Page 65 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

“You’re being so brave,” Ford praises, and my babygirl’s lips curl up in a tremulous smile. “Just a few more questions.”

He asks her what feels like far too many questions before getting to the rest of the assessment. With my heart hammering against my ribcage, I follow his instructions to check for a neck injury, followed by any broken bones. My baby passes every test with flying colors, and I nearly weep with relief when Ford gives me the okay to move her.

“Eli already called for an ambulance,” he assures me as I carefully lift her into my arms. “They should be here by the time you get back. It’s probably a bit of an overreaction, but we’d rather be safe than sorry. Especially where our Little ones are concerned.”

I’ve never been more grateful for my family than I am in this very moment. “Thanks, Ford. We’re on our way.”

“See you soon. Be careful.”

With that, I end the call, carefully juggling my precious cargo to tuck it back into my pocket.

“All right, little fox. Let’s get you home.”

CHAPTER 28

VANESSA

The next few hours are a blur of doctors and nurses and machines and what feels like endless poking and prodding. And through it all, Daddy holds me, tells me what a good, brave girl I am, and just generally keeps me sane as we wait to be discharged.

“Daddy, I wanna go home,” I whine for what feels like the millionth time since we got in the back of the ambulance. At this point, I don’t even care who can hear me, I just want to go.

And just like the other million times, Daddy presses a soft kiss to my hair. “I know, baby. Hopefully soon.”

“The doctor already said I was fine! Why do we have to wait?”

“Paperwork,” he says with a bitter tone that actually makes me giggle. “We’re wrapped up in red tape, little fox, with no one to help cut us free.”

“Well, go find us some scissors, then.”

Behind me, he sighs and presses another kiss to my head. “All right. Let me see if I can find someone.”

Just as he’s slipping out of the very uncomfortable bed I’ve been placed in, the curtain separating us from the rest of the emergency room is pulled back, revealing a stern-looking sheriff. Her dark hair is pulled back from her face in a tight ponytail and her pale eyes are flat. Cop’s eyes, I’ve heard them called in books, though I’ve never really known what that term meant until right this second.

Beside her is a woman who couldn’t be more her opposite. Shorter, with wildly curly bright red hair that reminds me a bit of a certain orphan from a very famous musical, her face is a mask of worry rather than the stone-cold nothing of the cop beside her.

“Oh my gosh!” The girl who looks like Annie rushes forward to stand beside the bed, clasping my hand in both of hers. “We came as soon as Reese got the call. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

“I…”

“She’s okay, Poppy.” Daddy’s voice is warmer than I think I’ve ever heard it and tinged with amusement. “Just a very mild concussion, a small cut on her forehead, and some bruising. Doctors say she should be just fine in a few days.”

“You’re a very lucky Little girl,” the stern woman says as she steps closer to the bed. “I’m Sheriff Donnelly. If you’re feeling up to it, I have some questions I’d like to ask you.”

“Why?” It’s the first response that comes to mind, and fear makes my tone sharper than usual. But it doesn’t seem to bother the Sheriff, who only smiles politely in response.

“Just procedure. Making sure we have the… full picture of what went down in those woods.”

Maybe the concussion has made me more sluggish than I realized, because it takes several long seconds for the implications of what she’s saying to click in.

This is it. My chance to run, to get help for my friends trapped on the mountain. All I have to do is tell the sheriff lady what happened and we’ll be rescued.

Even though my heart feels like it might actually pound right out of my chest, I manage to nod. “Okay. What do you want to know?”

Her smile warms a fraction before she turns to Poppy. “Persephone, I could use a soda. Would you mind having Dane show you where the vending machines are?”

I can feel Daddy stiffen, but he doesn’t argue against what is blatantly an attempt to get him out of the space so we can talk alone. “Sure thing. Do you want anything, baby?”

“Um, maybe some chocolate?”