Page 54 of Finding Limits

“Idon’t want anyone to know, yet.” I reach out and stop Savannah from getting out of the car when we pull back up outside the ranch. “Not until I’ve seen a doctor and made sure, or until I’ve spoken to Mitch.” I’m still in complete shock. I thought becoming pregnant was impossible, I’d resided myself to the idea of never being a mother, and now this. It’s so overwhelming that I can’t think straight.

“Our secret.” Savannah draws a zip over her mouth before getting out the car and leading us inside. The house is full of chaos just like we left it and when I see Leia holding baby Dalton on the couch and feeding him from one of her breasts, I allow myself to imagine how wonderful it would feel to do that to my own child.

“No luck with the big pot?” Maddy steps into the room looking flustered.

“No, we looked everywhere.” Savannah shakes her head.

“It must be in the bunkhouse. I’m sure Josie made a chili in it for the boys the other day.”

“I’ll grab it,” I call out, needing to get some air. I can’t stop worrying about how Mitch is going to react to this. He constantly reminds me that he’s too old for me, will he feel too old for this? Will he be mad, and disappointed? What if it changes the way he feels about me?

“You sure?” Maisie checks.

“Yeah, I’ll head over there, right now.” I fake a smile and try not to move too fast as I rush toward the door to get out of there. Once I’m on the porch I take in a long, deep inhale of air and place my hand over my stomach.

I still can’t quite believe there's a child inside me, one that me and Mitch created together. And despite being unsure about how Mitch will react, I can’t help feeling blessed by it. I let the smile remain on my face as I walk across the yard toward the bunkhouse, letting myself imagine how happy the three of us could be in our cozy little cabin.

I hear a bang over by the stable after I’ve passed it but when I stop and look back over my shoulder there’s nothing there. I figure it must be one of the horses that got left behind and decide to continue to make my way toward the bunkhouse to find this big pot.

“I missed you, little dove.” My breath gets stuck in my throat when I turn back around and see Solomon standing tall, in front of me.

It must be some illusion, he can’t be here. Life wouldn’t be that cruel.

“No.” I shake my head and start backing away, but he reaches out and grabs my wrist, drawing me close to him.

“Shhhhh, don’t panic. I won’t hurt you.” He wraps his arm around my middle, crushing me as he lifts me off the floor and when he starts carrying me toward an old RV that's parked under the trees, on the other side of the gate, I go to scream so I can alert the girls. His hand slams over my mouth and the fight I put up seems useless against his huge frame. Still, I don’t give up. I can’t go back.

He throws me into the back of the van, grabbing some rope and looping it around my wrists so he can tie me to the handle of one of the cupboards.

“Please, don’t do this, Solomon, Please.”

“You belong to me, little dove. You didn't think I’d let you get away, did you?” He smiles as he slams the door and then a few seconds later I hear him start the engine. My bones rattle as he drives at speed over the rough terrain, taking me further and further away from the Carson ranch. I scream at him, begging him to take me back, but all I see is the back of his head and all I hear is him whistling that song that always warned me he was on his way to me.

I scream until my throat feels like it’s bleeding and still he ignores me until he pulls to a stop. I wait for him to get out and for the door to open before I slam my foot hard into his chest. But it makes no difference, he still comes at me, untying my arms and having no consideration for me, or the child I’m carrying, as he drags me across the ground toward a tiny outbuilding. During my struggle, I catch glimpses of my surroundings and I swear I see Annie holding a small child. I scream at her for help but nothing comes of it, and when Solomon opens the door to a rickety, old outhouse and tosses me inside, he grips both my wrists and forces them over my head. He tethers me with more rope to whatever’s behind me.

“What are you doing with her?” A voice I recognize comes from behind him and when I try to look around his legs, I scream when his palm stings my cheek.

“Stay still, girl,” he growls at me as he checks his knots are tight enough and causes my pulse to beat fast against the ropes.

“Solomon?” Annie comes rushing to the door, looking at me guiltily.

“Help Kayla pack up the van! We have to leave before they realize these are gone,” he yells back at her.

“But we’re not ready. Solomon, you promised I could get Samuel his medicine.”

“We’ll get it in the next town, God blessed us with an opportunity today. It was no coincidence that Hunter was riding in the woods near here, alone, or that Everleigh was right there at the ranch when I went there to find out where she was. This was God’s plan and we must adapt to it.” He forces her out of the door and follows her out, slamming it behind him.

“Hunter.” I look across and see him tied up the same as I am.

“Fuck, Everleigh. I tried to stop him. Are you hurt?” He looks worried.

“A little, I’m so scared.” I try to breathe but I can feel my chest tightening with panic. I can’t go back to what I came from, not now that I know life can be so good. It's dark and dingy here, just like it was in the bunker.

“Everleigh, you need to breathe, you're starting to panic.”

“I’m pregnant.” The words blurt out as I try to suck more air into my lungs. And I can see by the shock on Hunter's face that, me telling him that, has only made him become more fearful.

“That’s great news.” He manages to force a smile for me. “Does Mitch know?” He keeps smiling, trying to be encouraging, but it’s not gonna work. I know how much danger we’re in.

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