gaze on my face. “Then why do you look like something’s wrong?”

“Some of the cattle must have blown through the fencing in the west pasture. I need to get ’em back to the south pasture where they’ll have shelter.”

“Then I’ll come with you.”

“No, I can do this. I just wanted you to know why I was taking Buttercup out.” Unfortunately, the west pasture is virtually impassable on a 4-wheeler in a storm like this. Horseback is the only way to do it. And even that gets sketchier by the minute. It’s been well-known to flood, and if that happens, whoever is out there will be stuck until the waters recede.

“You shouldn’t go out alone.”

“I’ll be fine.” I start to turn away, then hear Reese, and my traitorous heart kicks in my chest.

“I’ll go!”

I turn back, not at all surprised to see her in the doorway now. “No.”

“Yes. I’m a vet, and if they pushed through the barbed wire, you’re going to need help.”

“I can handle it.”

“Yes, by slapping on a temporary patch and calling a vet.” She holds up her hands. “Good news for you, I’m already here. I’ll get dressed and meet you at the barn.” Without waiting for my response, she turns and leaves.

I shift my gaze to Vivian, hoping she’ll step in and tell Reese no. That I’ve got this. However, she simply shrugs.

“I don’t need her.”

“I think we both know that’s not the truth.” She smiles at me. “Come see me when you’re done. I want to know what happened.”

The argument dies on my tongue because it hits me that having Reese there—as a veterinarian only—might actually be helpful if one of the cows does get hurt. Lighting splits the sky a heartbeat before thunder slams into me like an artillery blast.

The west pasture isn’t too far from the road. It’s not the main one, but if they push through that fence and get out— I turn and start toward the barn. Whether or not I want her with me is irrelevant when the animals’ safety is concerned.

Moving as quickly as I can, I saddle Buttercup for her and Bobbi for me. Normally, I’d take Buttercup, but she’s far more reliable in a storm than Bobbi, and the last thing I want is Reese getting hurt.

I’ve already hurt her enough for a thousand lifetimes.

“You be good to her, girl,” I whisper to Buttercup once I’ve finished saddling her. She turns her large head into me and nuzzles me, so I reach into my pocket for an apple treat, then offer it to her.