Making a quick succession of kissing noises, Ember cued Storm forward, spurring him into the turbulent river.
The force of the current pressing against the horse’s legs instantly threw Ember off balance. Loosening her grip on the reins, she tightened her hold on the horn and let the horse take the lead.
They forded along a narrow gravel bar, pushing diagonally downstream. Halfway across, the gravel blew out beneath Storm’s feet. The river bottom disappeared, submerging the horse past his flanks. Ember kicked her feet out of the stirrups, hiking her knees toward the pummel. Cold water funneled into her boots as she clutched to the horse.
Fear recoiled through her limbs, vibrating through her body in shaky jerks. She pressed her elbows to her sides, attempting to make her frame as small as possible atop the horse.
The pounding in her chest grew frantic. By the time the horse’s hooves touched the island, she could scarcely breathe. Her jeans and coat soaked all the way to her hips.
“It’s okay, girl,” she hollered over the pouring rain, petting the calf’s head.
Eyes zipping from the height of the horse to the size of the calf, a sinking feeling of defeat bloomed in her gut. Daisy weighed as much as Ember.
Streams of uncontrollable tears rolled down her cheeks. “I am not leaving you here.”
The ground below their feet was slowly succumbing to the river’s wrath. Ember tucked one arm under Daisy’s shoulder and the other under her tail, attempting to lift the calf onto Storm. She struggled and strained, boots slipping in the mud, but it was no use.
Dry sobs burned the back of her throat as she dragged the calf closer to Storm. Ember squatted low, scooping up the calf.
Two strong arms encircled her from behind, taking the animal from her hold. Her head snapped to the side. Ember expected to see Travis but found an ocean of blue heat riddled in turmoil.
“Looks like you could use some help.” His breathy words came out short and choppy.
Nash forced a half-grin, opening the split on his swollen lip. He attempted to appear calm but couldn’t hide the fear in his eyes or the haste in his actions. Her face crumpled and body wracked with shivers, watching him work at record pace, draping Daisy across the front of his saddle.
“Nash—”
“Listen to me.” He grabbed her firmly by her shoulders and spun her to face the bank. Pointing at the clearing between trees, he lowered his mouth to her ear. “You’re going to get on Storm and you’re going to aim for that opening.”
His hands roamed over her, working at lightning speed. The heaviness of her sodden chaps and duster disappeared, left to the mercy of the river.
Her stomach turned hearing the fear riding in his firm tone. Nash tried to hide it, but there was no use. They were in serious trouble.
“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed, blinking the deluge of wetness from her eyes. “You’re not even supposed to be here and now look what I’ve—”
“There is no place else I am supposed to be.” His fingers tightened around her arms, tugging her into his chest. “I belong right here…beside you.”
Breath coming fast and hot, he clamped his big hands around her face, meeting her lips in a searing kiss. The act of possession was thorough and consuming. Ember curled her arms around his neck, deepening the wildness of the kiss.
Breaking their connection, he encouraged her foot into the stirrup, hoisting her onto Storm. Nash’s hands moved over her saddle, quickly checking for secureness.
“You’ve got to make that clearing. Keep your eyes fixed on that bank. The current is gonna try to drag you downstream. Let Storm do the work. If he starts to capsize, you need to eject from the saddle as fast as you can and stay clear of—”
“I should’ve waited for help. I wasn’t thinking. God, I’m so sorry.” Ember leaned forward, reaching for his hand, hot tears striking her cheeks sliding down her chin.
Nash tangled her gloved fingers in his, taking her mouth in another heart melting kiss. Her hands came to his face, stroking and caressing, never wanting to let go.
“I love you, Ember Thompson.” He pulled back, brushing his nose to her cheek. “And when we get to the other side of this fucking river, we’re gonna talk about the future. Our future. And it’s got nothing to do with oil or cattle.”
As the words of promise left his mouth, Nash hollered yah and swatted Storm on the rear, driving them into the raging river.
Water rose to the apex of her thighs, stealing her breath, as the current moved them downriver. Ember slumped forward, keeping low to the animal, adjusting to the buoyancy of the horse. She held on for dear life as Storm powered forward, propelling through the turbid river.
No amount of controlled breathing could help her situation. Ember tried to remain calm, but adrenaline pushed through her veins like a jackhammer. Every muscle pulled taut as she attempted to mentally will them across.
Reaching the clearing, Storm powered out of the water, muscles flexed and strained. Ember turned back to see Nash spur his horse into the raging water.
Something was wrong. The water was too high on Whiskey’s back. They were completely submerged.
Ember screamed between cupped hands, “The calf! Let her go!”
With the added weight, the river was too strong for Whiskey. The current, mighty and merciless, started to sweep them downstream.
“Shit! No, no no.”
Ember paced Storm in a figure eight, keeping her eye pinned on Nash. Daisy and Nash started to float free from the horse.
Pressing her feet into the stirrups, she lifted her seat from the saddle and commanded, “Hup!”
Storm launched forward into a run. Emerging from the brush and trees, the horse flew into a gallop toward the next opening downstream. Searching the torrents, she barely made out the trio tangled in a large group of trees upstream inundated by the flood.
Large, mangled branches and an old tractor tire broke free of the hang-up, and drifted downstream in the dark, roiling water. Each sharp breath burned her lungs on intake, as she waited. Whiskey popped out of the mangled mess first, followed by Daisy. Nash floated out from the mash up of trees, facedown. The current carried him so fast, she couldn’t get to him even if she had the capability.
Adrenaline took control. With a squeeze of her legs, Storm bolted into a gallop. Driving wind and rain slashed at her cheeks. Landscape screamed by in a blur of tears. Hat lost to the elements, Ember’s long braid bounced against her spine.
“Come on! Hup!” Ember loosened her hold on the reins, giving the horse his head. Storm reacted to her cues, flying faster than they’d ever ridden together.
Reaching a point at the end of the clearing beyond the bend, Ember’s feet hit the ground before the horse came to a stop. Seconds felt like hours. Her hands shook so violently, she could barely clasp hold of her lasso.
“Give me that.” The harsh order boomed over her shoulder. Travis snatched the rope from her hands. “How many we got in the drink?”
Ember broke. Shoulders wracking with each sob, her face twisted, tears pouring from her lashes.
“It’s…it’s Nash! I was trying to save Daisy, and Nash…he’s in the river…facedown.”
Every emotion Travis owned slid from his masculine features to the muddy ground. The sunbaked skin on his face turned ashen grey.