Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(80)

I collapsed back against the counter. “I already said yes to that girly-ass bridesmaid dress. You’re going to make me go to some fancy tea, too?”

Hadley pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “The dresses are gorgeous.”

I stared at my sister. “They’re pale pink. And they have that floofy fabric.”

“Floofy?”

“That’s the technical term.”

“I think gauzy would be more appropriate. They’re whimsical and fun.”

My jaw clenched. “They’re evidence that I love Everly more than I should if I’m wearing that thing.”

Hadley patted my shoulder. “You’re a good future sister-in-law.”

That melted the annoyance in me more than a fraction. I wanted to be a good sister. And Everly deserved the wedding of her dreams after everything she’d been through. “Oh, all right, I’ll do the damn tea, too. Laiken and I can be in charge of decorations if you and Addie can do food.” If I had Laiken helping me, I couldn’t screw things up too badly.

“Deal.” Hadley motioned me out of the kitchen. “Let’s go for that ride. It’s too nice to be cooped up today.”

I sent up a silent thank you. A trail ride was much more in my wheelhouse than awkward conversations about sex or weddings. “You had me at ride.”

Hadley chuckled. “I had a feeling.”

We headed outside just as Kai dropped his tennis ball at my mom’s feet, letting out a happy bark. She smiled, shaking her head. “I swear he could do this forever.”

“He definitely could.” I turned to the dog, who was in the midst of a full-body wag. “Want to go for a ride, Kai?”

He leapt in the air, sending up another bark and turning in circles.

“Trail ride?” my mom asked.

“If you’re up for it.”

“I’d love that. It’s been too long since I’ve been out on the trails with my girls.”

Far too long. Before my kidnapping, we’d gone all the time. But afterwards, those trips had been fewer and farther between, my mom’s anxiety heightened by what might happen. To be back doing something we all loved felt more than right.

Hadley reached down and gave Kai a scratch. “Only if we can run.”

“Always giving me gray hair.” My mom laughed. “But don’t forget who taught you to gallop. I’ll leave you in the dust.”

Hadley’s eyes twinkled. “We’ll just see about that…”

She started jogging towards the barn, my mom immediately running after her. Kai chased them both, barking as he went. I grinned and followed the circus.

Mom and Hadley made their way down the rows of stalls in the barn, trying to decide on their mounts for the day. I pointed out a few that I thought would be good matches for them as I grabbed a lead rope. “I’m going to grab Sky from the paddock.”

They waved me off as they playfully bickered, setting a wager for their race. It made me happier than I could ever express, seeing the two of them getting along so well. It had been a long road to that closeness, and it only made us all appreciate it more.

I headed out the back of the barn towards the paddock where Sky grazed with a few of her pals. I pursed my lips to whistle, but no sound came out. A hand clamped over my mouth.

Shock slowed the world around me. I took in everything between heartbeats. Quick snapshots. The cloth over my face. The sickly-sweet taste in my mouth. The hulking form behind me.

“Hurry up! Before they realize she’s gone.”

That voice sent panic through me, but I was already fading, losing my grip on everything. All I could think as the sky blurred was that the voice sounded familiar…





40





RAMSEY





I steered my truck towards the sheriff’s station. It wasn’t lost on me, the irony of this, that I was seeking out law enforcement headquarters without being forced into it. But Shiloh had changed everything for me. When she brought the light into my world, she’d illuminated everything around me. I no longer saw things in only black and white but all the shades of gray. And, more than that, she made things technicolor.

Pulling into an empty spot in the parking lot, I shut off my engine. I sat there for a moment, staring up at the building. I’d probably lost my mind given what I was about to do, but it felt right. The idea had been circling around in my head, but certainty had settled over me after my conversation with Aidan today. I just had to hope that Shiloh would be on board.

I pushed open my door and climbed out of my truck. The sun shone as I climbed up the stairs. It was the first truly warm day of the season. I was taking that as the Universe agreeing with my path.

Opening the door, a buzzer sounded as I stepped inside. An officer I didn’t recognize looked up from the counter. “Afternoon, sir. Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Hayes.”

“Who can I tell him is here?”

“Ramsey Bishop.”

The officer picked up his phone. As he spoke in hushed tones, I looked around the space. I didn’t feel the pull of anxiety like I had the last time I was here.

The officer hung up and nodded at me. “You can go on back.”

“Thanks.” I headed through the door that I knew led to Hayes’ office. A few officers nodded at me as I made my way through the sea of desks. Deputy Young sent me a wave, and I returned it with a chin lift. Hell, if I weren’t careful, I’d end up with friends here.