Page 106 of Burn the Wild

I don’t think. I run.

I don’t bother slowing down, just barrel up to the front door of her chalet and grab the knob. It’s locked. Now she fucking listens.

Fear drives through me like a knife, and I slam a fist against the door. “Reese!”

I don’t wait for her to answer. I head straight for the window. Grim thoughts take up space in my head. What if she’s gone? What if her manager convinced her to leave?

Heart in my throat, I rush around to the side of the chalet and peer into one of the windows. Inside, it’s dark—still. And then I see the bed. A small lump burrowed under the blankets. Blonde hair.

My insides twist.

Fuck it.

I run back to the front door, and when I reach it, slam my shoulder into the wood, fucking desperate as hell to get to her. Fucking out of my mind.

“Reese!”

Two more quick rams and it swings open.

I slip inside, and the smell of stale air and body odor hit me. I flip on the kitchen light, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.

My breath lodges in my throat as I approach the bed. “Reese?”

The mound of blankets moves. Barely. “Ford?”

I exhale, relief flooding me at the startled sound of her soft voice. A good thing too because I’m damn near ready to have a heart attack.

“You scared the hell out of me,” I say roughly.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, lifting her head. She shivers, her arms clinging around her pillow, squeezing it tight. She looks helpless and fragile lying there, and damn if I don’t feel the same way.

“Don’t be sorry.”

“I missed work.”

“It’s okay,” I tell her, sitting beside her on the bed. “No one cares about work.”

Her free hand rises to land on mine. The moment she makes physical contact my entire body unclenches. She’s here.

“I let the chickens down.”

I chuckle. “The chickens will be just fine.” I stroke her back. “What are you doin’, Birdie Girl?”

“Being sad.” The words are spoken in a small, shaky rasp. She nuzzles her face in the pillow. Sniffs. “Sometimes I get sad.”

Her words tear a hole in me. One I’m not sure I can repair.

I’ve seen her lie, laugh, smile, tease, and argue. I’ve seen her on her knees in front of me. I’ve never seen her dark like this. It scares the shit out of me.

But it’s nothing I can’t handle.

I inhale a deep breath, searching for the words to comfort her.

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Can I be sad with you?”

She lifts her head slightly. Those big green eyes focus warily on me. “What?”

I’m already pulling off my boots. “Is it okay if I lie here with you?”

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