Cowboy Baby Daddy

“I don't remember. She usually has it on her hip. I don't know why she wouldn't be carrying it today.”

“Let's hope she did.” Ryan said then turned.

“I'm going to follow the river bank.” I pointed in that direction.

“I'm going to head toward Shannon’s Peak.” He looked back at me. “We’ll find her.”

We looked for almost an hour, and I was starting to lose hope when my phone dinged in my pocket.

Why didn't you tell me about the natural spring on your property?

E

Where the hell are you?

Luke

Excuse me?

E

Where the hell are you?

Luke

I'm at the house, where the hell are you?

E

I lifted the phone to my ear as it rang. I was mad, but when her voice came across the line, I smiled.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Ryan and I realized you weren't back, and we are out in the woods looking for you.”

“I came back to the house.”

“I can see that. Did you not hear us?”

“I've been here for almost an hour,” she said. Ryan and

I had been running around the woods for over an hour, and she was sitting at the house.

“We thought you got in trouble. You are never gone for more than a couple hours or so.” I was speaking fast and heading back toward the house.

“I have a gun and a cell phone. I think I got this,” she said into the phone. She sounded a little annoyed at me, but I needed to get my hands on her to make sure that she was okay.

“I'll be there in a minute.” I hung up and ran toward the house. I called Ryan quickly and let him know that she was safe, and then I hauled ass home. I was in a flat run when I got to her steps, and she walked out the door to greet me.

“Jesus, Luke.” She pushed my hair back from my face.

“I thought you were lost or hurt or dead.” I said between the breaths sawing in and out of my mouth.

“Why didn't you just call me?” It seemed logical, but I had tried to call her.

“I did, and it went straight to voicemail.” I shouted without meaning to. “I'm sorry,” I said almost immediately.

“I'm sorry that I scared you.” She leaned forward and kissed my mouth. I caught the back of her head and pulled her against me. She wiggled away and laughed.