deliver her baby? You made sure her children were taken care of and that Deacon had a chance to play grandpa. You’ve done more than most already. In California, we appreciate that kind of dedication and compassion, too. But you don’t have to personally handle every problem on the planet. Now let go of the rope and go back to the house.”
“But Lily still needs—”
“Go back to the house.”
“What about my ranch?”
“Jolene.”
Nate squared off and held on until she conceded this tug-of-war that was more about stubborn wills than physical strength. Lightning charged the air outside and flashed through the cracks around the barn’s doors and windows. An answering smack of thunder rattled the clapboard walls and Sonny danced between the two of them.
On the rumbling drumbeat that followed, Jolene released her grip on the rope. She could damn him with those big blue eyes all she wanted. He’d already surrendered to the inevitable.
Jolene Kannon-Angel had that effect on him—made him do crazy things. Made him want things he shouldn’t.
When she turned away to unsaddle Sonny, he went to work. Searching the next few stalls, Nate found Deacon’s horse, Buck. He passed another sorrel, then paused to scratch the inquisitive nose of a tall, muscular bay named Checker. He stroked the dark, red-brown hair along the quarter horse’s neck and flicked his fingers through the black mane. The big gelding would suit his purpose just fine.
“You’ll do,” he whispered. “Won’t be easy, though.” The horse bobbed his head, as if agreeing to the un-spoken challenge.
“I really should check the Double J.” He heard Jolene moving behind him. “Joaquin left it to me so his son would always have a home. It’s my responsibility to take care of it.”
Nate found a blanket and saddle for the bay and let her talk while he worked. He’d lasso her and haul her into the house over his shoulder if she wouldn’t listen to reason. “There’s still that pesky hurricane, remember? Would your husband want you to risk your life or your son’s?”
“Then I have to get there before the hurricane does.”
“No, you don’t.” Nate slipped the reins between his fingers and swung up into the saddle. He tested the limited flexibility of his knee, but already felt some relief just taking his weight off the joint. With a click of his tongue and a gentle nudge, he turned the bay toward the doors and tipped the bill of his cap to Jolene. “I’ll go.”
That tempting mouth dropped open and she eyed him as if he’d just sprouted wings. “You know how to ride a horse?”
“Looks that way. If I’m not back here before Damon hits, don’t come looking for me until it blows over. Understand?”
“But, how…?”
Nate almost grinned at her incredulity. She’d thought he was a fish out of water. She was the only thing he didn’t know how to handle here. “I grew up on a ranch. Competed in the rodeo until a bull busted up my knee in the ring. By the way, for your information, I know a helluva lot more about riding than I do about surfing.” When he reached the door, he leaned down and pushed it open. Horizontal rain instantly pelted him like hundreds of cold slaps in the face. “Hell.”
Checker shied beneath him, but Nate tightened his grip and reminded the horse who was boss. The next chapter in this crazy adventure was about to begin. “You’re northeast of here a couple of miles, right?”
“More like three.” Too late, he realized Jolene had been repacking her gear instead of putting Sonny back in his stall. Once she remounted, she spurred her horse and bolted past him into the storm. “We’re a team today, right?”
“Damn it, Jolene!” Nate called out to her. “The whole idea is for you to stay put, stay safe and stay out of trouble.” But the wind swept away his words.
Or so he thought.
Jolene had already circled beyond the paddock. She glanced over her shoulder and taunted him as she became little more than a blur of red and gold amidst the camouflaging gusts of wind and rain. “You can’t make me if you can’t catch me!”
“Oh, I’ll catch you,” Nate muttered beneath his breath.
He’d made a promise to her father. And to himself.
He paused just long enough to latch the barn behind him before digging his heels into the bay’s sides. Adrenaline screamed in his veins, matching the force of the elements beating down around him—matching the lead-with-her-heart will of one crazy,