Page 9 of His to Touch
RYLAND
“There’s never a dull moment, swear to Christ.” I’m sitting on top of my horse, Ace. We’ve been riding the fence line after we moved the cows out of this pasture. The last thing we need is to have a break in the line for our neighbors’ animals to trample through. We’ve had our own prized bull do similar to the Ellison Ranch. Luckily, he wasn’t too pissed. Still, we had to pay a hefty fee. That doesn’t seem to be the problem today.
The smoke billows up along the ridge. There are no other buildings up there except for the cabin. I whip my phone out and shoot off a text to the family group chat.
Me: Heading to the cabin. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Can someone dispatch the sheriff?
I glance down at my phone before I spur Ace into action. There’s a well out there with a hose, but if it’s too bad, we’ll lose the whole damn place before the fire trucks can make it out here.
Lawson: 10-4. Call if you need us to ride up.
I pocket my phone, click my tongue, and tap Ace in his flanks. Luckily, we’re not too far away from the log cabin. It’s not a lot,but it’s where our parents go once a month to get away. The rest of us use it when we need to take a breather. Lawson and Juniper will do what Mom and Dad do when time allows. Still, it’s part of the original family homestead. No one wants to see it burnt to a crisp.
I’m heading uphill at a fast pace. The cabin is just over the horizon. A small creek runs down the back of it, and I’m already running through the mental process of how I’m going to get whatever this fire consists of under control.
“Come on, Ace,” I mutter to my boy. We’re going as fast as we possibly can and still, it’s not near enough. My phone buzzes in my pocket. The vibrating is non-stop, meaning the family group chat is going off, but I can’t stop to check what they have to say. I will after I assess the situation. Wouldn’t be surprised if the whole family shows up shortly after I arrive. We take the trail leading us through the trees deep in the thick of our land. There’s nothing out here. The cabin has the bare necessities, like power and water, but nothing creature comfort wise. Dad and Lawson just now set up the place to have cell service. Lane and Birdie will come out here every once in a while. She’ll work on her design business, something that’s hard to do without Wi-Fi.
The smoke is steady; it’s not building, and it’s not thick. I’m beginning to think maybe one of my family members came out here last night and forgot to put out a fire from the chimney or in the small outdoor fire pit. The knot sitting low in my gut tightens when I see the flashing lights of red and blue. How the fuck did the sheriff beat me to my own goddamn place? Someone else must have called it in. Either that or he was close to the area and saw the same thing I did.
“Whoa, Ace, whoa.” I bring us to a standstill, patting him on the neck. Sucks I’m not going to have time to cool him down. Usually, I’d do exactly that regardless of the time, but sincesomething is burning, I won’t be able to. I pull my phone out, and sure enough, I’ve got more texts.
Mom: Oh no, be safe. Keep us posted.
Dad: Goddamn it, who was there last?
Lawson: Sheriff is already on his way.
JW: We weren’t.
Trey: Not us. Been too damn busy with all the animals. Maybe we’ll use it here soon as long as everything is okay.
Dean: Can’t get Tully away from work long enough. Wasn’t us, but I like Trey’s idea.
Lane: Birdie and I were out there.
My stomach drops, and I keep reading through.
Dad: Son of a bitch.
Mom: A building can be replaced, Russell Johnson. Don’t get your panties in a wad.
Lane: Two weeks ago. We were out there two weeks ago. Stupid phone didn’t let me hit the send button.
Lawson: Jesus, this is freaking wild. I’m on my way.
Mom: We are too, aren’t we, Russell?
Lane: Already on the side-by-side with Dean.
JW: In the truck with Trey.
Me: Heading to the sheriff now. I’d keep you posted, but you’ll be here soon enough to see for yourself.
I close the app, click the side of the phone to lock it, and put it back in my pocket. I’m sure it’ll go off another hundred times. Sheriff Liam is walking my way, and I need to give him my full attention. I tie Ace’s reins to the post near the trees, which gives our horses a shady spot.
“Ryland.” Liam tips his hat at me as he walks toward me.
“Sheriff, not sure what’s going on. Saw the smoke and headed out here,” I say, meeting him halfway. My eyes zero in on the house. Everything looks to be good, and when I move my gaze downward, that’s when I see the smoke. It’s slowly dying down, and all I want to say is thank fuck for small favors.