“I’ll go search for Midnight. You stay here, Sam.”
“No,” Sky said. “If you’re going, then Sam has to go with you. You can’t just go on your own, Caleb.”
“Now hold on—”
Sam gripped his brother’s shoulder. “She’s right. I’m not letting you out to search on your own. Sky can stay here with Reese and Al. There’s no way Willet can get to her here. Al has a gun.”
Caleb nodded. “Fine. Let’s make this a quick sweep.” He had his own radio in hand and contacted the other two security guards who patrolled the vast acreage, apprising them of the situation.
One said, “I just found Midnight. I’m in the southwest quadrant, not far from the med facility. He’s backed into a corner, looking restless.”
“Don’t go near him,” Caleb insisted. “Just keep an eye on him. And keep your wits about you.”
Sam took the radio and gave Willet’s description once again, then advised the guard that he was likely armed and dangerous. “Don’t engage him if you come across him. Just hang back. We’re on our way.”
Sky’s fingers curled around the material of his T-shirt at his abs. She stared up at him imploringly. “Save that horse, Sam. Don’t let anything happen to him.”
He nodded. Then he kissed her.
“Don’t let anything happen to you, either,” she whispered against his lips. “Or anyone else.”
“It’ll be all right.”
Unfortunately, his words didn’t chase away the fear and dread clouding her deep-blue eyes.
Sam backed away and turned to Al. “Don’t let Sky or Reese out of your sight.”
“They’ll be safe with me,” he assured Sam.
To both women, Sam sternly said, “Do not move an inch. I am not kidding. Do not make us worry about you.”
Sky swallowed hard. Nodded her head.
Reese said, “Of course. We’ll be right here.”
The tension fill
ing the stable pressed in on Sam, but the urgency of the situation propelled him into action.
“I’ll get the hackamore,” he told Caleb. “We’ll take the ATV to get to him.”
He retrieved the bridle, then cupped the side of Sky’s face. He stared into her eyes and said, “Promise me you’ll stay put.”
“I will. I swear it. Don’t worry about me. Save that for Midnight.”
He kissed her again, then strode out, Caleb at his side.
* * * * *
“That fucking asshole,” Sky murmured as her fists balled at her sides. “I should have shot him that night in Luckenbach. In fact, if Sam gets his hands on him, Mac will wish I’d shot him when I had the chance.”
“The sheriff’s on his way,” Reese said. “Caleb called, like Sam told him to, so it’s just a matter of time. They’ll get Midnight and—”
“What if Mac gets away?” Sky interjected, her heart thundering. “Will he just come back tomorrow night or the night after that?”
“No,” Reese insisted. “Especially now that we know how he got onto the property. You know Sam and Caleb. They’ll quadruple security. Bring in guys from Austin, if they have to.”
Sky’s mind reeled. “This is a nightmare. Jesus Christ, what a goddamn nightmare.”