The Colt & The Cobra - THE SPECTER SERIES [book six]

Chapter TWENTY FOUR

Colt Knox

By the time I wrangle my ass into my wranglers and make it outside, Mikki is nowhere to be seen.. The yard is dark and deserted, only the sound of wind whistling and rain hitting the ranch roof can be heard..

"Sugar?!.. MIKKI, COME BACK!" I hollar at the top of my lungs, desperate for a reply, straining my hearing to pick up any sign of her, but there is nothing.. "FUCK!"

Already soaked through I sprint around to the back of the truck, unlocking the lockbox to retrieve my rifle before heading to the barn, hoping in vain to find her hidden there.. I round the entrance to find nothing but the restless horses, spooked by the crack of lightning and booming thunder that rolls overhead, a sinking feeling in my guts..

I broach the stall beside Banjo to see my stallion, his oblivious head buried in the feed-bucket I'd filled earlier.. "C'mon now, Paint.. We gotta go.."

The Appaloosa lifts his big brown eyes to look at me, unaffected by the waging storm outside, he is a creature of constant calm.. I can always rely on Paint.. The steadfast Stallion and me share an understanding.. A bond that is difficult to describe, and impossible to define, a kinship built on trust and mutual respect..

My Aunt Josette always taught Kane and me; How a man treats his horse tells you everything you need to know about him.. Over the years, I'd learned that she was right.. How people relate to animals can be telling of so many characteristics, good and bad..

Flicking open the bolt on the gable door with the click of my tongue to encourage Paint's compliance, I reach for the polished tack hanging on the wall.. "tch-tch.. Good boy.. Let's go find Mikki.."

He stands diligently as I fit the bit into his mouth before buckling the straps, taking the reins and hauling myself atop his bare 17-hand-high back, setting out into the waging weather, my thoughts beginning to race in hyperlapse..

Where the fuck did she go?

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I had let my shitty temper get the better of me, I know I shouldn't have spoken to her the way I did.. I shouldn't have frightened her like that..

I feel sickened with myself, my suspicious prejudice had triggered an overreaction, I know that.. But I had risked everything bringing Mikki back to Riverland, and I just couldn't stomach the idea of her tipping off the Godfather and sending him after my family..

But could she really do that to me?.. Would she?

I don't want to believe it, but just the possibility had me drowning in doubt..

....

Over an hour riding the perimeter of the Ranch yard and I find no trace of Mikki, leaving me convinced that the only direction she could have gone is into the woodland that backs onto the property..

The one place she shouldn't have fucking gone..

I ride deeper into the trees, and deeper into indecision.. Do I call this in now as an incident or keep looking?
Shit.. Can Mikki even survive a night out here? I fucking doubt it.. I mean the girl is tough, but she isn't Bear fucking Grylls..

I could kick myself.. When Harris finds out I've lost her, he's going to pitch a fit.. And this time, I couldn't blame him..

This is my fault.. My fuck up..

I am in two minds about what to do next, when a shrill, sharp scream emanates from the east, over by the old quarry tracks that separate Juliettes property from the neighbours.. A path known now to local dirt-bike riders as lovers-lane.. Mostly because it's where they take their dates.. There aint a whole lot else for kids to do in small towns, I suppose..

"Yah!" I spur Paint forward, kicking him into high gear, galloping down the winding trail towards the sharp sound of Mikki's scream..