“The library?” Bryant asked as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Yeah, Daisy said that Lena used the computer then left.”
“Damn, Kenny, I hope she didn’t leave town or something.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Maybe she’s scared, I don’t know.”
“No way. Something happened, and I’m going to find out the second we find her.”
“Keep me posted, Kenny. Please find her. I feel so useless sitting here.”
“Stay there in case she returns to her place or yours.”
“I will.”
* * * *
Kenny disconnected the call and began taking the road back toward the ranch. As he approached the long strip a mile and a half before the entrance, he saw the bike and Lena struggling through the downpour. Thank God.
He radioed in. “I found her. I’m bringing her home.”
Kenny pulled up a bit past her, and she didn’t stop.
“Lena!” he called to her over the wind and the pouring rain. It was as if she was so lost in thought she hadn’t seen him or heard him at all.
He got in front of her, and when she looked up, she looked so sad. She was drenched. He was furious with her because he was so scared that something had happened to her.
“Where the hell have you been? You had us so worried about you. We’ve been searching for hours.”
She was looking down at the ground.
“Goddamn it, Lena, look at me when I’m talking to you.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she jumped into his arms and sobbed hysterically. He felt her shaking and crying against his chest and it shocked him. Something was terribly wrong.
He lifted her up and carried her into his truck. She wouldn’t release her hold on him.
“We need to get you out of those wet clothes, Lena, before you get sick. Come on, honey, let me drive you back to the ranch.”
“My cottage,” she cried.
“Okay honey, your cottage.”
He called into the main office and gave them an update as he brought Lena home.
The moment he pulled into the long driveway he could see all the lights on between the main house, Bryant’s house, and Lena’s cottage. Blake’s and Quinn’s trucks were parked outside and so were his fathers’.
* * * *
“Where the hell did you go?” Bryant asked, and everyone stared at Lena. Bryant was insane with worry for her. So many thoughts went through her head.
When she looked up with red, swollen eyes, he knew that she had been crying.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered in such a mouse of a voice he barely heard her.
“Let’s get her out of these wet things,” Abigail stated, and Lena stood dripping onto the mat by the front door.