Wild Horse Rescue

by Nancy M Bell

  “I sure as hell never expected Mr. Cullen to start shooting like a mad man. God, I hope Carly is okay. Didn’t Joey say her mom was here with my mom?”

  “Yeah, he did.”

  “Good, maybe Mom can talk Dad down a bit. Make him wait ’til he cools off before he lights into me.”

  “We should go on up to the house, Laurel. Might as well face the music. Waiting only makes it worse,” Coll advised.

  “I guess you’re right.” She sighed. “Let’s go.” She glanced warily at the house. It took way too long and somehow way too little time to walk across the yard.

  “Dad?” Laurel wandered across the living room toward for the kitchen. Coll at her heels. The house was strangely quiet. “Mom?”

  The office door opened, and her dad came down the hall, phone held to his ear. He waved a hand to silence her and pointed to the kitchen. She sank into a chair beside Coll, holding his hand under the table.

  “Okay, see you soon.” Colt ended the call and took the chair across the table from the two teens. He stared at Laurel for long moment before dropping his head into his hands.

  “Dad…? Is it Carly? Is she…?” Laurel could hardly get the words out.

  Colt’s shoulders rose and fell with a huge sigh before he lifted his head. “Carly’s in surgery. They think she’s going to be fine. We’ll know better once she’s in recovery.”

  “Thank God.” Laurel breathed easier. “Where’s Mom?”

  “At the hospital with Sally. Mrs. Cullen was here when they got the news STARS was transporting Carly to Calgary.” He paused. “Laurel, what the hell were you thinking?” He scrubbed his face with his hands, stopping to glare at her. “It could have been you that got shot, you realize that?”

  “I know, Dad. It never crossed my mind Mr. Cullen would start shooting at us.”

  “I’m sorry for causing any trouble, Mr. Rowan,” Coll said quietly not looking at Laurel’s dad.

  “I wish you could have talked some sense into Laurie. I should have known better.” Colt pushed to his feet and paced the kitchen. He stopped, yanked his phone out and punched a finger at the screen.

  “Carly?” Laurel got to her feet.

  “No news yet. Your mom says she’s staying with Sally and wants me to bring up some things for her. Can you get some clothes and all that girl stuff you women can’t seem to go anywhere without? I need to speak with the RCMP.”

  Laurel nodded, glad to have something to do. She scurried from the kitchen to grab a sports bag. In her mom’s room she stuffed what she figured her mother would need, adding some extras for Mrs. Cullen. In the bathroom, she gathered up her mother’s toiletries and jammed them in the bag as well. Coll watched from the doorway.

  “Done!” She clattered down the stairs and into the kitchen just as her dad ended his call. “All ready, Dad. I think I got everything Mom will need and I threw in some extras for Carly’s mom.”

  “Let’s go. Harry’s going to keep an eye on things here. We’re picking Joey up on the way, so make room for him in the back.”

  * * *

  The ride up to Calgary seemed to take forever. Joey fidgeted as much as Laurel. She kept glancing at her father’s face set in stern lines as he concentrated on driving. He dropped his passengers off at the Emergency entrance.

  “Tell your mom I’ll be there as soon as I find a parking space.”

  Laurel grabbed the sports bag and joined Joey and Coll on the sidewalk. “Do you know where they are?” she asked before her dad drove off.

  “You’ll have to ask at the desk. I’m not sure.”

  Laurel slammed the door and he drove off. Flanked by her friends, she stepped through the automatic sliding doors. The scent of heavy-duty cleaners and sickness curdled her stomach. She spoke with the woman at the desk who gave her directions to the private waiting room where her mom and Mrs. Cullen were. After only a few false starts and wrong turns, they finally found the right place. Laurel pushed the door open and peeked inside, just in case it was the wrong place again.

  “Mom?”

  “Laurie!” Her mother surged to her feet and enveloped her in a fierce hug. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again I’ll murder you myself. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. But I had to do something to stop them catching Coal. I just had to.”

  “We’ll discuss this later, young lady. This isn’t the place or the time. Coll, I had to call your grandmother and let her know what’s going on over here. She’s none too happy, let me tell you.”

  “Yes, m’am,” he muttered. “Sorry, Mrs. Rowan.”

  “Mrs. Cullen, I’m so sorry.” Laurel hugged Carly’s mom. The woman clutched her close while her shoulders shook with silent sobs. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Laurel rubbed her back and glanced at her mom for help.

  “Here, Sally. Come sit down again. Coll, would you go for some coffee, please?”

  “Sure, be right back.” He disappeared out the door.

  Joey threw himself onto the short couch pushed against one wall. “Is she still in surgery?” His eyes were bright, and his chin trembled.

  “We’re expecting to hear any time. They said it would be a few hours and it’s been quite a while.” Anna sat beside him. “You okay, Joey? She’s going to be fine. They just have to repair the damage and remove the bullet. It broke her collar bone but missed any vital organs.”

  “Cory shot her. Cory really shot our daughter.” Sally Cullen rocked back and forth.

  “Hush, Sally. Worry about that later. Concentrate on Carly.” Anna put an arm around her.

  “Mom!” Chance burst into the room. Sally surged to her feet and slapped him across the face.

  “How could you? How could you let your father do something so stupid? Why didn’t you protect your sister?” She collapsed in the big leather chair weeping wildly.

  Chance stood in shocked silence, tears tracking down his face. He whirled and grabbed Laurel’s arm. “Carly? Where is she? Is she okay?”

  Coll pushed open the door, hands laden with coffee. He dumped the cardboard tray onto the short table and shoved Chance away from her. “Get away, you git! Leave her alone!”

  “Coll, it’s okay. I’m fine,” Laurel assured him.

  Anna took Chance by the hand and spoke too softly for Laurel to hear what was said. She tipped her head toward the still weeping Mrs. Cullen. Laurel took the hint and sat beside Carly’s mom, patting her on the back until her sobs slowed and then stopped. Coll stood between her and Chance, glaring at Carly’s brother.

  The door swung open again. “Mrs. Cullen?” A white coated doctor entered the room, flanked by two other people.

  “I’m Mrs. Cullen.” She stood up and wiped her eyes. “How’s my daughter?”

  The doctor shook her hand. “I’m Doctor Fleming. I’m the surgeon in charge of your daughter’s case. This is Doctor Richardson, my resident who assisted in the surgery. Doctor Emerson, the anesthetist. Your daughter is in recovery. The procedure went as expected. We’ve pinned the collar bone and removed the bullet fragments. She was in shock when she was admitted and lost a fair amount of blood. She’s had two units, and another is running right now. She’ll be going up to ICU for the night, I believe if things go as expected we can move her to a regular ward tomorrow.”

  “When can we see her?” Chance’s voice was hoarse and faint.

  “Someone will come and get you when she’s out of recovery and settled in ICU. They’ll explain about the visiting hours and take you to the ICU waiting room.” He glanced around the room. “Only two visitors are permitted at a time and only immediate family.” He turned and left with the other two following in his wake.

  “Anna?” Colt came into the room. “Thank God I finally found you. This place is a maze.”

  Anna crossed the room and stepped into her husband’s arms. “Am I glad to see you.”

  “Any news on Carly?” He released her but kept an arm around her.

  “Good news. She’s in recover
y. They think she should make a full recover.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  “There’s no point in all of us staying here. They’re only going to let Sally and Chance in to see her anyway. Thank you for bringing my stuff.”

  “You’re not leaving, are you?” Sally’s voice bordered on hysteria.

  “No, I’m planning on staying right here with you. Do you want me to call Cory?” Anna assured her.

  “No!” Sally bit off the word and Chance flinched. “I don’t care if I never see that man again.”

  “Okay, but if you change your mind…”

  “We should let him know how she is,” Chance said.

  “Why?” His mother glared at him.

  Chance shrugged and turned his back on the gathering for a moment. When he turned back his eyes were suspiciously bright. Laurel almost felt sorry for him.

  Colt gave his wife another hug and kiss. “We should get going. Parking is ridiculous. Highway robbery, if you ask me.”

  “I want to stay,” Laurel protested.

  “There’s no point, Laurie. They won’t let you see her anyway until she’s out of ICU,” Anna pointed out.

  “I guess,” Laurel muttered.

  “Okay, let’s go. Laurie, Coll, Joey.”

  “I’m staying,” Joey remained slouched in his chair. “I don’t care if I can’t see her. I’m staying. Dad says I can. Ask him,” he challenged Colt.

  “The rest of you, let’s go.” Colt’s tone brooked no argument.

  Laurel hugged her mom and Mrs. Cullen, she avoided looking at Chance and hugged Joey. “Text me” she whispered.

  Joey nodded.

  During the drive home, Laurel was glad the noise of the radio helped cover the uncomfortable silence. Colt parked the pickup by the barn. He sat for a moment after turning off the engine. Laurel glanced at Coll, afraid to move or say anything in case her dad went ballistic. Dad being silent was never a good sign. Without looking at the two teens in the back seat, Colt stepped out of the vehicle and opened Laurel’s door.

  “Check the horses, make sure neither of those two are lame. You know better than to ride them that hard. Let me know when you’re done. I’ve got some calls to make, but we need to have a talk when I’m finished.” He strode toward the house, boots crunching on the gravel.

  Laurel’s phone signaled an incoming message at the same time her dad hesitated on the wide porch and pulled his phone out of his back pocket. She looked up startled. Who would be messaging them both at the same time. This can’t be good. Tempted to shove the phone back in her pocket and ignore it, Laurel resisted the urge. Whatever it was wasn’t going to go away just because she ignored it.

  “Who is it?” Coll peeked over her shoulder.

  “Chance,” she said in surprise, tapped the message bubble and held the screen so he could read it with her.

  :Laurie and Mr. Rowan Sorry for how I’ve been acting. The trail cams are disabled and images wiped. No evidence who vandalized traps Carly out of recovery and in ICU:

  “Did you get the same text I did?” Colt strode toward her.

  “I think so.” She held out the phone to her dad.

  “Do you realize how lucky you are? Cory was intending to file charges for property damage among other things, and he had every right, young lady. You should thank your lucky stars Chance decided to be your guardian angel. He better hope Cory doesn’t figure out who tampered with the cameras.”

  “I know, Dad. I’ve been sick to my stomach worrying about it.” She looked up at her Dad. “Where is Mr. Cullen anyway? I never saw him at the hospital.”

  “I imagine he’s still at the police station answering questions. It’s quite likely he’ll be facing charges of his own. Nothing you need to worry about. Just stay out of his way for the near future.” He sighed. “You owe Chance big time. His intervention is going to make this whole mess a lot easier to deal with from our end. Go look after your horses.” Colt turned back toward the house.

  Laurel and Coll made short work of checking their tired mounts. Neither seemed any the worst for wear to her relief. She leaned against the corral fence, turning her face up when the yard light came on.

  “What a day.” She sighed.

  “That’s an understatement,” Coll remarked, leaning beside her. “I need to call Gramma and tell her my side of the story before your dad gets to her.”

  Laurel giggled. “He’s probably on the phone to her right now. Or maybe not, he might be talking to the lawyer in case we need one.”

  “I’m gonna call Gramma now, she won’t mind about the time once I explain things.” Coll moved off toward the house, phone in hand.

  Laurel remained by the corral taking comfort from the familiar scent and sounds. The wind kicked up sending shivers down her back. Unable to put off the inevitable any longer she made her way across the yard to the house. Dad was waiting for her in the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry I disobeyed you, Dad. I never thought it would get so out of hand.”

  “Laurie, I don’t know what to do with you. I should tan your hide ’til you can’t sit down for a week. You deliberately lied to us and then you put not only yourself, but your friends in danger. God, Laurie.” Colt paced back and forth raking his fingers through his dark hair. “That could be you lying in the hospital bed. Do you have any idea what that would have done to your mother?”

  “I know, Dad. I really didn’t mean to worry you and Mom, and I sure never counted on Mr. Cullen packing heat.”

  “To be honest, neither did I. I wasn’t going to go with them until I realized you were missing, and I figured there was only one place you could be. If I hadn’t been there, Laurie…God!” He paced faster, shaking his head.

  “What are you going to do to me? I know I have to pay for ignoring your orders.” Laurel ducked her head.

  “I don’t know yet. I have to work that out with your mother. We’re going to have to repay the Cullens and the others for the damage you kids did. Without actually admitting you did it.”

  “We could do a fundraiser? Like we do at school or for 4H.”

  “That might fly. As I said, we’ll have to see. You go on up to bed and think about how stupid you were to get yourself and your friends in danger. I still have to call Coll’s grandmother and confess how badly we failed to keep him out of trouble.”

  “Coll’s already talking to her,” Laurel mumbled.

  Colt snorted. “At least the boy is willing to own up to what he did.” He stalked out of the room, boot heels ringing on the floorboards.

  Laurel pushed back from the table and rubbed her tired eyes. No sleep last night, then the chaos of saving Coal and his mares, and on top of that Carly getting shot. Laurel was dead on her feet. Half in a daze, she stumbled to the stairs and up to her room. Coll’s voice came faintly through his bedroom door when she passed. She hesitated but decided it was better to stay out of whatever conversation he was having with Gramma Emily. Without bothering to turn on the light, she shed her clothes and dropped onto the bed yanking the quilt haphazardly over her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The late October wind had a wicked edge to it as it whipped up the coulee. Joey, Carly and Laurel huddled on their horses watching Coal and his band in their sanctuary. The spring foals were wearing woolly coats now and some of the mares were already showing evidence of next year’s crop of babies.

  “They look good, don’t they?” Carly observed.

  “I think so. Coal is in fine form.” Laurel laughed. The black stallion tossed his head and pranced around his band, chasing off one of the young bachelor studs. “Poor guys, those two-year olds are going to have to take care of themselves this winter.”

  “They’ll be fine,” Joey said. “If we get the snow like the aunties think we’re gonna, Dad says we can skid some hay out for them.”

  “Wouldn’t that make some of those ranchers pissy?” Laurel giggled. “All that ‘you shouldn’t interfere with nature’ and all that. Then out of the other
side of their mouths they go on about how the horses have no natural predators. Load of crap.”

  “Dad sure wouldn’t like it,” Carly agreed.

  “Have you seen him lately?” Joey reached over and took Carly’s hand.

  She shook her head. “He doesn’t want to see me much. Mom filed for divorce and Dad blames me. Like I got shot just to make his life difficult.” Bitterness edged her tone.

  “Your mom’s really serious about getting a divorce? I mean, your parents have been married forever,” Laurel said.

  “Yeah, she is. It’s been coming for a long time. Me getting shot by my own father was just the last nail in the coffin for Mom.” She paused and wiped her nose with the end of her sleeve. “I never told you guys much, but when he got drinking or pissed about something he’d knock her around for no reason other than she happened to be in the same room.”

  “Oh God, Carly. I’m sorry.” Laurel touched her friend’s arm.

  “It’s okay.” She sniffed and straightened up. “Things are way better now. I can hang out with Joey anytime I want. Dad hated how close we are. Your parents have been great letting Mom and me stay with you, but I know she’s looking at renting a place in town. Your dad says I can keep Rayna at your place. I couldn’t bear to sell her.”

  “You know you’re always welcome at our house,” Laurel assured her. “What about Chance? What’s he doing?”

  “He’s staying with Dad right now, but Mom and him have been talking a lot lately. I’m almost positive he’s going to come live with us in town.”

  “What about his horses?” Joey leaned forward resting on his saddle horn, eyes on the horses below them.

  “They’re staying at the ranch for now.” She glanced sideways at Laurel. “Mom mentioned he was thinking of asking your dad if he could bring them to your place. Would you mind very much?”

  “I’ve got nothing against his horses. Besides, it’s up to Dad.” Laurel avoided answering directly, unsure of how she felt about it.

  “But he’d be around all the time, you’d have to see him almost every day,” Carly wouldn’t let it drop.