His arms had completely enveloped her as he held the reins in front of them, pressing his chest against her back. She tried to sit up straight as long as possible to keep the contact to a minimum, but it proved uncomfortable. She gave in, leaning into him so that every inch of their bodies was connected. He kept hold of the reins with one hand and snaked the other around her waist to keep her still.
Being held by him… it was almost enough to make her forget why they were out there in the first place. She would stay like this forever if she could.
After what felt like ages, the trees of the forest emerged from the darkness like a wall, and Thalia swallowed against the rising fear crawling up her throat.
How would they manage to find Daisy there?
Finlay slowed his horse as they reached the edge of the forest. He dismounted quickly, then grabbed Thalia tightly around the waist and helped her down.
“We’ll continue on foot from here,” he told her.
Peter came up behind them, taking the reins of the horses to tie them to a nearby tree.
“On foot?” Thalia repeated, eyeing the moving shadows with unease.
“We’re going to check the cabin first. I’ve found her there on more than one occasion. Hopefully, she is there now,” Finlay explained. He turned to look at her again. Then, as if he could see the fear on her face, he said, “Ye can stay with the horses if ye want.”
Thalia shook her head, pushing away the lingering dread. “Nay, I’ll be fine.”
Finlay nodded and took the lantern from her as he began their trek into the woods. There was a thin path carved between the trees, and Thalia followed his footsteps carefully. Peter walked behind her, and there was some comfort in knowing that they were with her. She couldn’t believe that Daisy had often made this journey alone.
The wind whistled through the branches, and somewhere in the woods, an owl hooted. Thalia pulled her shawl tighter around her as she shivered. She could have sworn that someone else was out there, watching her.
That’s just the fear talkin’. Finlay, Peter, and I are the only people out here.
Still, the feeling persisted, and she fought to ignore it.
“It’s just up here,” Finlay said.
Thalia could make out a wooden cabin between the trunks of the trees. Her heart leaped into her throat when she spotted a light flickering in the window.
“Is that…?”
She didn’t get a chance to finish her question. Finlay was already running, and she lifted her skirts to chase after him.
“Wait! Slow down!” she called, just as her foot caught on a tree root.
Arms flailing, she flew forward. Her momentum stopped when Peter caught her firmly around her middle.
“Thank ye,” she breathed.
“It’s nay trouble,” he answered, and he helped her the rest of the way to the front door.
Finlay had already thrown it wide open, and as they approached, they saw him kneeling before a crying Daisy.
“What were ye thinkin’?! Daenae ye ken that anythin’ could have happened to ye?!” he cried, shaking her shoulders.
Daisy did not answer. Fat tears streamed down her face, and she wailed as loudly as a banshee.
“Finlay!” Thalia yelled. She raced forward, grabbing his arm. “Finlay, she’s already terrified enough!”
He looked up at her, and the anger in his eyes cleared. He turned back to Daisy, and his body sagged with grief. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I’m so sorry.”
Daisy launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder. He stroked her hair with one hand, and the other wrapped around her back as her sobs faded into soft hiccups.
“Did ye nae believe me when I told ye that I cared for ye?” he asked in a thick voice.
“I did,” she sniffed.
