Page 49 of Axe-ing for Trouble
“I saw the newspapers about the fire at your brother’s place, and I’d heard talk about the issues Souza had with Cole. I thought…” She sighed, her focus fixed on the path ahead. “I thought you’d understand the agony and the fear, and I hoped that you might want to help.”
I did want to help. I was already mentally calculating how I could help her brother get better medical care, catch the bad guys, and solve every problem she’d ever had or ever could have.
The tug in my chest was firm enough to cause physical pain. Eventually, I’d have to examine the how and the why behind the impossible-to-ignore desire to be everything she could ever need, but right now, we were on a mission.
“This is it.” She pointed ahead. “This is where I got off the path and headed into the forest.” Coming to a stop, she turned slowly, surveying the area around us. “I hurdled over those.” She pointed toward several fallen trees. “And down that hill is where I grabbed the tree and dislocated my shoulder.”
Her face was impassive, stoic, her muscles locked up tight.
I put my hand on her shoulder, hoping to ground her as she relived what must have been a terrifying experience.
“You’re really brave,” I said softly.
Her lips tipped up almost imperceptibly as she peered over at me.
I knew the hike would be grueling for her in her injured state, but I hadn’t anticipated how emotional this would be.
I wanted to gather her in my arms and promise to fix it all. I wanted to swear I’d find a way to take them down.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for Mila.
For now, though, I had to stay focused. I couldn’t drift away along a current of memories of her touch, her sleepy smiles, or the way she’d whimpered when I’d pushed inside her for the first time.
Nope. That was totally out of bounds. I’d assured her that we could work together. And I was nothing if not a man of my word.
“We should get on with it. I haven’t made it this far yet.”
With a nod, I got my phone out and recorded our GPS coordinates, then added them to the map I’d created.
Then, as I tucked the device into my pocket again, I dipped my head. “Show me where you hid.”
She pointed, and I got to work clearing a path with my boot, kicking leaves and twigs out of the way.
Ripley sniffed around, taking in all the details.
I was on alert, worried we’d be caught unaware. But Ripley had a keen sense of hearing. She’d bark if anyone approached.
“Over that way,” Mila urged, kicking her way down the path, scanning the ground for the phone.
I rolled one rotting log away from another, scouring the cold, wet ground.
Fuck, she’d lain on the ground for God knew how long, injured and hiding. I couldn’t imagine.
Together we followed her path as best as we could, scanning and searching, digging when necessary.
Despite the circumstances, it was peaceful work. I’d always loved the quiet of the forest.
After a few hours, though, her feet had begun dragging and her posture was stooped. She had to be exhausted.
We recorded the coordinates of a few more spots, and then she guided me back along the path she’d taken to the trail on the far side of the forest toward my house.
Once we’d done a thorough search of the hiding spot, I pulled out a Thermos of hot coffee and a couple of bags of snacks.
We sat on a large, flat rock, sipping coffee while my mind spun around in circles, alternating between hope and panic.
Mila surprised me, bracing her good hand behind her and tilting her face toward the sun. Eyes closed and mouth tipped in a smile, she said, “There isn’t much better than this. I’ve always loved the smell and the sounds of the forest and the warmth of the sunshine on a chilly fall day.”
She trailed off, taking in our surroundings not with the intent of searching for the phone, but in wonder, really drinking in the scene.
