As he exited the freeway and drove down the road that would take him to Dudley’s, he thought about stopping at the local florist and buying Bridget some flowers, but in a hurry to get back to her, he changed his mind. The road was empty as he continued on, and heading up the gentle hill he entered the picturesque driveway, pulled the car around to the back of the large house and into the garage. Walking inside he moved down the hallway into the foyer, and was about to head up the stairs when he was stopped by a flustered Celeste.
“Caden,” she said nervously, “we have a problem.”
“What kind of problem.”
“At the barn, with Bridget.”
An icy hand wrapped around his heart and began to squeeze.
“Go on,” he said trying to control his fear.
“From what I understand, Jane was trying to ride Valentino. Apparently she’d promised Heather Chadwick a lesson on him.”
“What?”
“Bridget pushed her off the mounting block and climbed on Valentino herself. She galloped away and uh, well, she hasn’t come back.”
“How long ago was this?”
“Oh, probably, thirty minutes, maybe forty. We’re worried about the storm, and, uh, she went over the east hills.”
“Damn. Call the barn for me and ask them to tack up Goliath. I’m gonna go find her. Is the golf cart out front?”
“Yes, Caden. Good luck.”
Running outside he jumped into the cart and raced down to the barn.
Bridget, where are you? Why haven’t you come back? Please, be safe, please, please, please.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When Caden reached the stable yard and climbed from the golf cart, he was met by the start of a soft drizzle. Entering the barn he discovered Tim standing with Goliath in the cross ties already tacked up.
“That was fast,” Caden remarked.
“I was just about to go and look for her myself,” Tim said urgently. “I’m worried.”
“Were you here when she took off?” Caden asked as he ducked into the tack room to search out a parka.
“I saw everything,” Tim replied following him in. “There’s a goose-down waterproof jacket in that end cabinet that should fit her, and a man’s mac hanging in that steel closet.”
Donning the raincoat first, he opened the cabinet, and pulling out the down parka he rolled it into a ball.
“Put this in the saddle bag for me,” he said handing it off to Tim. “Where’s the first aid kit?”
“Top cabinet on the right,” Tim called over his shoulder.
Finding the small canvas bag, Caden hurried it back to the cross ties, handing it off to Tim to add to the parka.
“I’d like to come with you.”
“Thanks, but I need you to stay here in case she comes back,” Caden replied as he snatched a lead rope and halter, looping it around the saddle horn.
“I don’t know the range of the pagers,” Tim said anxiously, “but when you find her, if she’s still wearin’ hers-“
“If she is I’ll start pagin’ you as I head back,” Caden interrupted leading Goliath out of the cross ties. “We’ll come within range at some point.”
“Good luck, be careful,” Tim said anxiously as he followed Caden outside and watched him mount up.
Caden trotted out of the stable yard, then broke into a canter as he passed the arena and headed towards the east hills. As he neared the base of the gentle slope, the misty drizzle became a light rain, and he knew the tumult of the storm wasn’t far behind. He also knew that out of all the horses on the property, Goliath was the one to be on. Part draft horse, he was a cool customer and virtually bomb proof.
The trail up the hill offered separate branches. One looped around a thicket of trees and dropped back down on the opposite side of the arena. It was a quick ride, thirty minutes at a leisurely pace.
The second took the rider to the very top of the hill. The last part was steep and not for the faint of heart, but the views were spectacular. The only way down was to follow the trail back, and if Bridget had chosen that path and was somewhere near the top, it would be a frightening and dangerous ride bringing her down the steep slope in the wet conditions.
The third was the least desirable of the three. The trail wound down into a rocky canyon. It was rarely ridden because continuous rock slides would block the path, and there were several places where the trail became extremely narrow.
As Caden started up the hill the rain picked up, and he pulled the hood of the slicker over his head. Goliath was undaunted as he clambered forward, and it seemed to Caden the horse was enjoying his trek out in the rain. His ears were pricked and there was plenty of energy in his step. The minutes ticked by, and through the rain Caden could see they were approaching the area where he could turn off and start down the trail into the rocky canyon.
I doubt she’d would have gone down there. She would have seen the rock formations and it looks uninviting. She may be impetuous but she’s a smart horse woman. No, she’d wouldn’t have gone down there, I’m sure of it.
They passed it by, but as they continued up the hill, to Caden’s dismay the rain grew stronger. The fearless horse, however, unflinchingly continued forward, and when a roll of thunder announced the storm’s dark presence, true to his nature, Goliath wasn’t fazed. Caden, though, felt his pulse tick up, and as they reached the turn off that would loop around past the trees and take them back down, he pulled the big horse to a halt. He could continue up the hill to the top, or veer off towards the trees and home.
If she is on the steep part of the trail near the top, I won’t be able to see her in this weather, dammit, and what reason would she have to go all the way up there. She knew the storm was comin’, she called me, but then, she’s never been on this trail, so she wouldn’t know about the steep part. She also wouldn’t know the one to the left would take her home, or would she? She’s done a ton of trail ridin’. It makes sense that’s exactly what it would do, and you can kind of see it from the arena.
Unexpectedly Goliath made the decision for him, abruptly turning and marching off down the trail to the left, towards the thicket of trees.
“I hope you know somethin’ I don’t,” Caden muttered. “Please, Lord, you spared my mare and new foal, please make it a triple and lead me to my beautiful Bridget.”
The trail was cut into the side of the hill, level and fairly wide, and though it had been there for many years, Caden hugged the inside of the track. The rain was pounding and he was worried the edge might give way under Goliath’s heavy hooves. It seemed to be taking forever to reach the shelter of the thicket and there was still no sign of her, but the trees were dense, and he continued to pray fervently that Bridget was somewhere inside, that she’d taken her time to explore, and then stayed there when the rain had started.
“Please, dear God, please, please,” he mumbled reaching the boundary of the trees.
The trail went around the thicket, not through it, but he’d ridden it once before and had found his way under the trees to the other side. He was trying to decide which way to go, when once again Goliath made the choice, turning off the trail and moving under the thick canopy of heavy green branches.
“I sure hope you know where you’re takin’ me,” he said patting the horse’s soaked neck.
Caden was surprised by the amount of shelter the trees provided, and immensely grateful for the temporary relief, but they’d only walked a short distance when Goliath abruptly stopped, pricked his ears, and lifted his head. Caden stopped breathing, listening intently, but all he could hear was the sound of the rain hitting the leaves. He closed his leg, asking Goliath to move on, but the big horse wouldn’t budge, then unexpectedly he let out a loud whinny. Seconds later, Caden heard a whinny in response.
“Valentino! Holy crap, Goliath, you’ve found them!”
Without being asked Goliath started forward, walking briskly through the trees, continuing to call to his friend, each call being returned. Caden�
��s heart was racing as the horse carried him through the dense thicket, then suddenly, Valentino was standing directly in front of him, standing stock still. He stared at them for a second, then dropped his head to the ground. Caden looked down at the carpet of thick leaves, and to his relief, then fear, he saw Bridget’s limp body. Jumping from the saddle he raced forward, and kneeling beside her he gently rolled her on to her back and moved the wet hair off her face.
“Bridget, Bridget, wake up,” he begged staring at the multitude of scratches across her right cheek.
She could hear him. It was Caden. She was swimming in a lake, but it was cold. She wanted to get out, but she couldn’t find her way back to shore.
“Caden,” she breathed. “Help me.”
Caden’s heart skipped many beats, and fighting back the tears he sat her up and pulled her into his body.
“Bridget, thank you, thank you.”
Goliath was only a few steps away, and looking up he saw both horses were completely focused on him. He could feel their energy. They were in this together, all three of them. Gently resting Bridget against a tree, Caden hurried to his saddle bag and pulled out the parka. She was cold and wet, but he knew the goose down would help the chill, and as he slid the puffy jacket up her arms and zipped it closed, her eyelids fluttered open.
“Caden?”
“Thank, God,” he muttered. “Hey, darlin’.”
“What happened?”
“You must have fallen off,” he said quietly.
“No, no, I didn’t, did I?”
“Does anything hurt? Can you stand up?”
“My whole body hurts, and I’m really cold.”
“Are you dizzy?”
“Uh, no, just kind of, fuzzy.”
“Try and stand. Put your arms around my neck.”
Leaning against him, she managed to rise to her feet.
“How’s that?” he asked studying her eyes.
“I remember now. I got off, I’m not sure why, then I tripped somehow. I remember hitting my head and stinging pain down the side of my face.”
“Thank God I found you,” he mumbled feeling her tremble against him.
“You’re here,” she frowned.
“Yes, darlin’, I’m here, and I’m gonna pony you back down.”
“You don’t need to pony me,” she mumbled.
“Uh, yes, I do,” he smiled, grateful that she had the wherewithal to argue. “Come on, walk for a minute, make sure you’re not dizzy.”
“No, I’m not dizzy, I just feel sore, and the side of my face hurts.”
“It’s a bit scratched up,” he murmured, slowly walking her back and forth. “Do you still have your pager?”
“Um, my pager, uh, yes, here,” she said unsnapping it from her belt. “Please, take me back now.”
“Let’s get your head covered first,” he said.
Taking the pager from her, he pulled the parka’s hood over her head and tied it under her chin. “There you go. It’s pouring.”
“It’s not so bad,” she replied feeling a shiver.
“We’re under the trees. Once we’re out of here there’s no shelter.”
“Will you help on to Valentino?”
“I’m thinking you should sit behind me on Goliath.”
“No, it’s better for me to sit on Valentino, honestly. I want to.”
“I think you’d be better off holding on to me.”
“No, please, I hate riding like that. I need to sit on Valentino,” she repeated.
He paused, looking around and spotted a sawn off tree trunk.
“There,” he said, “a mounting block.”
“Yes, good, I can just climb on,” she muttered.
Leading Valentino across to the stump, Caden held him steady as Bridget slowly clambered on to the flat top, and as she slowly stood up, steadying herself by holding on to the saddle, he changed his mind.
“No, you’re not all right,” he declared. “You need to sit behind me on Goliath.”
“I’m okay,” she groaned, and before he could stop her she’d put her foot in the stirrup, swung her leg over, and was sitting in the saddle. “See?”
“Damn, you’re stubborn,” he grumbled.
“Please take me home,” she repeated. “Seriously.”
Muttering under his breath, cursing himself for not having put her on Goliath, he retrieved the halter and lead rope from the saddle horn, and slipped it over Valentino’s bridle. Moments later he was mounted up, the lead rope in his hand, and Valentino next to him.
“Are you ready?” he asked staring at her white face. “Are you sure you don’t wanna just slip on Goliath behind me?”
“No, honestly. This is better.”
“If you have any problems, you tell me right away.”
“I will,” she nodded.
Not sure how to find his way out of the woods, Caden told Goliath to move ahead, then just left him alone. The big brave horse had led him to Bridget, and he had full confidence that Goliath would find his way home. He was right. As though he’d done it a hundred times before, Goliath walked a direct path to the edge of the thicket and out into the rain.
“I would never have seen that exit,” he mumbled as he turned to make sure Bridget was all right. “Thank you, Goliath.”
The rain was a downpour, and as they made their way slowly down the hill, Caden dropped the reins and paged Tim.
Found Bridget. Coming down west side of hill. Have car and blankets waiting. Confirm.
He waited for the response, and when it came through he let out a heavy breath. They’d soon be back at the barn, he’d put Bridget in the car, then whisk her into a hot bath.
The worst of the storm was almost upon them, and when they hit flat ground, as much as he wanted to hasten their step, not trusting Bridget’s balance he kept them at a walk. He knew it was too muddy for a car to reach them, and he’d have to pass the arena before they’d hit gravel, but then he saw it; the black Range Rover was driving through the mud.
Of course, I forgot about the Range Rover. Thank God.
Halting the horses he slipped out of his saddle, and just as the Range Rover pulled up, a massive clap of thunder burst over their heads. Goliath didn’t move, but Valentino began shifting his feet. Talking calmly he managed to settle the horse’s nerves, and glancing back at the SUV, he saw Tim running towards them. Helping Bridget off, he kept her in his arms ready to carry her to the car.
“I’ll take the horses,” Tim shouted, and taking hold of Valentino’s lead rope, he climbed aboard Goliath.
Carrying Bridget to the Rover, Caden saw Richard climbing from the driver’s seat to open the back door. Settling her inside, Caden pulled off the drenched parka and wrapped her in the dry, warm blankets waiting on the back seat.
“How is she?” Richard asked as he maneuvered the car through the mud.
“A bit banged up, but okay I think,” Caden replied.
“I’m all right,” she quivered.
“I’ve called a doctor,” Richard said. “He’s on his way.”
“First thing I’m gonna do is put her in a hot bath,” Caden declared.
“Yes, please,” she bleated as another chill shivered through her.
“Thank God you found her,” Richard said gravely.
“It was Goliath who found her,” Caden remarked snuggling her against him.
“Horses. I’ve never understood them,” Richard said. “I’ve always been a bit scared of them if I’m honest. Crazy that I ended up having a luxury dude ranch. It really was Goliath who found her?”
“Yep, took me directly to her in the middle of that thicket of trees on the side of the hill.”
“He did?” Bridget squeaked.
“He did, darlin’, and Valentino was standin’ right over you.”
“Really?”
“Really, like he was watchin” out for you, like a guardian angel.”
“Okay, we’re here,” Richard announced stopping under the portico at
the front door of the house. “I’ll call your room when the doctor arrives.”
“Thanks, Richard,” Caden said gratefully, and lifting Bridget out of the car, he carried her inside, up to their suite, and walking directly into the bedroom, he sat her on the edge of the bed.
“Stay in those blankets,” he said firmly, and walking into the bathroom, he turned on the faucets and dropped some lavender bath gel into the tub.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
Turning around he saw her standing in the doorway.
“Don’t you do anything you’re told?” he asked walking over to her.
“I couldn’t sit there,” she mumbled. “Please hold me.”
“Darlin’,” he sighed wrapping her up in his arms, “I didn’t mean to scold. I’ve been sick with worry.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I was going to stay on the side of the hill until I figured I’d be gone long enough for you to get back, but…”
“But then things went wrong.”
“Yes,” she nodded, “things went wrong.”
“Let’s get you undressed, then I’m going to order you up some hot soup.”
“Tea as well, please. The British blend.”
“You must be feelin’ better,” he smiled as he began removing the blankets.
“Kind of, except I feel all shaky.”
“The bath will help,” he promised.
“Caden?”
“Yes, darlin’?”
“When I felt myself passing out, I knew you were coming to help me. The feeling was so strong.”
“I’ll always come for you,” he said softly, peeling off the last of her clothes. “Now let’s get your butt in that hot water.”
Holding her steady as she stepped into the bath, he watched her sink into the aromatic, relaxing foam.
“You soak. I’m gonna call downstairs for that soup, then check in with Tim. If you need me just call and I’ll come runnin’.”
When a Cowboy Loves a Woman Page 13