by Dakota Star
“So you get to put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.”
He strolled into the house to plate the food. They thoroughly enjoyed their dinner of chicken cutlets, twice baked potatoes, and asparagus, but the dishes sat in the sink until morning. Mitch had a much more pleasant diversion planned for her evening and most of her night. And she had to say it proved better than dinner, much better in so many ways.
***
“You did it again.” Chris’s disapproval was written on his face the next day.
“What? I’m sorry. What did I do this time?” she asked.
“You put the medicine for Trinity in Dakota’s bin.”
“That can’t be right.” She pointed to the horses’ stalls. “I checked and double-checked their bins.”
“It’s true. Janine just fixed the bins and came to tell me. Lucky she caught it before the horses started eating. Why don’t you see if Mitch has something for you to do inside this afternoon.”
“Right.” Frustration made her eyes burn and her head ache as she left the barn. Not ready to go find her cowboy, she sat on a log away from the crowds. It didn’t make sense. She was sure she had put the medicine in the right bin, but Janine had said she made another mistake. As Alexis sat, she began to think about the last few weekends of work. The woman did seem to be around her a lot, always willing to help out. It couldn’t be? Could it? Could someone be sabotaging her?
***
Alexis had given her two-week notice at work. She’d sublet her condo and was an official country girl. No more leave of absence. She arrived to a mostly empty office late on Thursday to clean out the last few items from her desk, hoping to avoid as many people as possible before having a girls’ night with Jo Jo and Nicole and then heading back to the ranch the next day. But her boss had been lurking around, waiting. He tried to convince her that her resignation was a mistake. She disagreed. In the end, they’d come to a compromise, and Alexis promised to work as a consultant on occasion.
She carried the remnants of her former life out the front lobby of the steely office building that smelled of disinfectant and potpourri as the sun slid lower behind the high rises. The warm breeze that drifted between the avenues did nothing to alleviate the New York humidity. Once outside, the streets smelled of hot dog vendors and something less pleasant as she mingled with the crowds. I’ll miss this, she thought, until a messenger’s oversized bag caught her on the left side, catching Alexis off guard and sending a jolt of pain through her sometimes still tender ribs.
She contemplated catching a cab instead of walking the twenty minutes to Nicole’s apartment, but her doctor said exercise was the best thing for her injuries now and the walk would give her time to think about whether or not she had done the right thing. Her thoughts slipped into the times she’d spent with Mitch, and she was almost positive quitting her job had been the best option. If only that final tiny sliver of doubt would leave her.
“Alexis!”
She looked up from her reverie to see John. He smiled at her, even though she had not met him for “drinks” the past few months. His wiry frame was highlighted by his slim-fitting slacks. His oversized glasses perched on his nose, making his face look angular. Alexis could understand how many women would find him as attractive as she once did.
Pushing back strands of frizzy red ringlets that refused to stay under control, she put her box on the ground and greeted him with a hug. “How are you?”
He shrugged, but not before his eyes appraised her. “I’m on my way home. You look good.”
She had told him about the accident. It was one of the main reasons she had claimed they couldn’t meet. “You too.”
“How are you feeling? Doing okay?”
“I’m mending. It’s been a tough couple months but I’m fine. Really. Thanks for the concern.” She no longer limped along due to aching ribs on her left side, and most days she had few residual side effects from the crash. Some nights, after a long day of physical therapy, her muscles protested, but it was nothing some pain relievers couldn’t take care of.
They crossed onto a quiet street, away from the crowds. Alexis enjoyed the relative hush. She swiped at a bead of sweat that formed on the side of her temple.
“It’s a little toasty, but I guess it’s time for the heat to settle in,” John said. “What are you doing now? Have time to go somewhere quick?”
“We should maybe talk?” Alexis juggled the unwieldy box in her hands.
“Isn’t that what we’re doing?”
“About us.” She sent him a sideways glance. He couldn’t be that self-absorbed, could he?
“Okay. Chat away.”
Alexis wondered if he could really not see that whatever they had was over. She’d thought the text she sent him was clear, but obviously she’d have to spell it out for him.
He smiled down at her. “My car’s close by if you want a ride. It’s got great air conditioning. We could take a little ride out to the country since you’re so enamored with nature as of late.”
Alexis realized the more she had put John off, the more of a challenge she’d become to him. This was going to be a tougher conversation than she imagined.
“I’m seeing someone.” The words rushed out of her mouth. “I’m engaged.” The box kept the ring hidden.
John took a moment to look appropriately shocked, and then his smile returned. “That doesn’t have to stop us. My car’s, like, two blocks away. Maybe what you need is something to keep the other relationship fresh.”
She was about to not-so-politely decline when a raggedy man stepped out from behind a large trash bin.
A gun shook in his hand. “Give me all your fucking money, bitches.”
Alexis and John turned to statues. She didn’t know what to do, having always played it safe, avoiding dangerous areas and going places with groups. But she’d played it safe now too, walking with John.
Ripples of fear ran through her.
“Take anything you want. Just don’t hurt me. I’ll give you my watch too. It’s a Rolex. He started to unbuckle the clasp around his wrist.
The man lunged forward. He grabbed Alexis’s purse off her shoulder.
“Wallet.” The dirty man’s face was inches from John’s. He reeked of alcohol and desperation.
“Here. It’s all yours.” John plunged his hand into his pocket and handed the man his wallet and watch. The mugger rooted through Alexis’s purse, grabbing her wallet and dropping the rest on the ground. He turned away from them, running until he was out of sight. Alexis and John stood on the cracked pavement, unsure of what to do.
After a few long beats of her heart, Alexis knelt down and gathered the leftover contents of her purse. “At least I have my keys.” It came out alongside a shaky laugh. She couldn’t help but wonder what Mitch would have done in the same situation.
“Let me drive you,” John said. For once, there was no sexual innuendo, no bravado, just the kindness of a friend.
“I’d appreciate that.” Alexis couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering even though she was drenched in a sheen of sweat. “Should we call the police?”
John looked paler than usual. “I’ve been mugged before. They can’t do anything to help.”
“What now?”
“We get out of here and then we both have some credit card companies to call.” He chuckled uncomfortably. The smile had left his face.
They started walking and Alexis filled the silence with a rough laugh. “Just our luck, right?”
“So true.”
Chapter Thirteen
Summer rode in as quickly as one of the horses returning to the barn at the end of a long ride.
“The flies will be out in droves. Remember the bug spray,” Mitch advised her.
“Great. Sounds real fun.” He also reminded Alexis of their last time in bed and it made her ache with longing.
Once outside, she quickly forgot about Mitch. It turned out to be the worst Sunday she’d spent at the ranch. It starte
d with food being mixed up in the bins, and then Janine assigned her to the patrons everyone knew would be annoying. And they were. The husband was loud and rude, talking incessantly and sometimes inappropriately in front of his family. But he was obviously well off and could afford the private two-hour ride. One of the entitled teens with him wanted nothing to do with nature, and kept trying to sneak a look at her cell phone. Not smart when trying to steer a horse.
After a back-breaking day, Alexis and Janine had the honor of running the horses to the North Pole, a faraway field where they sheltered and rested overnight. The patrons loved seeing the herd meander down the driveway free of saddles.
The horses, knowing they were on display, stopped and posed for pictures. Most also stopped to eat some of the rich grass that grew on the lawn. Alexis and Janine, riding bareback, had to move them along. Once all the horses in the parade made it to the North Pole, Alexis locked the gate and the two wranglers made the long walk back to the lodge where Alexis met Mitch for dinner and drinks.
When the couple returned to Mitch’s house at the end of the day, Alexis finally relaxed. She slipped into comfy pajama shorts and an old t-shirt and settled onto the couch with a good book and a glass of wine.
Mitch didn’t let her get too far into the story before finding other ways to entertain her.
Later that night, she dreamed of flies buzzing in her ear. The persistent noise wouldn’t stop.
When Mitch sat up and she rolled over, Alexis realized it had been the buzz of Mitch’s cell phone that jarred her awake.
Mitch attempted to locate the phone in the dark. “Hello?” A few seconds later, he was completely awake. “What happened?”
Alexis listened to the one-sided conversation. “They’re where? Shit.” He disconnected and slammed the phone on the bedside table. He jumped out of bed, turning on lights and searching for clothes.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, sitting and pulling the sheet up to cover her naked body.
“All the horses got loose. They’re roaming the ranch and the woods. Hopefully, they won’t get too spooked. Let’s pray everyone’s asleep for the night.” He turned to her, worry evident in his eyes. “You were there tonight when the horses were put away. Did you see anything?”
“No. Nothing. Can I help?”
“If you want to. Get dressed and we’ll go round them up before they hurt themselves or anyone on the ranch.”
“But they’re all so friendly and easy to handle.”
“Not when they’re separated from the rest of the herd in the dark. If they get spooked, no telling what they’ll do.”
“I’m coming.” Alexis pulled on jeans, a shirt, and her cowboy boots. They were out the door in five minutes, with Alexis holding on for her life as Mitch’s Jeep traversed the hills and curves. They saw Chris and Janine waiting for them in front of the lodge, flashlights cutting into the darkness that surrounded them on all sides.
“We can see a bunch of horses on the lawn. Those should be easy to round up,” Chris said.
“How many?” Mitch looked toward where he imagined the horses to be.
“Probably about fifteen or twenty,” Janine said, looking too perfect for the middle of the night in her cowboy hat, tight jeans, and a lowcut t-shirt.
“That leaves a lot of them still missing,” Mitch said. “There could be twenty or more still out there.”
“We’ll find them,” Janine said. “Have faith.”
“We think they headed into the woods,” Chris added.
“We’d better work fast.” Mitch took charge. “You two wrangle the ones in the field. Alexis and I will search for the others. Join us when you’re done.”
“Do you think that’s safe?” Janine asked. “I mean, she’s a newbie.”
“We’ll be fine.” Mitch grabbed one of the spare flashlights from Chris, as well as a bunch of halters and lead lines he had brought with him. “Let’s get going.” He illuminated Alexis. “I have another flashlight in the car for you.”
Once Alexis was equipped with light, the two trekked into the woods on foot. “How long has this been sitting in the car? The beam is so weak.” She moved the flashlight around from rock to tree. It sputtered drips of light.
“Don’t worry about it too much. You’re staying with me.”
And she did as they hunted for the horses in the dark woods in the dead of night, without luck.
“Wait.” Mitch put an arm out to stop her. “I think I hear something.”
They both stood quietly and listened. A little ways off in the woods, a horse neighed nervously.
Mitch moved forward, and Alexis followed. “Stay here,” he said. “The horse is probably really spooked. Better only one person approach in the darkness. Once I catch him, you can lead him back.” And with that, Mitch walked off into the inky black, leaving her alone with a failing light.
It seemed to take forever. She couldn’t see much around her and the woods had become still and silent. She listened intently for Mitch’s voice but heard nothing.
The sound of a cracking twig startled her. “Hello?”
No answers.
Footsteps were coming closer and then she thought she heard someone whisper, “This way.”
Alexis followed. “Mitch?” Her whisper went unanswered. With her failing flashlight, she couldn’t see anything more than an inch or two in front of her. She stopped, listened, and heard more footsteps ahead of her, but whoever it was faded in and out of the darkness. “Mitch?”
Suddenly, she was falling. Rolling down. Rocks poked at her, sticks scratched at her cheeks, and mud caked her hands, which she had automatically thrown out to break the fall.
When Alexis woke up, she felt fractured and fearful. A pool of sticky blood surrounded her ear. Sitting up, she moved her arms and legs. Luckily, everything, even if sore, managed to work. She felt around the dungeon of dirt she was imprisoned in. It was smooth, making it hard to climb out of, especially in the dark. She tried, placing one hand high on the small roots and rocks and trying to pull herself up. The only sound was her heart exploding from her chest in both fear and exertion.
Exhausted and still trapped, Alexis realized there was nothing she could do until morning. She just hoped she didn’t have another serious concussion. She gently touched her ear and felt the sticky flow. Or bleed to death. Her flashlight gone, she sat surrounded by pitch black, praying wild animals wouldn’t come close. Hadn’t she recently read about coywolves in Pennsylvania?
Every minute ticked by like a full day.
She must have dozed, because the next time she opened her eyes a faint morning light illuminated her surroundings. She had fallen down a steep hill. She could try to climb up it, but there were few handholds and an abundance of loose detritus. On the other side, the woods stretched out in all directions above a steep, rocky incline. No path, just endless green, brown, and gray. Great, lost and injured. Her head hurt, but her ear had stopped bleeding. The birds sang around her, but otherwise she heard no footsteps drawing near, no one yelling her name. She heaved her sore-from-sleeping-on-the-ground body up and assessed the cliff-like hill she had tumbled down. She had to scale the ten-foot drop. There must be a path on the top. Alexis found a dangling root and pulled herself up, but there was no foothold to help push her up. She slid down again. She moved a few inches and surveyed the climb, moving again until she found another root. This one she’d have to jump for, but at least there was a rock ledge underneath that she could brace her feet against. She jumped and grabbed the root, but it slid from her hand as her feet skidded off the rocks. She landed in a heap on the ground. Her head pounded and her body protested when she stood once more. Composing herself, she tried again.
On her second jump, Alexis managed to snag the root and lodge her foot against the rocky ledge. She crept upward by inches. But at least she made progress. Over the next hour, Alexis repeated the process, finding handholds and footholds, creeping up the steep side of the cliff-like hill, taking breaks when nee
ded, and listening for someone to ride or walk by. Anyone.
When she finally made it over the top edge, she was more exhausted than she could ever remember. Even the all-nighters she pulled for work dulled in comparison. She sat, breathing heavily, surveying the landscape. Alexis had assumed the trail would be in front of her, but once again, the woods surrounded her on all sides. She was lost without water or food.
She thought about what to do. The ranch was on a thousand acres, but she had walked into the woods with Mitch. She had to be close. Alexis could sit and wait, or take action. She was all about action. Every minute of her trek became a struggle to go another step, but she put one foot in front of the other.
And then she heard it. “Alexis!” Someone was shouting her name. Another person yelled, “Alexis!” They were looking for her.
“Here!” she screamed, her throat parched. “Here.”
She couldn’t stop shaking in Mitch’s arms. They had wrapped her in a blanket and now Mitch hugged her close. It wasn’t cold and the sun had risen, but suffering through a night alone in the woods had left her devastated.
Chapter Fourteen
As she packed her overnight bag, Alexis couldn’t shake the thought that someone was sabotaging her. She had been witness to it in New York City all the time. Jealous rivals hacking into computer files to destroy presentations, losing important memos and emails, ratting each other out to the executives, and taking undeserved credit for any successes. It sounded crazy that it could happen at Sweet Life Dude Ranch, but she had to tell Mitch.
She was heading to Darien to have lunch with her parents and then into the city to celebrate her engagement with Nicole and Jo Jo, but she wasn’t feeling excited about the country life anymore. Her relationship with Mitch had been a little strained since the horses escaped. She knew he blamed her for leaving the gate open, even though Alexis was sure she locked it. She was so nervous about messing up now, she always checked, double-checked, even triple-checked her work on the ranch. She was making herself crazy.