“I hate that she thinks you don’t want her,” Daisy said.
“Me, too.We have to realize it’s going to take a long time for her to trust us.The life before she came to us was pretty horrible.I’m just disappointed that she thinks I don’t love her.”
“Don’t worry.We’ll get her back where she belongs,” Daisy said.
“You’re damn right we will.I’ve got to go, but I’ll keep you up to date.”
“Good.I’ll pray you find her soon.”
Thomas nodded.“Oh, I will, and then she’ll feel the flat of my hand on her ass.”
“Just don’t be too rough on her, Thomas,” Daisy said.
Thomas sighed.“You know I’d never hurt that woman.”
“I do know that.Go find our girl.”
Thomas rushed up to their bedroom, grabbed a shirt Angel had worn the day before, and headed outside.David was waiting with Jaxx.
“Here, boy,” Thomas said, holding the clothing against the dog’s nose.He could tell the dog recognized the scent because his tail wagged furiously.
One of his men walked up, leading two saddled horses.“Here you go, Boss.”
“Thanks, Tim.”Thomas turned back to the dog.“Find Angel, boy.”
To his surprise, the dog took off toward the line of trees.Both he and David scrambled onto the horses and raced after him.
Thomas started to panic when they lost sight of the dog.They continued in the direction they last saw him go, but it was harder on the horses to get through some of the dense brush or thicket of closely spaced trees.
Finally, a path opened up, allowing them to run and close the gap between them and the dog.It was fast approaching nighttime, and it was getting next to impossible to see.
It soon dawned on him that they were close to one of the cabins he kept stocked just in case his men got caught in a storm or they were unable to see as the sun set.He’d made it a rule not to take any chances because he didn’t want any of them hurt.
The cabin came into view, and a lump settled in his throat when he saw a dim light inside.Oh, damn.Please let it be her inside.When Jaxx started scratching at the door, he was sure she was inside.
He turned to David.“Did you bring a flashlight?”
David nodded.“Yeah.I can get home.I know where the main path is, so it won’t take me long.”
“Take Jaxx back with you.I’ll get her home.Call everyone in and tell them where we are.Tell Daisy, too.I know she’s worried.”
“You got it, Boss.”David whistled for the dog.“Come on, boy.You did good.Let’s go get a bone.”
Jaxx looked reluctant to leave.“Go on, Jaxx.I’ll bring her home soon.”
Jaxx followed his man, stopping a few times to look back at him.
“Go on,” Thomas encouraged.He waited until they were out of sight before dismounting, pulling the saddle and blanket off, and putting him in the small pen attached to the cabin.He gave him hay they kept on hand in a thick plastic bin, and water before making his way to the door.
Thomas looked into the window to see a tiny shape on one of the cots curled in a blanket.He wanted to kick himself for making her afraid and thinking he didn’t want her anymore.
They’d been together for six months, and he could still tell the trust she had for him was pretty solid, usually, but there were times he caught a shadow of vulnerability in her expression that he wanted to eradicate once and for all.
Because of this situation, it looked like they’d taken several steps back, and it would take even longer to gain all her trust.He hated the fact that she thought even for a second he would give her up, but all he had to think about was what she went through as a child and young adult.He knew it would take a lot of time before she knew without a doubt that she was his forever.
Thomas carefully opened the door.He felt a moment of displeasure that she hadn’t locked it because anyone could have gotten in.
He locked it.He didn’t undress, but did take off his boots before sliding onto the cot and wrapping his arms around his baby girl.The bed wasn’t big enough for both of them, but he didn’t care.As long as he had her in his arms, he was happy.
