She digs her hooves into the mud and cries out as we go. Kitty’s fingers dig into me, and I pray she’s strong enough to hold on. The leather of the reins cuts into my hands, but I steer Bow straight and true. We are running out of time as the thunder follows on our heels, and I can feel Kitty behind me beginning to falter.
“We’re almost there!” I shout over the rain, and Kitty’s arms tighten a little more. “Hold on tight.”
In the distance I see a light and then the barn doors open. Several men are outside calling us in as fast as we can. Bow tucks her head and barrels toward it as if she can see it too, and I’m thankful for this beautiful creature that is helping me save my wife.
Fear and adrenaline are the only things I can feel as we make it to the barn just as lightning strikes behind us. I pull on the reins to stop Bow once we enter the barn, and with a quick tug she stops, and the doors of the barn close behind us.
Kitty still has a death grip on me as I try to get off the horse, and I have to pry her hands loose so I can get down and then help her off. I cradle her in my arms as Bow turns around and smells her, as if to make sure she’s okay.
“Thank you,” I say to Bow, and she nods her head. “Get this horse some towels and treats!” I call out to the farmhands as they move into action.
“J-J-Judge,” Kitty tries to say with chattering teeth.
“It’s all right, beautiful. I’ve got you.” I hold her close, grabbing a towel for her and wrapping her in my arms.
We can’t go to the house yet because of the rain, so we’ll have to wait it out here for a little while. Thunder and lightning roll around us, but the barn is safe and strong. I carry Kitty over to the old cast-iron stove where they have a fire going. I sit down in the log chair with her in my lap and close my eyes.
I’m trying not to think about how quickly I could have lost it all, and how damn lucky I am that I found Kitty when I did. I’m also thinking about building Bow her own suite in the barn.Chapter ElevenKittyJudge grabs a blanket and puts it over my legs as he sits down with me in his lap. He mutters something about my shorts, and I snuggle in closer to him, happy he’s not mad at me. Well, he might be mad, but he’s hiding it at the moment.
When he found me, I saw a mixture of fear and relief in him. I was surprised because Judge never shows any emotion for the most part, and he’s hard to read. I bury my face in his neck to steal some of his body heat while I breathe in his scent. He holds me close and leans back in the chair, his long legs kicked out in front of him.
I hear others talking, but my mind is so focused on Judge I can’t concentrate on anything else. I could have gotten Bow and Judge hurt today because I’d been so lost in my own head and wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I should have seen the storm rolling in, but it wasn't until Bow started to get antsy that I knew something was wrong. By then it was too late.
I slip my arm up his chest so I can lock it around his neck. Thunder shakes the barn, and my whole body tenses. Judge tightens his hold on me, and I relax a little.
“I’ve got you, little one. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he tells me, kissing me on top of my head.
Everyone stops talking for a moment, and I notice the farmhands staring at us. I’m guessing they are as surprised as I am about Judge’s comment, probably even more than I am. I’m quickly learning there is a sweet side to Judge, and apparently, he doesn't care who sees it.
He must give them all a look, because everyone immediately glances the other way and goes back to talking. I settle in deeper against him, suddenly feeling exhausted. The rush of adrenaline I felt earlier is quickly leaving me. My body relaxes as I start to warm up, and I close my eyes.
“You all right, boss?” I hear someone ask Judge.
“Not really,” he admits as I try to stay still. I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m asleep.
“She’s fine,” the man tries to reassure him.
“This time.” He rubs a hand up my back. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.”
“Not even when she stole the car?” I can tell he’s trying to tease Judge to lighten the mood.