Free Caught in the Crosshair by Barb Han

that said in the bigger sense frustrated him to hell and back, but worked to his advantage for now so he wouldn’t complain.
    He got close enough to make out a saddle on the horse’s back. There were other horses too. Must’ve been abandoned when the storm intensified. Their bowed backs meant they were old rentals. Trail horses on the island were ridden pretty hard, not coming near the standard of care animals received in the States. They wouldn’t scare easily.
    Still, they were loose. This would require caution. He located a shed where he found saddles and tack.
    Jaden slowed his pace as the horse’s nostrils flared. Meant he was spooked.
    Glancing around, Jaden scouted for a distraction. But what could he use? Grass should work. He palmed a handful and inched closer.
    “Here you go. You hungry?” He used as calm a voice as he could, considering he practically had to shout to cut through the howling wind.
    The horse didn’t shy away, allowing Jaden to inch closer. That was good.
    Moving steadily, Jaden focused on making deliberate actions. He lowered his hand, careful not to lift it too high and give the impression he was a threat.
    The knotted ropes hung freely on the ground. When they were inches from Jaden’s hand the horse snorted, and then took a couple steps backward.
    Stay calm
. Jaden inched forward again. “Good boy.”
    The sorrel horse reared its head and turned up its ears, keeping a close eye on Jaden’s hand. He took another step, his hand so close it could touch the ropes. The horse bobbed its head before lowering it enough to nibble at the feed.
    Jaden brought his other hand around and patted its neck. A crack slammed his right shoulder. Something that felt the size of a softball had nailed him. Blinding pain followed. Not wanting the horses to scatter, he swallowed the urge to unleash a torrent of curse words. He glanced down at what had hit him. Coconut. If it had fallen a little bit farther left, he’d be dead.
    Death wasn’t an option with his asset on the beach, vulnerable.
    Jaden edged around the horse while patting its neck.
    “Easy.”
    Moving his hands slowly and steadily, he saddled and bridled the horse. Mounting him, Jaden patted his sloping back. He eased onto the worn saddle that fit like aged leather shoes. Allowing plenty of slack in the reins, he kicked stirrups out of the way and wrapped his feet around the horse’s underbelly before giving a slight squeeze. The horse responded, breaking into a trot.
    A metal garbage can spun around in front of him, turned, and flew past, not more than a foot from his head. He ducked other flying debris as a two-by-four slammed into a nearby tree. The horse spooked.
    “Whoa, boy.”
    That Jaden desperately needed to get back to Lauren sat heavy in his thoughts. A little voice in his head said she was more to him than an asset … so much more. He dismissed the thought. He was cursed. Everyone Jaden cared about in his personal life died. This was work. She was his mission. He’d promised to help her. He would find a way to uphold his vow.
    But how far had he gone down the road? How long could she hold on? Would she still be breathing when he found her again?
    Damn.
    Everything to the left of the road looked exactly the same.
    The image of her curled up, helpless, locked in his mind, causing his spirit to rally. He focused, venturing a guess and leaning the reins toward the left-hand side of the road while shifting his weight. The horse cut left at a sign for Daybreak Beach.
    Once on the sand, he slowed the horse to a walk and scanned the shoreline. Visibility was low. Sand was everywhere — in his eyes, hair, inside his mouth.
    “Lauren.” The word bounced back in his face.
    The wind was thick. His throat cracked from desert-like dryness. His lips blistered.
    He swung his right leg behind him and slid down the side of the horse. Wrapping the reins around his wrist, he nearly dragged the hefty animal toward the water.
    Then, he spotted a