AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Smoke.
My heart lurched against my ribs as I sat bolt upright. A red glow flared across my face, illuminating my window.
Callie’s barn was on fire. I could see the flames eating through the roof from here.
Another scream split the night. My stomach twisted. That sound haunted every cowboy’s nightmare. The scream of a scared horse, a dying horse.
I grabbed my jeans and a shirt, yanking them on as I hurtled down the stairs and out the front door. After I leaped the fence, racing across the pasture, I realized I hadn’t grabbed my boots. The grass was cold and wet with dew but I didn’tslow down. Callie’s horses were trapped inside that barn and if I didn’t get them out, they were going to be burned alive.
“Callie!” I called with the full force of my lungs.
Silence. Her house remained dark. Was she still on her date with Beau? What time was it anyway?
Skidding around the corner, heat blasted me in the face. As I came to stand at the barn’s entrance, fire snaked up the walls, slithering across the ceiling like silky ribbons. Thick, black smoke churned out of the doorway.
I put up an arm to shield myself. The relentless heat and smoke made my eyes water. Inside, the horses were still screaming. A few thunderous thumps and bangs suggested they were trying to kick their way out of their stalls.
I tugged my shirt collar up over my nose and mouth. Then I plunged into the barn. My skin felt like it was boiling off my bones as I hurried down the aisle.
The first stall held Blossom. The poor pony cowered in the corner, her eyes white with fear. The smoke was so heavy that I could barely see her.
I flung the door open and placed my palm against her neck. She shivered at my touch, stomping nervously.
“Come on, girl,” I whispered. “Time to go. The door is open. Make a run for it.”
She shifted in place, restless and scared. Shrugging out of my shirt, I threw it across her eyes. The blaze of heat against my exposed back made me grit my teeth. Now that Blossom had her eyes covered, she let me lead her out of the stall. I trotted alongside her, guiding us both into the fresh, clean air. When I pulled my shirt off her, Blossom tossed her head and shied away from the barn, skirting closer to the house.
I didn’t miss a beat, turned on my heel, and ran back into the barn.
Orion the thoroughbred was next. He gave me more trouble, rearing on his hind legs and striking at the walls with his hooves.
“Easy, big boy. I’m here to get you out.”
He huffed and pressed himself against the wall, as far away from the flames as he could get. When I tried to touch him, he flattened his ears and snapped his teeth at me. So, I pushed the door open and let him go. He galloped past me at full speed.
The third stall was in bad shape. The flames were hotter here and old Applejack was tired. His head hung low, his breathing labored from the smoke.
“Hey there,” I murmured softly, gliding my hands over the horse’s trembling body. “Let’s get you out of here, grandpa. How does that sound?”
Applejack leaned against me as I led him out of the barn. When we were free of the smoke, the bright glare of headlights blinded me.
“Landon? What the hell happened?”
Callie’s voice, tense with horror and worry. Her figure appeared in the headlights, wearing a flimsy sundress and sandals. Her hair spilled down around her shoulders in silky waves.
Beau appeared at her side a moment later.
“Call the fire department,” I said. “Beau, get some water on the house. And the field, if you can manage it. We don’t need those flames spreading across half of Ash Ridge.”
Beau dug his phone out of his pocket, pressing it into Callie’s hand. He broke into a run and disappeared into the dark. The barn groaned and shifted, sending a shower of golden sparks into the sky. Callie let out a cry and started forward.
“The horses!”
I put out a hand to stop her. She clutched my arm.
“I’m getting them,” I said. “Stay here.”
“But—”
