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I stare at her as she’s curled up in my arms.
Sometimes I can’t believe she’s real. That she’s mine.
“There was a trial,” she says in a soft voice.
I lift my head to hear her better. “A what?”
“A clinical trial for SVT. Some new medications. Surgeries.” Biting her lip, she looks up at me. “I missed it.”
“Baby,” I say, my breath knocked out of my chest. “Where?”
“California.” Her pretty face hardens. “It would have meant leaving the ranch. Being trapped in some hospital for a month. And I couldn’t.” She slides her hand up my chest. “I couldn’t leave you, Charlie.”
“Is there another one? A study.” If I have to bang down their door, I’ll do it.
“Charlie.” Her gorgeous blue eyes shutter. “I’d have to leave.”
“I’d go with you.”
“What?”
“I’ll take you to California. Maybe we won’t make the sunrise, but I can do a sunset.”
I’m rewarded with a smile so bright the sun ceases to exist.
“Oh, Charlie,” she whispers.
No doubt about this woman.
Nothing could make me love her less.
I’m opening my mouth to tell her that when a loud shout sounds from outside.
Tensing, I shoot up straight, a primal protective instinct chilling my blood.
Ruby’s wide blue eyes dart to mine.
Footsteps pound on the porch stairs.
I scoot forward, placing my body in front of her.
“Baby, stay—”
And then the front door bursts open.
I yank the blanket up to cover Ruby. “What the fuck?” I roar.
Wyatt stands in the living room, every ounce of color drained from his face. “Charlie. The barn’s on fire.”
“The horses?” Charlie shouts as he and Wyatt run out of the house. They sprint across gravel and grass, and I’m right behind them, rushing to keep up in my bare feet. My legs are numb and wobbly but my stride is fast.
“Ford and Davis are there now, trying to get ‘em out.” In his panic, Wyatt trips, and Charlie grabs his brother’s arm to keep him from face planting. “We got the fire department on the way.”
“Lightning?” Charlie asks.
“Not lightning. Someone started it. The door’s nailed shut. The horses are trapped.”
Wyatt’s words chill my blood.
