Free Twins for the Bull Rider by April Arrington Page B

barn,” she stressed, pushing around him and dropping the shovel with a clatter. “I told them to stay put.”
    She scanned the entrance. No sign of them. Spinning, she darted back to the other end of the stalls, poking her head over the tops of each as she passed.
    â€œBoys?” She hated the anxious tremble in her voice but she couldn’t tamp down her worry.
    â€œRelax, Cissy.” Dominic caught her elbow, slowing her steps. “They’re probably just out roaming around. Boys do that from time to time.”
    â€œI know that,” she snapped. “That’s the problem. There’s no telling what they’re up to.”
    â€œThey’re probably just out at the paddock helping Logan. It’s time for the last trail ride to come in.”
    â€œNo, they know they’re not supposed to bother any of you when you’re working.”
    Her mind raced to settle on the greatest likelihood of where they would go. Back to the main house? No. Ever since they’d arrived at the ranch the boys had wanted to stay outdoors.
    Think, Cissy, think . What had Kayden been harping on lately? He hated work. Nothing new there. He wanted to tag along with Dominic. Well, Dominic was standing right in front of her and he wasn’t with him.
    She bit her lip. What had he asked about earlier? Paddleboats. But those always got anchored by six, and it was almost eight o’clock now. Surely they wouldn’t try taking one of those out? There’d be no way they could get anywhere since the boats would be tied down.
    Her blood rushed, pounding through her veins in frantic bursts. There’d also be no one there to make sure they didn’t attempt it. Or fall into the water trying...
    â€œKayden mentioned something about paddleboats earlier.” The words broke past the lump in her throat.
    Dominic’s brow furrowed. His mouth opened but no sound emerged, a worried glint in his eyes.
    That was enough to warrant her fears. She jerked out of his grasp and flew from the barn, her jeans pocket snagging on the handle of the wheelbarrow and tipping it over in the process.
    â€œCissy, wait.”
    Ignoring Dominic’s call, she tore across the field back toward the paddleboat dock. It was fast approaching dark, making it difficult to discern more than just the outline of the boats in the distance.
    Please let them be all right . Please .
    â€œKayden?” Cissy struggled to shout. Her chest burned. She panted and pushed forward, ignoring the shooting pains in her thighs. “Jayden?”
    â€œAunt Cissy!” Jayden’s frightened voice drifted on the air whipping by her ears.
    She reached the dock, her shoes pounding across the wood slats. Two yellow-and-white paddleboats were tied down on the right side of the dock. Her eyes fluttered shut as she sighed. They were still anchored.
    She rushed to the other side of the dock, shoulders lowering at the sight of another anchored paddleboat. Then she saw a loose rope rising and falling with the swell of the water. Panic surged through her again.
    Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shouted, “Jayden?”
    â€œOver here.” It was a breathless gasp.
    Cissy ran around the dock house to the edge of the platform and peered across the pond.
    Jayden’s head bobbed above the water several feet out, his arms waving above him. “Kayden fell. Hurry.”
    She choked on a panicked sob and scanned the area around the paddleboat. Swift splashes broke out against the surface of the water. Kayden’s drenched head appeared for a moment before it sank beneath the surface again.
    Cissy plunged headfirst into the pond. She stabbed through the murky depths with her arms and legs, ignoring the sting of the water that splashed into her eyes. She couldn’t afford to lose sight of them.
    She reached Jayden first, gripping his arm tight and tugging him to the paddleboat bobbing nearby. A painful heave and he tumbled