The Cowboy Lassoes a Bride by Kate Pearce (free ebook reader txt) 📕

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Sis, but mine ran out of juice just before you got here,” Carter said. “I brought the wrong adapter with me, and it won’t charge.”

Sam stared at her brother, who didn’t seem to appreciate just how badly her wedding day was going so far.

“I’ve got to get back to the ranch, Carter.”

“I get that.” He nodded. “You could just leave me here, ride back, and get help.”

“Everyone is busy preparing for the wedding. No one has time to come and get you.”

“I could start walking and meet them halfway,” Carter suggested.

Sam just stared at him until the impulse to scream died away, and she straightened her shoulders.

“No, we’re going to work this out. Together.”

Chapter Five

“HW?”

HW turned around and found Cam hovering anxiously at the entrance to the barn.

“Hey, what’s up?” HW mentally counted heads as he doled out the daily vitamins, noting Dollar wasn’t in his usual place by the open door.

“It’s Sam.” Cam advanced into the barn after him.

HW put down the bottle. “What about her?”

“She’s . . . gone.”

Even though it felt like someone had just knocked the wind out of him, HW desperately tried to stay calm.

“Come again?”

“I set my alarm for seven thirty, got up and showered, and then knocked on Sam’s door to make sure she was up,” Cam said. “When she didn’t respond, I went in, and found the bed was empty.”

“Okay.” HW nodded as if she was making sense. “Did she leave you a note?”

“No.” Cam’s hands twisted together as she faced him. “Nothing, but her clothes and boots were missing.”

“So she obviously got up and went somewhere.” HW turned back toward the stalls. “Hold on a minute.”

He walked over to Dollar’s stall and looked inside. “Her horse has gone.”

Cam joined him, her expression hopeful. “Maybe she couldn’t sleep, and just went out for a ride?”

“It’s possible,” HW agreed even though every instinct was telling him no. He checked the time. “Maybe she’ll be back soon then.”

Cam touched his arm. “She was fine when she went to bed last night, no worries about the wedding, or anything.”

“Good to know.” HW couldn’t stop mouthing stupid platitudes while his mind was racing in panicked circles. “I’ve got chores to do in the barn. I’ll let you know when she comes back, okay?”

Cam still hesitated, her expression uncertain, and HW summoned a smile.

“Why don’t you go and have some breakfast, and tell January what’s going on?”

“I’ll do that.” Cam finally nodded as if pleased to have something concrete to wrestle with. “Are you okay?”

“I’m good.” He watched her walk up to the house, and then picked up the plastic container filled with vitamins, gazing unseeingly at the contents.

“Hey, Bro.”

He turned to find his twin brother behind him. He wasn’t surprised. He and Ry had an uncanny ability to know when the other was hurting.

“Sam’s disappeared.”

Ry blinked once, and then nodded. “Okay. Did you two have a fight or something?”

“No.” HW took a quick breath. “I have no idea what the hell is going on.”

“I’m sure there’s a good explanation, HW. Just stay calm, and—”

“What if she doesn’t come back?” HW interrupted his twin. “What if she never comes back? It’s not as if that hadn’t happened to us before, has it, Ry? Our own damned mother walked out on us never to return when we were five.”

“HW . . . snap out of it.” Ry grabbed HW’s shoulder and slowly shook him back and forth. “Sam loves you, and she’s not the kind of person who would disappear without a word. If she had a problem, you’d hear about it. She’s probably just gone out for a ride and will be back soon. Have you tried texting her?”

“Not yet,” HW said.

“Then do it right now.” At this point, Ry’s calm voice was the only thing stopping HW from outright panicking.

HW found his phone and forced his shaking thumbs to text Sam. She didn’t immediately reply, which didn’t make him feel any better.

“What did she say?” Ry asked.

“Nothing. She’s not responding.” HW stared intently at the screen, willing her to reply even if it was just to tell him off for bothering her. “If she was going for a ride, why didn’t she tell someone?”

“Maybe it was a last-minute thing.” Ry shrugged. “Look, we’ve still got hours before the official wedding, so don’t get too worked up. Yvonne isn’t back from wherever she went to yet either.”

“I’m not marrying Yvonne,” HW objected. “Rio wouldn’t like it.”

“True, but Sam will be back. I’d bet the ranch on it.” Ry smiled encouragingly at his twin.

“I’ve got chores to do,” HW said numbly.

“Great idea.” Ry clapped him on the back. “Keep busy, and I bet she’ll be back in no time.”

* * *

“I still think we should change the tire,” Carter said stubbornly.

“Why?” Sam faced him down. “It really would be much quicker to ride.” The loss of her phone wasn’t helping her deal patiently with her laid-back brother. “You do realize I’m getting married today, right?”

“Today?” Carter blinked at her. “Is it Sunday already?”

“Yes,” Sam said. “And in a few hours I am supposed to be walking down the aisle and marrying HW Morgan.”

“What time is it?” Carter got into the car and turned on the ignition. “It’s almost eight. When’s the wedding?”

“Midday.” Sam had a hollow feeling in her gut. It had taken her way longer than she had anticipated saddling the horses and then riding up to Morgansville. By that reckoning, it would take at least an hour to get back down. “We really should get going.”

“So let’s change the tire.”

Sam pointed at the gas indicator. “Carter, you’re almost out of fuel. Even if we fix the tire you won’t get far. What’s going on?”

He sighed and got out of the driver’s seat, shoving a hand through his long hair. “I’m scared of horses.”

“What?” Sam stared at him. “Since when?”

He shrugged. “Since I fell off, broke my arm, and got knocked out when