Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
I grunt because even now I’m mad about Wes. “Yes, he’s breathing. For now anyway.”
Elliott laughs. “Well, you’re not in jail at least. Madds told me you defended her.”
I try to keep my voice calm and level. “You talked to Maddie?”
I can hear what sounds like slot machines in the background. “Yeah, she was going up to check the north pasture and then she was going to stay at the old hunting cabin.”
I push myself off the barn and practically yell into the phone. “She what?”
He laughs. “Chill out, Rhett. Geez. She’ll be fine. She’s lived on that ranch her whole life. She’ll be fine.”
“The storm…” I start.
He interrupts me. “It’s Montana, Rhett. She can handle a snowstorm.”
“What the fuck…”
I’m already on the move when he asks me, “What’s your deal? You know Maddie. She’s stronger than most men, and she can handle herself. What’s up with you?”
I get into my truck and tear down the driveway. “What the fuck, Elliott? Yesterday, you were worried about her and today you let her go out into a fuckin’ snowstorm on her own. What’s up with you?”
“She’s fine. I keep the cabin stocked. There’s a generator and firewood. She’d be fine there for weeks if need be.”
“Weeks?” I scream into the phone. The dude has lost his shit if he thinks I’m going to let her stay in the fuckin’ cabin for weeks. “I’m taking your snowmobile.”
“Okay.” He’s way too calm. “So you’re going to check on her?”
I park my truck next to Elliott and Maddie’s barn. “Yeah, I’m going to check on her. Fuck, Elliott, I’m going to bring her home. I told her to stay where she was at.”
Elliott is cackling. “Well, that’s where you fucked up. You know Maddie, and she doesn’t do well with people telling her what to do. That was your first fuck-up.”
Irritated with this whole conversation, I grunt into the phone, “Go enjoy your slots, Elliott. I’ll take care of your sister.”
He laughs. “I know you will.” Then he hangs up.
I walk into the barn. The keys to the snowmobile are hanging up, and I grab them before going back outside and around to the back of the barn. When I see the empty spot where Maddie’s snowmobile usually is, I want to fucking break something. Elliott’s snowsuit is hanging where it usually is, and I put it on before pulling out my phone again. After dialing Maddie’s number, I sit down on the recreation vehicle, and she answers on the first ring.
“Hey, Rhett,” she answers cheerily.
I grit my teeth. “I thought I told you to stay home today.”
Her voice is light and airy. “You did say that.”
I grunt and push my hat farther down my head. “So why the fuck are you not home?”
She’s not even fazed by the tone of my voice. “I had to check the north pasture.”
“In a fuckin’ snowstorm?”
She giggles. Fuckin’ giggles. “Uh, you’re a rancher. You know as well as I do work doesn’t stop because of a snowstorm.”
“I’m coming to get you, Maddie.”
She’s quiet for just a minute. “Well, you probably should hurry, Rhett. So you don’t get caught in the snow.”
“Maddie,” I start, but I don't finish. I don’t want her to come back out in this weather. And it’s stupid for me to go up there. I know she’ll be safe, and I could just go back to my house and wait for the snow to clear and she’ll be home. But I can’t do it. I can’t. I won’t be okay until I can see her with my own two eyes. “Will you stay put? Until I get there.”
“Sure, I’ll stay here. I just got to the hunting cabin, and I’m getting everything set up.”
I turn the snowmobile on. “Seriously, Maddie. Can I believe that you’re going to stay there until I get there or am I going to have to track you down in a snowstorm?”
Her voice drops a few decibels. “I promise I’ll be here when you get here, Rhett. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“I’m on my way,” I tell her and then click the button to hang up. I pull the recreation vehicle out and start driving toward the north pasture where the hunting cabin is. The wind is hard and cold on my face, but I press on the gas to get there faster. I know Maddie is safe, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I won’t be okay until she’s standing right in front of me.
The whole way across the Barretts’ ranch, I’m second-guessing myself. I know I don’t have the strength to deny her. I was barely able to do it last night, and now, I know I won’t be able to tell her no.
I’m about a half a mile out when the snowmobile starts to sputter. Even with the gas pushed all the way in, it comes to a halt. I climb off the machine and start walking toward the cabin. The snow is up to my knees, and it makes the trek longer, but there’s no way I’m going to stop. I feel as if I can finally breathe again when I see the smoke coming from the chimney and the lights on in the window.