Not exactly a reassuring answer.
“Do you know if the caller was male or female?”
“I didn’t take the call personally, but I can ask.”
The coordinates came via a text message.Hudson checked the screen.
“I know where that is,” he said.
“Figured you might since the sighting happened so close to your property.”
“My family is splitting up out here, searching for a friend,” he said.“I’ll send a message in our group chat to let everyone know about the danger.”Several of his siblings were as bad about checking their phones and keeping them charged as he was.He had some hope phones were charged and being monitored, given the circumstances.
“I appreciate it,” Marcus said.“Keep me posted on any sightings or lion scat found and, please, tell everyone to keep their distance until I or one of the staff arrive.”
“You know we will.”Hudson ended the call and immediately sent the update.
Chloe responded first.“I’ll let Travis know.Keep safe, everyone, and stay together.Check in every once in a while so we know everyone’s alright.”
Hudson typed:I’m heading that way now, after sending the coordinates of the location of the animal attack.
And then he turned the truck around and zoomed toward the midpoint.Cell in a cupholder, he glanced down every few seconds, practically willing the damn thing to ring.With every second that ticked by, the tension in his stomach twisted.
Cassie had become the most important person in his life in a short time.Did the heart recognize a kindred spirit?
Hudson couldn’t wrap his brain around the thought of losing another person he loved.Was the universe that cruel?Or was it him?
Was he just thatunlucky?
17
Cassie couldn’t keep walking.She’d been on her feet for hours.Her shoulder hurt like hell.She could feel her heartbeat in the wound.She veered a little off the road when she heard the sounds of rushing water.A creek?
A cool breeze provided her with some reprieve from the sweltering temperature.Clearly, she’d acted on impulse instead of thinking this through.She could get lost out here…and then what?She could die if infection set in her shoulder wound.She had no phone and no medicine.Food was scarce, and she had just enough water to last the day, and maybe the night, based on how fast she was going through it.
And then there was the whole issue of predators at the ready that were more than willing to pick at her carcass if she became too weak to keep going.Yeah, this was a bad idea.She missed Hudson so much her heart ached.
Could she turn back to the house?Find her way to him?
The way she’d left without a word wouldn’t sit right with his pride.Could she have written a note and at least let him know how much he meant to her?
And then what?Disappear from his life forever?
That sounded cruel when she really thought about it.No, she’d done the right thing.Why was the right thing also the hard thing more often than not?
Finding the creek almost made her smile.She rolled up her pants, slipped out of her shoes and socks, and stepped into the rush of water.The cool liquid was heaven on her feet.The Texas sun could be deadly.Heat exhaustion was a real threat.Being born here, she should be used to it, but she’d never been the play outside all summer type.Some foster families had forced her to “take advantage of the sunny day” and go outside.Definitely not her jam.She’d rather be inside with a book or a video game than frying in the sun.Both were luxuries rarely afforded.Some had given her outside chores to do in the sweltering summer heat.Those families were real treats and easy to walk away from when the inevitable mistake had pushed them over the edge.Cassie had learned not to get too comfortable anywhere.
A thought struck like stray lightning.Had her past taught her not to get attached to anyone?
Was that the real reason she’d bolted from Hudson instead of the lie she’d told herself that she had to do this alone?
She didn’t take putting his family in jeopardy lightly.Shame and guilt threatened to suck her under every time she thought about Nikki being abducted from outside the family home.It screamed determination on Jarek’s part.Or was it desperation?
Did Jarek want her or something else?The money?Had taking the dirty money put him in the hole with someone?
In that case, could she arrange to return it in exchange for him leaving her alone?
Lost in thought, the footsteps coming up from behind didn’t immediately register.