Wild Horses

Heat Rises

*STEF*

"I can't believe you don't think anythings happened to her, Sheriff! She's been missing now for over 24 hours!" My face is red and my fists clenched as I stand face to face with Charlie Tompkins, the towns sheriff. I haven't slept in way over 24 hours nor have I eaten, and he's telling me things I don't want to hear.

"She clearly left you a note stating she was leaving and for you not to worry; so, she's not been kidnapped. We have reason to believe she may be around here somewhere," he is trying to remain calm but I'm not letting him off that easily.

"Ya, well what if this was your daughter! You'd have search parties out, that's what! I don't understand your mindset right now! Just get off my property! I'll find her myself!!!!!" I shout as I snatch my cowboy hat and keys off the table.

"Love, baby, stop!" I hear Lena calling to me as she comes into the room and sees me leaving. "Excuse me, Charlie. I'll talk to her."

He nods as he sits and makes a few phone calls, but I haven't listened to Lena nor would I. Callie is a missing person, and he doesn't want to help. I will find my own baby and do it alone!

"Wait! Stef! Stop!" Lena reaches me as I'm halfway to the barn. She grabs my arm. "Love, relax. He's just doing his job. Babe, please!" She pleads softly as my blood pressure is now through the roof.

I yank out of her grasp. "No, I will NOT listen! She could be halfway across the country now, and she's a fucking minor!!!!! All alone!!!!" My voice cracks as Lena tries to calm me yet again.

"Baby, please! You aren't doing yourself any favors right now getting so daggone angry!" She tries to rub my arm again to calm me, but I remain firm.

"I have to do this, ok? I have to find her." I turn around and head towards my office in the barn, and she follows close behind. If Callie is looking for Russell, my best bet would be to look at the tour schedule he recently sent me.

"Do you have any idea where to start looking, love? Where would Russell be?" She follows me into my office but keeps a safe distance from me knowing how heated I really am.

I actually begin to calm some as I search my desk for his recent letter. I have some sort of clue how to figure this out as I take everything out of the envelope and look up at her. "I'll find out where his next few nights of his tour are and drive. That will be my plan. I'll drive until I find my baby."

I sigh as I pull out my phone and text Callie yet again.

Sweets, tell me you're safe. That's all I want to know is that you're safe and ok....please, honey. I love you.

I sniffle as I push send, and start writing down some addresses. Lena finally stands, "I will go pack some food, and water and clothes. I'm coming with you, babe. You can't do this alone." She stands and waits for my reply, but I have begun to shut down as I just grunt and nod.

She sighs softly as she quietly leaves to do as she said, and I continue writing out my plan as well as addresses, phone numbers and even highways. I will find my baby if it's the last thing I do.

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*LENA*

I have known that Stef is a very passionate person, but at this point, she seems unreasonable. I don't want her going out there alone, and it's not that I don't trust her. I do. I trust her with my life, but this is her baby, and I know a mother bear looking for cub can be dangerous as well as put herself in a position to get hurt if it means saving that cub.

As I pack us both a bag of clothes and toiletries, for I don't know how long we'll be gone, I try a feeble attempt to text Callie as well. Both Stef and I have tried to call her numerous times, and I know that Stef had texted her every hour if not every half hour or even fifteen minutes. Callie was smart though, and she had somehow shut off the location on her phone and her mother's so we couldn't track her. This had enraged Stef even more, and I tried to reason with her that her daughter was just as determined of a human as she was. And possibly Stef needed to try and think of what she would do in this situation so as to figure out where Callie may be.

"Are you ready to go, Lena?" Stef walks in the room, and she looks completely exhausted. I know she hasn't slept.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but please let me drive for a bit so you can sleep?" I zip up her bag and grab both of her hands. Her eyes are so sad, and I truly hate seeing her like this. I wish somehow I could take this pain away.

"Ok," she surprises me as she gives me a weak smile. I pull her to me and hug her close, kissing the side of her neck.

"I was just about to text her again. We'll find her, baby, ok?" I pull back and run my hand down her face. She links back tears and nods dejectedly.

I squeeze her hand and we pick up the packed bags and head to the kitchen. I pull out a cooler and pack snacks and water before we head out to her truck. The sheriff had already left, promising to start a search party as soon as possible. He promised to keep in touch with us, and Stef was relieved that he had come to his senses.

As we jump in the truck, Stef outlines her plan to me. "I found out that Russ will be playing with his band tonight in Beaver Falls then he's headed towards Smoky River where they're having an outdoor concert camp type thing for two days. My guess is that maybe we can catch him there."

"Do you think Callie has his tour schedule and is headed that way?" I look over at her determined face.

"I think she does. She must have been god awful determined. I'm just worried about her traveling alone," she sounds even more tired as she says this.

I grab her hand and lean over, kissing her cheek as I whisper, "We have to trust, sweetheart. I know it's hard." I feel her response as she runs her hand softly down my cheek.

As we head out on the road, the sun is setting. I am determined to drive as far as I can allowing Stef to sleep and gather her strength. I turn the radio on low as I hear Stef leaving another voicemail.

Baby girl, it's mama. I know you don't understand this now, but you will one day. Just tell me you're safe and ok. Please, baby girl. Text me even....let me know nothing is wrong. I love you, sweetheart with all of my heart.....

Her voice cracks as she quickly hangs up, and I reach over to hold her hand as we sit in silence, the radio playing softly in the background. We are both out of words at this point, but each other's presence is enough.