The cold slapped him in the face as he burst outside. Snow. He’d been so excited to see it, even if it was early for the season, because he wanted to show Sydney. But now it was coming down steadily, flakes sticking to his hair, to his eyelashes. The wind bit at his skin, sharp as a whip, but all he could think about was her.
She’s from a warm country, a coastal town. She’s not used to this kind of cold.
His boots crunched over the hardening ground as he pushed himself faster, scanning the yard. Her footprints showed in thethin blanket of white, but already the snow and the darkness were trying to cover them up.
“Sydney! Sweetheart, stop! You’ll get hurt!” he called, but the wind snatched the words from his mouth.
She was fast, fear lending her speed, and Levi cursed under his breath as he followed her tracks past the paddock and toward the barn.Hell, she doesn’t even know this land yet. Could twist an ankle, could get lost. Fuck, please don’t let her get hurt.
His breath came in harsh bursts, the cold burning his lungs, but he didn’t slow.
Finally, he caught sight of her—through the swirl of snow, the brief flash of light as the barn door was opened just enough for a slender figure to slip inside. Relief crashed over him so hard he had to pause a beat, hand braced on the doorframe, pulling in air like he’d just run a marathon.
He stepped inside, the scent of hay and leather and horses wrapping around him. The dim light took a moment to adjust to, but then he saw her.
She was in the far corner, curled in on herself, her back to him. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, and she clutched that stuffed bunny like it was the only thing keeping her tethered to this world.
And she was shivering.
For fuck’s sake.
Levi moved slowly, careful to keep his voice low and gentle. “Syd? Babygirl, it’s me. I’m here now. You’re safe.”
She didn’t answer, just huddled smaller, as if trying to disappear.
His heart ached. He wished he had something to wrap her up in, but he hadn’t brought his coat in the rush. He hadn’t even thought about it. But none of that mattered now.
“It’s alright, babygirl. Let me help you. Let me take care of you.” Fuck, his most sincere wish was that she would let him. Levi didn’t know what he’d do if she turned him away now.
He knelt beside her, his big hands gentle as he reached for her. She tensed at first, but as soon as she felt his warmth, his strength, she sagged into him like she’d been holding herself together with sheer force of will and couldn’t do it anymore. His relief was tangible as she crawled closer to him as if she could get the warmth straight from him.
“That’s it,” he murmured, gathering her up. She was so cold. Too cold. The snowflakes clung to her hair, her lashes, melting against his skin as he cradled her close.
He stood, clasping her against his chest, and carried her to the tack room just inside the door. Grabbing a horse blanket, he wrapped it around her small frame, cocooning her in the thick weave before holding her close to his body again. Once outside, he headed toward the staff apartments. His boots crunched through the snow as he hurried, shielding her as best he could from the wind.
“You’re alright. I got you now,” he whispered over and over, pressing his cheek to the top of her head.
By the time they reached the apartment he shared with Roland, his arms ached and he was starting to feel the cold himself, but he didn’t care. He kicked the door shut behind them and carried her straight to the couch, setting her down gently.
“You’re safe, baby. You’re safe,” he cooed the words to her, a promise that even if she didn’t feel safe at the moment, he would make it so.
He grabbed his phone from his back pocket, thumbed out a quick text to Nanny J before tossing it on the counter.
Found her. She’s with me. Warming her up.
Then he turned his full attention back to his girl.
Her lips were pale, and her hands trembled as she both clutched at Banana and kept the edges of the blanket around her. Levi snagged the throw blanket from the back of the couch, wrapping it snug around her, then grabbed another from the chair, layering it on top.
“You’re alright now, sweetheart,” he reminded her softly, crouching in front of her so she could see the truth of it in his eyes.
She blinked, staring at him unseeingly.
With a lump in his throat and a pit of anxiety in his stomach, he rose, went to the kitchen, and got the stove going for hot chocolate. His hands shook a little as he worked. It wasn’t from the cold but from the rush of adrenaline, the fear that had gripped him when she’d disappeared into the night. While he waited for the milk to heat up, he took a moment to steady himself while keeping an eye on the small bundle on his couch.
The mugs clinked as he set them on the table. He brought one over, kneeling again, holding it out to her.
“Careful, little miss. It’s hot. Just little sips.”
