Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) (18 page)

~ ~ ~

A
fter a brisk horseback ride through the valley, Logan returned Maddy to the barn and headed back to his parents’ house to warm up.

Belle’s eyes filled with questions when he came in the front door alone. “Where’s Addie? She came out with you, right?”

He frowned and rubbed his cold hands together to warm them. “She’s gone.”

“She left? Logan what did you do?”

He took off his coat and hung it over a kitchen chair. “I said some things I really didn’t mean. When I looked up she was gone. It’s too late. I can’t fix it now.”

Belle’s eyes widened. “Oh yes you can.” She swung her arm toward the door. “Go after her.”

Logan sat down at the table and rubbed his forehead. “Do you think that would be wise? We live completely different lives. Anyway, didn’t you just agree with me the other day that maybe it’s better to not love at all?”

His sister shook her head. “Well, I was wrong. Addie is your match. None of the other stuff matters. Besides, I discovered something at the end of that TV interview the other day.”

He looked up at his sister. “What’s that?”

“Addie didn’t betray you to further her career. Her ex-fiancé was blackmailing her. She only went along with it to protect her little sister.”

Logan sat for a few moments, letting his sister’s words soak in. Then he stood. “Well, what am I still doing here? I have a plane to catch.”

Belle cheered and hugged him. “Yeah, you do. Get out of here.”

He chuckled and threw on his jacket.

Just then Ava came rushing into the room, her eyes full of worry. “Have either of you seen Dylan?”

Belle shook her head. “No, I thought he was with you.”

Ava covered her face and her voice broke. “He’s hardly been able to look at me since he found out that we’re moving and now I can’t find him anywhere. If anything happens to him I’ll never forgive myself.”

Logan put his hands on her shoulders. “Ava, listen to me. He’s probably just hiding somewhere. I’ll go look around the outbuildings. In the meantime you and Belle round up some more people to help search.”

After the women agreed he ran outside and checked the barn and shed. There was no sign of Dylan but one of the ATVs was missing. An empty feeling filled the pit of his stomach. This was bad—really bad.

When he returned, all the men were gathered in the kitchen with a map spread out across the table. Ava’s sobs carried over from the next room.

His dad turned and looked him in the eye. “Any sign of him?”

“Dylan took one of the ATVs. He could be miles away by now.” Logan looked out the window at the falling snow. Dylan had chosen the worst possible time to run away. The temperature was dropping by the minute and about an inch of snow had already blanketed the ground. “We better split up and start searching soon.”

His father nodded. “I’ll have Belle search the valley on the other ATV and I’ve already sent out two other men on horseback. They’re covering the southern trail up the mountain. I’m going to drive along the side roads to see if he headed into town. Once I’m there I’ll ask for more help.”

Logan placed his hat back on his head. “Okay, I’ll take the north trail up the mountain.”

His dad hugged him. “Take care of yourself, and keep your radio on. This storm is going to be bad. The radio said blizzard conditions.”

He nodded and gulped down a lump in his throat. “I will.”

Logan left the house with an ominous feeling weighing down his chest. Would his family have to suffer through another tragedy so soon after losing Nathan and Gramps? He prayed that someone would find Dylan before it was too late.

~ ~ ~

Addison arrived at the ranch and trudged through the snow, ready to deliver the speech she’d recited in her head a thousand times. However, when she entered the house Logan wasn’t there. She only found Belle with wet hair, shivering under a blanket in the living room surrounded by Maggie and Ava. All three of them had red and swollen eyes from crying.

“What happened? Where is everyone?”

They all looked shocked to see her but didn’t ask why she was back.

Belle’s chin quivered as she spoke. “Dylan’s missing. We have people searching everywhere. I was on the ATV, going too fast…and fell in the creek.”

Addison gasped and covered her mouth, absorbing in all the details. “Oh, Belle. That’s awful. Is Logan out there too?”

Ava started sobbing and Maggie’s grim expression sent chills up her spine. “Logan travelled up the north side of the mountain looking for him. The last we heard, he might have found some tracks but we haven’t heard from him on the radio in over an hour.”

Addison’s knees turned to jelly and she had to sit down. The flurries that had started on the road turned into white out conditions as the driver reached the ranch. The thought of Dylan and Logan out in the middle of it made her shiver with fear. She needed to keep her mind off of it. “What can I do to help?”

Belle shivered again. “The search party. They’ll be coming back in shifts and will need hot coffee and food.”

Addison nodded. “I’m not a very good cook but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. I’ll be in to help you as soon as I get warmed up.”

Addison nodded and retreated into the kitchen. She started the coffee first and then scoured the unfamiliar kitchen cabinets for something simple to make. Finally she found some cans of chili beans, diced tomatoes and packages of cornbread mix.

After discovering a large two handled pot she got to work making the chili. It would be a vegetarian dish but she hoped it would strengthen the men and women that came in for breaks and warm them up. Addison prayed that Logan would be one of them.

After about twenty minutes Belle came in and helped with the cornbread. Soon after, the quiet kitchen filled with half a dozen cold and hungry searchers. Addison kept the chili on the stove over low heat to keep it warm and served everyone as they came in. At the same time she tried to glean any information that she could. To her despair, none of them had heard anything about Dylan or Logan.

An hour passed and the door swung open, allowing powdery snow to blow in. Addison’s heart skipped a beat but it wasn’t Logan.

Gary came hobbling in for the second time that night, rubbing his hands together. Belle rushed over and helped remove his coat and gloves. “It’s terrible out there. Have you heard anything? Have all the searchers checked in?”

Belle exchanged a quick glance with Addison and then turned back to her father. “All but one.”

He frowned and studied their grim expressions. “What is it? What aren’t you girls telling me?”

Belle sighed and tucked a strand of curly hair behind her ear. “We still haven’t heard from Logan.”

Addison turned away and attempted to keep her emotions in check. It was no use. Her trembling shoulders gave her away.

Gary’s broad hand gripped her arm. “He’s going to be fine. Logan knows these mountains like the back of his hand. If anyone can make it through this storm…if anyone can find Dylan, it’s my son. He’s a survivor.”

She nodded and turned to face him. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

Gary smiled. “Why don’t you and Belle go into the living room and take a break. If anyone else comes in I’ll take care of them. I need a break from the cold anyway.”

Addison nodded and followed Belle into the other room. They sat on the couch together and she noticed a small photo album on the table. She flipped through until a picture of Logan leaning against the corral caught her eye. She traced his handsome face with her finger and gulped back tears. “Belle, I can’t help thinking of the last conversation I had with him. He could barely look at me. I came back to beg him to forgive me.”

Belle put her hand on Addison’s arm. “There’s something you should know. He
did
forgive you, Addie. He was going to go after you but that all changed when Dylan ran away.”

Addison cradled her head in her hands and drew in a ragged breath. “Oh, I can’t stand this, Belle. Waiting is driving me crazy. What if he never returns? I just feel so helpless knowing there’s nothing we can do.” Her voice dissolved into sobs.

Belle hugged her. “You’re wrong. There’s one very important thing we can do.”

Addison looked up and sniffled . “What’s that?”

“We can pray.”

~ ~ ~

Logan urged his horse forward in the deep snow. He’d found the missing ATV several miles back. It had run out of gas but Dylan was nowhere to be found. Then Logan’s radio went dead, leaving him out of contact with the other searchers.

Finally the snow died down but the sun began fading from the sky. Logan couldn’t go far in the darkness and he knew he’d have to turn around soon. He started wishing he’d dressed in warmer clothing.

That’s when he smelled it. Burning wood. Logan encouraged his horse to move faster and he noticed a tarp suspended between two trees. He breathed a sigh of relief. Dylan was huddled on the ground, warming his hands by a small camp fire. Thankfully his nephew had enough sense to dress warmly.

Dylan noticed him and fear radiated through his eyes. He scooted back against a tree trunk.

Logan put his hands out. “Relax. I’m not here to yell at you.”

Leave me alone. I just stopped for the night. I’m leaving in the morning.

He jumped off his horse and approached slowly. “You’re not safe out here. Please come home with me. Your mom’s worried sick.”

The boy shook his head.
Home? These mountains aren’t my home any more. We’re moving.

Logan sighed. “Even so, you need to come back.”

Dylan’s eyes sparked.
Stop trying to tell me what to do. You’re not my father.

He knelt on the ground next to his nephew and his eyes softened. “I know I’m not your father, Dylan. But I
am
your family. I’ll never let anyone bring you harm… even yourself if I can help it. Your mother loves you. Just come back with me and talk to her. I’m sure you’ll be able to work something out.”

Tears filled the boys eyes and he nodded.
Okay, I’ll go with you.

Logan hugged his nephew and choked back his own tears.
Thank you God. Thank you for keeping him safe.

A few minutes later they were packed up and ready to go. Dylan hesitated and fear returned to his eyes.
Is my mom mad at me?

Logan shook his head. “Don’t worry about that right now. She’s worried. I’m sure she’ll be overjoyed to have you home. We all will. We love you. Now I’m sure consequences will probably come later but we can deal with that when it comes, right?”

His nephew chuckled.
Okay.

Something creaked and popped from above Dylan’s head.

Logan glanced up and time slowed. A large snow covered tree loomed over their heads, its trunk buckling from the extra weight.

“Dylan!” He dove toward his nephew as a thunderous crash pierced the air.

Logan’s world exploded into fiery red pain and white powder.

~ ~ ~

L
ogan couldn’t decide which was worse, being half frozen or half on fire. Gnarled branches held him in an icy prison and his legs wouldn’t budge an inch under the tree’s weight.

His next thought sent a tremor through his body. Where was his nephew?

“Dylan, where are you?” he cried out but then stopped, realizing it was useless. His nephew wouldn’t be able to hear him.

A few moments later Dylan’s worried face appeared above him. The boy’s warm tears dripped onto his face.

“Oh, thank you God.” Logan gulped and tried to steady his breathing. Dylan appeared to be all right but they were still in danger. Nightfall would send the temperature plummeting below zero and he would no longer be able to communicate with Dylan. Only one option remained.

He gripped his nephew’s hand and over-enunciated his words so Dylan could read his lips in the fading light. “You need to go for help.” He winced and drew in a ragged breath as pain radiated through his legs. “Take Maddy with you. Follow my tracks and look for my marks on the trees and landmarks like I taught you.”

Dylan shook his head.
I can’t do this. I can’t leave you.

“Yes you can. Just remember, no matter what happens, I love you and I’m proud of you. Your dad would have been too.”

Dylan hugged him and then disappeared from sight, leaving Logan with only the stars for company.

He concentrated on anything to keep his mind off the pain as it came in waves. The snow had stopped almost completely. Only an occasional flake landed and melted on his face. That was good. It would make navigating down the mountain easier for Dylan.

After some time passed his legs went numb, relieving the pain but creating a new problem. His body shivered violently. Would help come before hypothermia set in?

Logan thought about what Gramps said about letting go of bitterness. Why had he held onto it for so long? It wasn’t worth it.
God please forgive me…and help me to survive this night…

His mind traveled back to the last time he saw Addie.
Logan, I can’t just be your friend. I still love you.
That’s what she said to him, but he was too hurt—too stubborn to let go of his pride and forgive her. No matter what she had done, none of the petty little things keeping them apart mattered anymore. He loved her. If he could do it all over again, Logan would have pulled her into his arms and kissed her, vowing to never let her go.

Would he ever have another chance?

Logan stopped shivering. Actually he didn’t feel anything anymore, just exhaustion. His eyelids grew heavier until it became a chore just to keep them open. He blinked, knowing the danger of falling asleep but as more time passed he didn’t care anymore. Relief flooded through him as he closed his eyelids.

All of a sudden Addie was with him. Her jade eyes sparkled at him for a moment and then she gazed up at the night sky. “The stars are beautiful tonight. Aren’t they?”

He nodded and managed a weak smile. “Yes, but they don’t even compare to your beauty.”

She leaned down and gave him a tender kiss that warmed him from the cold. “You know, I should yell at you for trying to be a hero again. You really infuriate me sometimes, Logan Hart. Have I ever told you that?” She tried to look angry but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Logan grinned in spite of how weary he felt. “Yes, but you can tell me again. After all, you’re awfully cute when you’re angry.”

Addie’s smile faded and her tears dripped on to his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Come back to me, Logan,” she whispered.

He caressed her cheek with his fingertips. “What are you talking about? I’m right here. I’ll never leave you again.”

She shook her head and her eyes grew more intense. “Come back to me. Wake up. You have to wake up.”

Logan’s eyes flew open and he took in a gasp of icy air. The snowflakes had been replaced with a light drizzle and he heard a sound in the distance. A feral scream. Not human.

His eyes darted from side to side but now all his surroundings were cloaked in darkness. At least he didn’t have to struggle to stay awake now. Fear did that for him. There was no mistaking the sound as it gradually got closer and seemed to circle around him.

A mountain lion.

~ ~ ~

Whooping and crying from the kitchen woke Addison from her catnap on the couch. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, dazed.

Ava launched herself off of the recliner and darted into the other room “Dylan….oh Dylan. Are you okay?”

Hearing his name sent Addison scrambling to the kitchen as well. If Dylan had returned that must have meant that Logan found him and convinced the boy to come home.

Everyone huddled around Dylan, obscuring Addison’s view. Then they dispersed and she noticed the boy was frantically trying to sign something. The grieved look in his eyes sent Addison’s heart plummeting to the ground and she covered her face.

Logan was still out there.

Her knees gave out and she crumpled to the floor.

“Addie!” Belle rushed to her side. All the other voices in the room blended together as Addison blacked out.

~ ~ ~

When Addison opened her eyes again she was resting on the living room couch. The room was quiet and lit with a dim lamp. She turned her head and noticed Belle lying on a sleeping bag next to the couch.

Her friend’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re all right.”

Addison maneuvered onto her side but still rested her head on the pillow. “How long have I been out?”

“A few hours. It’s about midnight now I think.”

Addison searched her friend’s troubled eyes. “What is it, Belle? Did something happen to Logan? Please just tell me.”

Belle gulped before speaking. “Logan’s okay. They found him.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” She breathed a sigh of relief but worry still hid behind Belle’s eyes. “Is he here?”

“No.” Belle put her hand on Addison’s arm. “Now don’t panic, but there was an accident when he found Dylan. A tree fell and pinned him to the ground. One of his legs was badly injured and he has severe hypothermia.”

Addison gasped and sat up with tears stinging her eyes. “I have to see him. Where…where is he?”

Belle sat next to her on the couch. “They took him to the hospital by helicopter. We’ll have to wait until morning. It’s too dangerous to travel tonight.”

“Morning?” Addison didn’t know how she’d be able to wait that long. Then she remembered what Logan had said to her just a few months ago when she was unsure of where their relationship was headed.
I’ll wait for you, Addie. However long it takes. Because you’re worth the wait.

Yes, she would wait…and pray all night for the man she loved.
He
was worth the wait.