Page 67 of Wilderness Daddy

“Kari?” The snapping of branches and crashing of brush has me turning and rushing toward him. He sweeps away branches and they whip back as he comes to me.

“Landon! Landon!”

“Kari!”

I nearly knock him off his feet despite my small stature and his giant one.

“Kari!” he repeats, this time against my face as he holds me tightly and I wrap my legs around him, clinging to him, kissing his lips, cheeks, chin, and neck.

“Landon,” I cry wetly, tears already running from my eyes. I don’t say another word, but listen as my name is muffled against my lips. He pulls me back by the shoulders and looks me over from head to toe, before his eyes hold my gaze.

“Are you hurt?”

“No,” I answer. “Other than cold, thirsty, and scared, I’m okay.” My teeth chatter as I speak, although I’m sure it’s from emotion.

“You’re freezing.” He unzips my coat and pulls it off. “You’re damp.”

I nod, and he takes my sweatshirt and tee off then too. I stand there numbly in my bra, while he pulls off his own clothes and dresses me in his.

“What the hell happened? I heard the shots, saw boot prints.”

“I was walking around our camp area to check for a GPS signal. I needed to send a message to George that I was okay. These men showed up and...” I suck in a breath, suddenly overwhelmed. “Daddy, I ran and couldn’t find my way back.”

“Men?”

“Three of them. Two older men and a young guy.”

“They’re getting closer.” He rubs his beard thoughtfully. “I saw them a few days ago too. Further south though. It’s too God damned dangerous out here.”

“They shot at a...” I bite my lip, wrinkling my brow as I try to think of a way of describing what I saw without sounding like a lunatic. “Something in the forest. But when the men saw me...” I shiver, shaking my head, unable to even process what could have happened. “I was scared so I ran and got lost.” Panic rises in my chest, anxiety suffocating me and I struggle to draw in a breath. I can’t even find the air to tell him about the woman.

Landon focuses his attention on me, taking my chin, tipping my face up and looking me firmly in the eye. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you, baby.” He tugs me tightly against him and rocks me until I can breathe again.

“Sorry, I just... I was overwhelmed for a minute. There’s more.”

I’m about to tell him about the girl when he notices my fire pit. His mouth curves up on one side, making his dimple pop out slightly.

“You do that?” He points.

I nod. “I ran out of wood sometime through the night, but yeah. My wilderness man Daddy taught me well.”

“You’re my good, smart girl. Daddy’s proud of you,” he croons, reaching out to touch my face, caressing a thumb across my cheek.

I close my eyes and absorb his care.

“You’ll freeze now,” I say after a moment, grabbing his bare muscled arm. Part of me touches him because I need to feel him, but part of me also touches him because he’s beautiful and I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life.

“I’ll be okay. I’m dry and the sun’s out.”

“Daddy, they had someone. She was tied up.”

“Baby, you can tell me everything back at camp after I get you warmed up and fed. We need to go.”

I nod. He grabs my hand and pulls me after him. “I want you safe. Those hunters could still be near.”

Landon’s watching the surroundings carefully as we go. I’m too relieved to pay attention.

“How’d you find me?” I ask.

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