Page 8

Chapter 8

April

I feel…comfortable.

Warm, cozy even.

Held.

Wait.

My breath catches in my throat when I realize there’s an arm wrapping my waist.

Did they catch me again?

Oh, please, no.

I can’t do that again.

Letting one eye crack open, I get a glimpse of the hint of a dull morning sun lighting a foreign room.

Where the hell am I?

And who is touching me?

Panic rises, making my heart hammer in my ears.

Did I leave one den of monsters for another?

But I’m not tied.

Jumping up, I leap across the cold room, fighting down the scream that’s clawing out.

A merle colored dog raises its head, startling a squeak out of me.

That’s when I hear the man rustle the covers.

“Who are you?” The chill hits me. Why am I only wearing my t-shirt and panties? Where are my pants?

He pushes himself up, his bare tattooed chest appearing above the blankets. Running his fingers through his wild sandy hair, he cracks one gray eye at me.

“I’m Ford. I saved you last night, remember?” He glances at me, then quickly turns towards the window.

“No, I don’t.” I know that I escaped from the hell hole. And it was so damn cold.

It’s like he doesn’t want to look at me.

“I’m sorry I had to—” His finger moves in a circle between us. “—my buddy is a doctor and he said the only way to warm you up was like that.”

My arms wrap my waist. I feel exposed, naked, even with the scant clothes on.

“In the top drawer next to you is a pair of sweats and a hoodie. If you want to crawl back in, I’ll get the fire going.” He keeps his gaze averted as he talks.

He leans over the edge of the mattress and picks up his discarded pair of jeans, then slides them over his legs.

When he stands, he’s fills the tiny space.

“Look, I gotta ask…” He trails off as he grabs his shirt. “Are you okay? I mean, there was blood…”

I might be sick.

“I’m fine. I just need to go home.” The drawer is stiff and resists my weak efforts to tug on it.

He ducks, peering out the small window. “I don’t think that’s happening today.” Taking a deep breath, he turns and looks at me for what feels like the first time. “I wish you could.”

Is that pity or disgust in his features?

“Whatever. Thanks for saving me, I didn’t mean to intrude on—” I wave my hand. “—your alone time.” I’m flailing at the dresser and tears of frustration begin to burn in my eyes.

No, fuck that. I’m not crying over furniture.

“Here. Let me.” When he looms towards me, it’s hard not to flinch.

“Shit,” he says under his breath, but I hear him.

He jerks it open, then steps away. “I don’t know what to do here, so I’m gonna go check on my horse.” Slinging his coat over his bare shoulders, he grabs the handle to the door.

“Wait. Do you have a phone?” It’s the whole reason I came here, that single hope.

When he nods, his hair droops over his eyes. “It’s there on the cabinet. I’ll be back in a bit to stoke up the fire.”

With a swirl of snow, he and his dog disappear into the blizzard.

“Damn. I must really look scary.” I’m glad there isn’t a mirror here.

These clothes are way too big, but they’re clean.

And warm.

I almost feel guilty putting them on my filthy body. My joints ache, and I’m not sure if it’s the cold or the trauma of the last few days that weighs heavier.

I’m just happy the bed is comfy. I curl up under it, burying myself against the pillows that smell like the mystery man.

Ford.

The numbers on the phone glow when I hit the first one.

It takes five rings before I get an answer on Dad’s cell.

“Hello?” Norma’s voice cuts through the static filled line.

“This is April. Where’s my dad?” I didn’t call the house. Why is she the one to pick up?

“April, you almost killed your father. You aren’t welcome here.” She doesn’t try to hide her inner bitch.

Dad must not be close by.

“Where is he? It’s important I talk to him.” I need him to help me.

“He’s in the hospital recovering from the heart attack you gave him,” she snaps.

My knees tighten to my chest as a new wave of panic arcs through me. “Which hospital?” I barely choke out.

“It doesn’t matter. What are you going to do, finish the job? Leave him alone.” She ends the call with a click.

What the fuck?

I need to get out of here.

Punching in three more numbers, the line picks up right away.

“911, state your emergency.” A woman’s voice comes through, cold, almost clinical.

“I need help. I’ve been taken, and…and…attacked.” I can’t utter the words.

If I do, that makes it true.

“Are you still with your attacker?” Her tone softens. “Where are you?”

“No, I got away. But I don’t know where I am. I’m in a cabin?” I glance around, but there’s no identifying marks.

Oh, shit. The GPS would tell me. I didn’t get that far last night.

“What state? Your phone isn’t giving me a tower.” She sounds distracted, with keys clicking in the background.

“Um, Montana?” How can I not be sure? That’s where I was last. Could those two asshole brothers have taken me out of state?

“Okay, I think I have you narrowed down into Jackson County. I’m contacting the local law enforcement. Can they call you back on this line?” She rattles off a series of numbers that don’t mean anything to me.

“Yea, I think so. I borrowed this. I just, um, I really need to get home.” I can feel the burn of tears boiling down my cheeks.

“I understand. I’m going to have the local sheriff call you, okay? What’s your name, sweetie?” Her soothing words make me feel slightly better.

So does this blanket. Groggy almost.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten in days. I’m not even hungry.

“April Nelson.” I can feel myself fading.

Am I really safe here? I guess I don’t have much of a choice than to trust the stranger whose bed I’m in.

“Okay, April. I’ll have them call you back right away.” Her words sound faint.

“Thank you.” I’m so sleepy, I don’t hear the line fall dead.

I’ll just rest for a minute until it rings.