Page 57 of Love Restored

“She’s unharmed, though we still have paramedics doing a check up just in case. We’re going to bring her to your home soon and go over everything.”

Tears once again slid down Blake’s cheeks. “What happened? Who took her? Can I talk to her?” She asked the last question again, needing to hear her daughter’s voice.

“Rowan is with the paramedic right now, and then we’re putting her in the car and heading down to your place. I’m not near her, as I’m in Denver, and Rowan was found in Vail. Otherwise, I would put you on the phone with her right now.”

“Vail?” she pursued, her eyes going wide. “She was at the ski cottage, wasn’t she? Oh my God, they actually took her.”

“It’s looking that way, ma’am. But we won’t know more until we continue our investigation. Just hang tight. We will bring your daughter home shortly.”

She nodded, though he couldn’t see her, and hung up the phone after he’d given her an approximate time.

“They found her,” she whispered.

“The Carmichaels actually took her?” Graham cursed. “Are you fucking serious?”

Blake blinked up at him. “Yeah, it looks like it. I know my lawyer called earlier about how the case might be dismissed, but I never truly thought they’d take matters into their own hands like this.”

“But what about the subcontractor, Sean?” Owen asked.

She shook her head. “I…I don’t know.”

She didn’t know much of anything except that her baby was coming home.

Thank. God.

It took almost two hours for Rowan to come home. Between the drive, traffic, and paperwork, Blake was afraid she was going to pull out all of her hair before she saw her baby girl again.

When the officer opened the back door of his cruiser, Rowan jumped out and ran full tilt toward Blake. Blake met her daughter halfway, crushing Rowan to her.

“Oh my God, Rowan. I love you so freaking much.” She bent down and cupped Rowan’s face before checking her over.

“I didn’t want to go with the bad man, Mom. I swear. But he made me.” Rowan started crying, and Blake broke for her. “I missed you so much. Please don’t make me live with the mean people. Please.”

Blake held her daughter close. “You’re never going with them. You’re only going to stay with me, my darling. You’re mine.”

When Graham stood by Blake’s side, Rowan pulled away and jumped into Graham’s arms. He looked startled for a moment, then picked her up and hugged her close.

“I’m so glad you’re here, squirt.”

“I love you, Mr. Graham,” Rowan said as she nuzzled into Graham.

Blake stood on shaky legs, her heart breaking. There must have been something on her face because Graham looked just as broken. He set Rowan on her feet and patted her back. “Go back to your mom, baby. She needs you.”

Rowan nodded and clung to Blake again.

“We’re safe now,” Blake said softly. “You can go.”

Graham met her gaze, resignation on his face. “If that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want,” she whispered.

He pressed his lips together before giving her a tight nod and turning on his heel. Owen and Murphy, who had witnessed the entire exchange, just shook their heads and followed their brother to the vehicles.

She knew she was making a mistake, but she couldn’t think too hard about that, not when she had to put Rowan first. Her daughter would always be first. Even over herself.

Though Rowan was far too big, Blake picked her up and carried her a bit before they reached the stairs. “Let’s go get you inside while the officers talk.”

“Where is Mr. Graham going?” Rowan asked as she wiped her face.

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