Noah’s Journey(23)

And just like that, Stella and I became friends. With each step she took, I grew a little less frantic and was comforted by her slow, gentle movements.

I trailed behind Amber and Ryan, with Bailey and Jackson only a few feet behind me. Olivia had taken off like a bullet the minute we exited the barn. She’d been riding since she was barely able to walk, and she knew what she was doing. Seeing her disappear into the open land before us made me smile. She was so free-spirited and determined. The older she got, the more vibrant she became, and one day she was gonna be a heartbreaker. Stunning would be one word you could use to describe her.

As the five of us trotted along, taking in the scenery, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad.

I had intended to spend the day with Noah, but he was still missing. And I felt completely out of place.



***



“I’ll race ya,” Olivia called out as she raced off toward the barn. She knew there was no way I would attempt to trail after her. I valued my life entirely too much. Jackson and Bailey had disappeared over an hour ago, and none of us were brave enough to go looking for them. There are truly some things in life you’re better off not witnessing.

Amber and Ryan had gone into the stable about fifteen minutes ago as I trailed behind at a comfortable pace. Olivia had stuck around and shown me a few places she loved to sneak off to when she needed a little break from her overprotective father and uncles. “A place to breathe without them hovering,” as she put it.

Once I reached the stable, Ryan was waiting to offer his hand as I timidly crawled from Stella’s back. When I turned to face them, he and Amber were looking at me with unreadable expressions.

“What?” I asked, looking back over my shoulder. “Did I truly look that pathetic?”

Amber stepped forward. “Noah’s here,” she whispered. I wondered why she said it as if she thought his being here was a bad thing. I had waited all morning for him to show. “He didn’t just bring Austin.”

“Excuse me?” I asked as I peeked over her shoulder, trying to figure out what in the hell she was talking about. But from the position we were in, the house was not in my direct view.

“Stacey and her parents came too,” Ryan said, confirming my worst fears.

My chest tightened with jealously. Unable to speak, I just nodded.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m sure there’s a rational explanation.”

Again I could only nod as my mind raced with ideas of making an undetected escape. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

A deep chuckle broke through the fog of my shock, and I looked up just in time to see Noah entering the barn carrying Austin on his shoulders. Close behind him was an older man with graying hair. The moment Noah saw me standing on the other side of Amber, his smile faltered. “Hey.” He stepped forward, suddenly forgetting he had company. “How was your ride?”

“Scary,” I said without thinking, and he chuckled.

I reached up and lifted Austin from his shoulders as Noah crouched low for me, then Noah took him into his arms. “Austin, this pretty lady here is a very special friend of mine,” he began as he closed the distance between us. “Alena, this is my son, Austin.”

Happy at finally being allowed a proper introduction, I almost forgot his ex-fiancée was only just outside.

“Hi, Austin, it’s nice to meet you.” I reached out to him, and he placed his tiny hand in mine. I gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure you’re ready to show your grandpa your favorite horse.”

“Yes,” he said in the sweetest, tiniest little voice I had ever heard. My current foul mood wasn’t immune to his little-boy charm.

I smiled, pulling my hand back and stepping to the side. “I think Storm’s been waiting for you,” I told him, and he whipped his head around, looking toward the stall that held his favorite horse.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yep,” I assured him.

Noah lowered him to the ground, because at this point Austin was twisting around trying to get down on his own. Once his two little feet hit the dirt, he began pulling Noah toward the stall.

“Don’t let me hold you up.” I held my hands up and watched as Austin tugged Noah toward the opposite end of the barn with his grandpa following closely behind.

Once they were out of sight, I turned and began walking toward the house. My stomach dropped the second Stacey came into view. She stood just to the side of the steps that led to the back entrance of the house. The same woman from the store stood at her side.

Tammy looked unsettled as I approached. “Alena, how was your ride?”

“It was interesting.” I smiled. “I just need to grab my keys from the counter. I forgot I had a delivery coming this afternoon, and I need to get back to the store before I miss it.” I felt horrible lying to her, but I think she knew it was just an excuse, because the smile she returned was forced.