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The passenger seat is laden with boxes of cakes and pastries as I drive back to the ranch, my mind full of the girl who’s there waiting for me. I imagine her curled up in bed right where I left her, those pretty lips curved into a smile as she sleeps. Ever since I left this morning, I’ve been thinking about getting back to Avery. I know she only planned to stay a few days in my guestroom, but I never want her to leave. She’s brought so much light to my whole world, like a ray of sunshine brightening up my life, bringing me happiness I didn’t even know could exist. I can’t imagine going back to life without Avery. Hell, I don’t want to imagine it. It’s a thought that ties my stomach in painful knots.
I’m still running it all over in my mind by the time I reach the turning for the ranch. There’s a black Jeep on the dirt track, and I frown, wondering who it could be. None of my brothers or their partners drive a Jeep. As I pass the car, I catch a quick glimpse of the passengers, and my heart freezes. Avery is staring out at me, her eyes wide and scared. Edmund is beside her, his eyes on the road, and as I pass them, Avery starts to wave her arms, frantically trying to get my attention.
Fuck.
The Jeep speeds onto the highway as I throw myself against the wheel, throwing a dizzying U-turn. My chest pounds like a jackhammer as I step on the accelerator, ice-cold fear squeezing itself around my stomach.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I frantically honk my horn, tailing the Jeep. In the back window, above the spare tire, I can see the shadowy figure of Avery turning to look at me, and my grip on the wheel tightens. I want to smash my pickup right into the back of Edmund fucking Fontaine, but I can’t risk hurting my girl. With a growl of frustration, I grab my phone from my pocket and hurriedly dial 911, my eyes fixed on the Jeep.
“911, what’s your emergency?” a woman’s voice says.
“I need police! My girlfriend has been kidnapped by her ex.” The Jeep surges forward with a burst of speed, but I close the gap, staying on its tail. “He’s driving her down Highway 82 toward Winterdale. The vehicle is a black Jeep Wrangler with the license plate AGY-342. That’s AGY-342.”
“Okay, sir, our officers are on their way.”
I thank her and toss my phone aside, my stomach churning as I barrel down Winterdale’s main street, praying to God I don’t hit anybody. But I can’t lose sight of the Jeep. I can’t lose Avery.
We fly through Winterdale until we’re back on the open road. I can hear sirens in the distance, but they’re still too damn far away. Edmund’s driving is getting even more erratic, and he unexpectedly hangs a left, swerving up the winding mountain road that leads to Fontaine House. I narrowly miss a tree as I spin my pick-up, following him. It’s a dangerous road, twisty and unpredictable, but Edmund doesn’t slow down. I watch as he swings his Jeep around a tight bend up ahead, and my heart leaps into my throat as his tires skid, the vehicle spiraling out of control. I hit the brakes hard, my body slamming forward against the steering wheel, but I barely notice the pain. I’m too busy watching in horror.
SMASH!
The Jeep crashes into a thicket of trees beside the road with a sickening crunch, shuddering to a halt. My hands shake as I scramble for the door, leaping out of my truck and racing to the Jeep.
“AVERY!” I shout, frantically pulling on the passenger-side door. It’s locked, and I peer urgently through the window, almost passing out with relief when I see her blinking up at me.
“Avery, can you hear me?” I ask.
She nods, looking dazed. There’s a trickle of blood oozing from a gash in her cheek, but otherwise, I can’t see any injuries. I keep tugging desperately at the door, but it won’t open, and I can’t see anything I can smash it with. I don’t want to hurt Avery with any more broken glass.
“Stay still, okay?” I tell her. “You’re going to be fine, baby. The police are on their way. Everything is going to be okay.” Emotion clogs my throat as I look at her. “I’m sorry for leaving you this morning. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to keep you safe. But I’m here now, okay? I’ll always be here, Avery. Always.”
The sound of sirens is getting closer, and I pray to God they bring an ambulance with them. I look back toward the road, waiting for the sight of blue flashing lights, when I hear a barely-audible sound.
“H-Hunter?” I turn back to the window, watching Avery’s lips as they move. “Hunter?”
“Yes, honey. It’s me. I’m here. We’re gonna get you out of here, okay? You hear those sirens? That’s the police. They’ll get you out of here, and then I’m gonna take care of you. Because I love you, Avery. I love you so fucking much. And I swear I won’t ever let anything bad happen to you ever again, okay? Not ever.”
Her lips curve up into a slight smile, melting some of the fear in my chest. The police cars finally round the corner, and I sag with relief when I see an ambulance following close behind.
“They’re here, Avery,” I tell her, resting my hand against the car window.
I watch as she gingerly lifts her own hand, pressing it up against mine, our palms separated only by the glass of the window. And as I look into those twinkling chocolate-brown eyes, I know she’s going to be okay.
11
Avery
The hours after the accident are a blur. I’m wheeled from room to room, the words “X-rays” and “CT scans” and “MRI” melting into one another. My neck is sore and I’ve got an ugly, jagged cut on my cheek. But I don’t need stitches, and as long as my test results come back okay, I don’t even have to stay overnight. I’m desperate to get back to Hunter, but I let the doctors do what they need to do without complaint, letting my mind drift to thoughts of being back at the farmhouse, cuddled up by the fire as the golden trees sway outside.
Edmund is somewhere in this hospital too. It was his side of the car that bore the brunt of the accident, and apparently, one of his legs is broken. I gave my statement to the police on the ride to Crave County Hospital, and as soon as Edmund is bandaged up, he’ll be facing charges of kidnap and reckless driving. It’s the least he deserves. I’m still shaken from that awful car ride, and I know it could have been a whole lot worse. Agreeing to marry Edmund Fontaine was the worst mistake I’ve ever made, but in some ways, it’s also the best thing I’ve ever done. If I’d never been Edmund’s fiancé, then Willow and I never would have found our way down to the Ryder cowboys on Blaze Valley Ranch.
And meeting Hunter Ryder is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
“Your test results all look fine,” the doctor says once the final test is over, scanning her clipboard. “You have a mild case of whiplash. I recommend using ice packs to soothe any swelling followed by a warm compress to reduce any muscle tension. Be sure to get plenty of rest, and don’t hesitate to take some Advil if you need pain relief.”
“Thank you. So, I can go home?” I ask hopefully.
