Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) (3 page)

~ ~ ~

L
ogan rode his ATV past his parents’ property and followed the winding gravel road for about two miles before turning into Ava’s driveway.

She plucked a final weed from her garden and looked up when he parked by the house. Ava managed an uneasy smile and removed her gardening gloves as he approached. “Well, long time no see. How was your trip?”

“Good. I’m glad to be back though.” He smiled and reached out to give his sister-in-law a hug. She dodged and shook his hand instead, filling his mind with even more questions. They’d been friends since childhood and she’d never objected to a friendly hug. He paused for a moment and rubbed his freshly shaven face. “Just checking in. Sorry I didn’t get to stop by the diner when I returned last night.”

Ava ran her fingers through her short auburn hair and sighed. “That’s all right. So, I know you’re probably wondering why I decided to quit.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to make sure everything’s okay.”

She paused and chewed on her bottom lip. “I just…I feel like I’m suffocating there with your dad pressuring me about the ranch.”

“It’s okay. Believe me, I know the feeling. That’s why I needed to get away for a few weeks.”

She exhaled and looked down. “I wish Nathan was still here to tell me what to do.”

“Me too. Don’t worry though. I’m home now. I’ll have a talk with my father.”

She put her hand on her chin and closed her eyes, appearing to battle with herself over something. After a few moments she looked up and exhaled. “We’re going to be gone for a few weeks. My sister has wanted us to visit for quite some time now.”

“You and Dylan are going to Chicago?”

She nodded. “Yes. I booked a flight two days from now. Hopefully the road will be fixed by then.”

“That’s good. A trip to see your sister will give you time to relax and clear your head. Let me know if you need a ride to the airport.”

She managed a forced smile. “Thanks. That would be nice.”

He studied Ava’s face and her odd appearance that day. Nathan’s old college sweatshirt hung off her thin frame like a poncho and she looked a little pale. “Is something else bothering you, besides my pushy father?”

Ava bit her lip. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just worried about Dylan.”

“Why? Is he getting into trouble?”

“No. He’s just been so distant since Nathan…” Ava winced like the unspoken word brought her physical anguish. Then she managed a sad smile. “And no matter how hard I try, I can’t fill that void in his life. You know how close they were.”

Logan nodded. “They were inseparable…like they had their own little world.”

“And now that world has been shattered.” She drew in a ragged breath. “He used to like being homeschooled but now he’s falling behind in his studies. He’s really not motivated to do anything. It makes me wonder if he’d be better off at a private school for deaf students.”

His eyes widened. “Why? We all know sign language here at the ranch. Growing up with Nathan being deaf, it’s like a first language. Maybe we could all pitch in and try to help with Dylan.”

Ava shrugged. “I don’t know. It hasn’t worked so far. I think the problem is, Dylan always felt like he could relate to his father. They were alike in so many ways. It makes me wonder if he would thrive being around other kids who are deaf. Maybe he’d come out of his shell a little more.”

“Maybe, but where would you find a school like that?”

“Not anywhere close to here. That’s the hardest part but I need to do something to help him. Nothing else I’ve tried has worked.”

“Of course. You need to do what’s best for your family.” Logan looked down and kicked at some gravel, finally realizing what Ava was trying to tell him. “Have you talked to Dylan about it yet?”

She shook her head. “No. There’s nothing to talk about right now. It’s just something I’m considering. Please don’t mention it to him.”

“My lips are sealed.”

She put her hand on his shoulder and surprised him with a peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Logan. Not just for keeping my secret but for everything you’ve done for me in the past. You’re a good friend.”

Logan gulped and pushed his apprehension aside. “So, I really came by to see if Dylan would like to spend the day with me. Would you mind?”

She shook her head and wiped a stray tear off her cheek. “No, not at all. I’ll go get him.”

His heart ached as Ava retreated into the house. Why did she have to be so sweet—so forgiving? Somehow it made his guilt sting even deeper. Logan would always blame himself that she was a widow.

~ ~ ~

Learning to ride a horse turned out easier than Addison expected. The fact that she had a handsome trail guide instructor made the lesson even more enjoyable. Now she understood why Belle acted so fluttery over Colton. He wasn’t just easy on the eyes but patient and kind. He even yielded to her adamant request to ride Skipper. Apparently he wasn’t usually a trail riding horse for guests. Maybe he was special—a VIP horse or something.

Before they started out, Colton steered his silvery white horse toward her and smiled. “The trail horses are used to following each other in a line so just stay with the rest of the group and try to relax. Skipper’s a little high-spirited but if you’re at ease, he’ll be at ease too.”

She nodded but found it difficult to concentrate while his blue eyes gazed into hers. Addison had to bite her tongue to keep from flirting. It just wasn’t worth it. She would never do anything to hurt Belle.

A few minutes later Colton took the lead and the rest of the horses followed. She started out as the third rider in the group of about seven. However, slowly but surely the horses reordered themselves until Addison and Skipper were bringing up the rear. She chuckled at the stubborn natures of the animals. They were obviously used to being in a certain order on the trail. Maybe it was a dominance thing.

She didn’t mind being last. It allowed her to take her time and enjoy the scenery. Wildflowers sprouted up all along the edges of the trails and vibrant butterflies fluttered above her. Maybe being out in the middle of nowhere wasn’t so bad after all.

When they finished trudging up the mountain and reached a clearing, Addison felt a buzz in her pocket. Her cell phone was working. She scrambled to get it out of her pocket. What luck! It had two bars. “Whoa,” she cried and pulled on the reins.

Skipper stopped, snorted and pawed at the ground.

“Hold on just a sec. One quick text and then we can move again.”

The horse sidestepped and snorted again, appearing anxious that the other horses were getting too far ahead of him.

She let go of the reins and started typing on the keypad. Addison had to at least update her sister Brie about what she’d gotten herself into. She’d just hit send when thunder rumbled in the distance.

Skipper reared up and Addison screamed, dropping her phone in the commotion. Then the horse barreled through the brush and broke into a gallop.

“Whoa…whoa boy!” Addison grasped for the loose reins in vain as Skipper took her on the ride of her life.

~ ~ ~

Logan knelt on the ground and studied the indention of the animal print in the mud. He motioned for his nephew to come closer. The boy hesitated and crossed his arms over his chest. His body language told Logan that Dylan wasn’t the least bit interested in his survival lesson. Still, the boy didn’t know how stubborn his uncle could be either. He looked him in the eye and used sign language while he spoke. It had always seemed more natural to speak out loud even though Dylan couldn’t hear him. “Do you want to learn or not?”

Dylan rolled his eyes and knelt next to him.

“See the shape of the print and claw marks?”

The boy nodded, made an x over his chest with his arms and made clawing motions.

Logan shook his head. “No, it’s not a bear. Good guess though. They’re too small and look at the unique shape.” He outlined print and claw marks with his finger. “It’s a mountain lion.”

Dylan gulped and signed back.
Is it still around here?

“No. The tracks are fresh though. We’re downwind but we’ll still be cautious.” Thunder growled in the distance and Logan studied the dark angry clouds building above them. “We should head back home.”

They both got on their horses.

“I’ll let you lead. Do you remember how to find our way back?”

The boy nodded and led them through the trees while scanning their surroundings for landmarks.

They were almost to the creek when Logan’s radio sprang to life. Colton’s voice came through the static, sounding tight and frantic. “One trail rider is MIA. I repeat, one rider is MIA.”

Logan’s heart sprang into his throat as he responded. “Who is it?”

“I forgot her name. The blond woman that just showed up last night. I think the horse spooked and took off with her. I found her phone.”

Logan rubbed his forehead and his breath caught in his throat. “Where?”

Colton described the location—a clearing on the north side of the mountain.

“We’re about a half mile from there. Take the other riders back to the ranch. I’ll check it out.” Logan clipped the radio back onto his belt and explained the situation to Dylan. Then he motioned for him to follow.

He knew it. He knew the woman from the city would cause him nothing but trouble.

~ ~ ~

T
he shadows of moving tree branches from above sent chills down Addison’s spine. The wind seemed to transform them into long bony fingers reaching toward her.

She touched a small dried wound on her forehead and winced, remembering her crazy ride through the brush. Addison had finally managed to stop the frightened horse but not before scraping her forehead on a low lying branch.

This is by far the stupidest thing you’ve ever done,
she scolded while following a path that led to the edge of a cliff. She peered over the edge of it, hoping to see something familiar. It was futile. All the trees and boulders looked the same.

Another crack of thunder sounded in the distance, making her horse side step and whinny. Addison rolled her eyes. “Fine VIP horse you turned out to be.”

Not only had she gotten separated from the horse trail group, she’d managed to pick the most skittish horse in the stable.

“Come on Skitter…I mean Skippy…” What was the horse’s name anyway?  She racked her brain, trying to remember.  “Whatever your name is, I need you to get me back to civilization okay?”

The horse whinnied, but seemed to calm down.

She peeked upward as ominous gray clouds gathered above her and a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. The rain started slow at first, but before long the heavens opened into a downpour. Addison pulled the hood of her jacket over her face as a shield.

She kicked the horse’s sides and made a clicking sound like Colton had taught her, urging him up a steep embankment. The horse had just reached the top when a branch snapped ahead of her on the trail. The animal sidestepped and kicked his back legs up, throwing Addison off balance.

“Whoa, Skipper,” she called out, finally remembering the horse’s name. Then to her horror, a blur of tawny fur leapt onto the path ahead of them.

Addison didn’t even have a chance to scream. The horse bucked again, sending her flying through the air.

She landed limp as a ragdoll on the rocky ground. Her world faded into darkness.

~ ~ ~

A loud feral scream pierced the air, creating a sinking feeling in Logan’s stomach.

The lion. He knew it for sure.

Logan turned to his nephew and gulped. “Stay here. I’ll come back for you.”

Dylan shook his head and signed,
I know how to take care of myself. Let me help.

“No. It’s too dangerous. I need to travel fast. Please just trust me and stay put.” The boy set his jaw out stubbornly but obeyed. Logan didn’t wait for him to respond but forced his horse into a gallop in the direction of the screams. His first instinct was to pray—something he hadn’t done in a very long time. Logan’s heart hammered in his chest as he rode in a haphazard fashion through the trees.

God, please help me get there in time.

~ ~ ~

Addison drifted in and out of consciousness. When she managed to open her eyes everything looked blurry. Loud screams pierced the air. Too wild to be human.

Her mind slowly pieced together the events before she blacked out—the horse rearing up and a mountain lion emerging through the brush. She was too dazed to think of how to get away from the danger. Her head pounded so hard she had to close her eyes again.

Seconds later the sound of hooves approached. Addison blinked and tried to call for help as someone in cowboy boots approached.
I’m here…please…help.
She couldn’t seem to push the words past her lips.

A man knelt at her side. “Addie, can you hear me?”

She blinked hard and stared at him.

“Please…say something.” His hands framed her face. They were rough and calloused but surprisingly gentle. “Are you hurt?”

She trembled in fear. “I-I don’t think so. The m-mountain lion…where?”

The man let out a sigh of relief. “It’s gone. I think it chased the horse. You’re safe.”

Addison relaxed as the man’s sky blue eyes filled her vision. “Oh, it’s you,” she whispered. Logan looked so different clean shaven that she hadn’t recognized him at first. Was that a tear on his cheek or just a rain drop?

He let out a nervous chuckle and wiped his cheek with his hand. “Yeah. We really have to stop meeting like this. Just stay still so I can make sure nothing’s broken.”

Addison stared at his handsome face in a daze as the storm clouds blanketed the daylight.

His eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

“Nothing, it’s just…” She paused, feeling dizzy. Then a silly grin formed on her lips. “I was right. You really are a beautiful man,” she mumbled before passing out again.