under control. They’ll be going back to the bunkhouse right after we leave.” Ty turned Night Star toward home. The stallion took off. “You don’t need any encouragement, old boy,” he said and smiled.
He felt better this morning. In some strange way last night had been a catharsis for him. He’d called his in-laws early. They’d been happy to hear from him and did want whatever items of Candice’s that he could part with. In fact, they told him they’d be coming to the area to visit friends in a few weeks. They’d pick up the boxes then. He just hoped he didn’t change his mind by that time.
Next he had to see Lily and apologize for his temper last night. He wasn’t sure what to do about her and the feelings she stirred inside him. He rode into the barn from the back entrance and took his time rubbing Night Star down. He forked hay into the stall. Anything to put off seeing Lily. Coward . Yeah, he was.
The first thing he noticed when he walked out toward the house was his truck wasn’t where he’d left it. He glanced around and realized it was gone. Taking long strides he hurried into the house calling Lily’s name. Fear had a tight grip on his chest. The place felt empty, and she wasn’t responding to his voice. Taking the stairs two at a time he charged into her room and saw the note.
Damn, she’d taken the truck and left. His heart sank. The roads would hopefully be cleared all the way, but there was still ice, and glancing out the windows, he saw the snow beginning to fall.
He raced down the stairs and ran to the barn. Dirk had just finished with his horse and was starting out. “What’s wrong?”
“Lily is gone. She took my truck.”
“We’ll go in mine,” Dirk said.
Snow came down harder as they headed down the blacktop road. “With my snow tires and the four-wheel drive we should be able to get through to her and get back before it starts snowing harder. That is, if she hasn’t been gone too long.”
“I’m afraid she left right after we did this morning. This is probably a fool’s run. She’d be in town by now, and maybe on a bus headed farther south.”
“I doubt the buses are running. We’ll catch her.”
Ty’s heart beat double time. He had a bad feeling. The windshield wipers swished the snowflakes back and forth, and it was looking more like dusk than the middle of the afternoon.
“There’s the truck ahead, in that snowbank.” Dirk slowed and carefully pulled to the side of the road.
Ty jumped out and rushed to the passenger side. Lily shivered, and her lips were blue. He saw the steering wheel had curved toward her, blocking her movements. She hadn’t been able to reach the emergency supplies on the backseat.
“Lily, we’ll have you out of there in a moment.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I’m all right, just cold.” Her voice shook.
Dirk and Ty fastened a chain to the back bumper, pulled the truck away from the bank, and then between the two of them pried her door open. Working with the seat latch, they both pulled until there was enough room to get her out. Ty carefully picked her up in his arms and put her on Dirk’s backseat. He climbed in and knelt by her.
“We can worry about my truck later. Let’s get her home. I’ll contact the doctor to come see her.”
“You think he’s out and about?” Dirk asked.
“He will be. Do you hurt anywhere?” Ty asked as he put two blankets around her.
“My whole body aches, but I don’t think I’m seriously injured.” Her body kept shaking.
“Move over just a little,” Ty said. He scooted onto the seat and wrapped his arms and legs around her. Gradually his body heat slowed her tremors. “You’re safe now.”
“Until I get to the ranch and you holler at me for wrecking your truck.”
“I’ll let you recover first,” he said and grinned.
She stared at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. You should do it more often.” She closed her eyes and snuggled closer.
He heard Dirk