Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(48)

Walker shook his head. “You know he likes to track alone. He says bringing anyone else with him just confuses the trail and distracts him.”

Jensen let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s stupid.”

“It’s Tuck,” Walker replied. Jensen had nothing to say to that. Walker turned back to me. “I’m going to clean the scrapes on your face, but everything else will have to wait until we get back.”

“That’s fine.” I looked at the two horses waiting patiently at the creek’s edge and then back to Walker and Jensen. “How am I getting back?”

“You’ll ride with me,” Walker answered.

I swallowed hard. “I’m not the fondest of horses. Maybe I could just walk?”

Walker shook his head. “It’s too far for you to walk, and you’re exhausted. You’ll ride to the trailhead with me, and you’re not driving home either.” Before I could get in a word of protest, he continued. “You could have a concussion. I’ll send someone back to pick up your car and bring it to the cabin.”

I bit back any arguments and nodded. “Okay.”

Walker ripped open an alcohol wipe. “This might sting a little.”

“That’s all right. Better than dying of gangrene, right?”

Walker did not laugh. He gently swiped at my face with the wipe. I hissed out a breath. “Sorry,” he grumbled, then blew lightly on the scrapes, easing the sting.

“Thanks.” I stared into his eyes that were mere inches from mine, seeing the ring of blue around his green irises for the first time. His eyes were magic, captivating in a way that had me fighting the urge to lean in just a little bit closer.

I blinked rapidly, attempting to clear the fog his spellbinding eyes had me in. Jensen cleared her throat. “Ready?”

Walker straightened. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

He extended a hand to me, and I took it. His fingertips were rough but warm. Sandpaper kisses to my palm. A shiver raced through me. As we got closer to the massive beasts enjoying a drink, my nerves began to rise. “A-are you sure about this? I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

Walker took my shoulders gently, bending down so that his eyes were level with mine. “You’re going to be fine. These guys are gentle as newborn babes, and Jensen trained them herself, specifically for trail riding in rough terrain. It’s almost impossible to spook them.”

He led me over to a horse so dark brown, his coat almost looked black. He had a blaze of white down his face and astute eyes. “This is Lightning.”

I jerked back slightly. “Lightning? Like fast as lightning?”

Walker let out a soft chuckle. “He can be fast when you want him to be, but he’s also happy just plodding along, which is all we’ll be doing.”

My throat was suddenly dry as dust. “Okay,” I croaked.

Walker lifted my hand for Lightning to sniff. His whiskers tickled my palm. “He wants to see if you have a treat for him.”

“I’ll give him all the treats in the world if he gets me home in one piece.”

“He will. Don’t you worry. Now, let’s get you in the saddle.” I tensed. “Jensen will hold the reins while I help you up. Then I’ll get on behind you.”

My muscles screamed in protest as Walker lifted me up, but I bit my lip to keep from crying out. I settled into the saddle, holding onto it for dear life. It took Walker mere seconds to swing up behind me. His arms came around me, and I instantly felt safer. “Relax,” Walker whispered in my ear. “You can lean back against me. I’ve got you.”

I slowly let myself melt into him, inhaling the comforting mix of his cologne, sweat, and something that was uniquely Walker. Jensen flipped the reins over Lightning’s head and handed them to her brother before mounting her own pale blond horse and leading us away.

The rhythmic swaying of Lightning’s stride and the warmth of Walker’s arms soon had me fighting sleep. “Stay awake for me if you can, Taylor. As soon as you’re in the truck, you can take a little nap.”

“Okay,” I mumbled, but soon, my eyes were falling closed.





27





Walker





Silent curses left my mouth as I felt Taylor slump against me. She was in full adrenaline crash-mode.

“She asleep?” Jensen called from up ahead.

“Dead to the world.”

“Can you balance her and Lightning, or should I call for some help?”

I tightened my hold around Taylor. “I’ve got her. We’re not far now.”

Silence filled the air as we continued our journey. My mind drifted to what the hell was going on in my town. Two girls missing. One found, but only after nearly being shot. My teeth ground together. Taylor’s recounting of events didn’t sound like a hunter mistaking a person for game. I hoped she was wrong. Maybe she just thought someone was chasing her. Dealing with a misguided hunter was a hell of a lot better than dealing with a murderer.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I caught sight of the truck and horse trailer. Leaning forward, I whispered into Taylor’s ear, “It’s time to wake up.” Nothing. A little louder and with a slight shake of her shoulders I said, “Taylor, we’re here.”