Page 64 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

Dane

Time itself slows around me as I watch my babygirl go flailing backward straight over a cliff. My breath tangles in my chest as terror grips me, and for what seems like an eternity all I can do is stare at the spot where she used to be standing only a moment ago.

Then her scream rips through the air, snapping me out of my horrified trance. “Vanessa!”

I race forward, skidding to the stop of what I realize now isn’t a cliff but rather a very steep hill. Halfway down, my babygirl lies completely motionless and I have to choke back a sob as I pick my way down the hill. Every instinct in my body is urging me to hurry, to run, but I know that if I fall it could be hours before anyone finds us.

And I don’t know if she has hours.

So I force myself to take it slow, to make my way carefully down the steep grade to where Nessie is sprawled, unconscious, blood matting her beautiful hair.

Please don’t be dead.

No sooner does the plea echo through my mind than she stirs, groaning loudly as she lifts a trembling hand to her head.

“Don’t move, baby. Daddy’s right here.”

Her eyelids flutter open, revealing dazed emerald eyes. “D-Daddy?”

That might just be the sweetest fucking sound I’ve ever heard. “Yeah, little fox. Daddy’s here. Give me a minute to look you over and then we’ll figure out how to get you the fuck up this hill.”

Looking down at the phone I’ve somehow managed to cling to during this entire ordeal, I hit the button to call Ford, relief flooding my veins when his face fills the screen.

“Tell me you found her.”

“I did. But she’s hurt. She fell and I think she hit her head. There’s… there’s a lot of blood, Ford.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.” In direct contrast to my own trembling voice, my brother’s is calm, certain. “Head wounds bleed a fuckton. I’m going to walk you through checking her for any broken bones or a neck injury. All you have to do is stay calm and do exactly as I say.”

“All right.” Drawing on my brother’s strength, I drag in a deep breath. “Okay, what do I do?”

“Is she conscious?”

“Yeah, she’s talking to me.”

“All right. Hold her head still and I’m going to ask her some questions.”

“Okay. Okay.” Shoving down the panic trying to rise in my chest again, I set the phone on her chest and cradle her head between my hands with as much gentleness as I can while holding her still. “All right, baby. Uncle Ford has some questions for you. Just answer him the best you can, okay?”

“Okay, D-Daddy.”

“Hey, sweetheart.” Ford’s tone is low and soothing, but still loud enough to be heard clearly. “I heard you had a bit of a tumble.”

“I did. It hurts, Uncle Ford.”

My heart shatters at that single, pitiful statement.

“I know, honey. Can you tell me your name?”

“V-Vanessa. Vanessa Dawn, but our family calls me Nessie.”

“That’s right. You’re doing such a good job for me, sweetheart. Can you tell me where you are right now?”

“In the woods. With Daddy. Wanna go home.”

Giving into the need to comfort my sweet babygirl, I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “We can go home in just a minute, baby. But you have to answer all of Uncle Ford’s questions first, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.”