Catching Ember (Buckle Up Series Book 1)

by Beverly Preston

  “Sit tight and get warm. I’m going to get them moving to the south.” Travis made a short clicking sound out the side of his mouth, encouraging his horse into the weather. Jet followed hot on his heels.

  Ember watched the men lead the ball of cattle over a ridge until their whistles and hollers disappeared. Relaxing into the saddle, she took another drink of hot tea, making a mental note to give Bee an extra big hug for the cup of steamy goodness to-go.

  The scent of wet leather, fresh rain, and musky sage filled her senses, reminding her of childhood rainstorms. Her head cocked, hearing the faint sound of mooing over the beating rain.

  Alarms fired off inside.

  Tucking away the thermos, Ember nudged Storm to the edge of the canopy, keeping a keen ear. A familiar high-pitched cry of distress resounded from somewhere in the distance.

  “Daisy.” The terrified gasp whooshed from her lungs.

  Wrapping her legs around Storm like a wet washcloth, Ember gave him a little tap, coaxing him into the rain. She rode along the swollen river, snaking in and out of the trees and shrubs following the high-pitched bleats and bawls of the calf.

  Typically, the river stretched one hundred and fifty feet wide, but days of heavy rainfall doubled its size, making the terrain unrecognizable.

  Tension gathered in her shoulders as she hunched forward, eyes darting through the dense thickets. As she approached a clearing, she spotted Daisy stranded on a small patch of barren land in the middle of the rushing river.

  Ember’s heart dropped to her toes.

  Adrenaline and panic shot through her like an arrow.

  “Oh shit. No, no, no. It’s okay, girl. It’s all right.” Taking in the distance, she cursed, “How the fuck did you get over there?”

  Daisy’s cries of distress toppled the sound of the downpour, turning Ember’s stomach to bile.

  “You’re way too far to rope.” A deep wedge scored between her brows. “Who am I kidding, I can’t throw a rope that far.”

  Riding upstream, she studied the cascading riffles and wide pools stretching across the fast-moving waterway. The dark, muddy water made it impossible to judge the depth.

  Daisy’s moos and bawls grew louder and more desperate.

  The water was rising. Fast.

  Storm’s ears twitched. He stomped at the mud testing the current swelling along the waterline. Lifting a hand to the brim of her dark, brown hat, Ember shielded enough water to make out Daisy’s big black, bulging eyes. The strain in her cries carried over the churning river.

  She could feel Storm’s anxious energy building beneath the saddle.

  Ember’s jaw clamped so tight her teeth cut into the fleshy insides of her cheek. Gaging the distance and the shifting current, her tongue darted across her lips, attempting to moisten her parched mouth, but she had no saliva.

  With no time to think, Ember reacted.

  “I trust you, boy. Come on.”

  Making a quick succession of kissing noises, Ember cued Storm forward, spurring him into the turbulent river.

  The force of the current pressing against the horse’s legs instantly threw Ember off balance. Loosening her grip on the reins, she tightened her hold on the horn and let the horse take the lead.

  They forded along a narrow gravel bar, pushing diagonally downstream. Halfway across, the gravel blew out beneath Storm’s feet. The river bottom disappeared, submerging the horse past his flanks. Ember kicked her feet out of the stirrups, hiking her knees toward the pummel. Cold water funneled into her boots as she clutched to the horse.

  Fear recoiled through her limbs, vibrating through her body in shaky jerks. She pressed her elbows to her sides, attempting to make her frame as small as possible atop the horse.

  The pounding in her chest grew frantic. By the time the horse’s hooves touched the island, she could scarcely breathe. Her jeans and coat soaked all the way to her hips.

  “It’s okay, girl,” she hollered over the pouring rain, petting the calf’s head.

  Eyes zipping from the height of the horse to the size of the calf, a sinking feeling of defeat bloomed in her gut. Daisy weighed as much as Ember.

  Streams of uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks. “I am not leaving you here.”

  The ground below their feet was slowly succumbing to the river’s wrath. Ember tucked one arm under Daisy’s shoulder and the other under her tail, attempting to lift the calf onto Storm. She struggled and strained, boots slipping in the mud, but it was no use.

  Dry sobs burned the back of her throat as she dragged the calf closer to Storm. Ember squatted low, scooping up the calf.

  Two strong arms encircled her from behind, taking the animal from her hold. Her head snapped to the side. Ember expected to see Travis but found an ocean of blue heat riddled in turmoil.

  “Looks like you could use some help.” His breathy words came out short and choppy.

  Nash forced a half-grin, opening the split on his swollen lip. He attempted to appear calm but couldn’t hide the fear in his eyes or the haste in his actions. Her face crumpled and body wracked with shivers, watching him work at record pace, draping Daisy across the front of his saddle.

  “Nash—”

  “Listen to me.” He grabbed her firmly by her shoulders and spun her to face the bank. Pointing at the clearing between trees, he lowered his mouth to her ear. “You’re going to get on Storm and you’re going to aim for that opening.”

  His hands roamed over her, working at lightning speed. The heaviness of her sodden chaps and duster disappeared, left to the mercy of the river.

  Her stomach turned hearing the fear riding in his firm tone. Nash tried to hide it, but there was no use. They were in serious trouble.

  “I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, blinking the deluge of wetness from her eyes. “You’re not even supposed to be here and now look what I’ve—”

  “There is no place else I am supposed to be.” His fingers tightened around her arms, tugging her into his chest. “I belong right here…beside you.”

  Breath coming fast and hot, he clamped his big hands around her face, meeting her lips in a searing kiss. The act of possession was thorough and consuming. Ember curled her arms around his neck, deepening the wildness of the kiss.

  Breaking their connection, he encouraged her foot into the stirrup, hoisting her onto Storm. Nash’s hands moved over her saddle, quickly checking for secureness.

  “You’ve got to make that clearing. Keep your eyes fixed on that bank. The current is gonna try to drag you downstream. Let Storm do the work. If he starts to capsize, you need to eject from the saddle as fast as you can and stay clear of—”

  “I should’ve waited for help. I wasn’t thinking. God, I’m so sorry.” Ember leaned forward, reaching for his hand, hot tears striking her cheeks sliding down her chin.

  Nash tangled her gloved fingers in his, taking her mouth in another heart melting kiss. Her hands came to his face, stroking and caressing, never wanting to let go.

  “I love you, Ember Thompson.” He pulled back, brushing his nose to her cheek. “And when we get to the other side of this fucking river, we’re gonna talk about the future. Our future. And it’s got nothing to do with oil or cattle.”

  As the words of promise left his mouth, Nash hollered yah and swatted Storm on the rear, driving them into the raging river.

  Water rose to the apex of her thighs, stealing her breath, as the current moved them downriver. Ember slumped forward, keeping low to the animal, adjusting to the buoyancy of the horse. She held on for dear life as Storm powered forward, propelling through the turbid river.

  No amount of controlled breathing could help her situation. Ember tried to remain calm, but adrenaline pushed through her veins like a jackhammer. Every muscle pulled taut as she attempted to mentally will them across.

  Reaching the clearing, Storm powered out of the water, muscles flexed and strained. Ember turned back to see Nash spur his horse into the raging water.

  Something
was wrong. The water was too high on Whiskey’s back. They were completely submerged.

  Ember screamed between cupped hands, “The calf! Let her go!”

  With the added weight, the river was too strong for Whiskey. The current, mighty and merciless, started to sweep them downstream.

  “Shit! No, no no.”

  Ember paced Storm in a figure eight, keeping her eye pinned on Nash. Daisy and Nash started to float free from the horse.

  Pressing her feet into the stirrups, she lifted her seat from the saddle and commanded, “Hup!”

  Storm launched forward into a run. Emerging from the brush and trees, the horse flew into a gallop toward the next opening downstream. Searching the torrents, she barely made out the trio tangled in a large group of trees upstream inundated by the flood.

  Large, mangled branches and an old tractor tire broke free of the hang-up, and drifted downstream in the dark, roiling water. Each sharp breath burned her lungs on intake, as she waited. Whiskey popped out of the mangled mess first, followed by Daisy. Nash floated out from the mash up of trees, facedown. The current carried him so fast, she couldn’t get to him even if she had the capability.

  Adrenaline took control. With a squeeze of her legs, Storm bolted into a gallop. Driving wind and rain slashed at her cheeks. Landscape screamed by in a blur of tears. Hat lost to the elements, Ember’s long braid bounced against her spine.

  “Come on! Hup!” Ember loosened her hold on the reins, giving the horse his head. Storm reacted to her cues, flying faster than they’d ever ridden together.

  Reaching a point at the end of the clearing beyond the bend, Ember’s feet hit the ground before the horse came to a stop. Seconds felt like hours. Her hands shook so violently, she could barely clasp hold of her lasso.

  “Give me that.” The harsh order boomed over her shoulder. Travis snatched the rope from her hands. “How many we got in the drink?”

  Ember broke. Shoulders wracking with each sob, her face twisted, tears pouring from her lashes.

  “It’s…it’s Nash! I was trying to save Daisy, and Nash…he’s in the river…facedown.”

  Every emotion Travis owned slid from his masculine features to the muddy ground. The sunbaked skin on his face turned ashen grey.

  Daisy’s cry drew their attention to the turbulent water as she rounded a bend. Nash and Whiskey floated not too far behind.

  “Son-of-a-bitch.”

  Travis hastily stripped out of his duster, chaps, and boots, tracking the river with wide eyes. Shoving his arms through the circle of the rope, he tightened the lariat around his waist.

  Adrenaline rushed through his eyes like a herd of wild horses.

  “As soon as I get a hold of him, you need to drive Storm away from the river.”

  Ember couldn’t speak. Terror and anguish numbed her reactions, strangling any response. A frantic nod was all she could manage.

  Clasping her firmly by the arm, Travis guided her to Storm, practically hoisting her onto the saddle. He worked quick, tying the end of the rope to the horn.

  Curling his fingers into the seams of her button-down shirt, Travis pulled, bringing her face inches from his. An unruly grin slipped over his wide mouth. Wildness blazed in his eyes as he took off his hat and put it on Ember’s head.

  “I’ll be back for this.” Closing the distance between them, Travis delivered a scalding kiss to her lips. Ripping himself away, he staggered backwards, blessing her with a big wink and a lopsided grin. “Just in case I don’t make it back.”

  “Don’t say that shit to me."

  “Haul ass as soon as I grab him.” Travis glanced over his shoulder judging his timing. His lips lifted higher into a full-on rebellious tilt. “You’re one hell of a rancher, Miss Thompson. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

  Turning on a bare foot, Travis took off. He sprinted to the end of the point and hurled himself into the raging river.

  Heart racing, Ember steered Storm closer to the edge, keeping enough slack in the rope so she didn’t pull Travis backwards. She could barely make out the men’s forms through the torrential downpour of tears and rain.

  Feeling a strong perpetual pull on the rope against the current, Storm dug in, holding his ground.

  “Hup! Come on, boy!” Ember drove Storm on, hauling the men through the turbid water.

  The force of drag on the rope decreased, and Storm’s traction turned sluggish. Twisting her neck, Ember saw both men clear the river, but the nightmare was far from over.

  Nash laid mangled on his side, unresponsive.

  Ember jumped from her saddle and dropped to the ground. Breath bursting in and out of her lungs, she clambered frantically through the muck to get to Nash.

  With a push of his beefy arm, Travis brushed her aside, knocking her to the soggy earth. Hands covered in muck, he grabbed hold of Nash’s shirt, manhandling him to his back, prepping for CPR.

  “Come on, motherfucker,” Travis panted, both hands cinching around Nash’s collar. “Who am I gonna fight with if you ain’t around. Wake the fuck up!”

  Time moved in fragments. The roaring sound of the river and rain, nothing but a whisper, lost to the pounding of her pulse.

  Leaning over his motionless form, Travis tilted Nash’s head back, pinched his nose, and bent over to blow in his mouth. River water spewed from Nash’s lips as he came to, coughing, choking, and sputtering, ridding his throat of fluid.

  Travis wiped the projection from his mouth with a rough swipe of his sleeve. He turned Nash on his side, delivering a few good whacks to his back.

  She scurried closer, body and breath heaving with each gasp of air. Nash’s eyes squinted and lashes fluttered, fighting against the raindrops. Leaning over, she shielded him with the wide brim of Travis’s hat, sweeping pieces of sodden hair from his forehead.

  Ember’s chin quivered. She pawed at his body, trailing her palms over his arms and shoulders, affirming he was truly alive. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I risked your life, and Travis’s. I—”

  “You’re a rancher, Miss Thompson.” Travis covered the tip of her shoulder with his hand, breath coming in hard-running bursts. “It’s what we do. Next time…try to wait for help before riding into the raging river.”

  Fatigues setting in, Travis collapsed onto his back. Arms out to his sides, his body contracted with each labored breath.

  “What…what happened?” Nash’s wary eyes wandered over their surroundings, before landing on her face. He stared at her for what felt like an eternity, gathering recollections from fifteen minutes prior. “Did the calf make it? Whiskey?”

  Looking away, she blinked back her sorrow. Forcing her gaze back to his, Ember shook her head, tears of regret streaming from her eyes.

  “They got em’.” Travis pointed toward Johnny and Sawyer making their way toward them with Whiskey and the calf in tow.

  A slow growing look of relief washed over Nash, softening his gaze. He clasped hold of her trembling hand and pressed it to his heart. “I can’t believe you were able to snatch me out of that mess. Thank you.”

  Head swinging back and forth, she blurted, “Travis jumped in after you. He saved your life.”

  Confusion pleated outward from his weary eyes. Nash turned to Travis, lying in the mud beside him. “You? You pulled me out?”

  “That’s the fucking thanks I get?” Travis threw his hands out wide, flopping them into the mud.

  Ember chimed in, “I tried to save you, but Travis pushed me out of the way.”

  “What? Did you think I was gonna let you have all the fun?” His gaze shifted from Nash to Ember. “And you need work with that rope.”

  Dumbfounded, Nash stammered, “I…I owe you…my life.”

  “You just threw up in my fucking mouth, so you owe me more than that, Harris.” Irritation and a hint of relieved humor filled his eye roll. “Plus, you get the woman which probably means you get the oil? And…you’re alive! So yeah, you owe me, fucker. I’m going to mil
k the shit out of this moment for years.”

  Fatigue setting in, Nash barely lifted his head to look at Travis, but the look shared between the two men was one of mutual respect and gratitude.

  Both men laid flat on their backs, working to catch their breath and energy. Nash stretched out his hand and Travis took hold, giving it a firm shake.

  “And I’m not after the oil. I withdrew my offer on Walker Ranch six weeks ago.” Nash tangled her fingers in his, bringing them to his lips. “I am, however, still crazy about the woman.”

  Ember kneeled over him touching his face with tentative fingers. Hearing the words fall from his lips stoked the fire burning in her heart. There were so many things she wanted to say, questions she needed answered, but at that moment, all she wanted to do was express her love.

  “I…I don’t think I would’ve made it out of there if you hadn’t shown up. Thank you for saving me.” Her mouth trembled, blinking back another round of waterworks. “I—"

  Riding onto the scene, Mr. Montgomery’s voice boomed, “Chopper’s coming in now. What the hell happened?”

  “Bullshit, I’m fine. Call off that bird, I’m not going to the hospital.”

  Authority shimmered in Mr. Montgomery’s craggy eyes, scraping his fingers over his long, grey mustache. “Nash Harris, if I have to get down off my horse, there’s going to be hell to pay. Is that the kind of day we’re having? Because it looks to me that the day has already turned to shit.”

  Flopping to his side, Nash moved to stand up, but his knees buckled beneath him sending him straight back to the mud. “Yes, sir. I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  Ember scrambled to her feet, moving out of the way as they surrounded Nash. Any energy he had left to argue seemed to get washed down river with her riding apparel. Two men worked to get Nash into the helicopter. Everything happened so fast, she didn’t have time to say goodbye.

  I didn’t get to tell him I love him.

  Voice full of humiliation and shame, she acknowledged, “Mr. Montgomery, it’s my fault. Daisy was stuck out on an island in the middle of the river and I…I went in to get her. I had no business attempting to—”