Theresa's brawny young brother hadn't commented, his expression remaining somber during the meal.
"I want to help. When Josh gets back I plan to go with him when he hangs out at the bars. I won't sleep until this bastard is caught, and I want to be the one who catches him."
"I said I'd ask Josh if you could join him," Theresa corrected him. "There are no guarantees he'll agree."
"I'm sure he'll appreciate the back up," Heath said. "I would if I were in his shoes, especially if that back up is you, Salvo. Excuse me. That's my phone," he muttered, pulling it from his pocket. "Huh. It's Andy. Hey, what's up?"
"A twister touched down in Springdale a little bit ago. Just heard it on the news. Hit the fairgrounds. I reckon we're lucky we didn't see one here. Seems like the storms are taperin' off though, thanks goodness. Might've been the same cell that landed on top of us. Anyway, I thought you'd wanna know."
"Thanks, Andy. I'm glad you called. See you in the mornin'."
"Heath, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"A tornado just hit Springdale, but don't panic. We don't know anything yet."
"Where in Springdale? What aren't you telling me? I can see it in your eyes. Where in Springdale?"
"The fairgrounds area."
"I'm going. I'm going right now," she exclaimed, jumping to her feet as her heart leapt. "Salvo, will you keep me company?"
"Try and leave without me!"
"Theresa, think about this for a minute," Heath said, feigning a calm he didn't feel. "You don't wanna be—is that your phone? I'll bet that's Josh now."
Snatching it up, Theresa prayed fervently the caller would be Josh, but as she stared at the screen, her heart sank. The number was unfamiliar to her.
"No, it's not Josh. Hello?"
"Is this Theresa?"
"Yes."
"Hi, this is Sam. I'm the manager over at Tall Tree Farms. We've met a couple of times."
"Oh, hi, Sam. Have you heard from Josh? Is that why you're calling?"
"Uh, no. I tried to reach him but his phone goes straight to voicemail. He left your number in case of an emergency, and this isn't really an emergency, but I thought I should call. Queenie is upset. She's a real calm mare, and she's pacin' in her stall."
"Of course she is," Theresa said under her breath.
"Excuse me? I didn't quite catch that."
"There are some peppermint treats in Josh's blue trunk. She loves them. Maybe that will help. Uh, Sam, I'm about to ask you to do something, but please don't think I'm crazy."
"Most folks have some crazy in 'em," he said with a chuckle, "especially horse lovers."
"Thanks, and you're probably right. When you give her the treats, tell her you spoke to me and I'm on my way to see Josh."
"Sure. Be happy to. I talk to my horse all the time. I swear he understands, though sometimes he pretends not to, but why are you headin' to Springdale?"
"Apparently a tornado touched down and hit the fairgrounds."
"Say, what? That's why Queenie's agitated. Any other horse and I'd say it's the unsettled weather, except she and Josh are about as close as a horse and human can be. Is that why you're goin' up there? The twister?"
"Yes. I can't reach him and he promised he'd call. I need to know he's okay."
"I don't blame you a bit. Will you stay in touch with me? He's got half-a-dozen horses and students up there with him."
"Of course. I'll get back to you as soon as I know anything, and if Josh happens to reach you, please tell him I'm worried and to contact me."
"You bet."
"Thanks for calling, Sam. Bye."
"Bye, Theresa."
"Let's go, Salvo," she said, leaving the table. "I want to get on the road, like now!"
"Hold on," Heath said, holding up his hand. "I'm not happy about you takin' off like this. The weather's still bad. I've lived here long enough to know how unpredictable these storms are. I can tell you from personal experience, you don't wanna be drivin' tonight."
"I appreciate your concern, Heath, I do, but I'm going. I can't sit around here and worry. I'll go crazy."
"You should go," Carly piped up. "I'm sorry, Heath, but if you were in Springdale, I'd already be in my truck, but Theresa, I honestly think you probably haven't heard from Josh because the cell service is down."
"I think so too, and that makes it even more important I get up there. I'll be able to come back and with news about the kids he has with him. Their parents will be worried sick when they hear."
"And I'm sure some of them will hit the road," Heath exclaimed. "Theresa, I'm not happy about this. Not happy one bit."
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I am being an idiot, but I have to go. I just do."
"Then take my truck," he said resignedly. "Salvo, do you know the short cut around the back of the Johnson property?"
"Yeah. Andy went that way when we had to go to the hay warehouse on the outskirts of Springdale."
"That will cut at least fifteen minutes off the trip, and you're likely to meet road closures if you take the main road, not to mention the greater risk of downed power lines."
"Thanks, Heath. That's a great suggestion."
"Forty-seven Hilltop Avenue. Plug that into the navigator so you won't get lost. That's the address of the feed store down the street from the fairgrounds. The key's inside the glove compartment, and I filled the tank a couple of days ago so you won't have to worry about gas. Please stay in touch. Let me know when you arrive."
"We will, and Heath, thank you so much," Theresa said gratefully, then pausing, she added, "Do you think I should take anything with me?"
"Good question," Heath replied. "Food and water bottles. The truck has an excellent first-aid kit in the center console between the back seats, and there's a blanket rolled up there as well."
"Take my down parka. You'll find it in the hall closet," Carly offered. "You might need something warm and waterproof."
"Why do I suddenly feel as though I'm off on an expedition?" Theresa exclaimed. "I'm not traveling far."
"Have you ever witnessed the aftermath of a tornado?" Heath asked solemnly.
"Uh, no."
"Once you do you'll understand. You probably won't need those things, but you might run across folks who will."
"Oh, I see. Sorry. I didn't realize."
"No reason you should, but if you're goin', you'd better go now. The night's not gettin' any younger."
"Absolutely. Salvo, could you get the truck out of the garage and bring it around to the back door while I throw some stuff in the picnic basket? I'll be ready by the time you get there."
"You bet," Salvo replied, jumping to his feet and moving quickly from the room.
"Theresa, I've gotta say this," Heath said, rising to his feet. "You've only known this guy a short time, but you're headin' off like Carly here would take off after me."
"That's not strictly true. I've been around him at Tall Tree Farms for weeks, and we might have just connected, but he literally saved me. He got me out of The Horseshoe Tavern. If he hadn't, I'd be the missing woman right now. I owe him, and I, uh, I care about him. I care about him a lot."
"Heath, she knows how she feels," Carly said softly. "Time has nothing to do with that. Remember when we first met?"
"Yeah, I guess I do," he admitted. "Sorry, Theresa. I'm just concerned. Please watch yourself out there. Keep your eyes peeled and stay alert. And don't let Salvo drive fast. There could be all kinds of debris on the road."
"I will, and I love that you care about me."
"We do. If Andy was here I'd go with you, but I'm not leavin' Carly here alone, especially not while she's still hurtin'."
"I'm fine," Carly protested. "Go if you want."
"Nope. I'm not leavin'. Good luck, Theresa."
"Thanks. I'll call you soon."
Moving swiftly to the hall closet for Carly's parka, Theresa hurried into the kitchen and retrieved the picnic basket from the pantry. Filling it with packaged go
ods and a tub of her brownies, she placed it by the door, then grabbed some hand towels as an afterthought. She'd just finished when Salvo entered. She could hear the loud hum of the truck's powerful engine.
"Thanks for coming with me, Salvo. You probably think I'm crazy."
"Not even for a second. I'm glad we're going. I owe him."
"You owe him? Why do you owe him?"
"Why do you think? He took care of you. Now I'm going to make sure he's okay, and if he's not, I'll do whatever needs doing."
"Salvo. You're the best brother ever."
"We've already had this conversation, and we need to go."
"We do. There's a six pack of bottled water in that cabinet."
"Got it, but I'll put this in first," he said, picking up the picnic hamper. "You get in. I'll be right there."
Theresa had never been in the truck, and as she climbed up and settled into the passenger seat, the opulence of the cab surprised her. So did the view.
"I can see forever," she remarked as Salvo joined her, immediately putting the truck into gear. "We're so high off the ground."
"Isn't it cool?" he said with a grin. "I get that you're worried, but I'm sure Josh is fine, and I'm stoked to be driving this thing."
"You just made me feel better. Thanks."
"I did?"
"You're so sure he's okay."
"He's a smart guy. Smart guys do the smart thing, especially during an emergency."
"There you go again, being all wise on me."
"Just common sense, that's what Andy would say. Turn on some music. I need to concentrate. It's raining like crazy and I don't need to be distracted."
"Sorry."
The GPS led them through the deserted streets, and as they turned off the main route and started down a two-lane country road, the rain began to lessen. Lifting her gaze to the sky, she watched the clouds criss-cross a pale moon. The minutes ticked by, and as they approached the end of the road where it turned sharply left towards the town the rain stopped altogether.
"Not far now," Theresa remarked as Salvo slowed and followed the sharp bend. "Only seventeen minutes to our destination. What are you doing? Why are you stopping?"
"Have you thought this through?"
"Salvo!"
"How do you think Josh will react?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You spent one day with him, and here you are, driving through crazy weather—"
"It's not even raining."
"Driving through crazy weather," he continued giving her a look, "to the scene of a tornado to find him. Don't you think that's a bit extreme?"
"Uh, no. Shit. Is it?"
"It could be seen that way. If you'd been going out with him for a while, no problem, but doing something crazy like this smacks of desperation."
"Seriously? You think so?"
"I don't know the guy, but it might."
"Shit. Should we go back?"
"That's up to you. Take a minute and think about it."
"But I'm worried."
"Like I said. Take a minute. How will he feel about you racing up here? This area sure is beautiful," he murmured, turning to look out his window.
"That's my phone," Theresa suddenly declared, grabbing her bag and pulling it out. "Salvo. It's Josh."
"That's great."
"What should I do?"
"Answer it."
"Shit."
"Answer, then decide what to say while you're talking to him."
"Right. Hi, Josh. Are you okay? We've been so worried."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Long story. I'm guessin' you heard about the twister."
"I sure did."
"What the hell is that?" Salvo muttered, peering out his window. "I'll be right back."
"Josh, one second. Salvo, where are you going?"
"I'll only be a minute," he said as he opened the door and climbed out.
"Theresa? What's goin' on?" Josh asked urgently. "Is someone with you?"
"Yes. My brother, Salvo."
"Where are you?"
"Uh, actually…"
"Theresa?"
"I'm just so happy to hear your voice. You weren't at the fairgrounds?"
"No, not even close. I'm boardin' the horses at a barn about fifteen minutes outside town, and I'm stayin' at a hotel about five minutes away. The twister didn't hit this area, but I lost cell service. Just got it back. Everyone else is stayin' in the center of town. From what I understand their hotel wasn't damaged so I'm guessin' they're okay."
"That's such a relief."
"What am I hearin' in your voice? Something's goin' on. You wanna tell me what that is, Princess?"
"I'm not a lunatic. What I've done might be a bit crazy, but I was worried."
"It's okay. Just tell me what's goin' on."
"Heath lent me his truck and I'm almost at Springdale. Salvo's driving, but he just stopped and got out. He said he saw something, but I have no idea what. Anyway, I heard the fairgrounds were hit, and when I couldn't reach you I panicked. So did Queenie. Sam called because she was so agitated."
"Wait. You came to Springdale?"
"I'm not there yet, but—oh, my gosh! What the hell…?"
"Theresa? What's happenin'?"
"It's Salvo. He coming back to the truck and it looks like—holy crap. He's carrying a woman. I'm going to run out there with a blanket, but I'll leave my phone on so you can hear what's happening. I'll be right back."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Placing her cell phone on the center console, Theresa reached into the back seat, grabbed the blanket, and climbing quickly from the cab she hurried through the gusting winds. As she approached, she immediately recognized the woman drenched and motionless in Salvo's arms. It was Claudia Harris.
"Thank God you saw her," Theresa exclaimed, doing her best to cover the unconscious victim with the blanket. "She's so white. Salvo, is she, uh, alive?"
"Yeah. I'm no doctor but I'd say just barely."
"How the heck did you spot her?"
"I didn't. I saw this flash from the corner of my eye and I wanted to find out what it was," Salvo replied as they reached the truck. "She was on the ground. I almost turned around and came back because I thought it was just a pile of laundry or something. I guess I must have seen her fall. I want to put her in the back seat so you can sit with her. Will you get the door?"
Fighting the wind, she held it open as he lifted Claudia into the seat, then hurrying around the truck and climbing in, she covered Claudia with the blanket.
"Josh, are you still there?" she asked, grabbing her phone. "Salvo! Wait! Where the hell is he going now?" she exclaimed as her brother disappeared into the night.
"I'm here," Josh exclaimed. "Tell me what's happenin'."
"Salvo is running back into the field. I guess he must have seen something else."
"Theresa, who did he find? What's going on?"
"Has anyone been in touch with you about the disappearance of a woman named Claudia Harris?"
"Disappearance? I know who she is, but I haven't heard anything."
"That's who Salvo just found, and she's in bad shape."
"Damn. Tell me everything. How long has she been missing?"
"Since that night at The Horseshoe."
"How do you know about this?"
"A cop, Jim Purdue, came to the ranch and told us to keep our eyes open for her. Apparently she'd had a fight with her husband and that's why she was at the bar. When she didn't come home he thought she was staying with a friend. That's why he didn't file a missing persons report until this morning."
"Oh, no! Dammit. I can't believe this. I walked her out to her car and told her not to stop for any reason. How the heck did this happen?"
"I don't know, Josh, but don't you think whoever is behind these attacks must be known to these victims?"
"Maybe, but this isn't the time to be talkin' about theories. When you say she's in bad shape, what do you mean?"
"She's absolutely drench
ed, white as a sheet, and she's got a gash on her head."
"Theresa, you need to get off the phone and call the police," Salvo said urgently as he suddenly appeared, climbing into the truck settling behind the wheel. "I just found out my battery's dead."
"Hold on, Josh. Salvo, why did you go back out there?"
"To make sure there wasn't anything I might have missed. I found her bag," he declared, lifting up a wet, battered leather purse. "I know where the hospital is in Springdale. Call the police and tell them that's where we're headed."
"Theresa, I heard that," Josh exclaimed. "Where are you?"
"We just turned up that sharp bend that leads into town. The navigator said we're seventeen minutes from the fairgrounds."
"You're only five minutes away from me. Bring her here. The streets might be blocked off, and even if they're not, there's bound to be debris on roads, maybe even downed power lines. Turn right at the second light. I'm at the Black Stallion Hotel. I'll call for the police and an ambulance."
"Salvo, turn right at the second light," Theresa said hastily as Salvo drove forward.
"Where are we going?"
"We're meeting Josh at his hotel. Josh, we're on our way. One quick thing. After you call the police, get in touch with Sam. He's really worried."
"Will do, but Theresa, on your way here, see if you can get Claudia to wake up, and make sure she's kept warm."
"She's covered in a blanket, and I'll try. We'll see you in a minute. Bye."
"Why are we going to meet Josh?" Salvo asked as Theresa ended the call. "We need to get Claudia to the hospital."
"He was a med student. He'll know what to do while we're waiting for the ambulance, and he thinks the streets will be blocked. Salvo, slow down! We don't need to be in an accident."
"You're right," he muttered, taking his foot off the accelerator. "Damn. I can't believe I found her."
"Claudia? Can you hear me," Theresa said softly, tucking the blanket around Claudia's shoulders and wiping strands of wet hair from her face. "You're safe now. Wake up for me. Can you do that? Open your eyes. Shit. Salvo, I'm scared. Josh told me to wake her up, but she's not responding."
"Keep trying."
"Claudia, Claudia, open your eyes."
"I can't wait to get my hands on the scumbag who's doing this," Salvo grunted. "I swear I'll rip his fucking heart out."
To Catch A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 2) Page 10