SCOTT
Iswear the last week had been the best week of my life. We unofficially moved Grace into my room, and Ty slept in the bed with us every night. We went out on rotation again, which was slightly easier knowing Grace was in my bed, waiting for us.
Today, we were expecting the delivery for the new cattle shoots. The old ones were too banged up for Declan’s liking, and he wanted new ones put in before we brought the herd down next week.
Ty, Travis, and I were milling around the barn, waiting for the truck to arrive. Grace was in the arena doing an inner ranch competition. Girls versus boys. Caitie and Grace versus Liam and Kyle, another rider for the Kingston team. Blake said it was as much a training exercise for them all since Kyle was still working the gray mare, Sapphire, back into competing. Caitie, Liam, and Grace were all signed up for a horse show next month and needed to get some friendly competition in.
It was like everyone on the ranch had come to see the show. Thomas and Declan leaned against the fence on the south side of the arena. Gavin, Stefan, and Mikel were hanging out not far from them. And Ty, Travis, and I were on the north side to make sure we caught the delivery when it arrived.
Everyone did their first rounds perfectly. Blake and Gavin went around and made the jumps higher for the next set.
The delivery truck rolled down the dirt road while Liam was making his next run. I was disappointed I couldn’t cheer for Grace from the fence, but I was screaming my lungs out on the inside for her. I only wished I could have seen the look on Liam’s face when Grace beat him, which I knew she was going to.
She was that damn good.
We had the truck park near one of the northern pastures where we would be assembling the shoot. The drivers and workers began unloading the heavy metal fencing, piece by piece. Declan sauntered over to help monitor the progress. He insisted the guys put some of the fencing in another spot so we didn’t overload the area, but they wouldn’t listen. I could only imagine the call that company was going to get from Declan when they were through here.
When I looked back at the arena, it was Grace’s turn again. I smiled and watched her go through jump after jump flawlessly. Then a deafening clanging sound near me had me looking away from Grace for two seconds to see the fencing had toppled over on itself and crashed together.
Then I heard the sickening sound of an injured horse squeal, and a woman scream. When I turned back around, my heart stopped.
Grace’s big gray gelding was standing in front of a jump that was destroyed, and Grace was nowhere to be seen. I took off toward the arena as fast as I could. Ty passed me and made it to the gate ahead of me. He threw open the gate, and we both rushed in.
Blake was already kneeling next to Grace. I stumbled as I made my way over to Grace.
A flashback of Hannah’s horse losing its footing around a barrel and falling to the ground hit me.
My chest tightened.
I had to push through it.
Liam and Stefan took Storm and led him to the middle of the arena. I noticed the limp on his front leg. Fuck. That wasn’t good.
Since Ty had beaten me to Grace’s side, he was kneeling beside her, stroking her cheek, whispering for her to open her eyes. She must have hit her head during the accident.
Blood rushed to my ears.
I blinked and saw Hannah lying on the ground.
I yelled for her to wake up.
I barely heard Thomas calling for the helicopter for emergency transport to bring Grace to the hospital. Gavin was on the other side calling for emergency transportation for the vet to get here to evaluate Storm.
I reached out to touch Grace’s shoulder, only to pull it back when I saw that my hand was shaking uncontrollably.
This couldn’t be happening again. I needed Grace to open her eyes.
“Where is Matt?” I yelled.
Black spots danced in my vision as I fought to control my breathing.
Another flashback hit me.