Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) Read online

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Epilogue

  Discussion Questions

  Books by Rachel Skatvold

  Escaping

  Reality

  HART RANCH ~ BOOK ONE

  Rachel Skatvold

  Escaping Reality

  Copyright © 2016 Rachel Skatvold

  (For Print) ISBN-13: 978-1530607822 ISBN-10: 1530607825

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. Published by Rachel Skatvold.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations or events is coincidental.

  For more information on Rachel Skatvold, please visit her website: www.rachelskatvold.com

  In Memory of Papa

  ~ ~ ~

  Thank you for teaching me the importance of faith, family, laughter and enjoying the simple things in life.

  Acknowledgements

  ~ ~ ~

  There are several people I would like to thank for helping make this new book possible. First of all, thank you to my family and friends.

  To my amazing husband and sons, thank you for putting up with my constant daydreaming and listening to my stories. Your support during this journey has been amazing. Also, thank you to my beta readers. Your feedback and encouragement are a blessing.

  A special thanks to my sister Jenny for taking my author photo. Also thanks to my wonderful mother and sister, Becky for all your hard work editing and proofreading.

  Most of all, thanks to Jesus who is always my fortress and hope during the calm and the storm.

  Chapter one

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison Lewis tapped her GPS screen with one perfectly manicured finger. “Take me to Canyon Lake Resort.”

  “Unrecognized location,” the computerized voice responded.

  Addison raked her fingers through her freshly-dyed blond hair. Then she tried again, speaking slower this time. “Canyon Lake.”

  “Re-calculating.”

  Addison growled and continued up a steep gravel incline, white-knuckling the steering wheel of her compact rental car.

  How had she gotten herself into this mess? She only wanted a vacation away from her hectic lifestyle. Was that too much to ask?

  The gravel road twisted at the crest of the hill and then plunged downward again. Decline grade warning signs appeared as she gingerly pumped the breaks. Would they hold out on these steep mountain roads? The thought of careening down the mountain side with no brakes sent tingles down her spine.

  “Make a legal u-turn,” the computerized voice boomed, making her jump.

  Just then, the front tire struck a large jagged rock. Addison jerked the wheel a few seconds too late.

  The car fishtailed.

  Time slowed and Addison’s own piercing scream deafened her. She clamped her eyes shut, fearing the sound of crunching metal. But it never came. Instead the car lurched to a stop and Addison peeked with one eye. She’d made it to the bottom of the hill, her car coming to rest in a large mud puddle.

  Her hands trembled as she gripped the wheel again. Close call, but she still had to get out of here. Addison pushed on the gas pedal but the wheels just spun and squealed.

  “Head north for eight miles on unnamed road. Then make a right…” the GPS announced.

  “You’ve helped me enough,” Addison shouted and jammed the button on the side of the screen to shut the GPS off.

  She groaned, put her car in a lower gear and punched the gas until smoke billowed from under the hood. Finally Addison realized she was fighting a losing battle and turned the car off.

  She checked her phone. No service. That left only one choice. She’d have to go find help.

  She gathered her purse and opened the door. The moment she stepped out her designer heels sunk deep into the mud, cementing her to the ground. She stumbled forward to steady herself but clipped off one heel in the process.

  Her torso plunged headlong into the mud.

  Addison sputtered and crawled out, attempting to salvage her new purse. Then she hobbled on her broken shoe and took in the scenery. “Lost in the Montana wilderness. You’ve really messed up this time, Addison.”

  She imagined what the tabloids would say about her in a few weeks. Addison Lewis, the famous heiress and reality star was found in the wilderness. The cause of death is assumed to be dehydration. Addison chuckled to herself and added sarcastically, “No foul play suspected. Only stupidity.”

  Thunder rumbled in the distance, making her jump. Addison pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head and squinted at a sign in the distance. The words were too far away to make out but it gave her hope that some type of civilization existed close by.

  She popped the trunk, freed her rolling suitcase and dragged it to the sign.

  Farley Ridge, 15 miles.

  “Fifteen miles?” Addison looked down at her ruined shoes and sighed. How in the world would she walk fifteen miles in one and a half high heels?

  “You look lost,” a deep voice said from behind.

  She whipped around and sucked in a ragged breath. A scruffy looking cowboy on horseback waited on the road a few yards away. Her hands shook as she backed up. “Wh-where did you come from?” she stammered as scenarios of being abducted raced through her thoughts.

  A wide grin spread across the man’s rugged features and he put up his hands in a nonthreatening manner. “Just relax, Ma’am. I mean you no harm.” He motioned behind him. “I came across a red car back there and I just wanted to make sure everything was all right.”

  “I assure you, I’m fine,” Addison interrupted, annoyed by the man’s amused look. Her cheeks blushed for a moment, noticing how his sky blue eyes twinkled at her. Was there a handsome face under all that stubble?

  Thunder in the distance jarred her back to reality. “I need to contact my family in LA so they can help me out of this mess. Can you tell me where the nearest phone is?”

  The man scratched his chin. “Well, that would be Hart Ranch, I suppose. It’s about three or four miles away.”

  Addison frowned as it started to
sprinkle. “That’s the closest? There are no gas stations or convenience stores around here?”

  “Not for at least fifteen or twenty miles. No worries though. You’ve actually been on the Hart Family’s land for several miles now. They’re nice people and I can take you to the ranch.”

  Addison stared the stranger up and down, from his worn cowboy boots to his frayed leather jacket. Could she trust him? No. She wasn’t taking any chances. “Thanks, but I’ll manage just fine on my own.” Addison turned away from him and started walking.

  Horse hooves crunched the gravel behind her. “Not on those sorry excuses for shoes, you won’t. Besides, the road…”

  “These aren’t just any shoes,” Addison grumbled. “They’re designers from Paris.” She paused, looking down at her mud-caked feet. “Or at least they used to be.” Addison raised her chin proudly in a vain attempt to regain some of her dignity and resumed hobbling along. “I’ve walked much more than three miles in heels before.”

  The man chuckled and continued to follow. “All right, have it your way.”

  Addison dragged her suitcase through the gravel and tried to ignore him. Couldn’t he just disappear back into the woods where he came from? No such luck. The clopping of hooves from behind sent irritation radiating through her.

  She whipped around and raised her eyebrows at the stranger. “Why are you still following me?”

  The man shrugged. “I’m headed to the ranch too. They’ve got some nice cabins for guests to stay in…or so I’m told.” He paused and patted his horse. “Mind if ole Maddy and I travel with you?”

  Addison wiped some rain drops off her forehead and rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself.” She quickened her pace, making her gait even more awkward and painful, but she didn’t care. The sooner they made it to the ranch the better.

  She made it around a bend in the road and stopped in her tracks. The road ahead had vanished under a torrent of rushing water.

  “The road’s washed out,” the man said from behind. “That’s what I was trying to tell you earlier. It’s been the wettest August on record for about twenty years.”

  As if on cue, the rain let loose, soaking her to the bone. Addison stood mouth agape but neglected to face him. “So how are we going to get across?”

  “Horseback is the quickest way at the moment. The creek is shallower upstream and we can cross without a problem.” He paused. “That is if you’ll let me help.”

  She turned slowly and her eyes narrowed at the stranger, realizing what he was suggesting. “You want me to ride with you…on that animal?”

  He frowned. “Hey, be nice. Maddy might take offense.”

  Addison sputtered a laugh in spite of the awkward situation and considered her options. If this man wanted to hurt her he probably would have done it already.

  Thunder rumbled louder and the man’s eyes turned serious. “Ma’am, I’m not trying to rush you but this storm means business. We don’t want to get stuck out here when it lets loose.”

  She nodded. “Okay, well since I have no choice…but what about my suitcase?”

  “I’ll have to come back for it.” He hopped down off the horse, pulled a tarp out of the saddle bag and handed it to her. “This should keep it fairly dry for the time being.”

  Addison covered her bag on the ground and craned her neck to look up at the stranger.

  Water poured off the brim of his cowboy hat and dripped down his beard as he met her gaze. His blue eyes were kind but held an intensity that sent chills up her spine. “Since we’re going to be riding together, may I ask your name?”

  Addison hesitated, a little surprised he hadn’t recognized her right off the bat. Most people did. Maybe changing her hair color had done the trick.

  Addison bit her lip and made a quick decision. The less he knew about her the better “Addie. People just call me Addie.” She managed a weak smile as rain streaked down her face.

  “Pleased to meet you, Addie,” The man said and helped her scramble onto his horse. When she was stable on the animal’s back he tipped his hat forward and grinned. “My name’s Logan…Logan Hart.”

  Chapter TWO

  ~ ~ ~

  Logan grabbed the reigns and paused while his horse side-stepped. Holding two people threw Maddy for a loop even though Addie didn’t weigh much at all.

  He patted his mare on the side of her head. “It’s all right ole girl. Take us home. You know the way.”

  She snorted and began trudging up the muddy hill.

  Addie balanced behind him but seemed reluctant to hold on. “Home? I knew it. You live at the ranch don’t you? Hart Ranch, just like your last name.”

  Logan just grinned and concentrated on the trail through the rain. Thankfully the thunder had slowed. It was just a bad rainstorm, nothing like the storm the night before. “Yeah, you got me. My parents own the ranch. The land has been in our family for generations.”

  Addie shivered behind him. “So, do you want to run it someday too?”

  He avoided her question and pushed the horse a little harder. “You better hold on. The trail’s pretty steep. Don’t want you falling off.”

  She puffed air. “Well you’d like that wouldn’t you?”

  He scoffed at her sarcasm and shot back a quick retort. “What, you holding onto me or you falling off the horse?”

  Just then Maddy lost her footing in the mud and slid a little.

  Addie let out an adorable squeal and wrapped her arms around his stomach. “Okay, you win.”

  He steadied the horse and his own pounding heart before they started moving again. Having a woman with him felt strange. Logan chose a life of solitude for a reason. Now Addie’s closeness created emotions he didn’t expect. He cleared his thoughts and concentrated on the steady rain that pounded them. It was constant—calming.

  Addie shivered again. “How much longer? I’m freezing back here.”

  “I’m guessing about ten minutes after we reach the crossing.”

  She groaned behind him. “I’ve always wondered why people enjoy horseback riding. I’m going to smell like wet animal for a month after this.”

  Logan gritted his teeth. That was the second time she’d insulted his mare. “Well, I’ve always wondered why women wear high heels. Total waste of money in my opinion. That reminds me, what makes a pampered rich girl come all the way out here to the wilderness?”

  “I am not pampered,” she huffed. “And I got lost if you must know. My GPS went haywire.”

  He let out a forced chuckle. “Well, that figures. Technology is turning all of our brains to mush. No one even knows how to use a real map anymore.”

  Addie was quiet after that but he guessed by her stiff demeanor that she was stewing in silence. Finally they crossed at a shallow point in the creek and reached a fork in the path. The rain had slowed to a light sprinkle so he chose the steeper but quickest path to the valley. “It’s going to be a little rough because of all the mud,” he warned.

  “Rough? I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “Oh, you’ll be fine.” Logan urged the horse down the rough terrain as carefully as possible. Addie squeezed him so hard he had trouble breathing. At one point she even rested her head against his back. He guessed she was hiding her eyes.

  “Are we there yet?” she squeaked out, voice muffled from his jacket.

  “Almost. Hold on,” he said through clenched teeth, seeing the steep muddy decent that awaited them. This point would be the toughest. Maddy whinnied and sidestepped on the muddy hill. Then her hooves started sliding.

  Addie screamed, lost grip and began slipping off the horse.

  “Hold on,” he shouted.

  At last, the horse regained her footing and they made it to even ground.

  Addie righted herself and scoffed. “What was that? Are you trying to kill me?”

  “Honestly, I’m trying not to kill all of us. A little gratitude for helping you would be nice,” he snapped.

  She didn’t say another wor
d as they approached his family’s ranch. Logan wanted nothing more than to be rid of the spoiled rich girl’s complaining. When they reached the ranch store he dismounted and motioned toward the door. “The phone is just inside.” He swallowed his pride and reached for Addie’s hand to help her down.

  She lifted her nose in the air and ignored his kind gesture. “I can manage.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  Addie swung her leg over and attempted to hop down in one graceful motion. Instead, her remaining heel caught in the stirrup for a second and then released. She tumbled into the mud face first.

  Logan grabbed Addie’s arm and helped her stand, but couldn’t suppress the chuckle that escaped his mouth. Almost her entire front half was caked in mud. “Well that’s one way to dismount a horse. Here let me help you get inside.”

  She sputtered and jerked her arm away. “You’ve helped enough.” With that said, she turned and stomped up the stairs leading to the store.

  Logan shook his head and led his horse to the barn. “Don’t worry ole Maddy girl. Tonight’s events prove one thing. I’ve still only got room for one special lady in my heart. We both know who that is, right?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison wiped the last remnant of mud from her face and grimaced at her reflection in the mirror. Her wet hair hung limp over one shoulder and her new wardrobe would make any person with fashion sense run away screaming. In LA she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a cheesy souvenir t-shirt and boot cut jeans with rhinestones on the pockets. However, she was grateful that the small store had some clothes in her size.

  When she exited the tiny bathroom and made her way to the front desk a young brunette woman in overalls smiled at her from behind the counter. “Well you look better.”

  Addison smiled back. “Thanks. I feel better too. Dry clothes can do wonders for a person.” She leaned against the counter. “Is there a phone I can use? I need to call a tow truck.”