Page 144 of Thaw My Heart

Because he’s still in there.

Ryker grabs my arm as I take a step towards the barn. “Don’t even think about it. He’s not in there, Sadie.”

But he is, and I know it. He was putting his horse away before I left, less than five minutes ago.

A few people come running out of the barn, coughing up a storm with panicked horses they managed to save.

Hudson. Leah. Candace.

But I still don’t see him.

Wes shouts for Ryker, who’s still holding me back.

“Stay put, Sadie,” Ryker commands before taking off.

The flames rise higher, nearly swallowing the barn whole like a fire tornado, whirling towards the sky. The heat presses against my skin, and the taste of ash coats my tongue. My gaze drifts to Ryker, Wes, and Cole… and is that Cash? There seems to be some kind of kerfuffle, but I can’t think. I can’t breathe. Horses are screaming, filling my entire body with terror. My heart is going to burst out of its cage.

Blake’s in there, and I know it.

I have to do something.

Promise me you’ll never be this reckless again.

“I’m so sorry, Kit.” And then I’m running towards the flames before anyone can stop me.

Fear. A single word that controls my entire body. My every thought, as thirty-two years of sweet memories, is up in flames. Burning brightly in the stark white surroundings, like a beacon of warning and disaster. The most sickening nightmare. The blazing fire ebbs and flows like water, con­suming all that’s in its path.

My truck skids to a stop, and I jump out, hitting the gravel hard. Leaving my Carhartt behind as I run towards the commotion.

Black smoke fills the skies above, and ash clings to the frozen air. Everything around us is covered in a thick haze, smelling of burning wood. Wes has Cash on his knees, crying, pleading that he didn’t mean for it to go so far.

He did this? I knew he was angry after our conversation yesterday, but to do this?

I’ll break his fucking neck.

Wes slaps him across the face as he pleads again, and for the moment, I feel satisfied, letting it go for now. Cole’s holding a hose, trying to quench the flames, but it roars up in defense. Annie is tending to the wounded ranchers. Leah has a nasty burn on her left arm, and Hudson’s nearly coughing up a lung as Candace tends to him with Kinley right beside her.

Ryker runs up to me, appearing from the smoke. “The fire truck is almost here. We’re—we’re doing the best we can.” Sweat runs down his forehead, glistening on his pale face.

“Is anyone still in the barn?” I ask him.

Ryker shakes his head, but then stops as if he’s unsure, second-guessing himself. His words are disjointed and panicked. “A few more came running out a while ago. Some horses, too. We couldn’t find Blake, but there are so many running around. He’s gotta be here somewhere.”

Shapes of people run around through the dark haze, tending to horses, moving vehicles, trying to put out the fire with buckets of water and snow. Doing everything they possibly can. If we could just hold on a little longer, the barn could still be salvageable.

I can fix it.

“Where’s Sadie?” I ask, desperately searching for her through the smoke. Hopefully, she’s home by now, getting ready for our date, far away from this.

Ryker glances around, searching. “She was just here⁠—”

Another horse bolts out of the barn, almost taking us out.

Blake’s horse.

His brown eyes meet mine. Just one terrified look, and I’m running into the barn. Towards the open flames without a second thought. Ryker screams after me, but I can’t stop.

Can’t hear his words.