UNBROKEN PROMISE

~45~ Where have you been??

Author's Note
Decided to post again 😁
I'm in love with this chapter too and i hope you too will enjoy it.
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TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ ⚠️

Caleb chattered happily about the amount of fish he caught as he walked back to the house with Jacob and Logan, Cookie trotting happily at his heels. The little boy’s excitement was contagious, and even Logan managed a faint smirk as Jacob swung Caleb up onto his shoulders.

When they reached the house, Jacob handed Caleb to Megan, who ruffled his hair and wiped his cheeks. "Got some fish for supper," Jacob said, grinning as he handed the cleaned catch to Mama Becca in the kitchen.

Logan followed, placing his portion on the counter. His eyes darted around the room, taking note of everyone present—Mama Becca rolling out dough, Megan seasoning something on the stove, Caleb now perched on a chair eating pie with Cookie close by. But one person was missing.

“Where’s Oma?” he asked, his voice gruff as he scanned the room.

Mama Becca paused mid-roll, glancing up at him with a skeptical look. “Thought she was with you.”

Logan frowned, shaking his head. “She wasn’t at the pond.”

Megan piped up, her brow furrowing. “Maybe she’s back at your house? She slipped out earlier, didn’t say much.”

Logan nodded curtly, leaving the kitchen to check. When he entered  the  living room was empty. He called her name once, twice, but there was no response. His jaw tightened as he checked each room, even the garden out back. Still no sign of her.

By the time Logan returned to the main house, his frustration had grown into a gnawing worry. He met Mama Becca at the porch, her face lined with concern. “She come back yet?” he asked, his voice lower now.

Mama Becca shook her head. “Ain’t seen her. You sure she didn’t say where she was goin’?”

“No,” Logan muttered, rubbing his face. The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows across the ranch. “I’ve checked everywhere I can think of.”

From the parlor, Ezra’s scoff reached them. “This is the man meant to protect her?” he said loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t even keep track of his own wife.”

Logan froze for a moment, his back stiffening, but he didn’t turn to engage. Instead, he clenched his jaw and marched off the porch, his boots crunching on the gravel as he resumed his search.

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A firm tap on her shoulder jolted her awake. Oma sat up with a start, her heart racing as she blinked.  Standing before her was a man, his broad silhouette framed by the dim glow of the setting sun.

“Miss, you alright?” he asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “What’s a lady doin’ out here alone, sleepin’ in the woods?”

Oma stiffened, her pulse quickening. She scrambled to her feet, brushing leaves off her skirt. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

The man held up his hands in a gesture of peace. “Didn’t mean to scare ya. Name’s Daniel. I work as a ranch hand here. Was out checkin’ fences when I saw you. Figured it ain’t safe for someone to be out here like this.”

Oma exhaled slowly, her tension easing slightly. “I—I’m fine,” she said, though her voice wavered. “Just needed some time to think.”

Daniel studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing. “Well, it’s gettin’ late, Miss. Yur Folks’ll be wonderin’ where you’ve gone.”