Page 45 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

She fell into his arms and instantly started crying. “Oh, Daddy, I didn’t know if I would ever see you again.”

“Don’t ever think that. I will find you wherever you are,” he said.

He held her for a long time and let her get her emotions under control.

“Where is Jerald?” he asked.

“He’s dead.”

He tipped her head back with the side of his hand. “What happened?”

“He was trying to get me into the cabin.” Her voice broke. “He was going to r-rape me.”

God, he wished he could kill the man all over again.

“Thor came around the cabin and stood growling at us. I thought he was a wolf at first. Jerald went to shoot him, but I pushed him down. When he got up to run away, Thor got him. I’m so thankful to him for saving me, but it terrified me, too. I didn’t know if he would hurt me.”

“How do you know what his name is?” Ridge asked.

“I named him. I think he was lost. As you can see, he’s really skinny, and his skin has a lot of bumps. I tried to wash him in the pond, but it didn’t help his skin, but his coat looked a little better.” She pressed her hands to his cheeks. “Daddy, can he come home with us?”

“Baby, I’m not positive, but he is part German shepherd and half wolf.”

“He would never hurt me.”

“What about all the other people on the ranch?”

“I’ll teach him. I can’t leave him.” She started crying again.

“All right. We’ll work it out. Why don’t you introduce us?”

Elle patted her thigh. “Come here and meet my daddy.”

The dog instantly listened to her and stood by her side, almost leaning on her.

“Daddy, meet Thor, my new friend.” She patted the dog’s head. “Thor, meet my daddy. You can’t ever hurt him.” Ellie hugged his neck.

He held out his hand and let the dog smell him before he slowly petted his head. His heart settled when the dog seemed to enjoy his touches and wasn’t afraid of him or trying to bite him.

“Let’s just get you home right now.”

“Okay.”

“We won’t be able to ride in the helicopter with him,” Ridge said.

“That’s okay. You know how to drive in the dark.”

Ridge waved at the helicopter pilot and watched him take off before he called the sheriff.

“Ben, I found her. Call off the search. Also, Jerald was attacked and is now dead. I’m at the small stock pond on the northwest side of my property. Ellie told me he took her to a cabin. There are three in the area.”

“I’ll get some deputies out to search. I’m going to need to talk to her,” Ben said.

“In the morning. She’s wiped out.”

“That’s fine. Take care of your girl.”

“I will.” Ridge put the phone back in his pocket. “Let’s get you two home.”

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