Page 54 of Deceptive Lies

Assuming the one slumped over the controls was the pilot, Willow shifted toward the other.

As she moved, a shaft of moonlight illuminated the face enough that a sob caught in her throat.

It was Cooper.

He was so still and blood streaked his face.

As badly as she wanted to see if he was alive, she was paralyzed. In this second, she had hope, but if she reached out and touched him that hope could be ripped away from her.

But she had to know.

Had to know if he was still with her or if she’d lost him and he was already gone, leaving her all alone.

When her fingertips brushed against his skin, she found it still warm. It was a good sign but given that they might have only crashed mere minutes ago, not necessarily an indication that he was still alive.

Slowly, her fingers swept down from his cheek to his neck, searching for a pulse.

There.

A slight fluttering against her fingertips.

A pulse.

Willow cried out in relief as she flung her arms around Cooper’s still body. He hadn't left her yet, he was still alive.

Alive, but in what shape?

She had enough first aid knowledge to know that moving him could be dangerous, but also enough knowledge to know that if she left him where he was, and the helicopter drenched in gasoline exploded, he would go up along with it.

She had to get him out.

It was the only way to keep him safe.

For now at least.

Reaching down, she found his hands and curled hers around them. Pain screamed up through her broken arm, but she had to ignore it.

Had to get Cooper out.

It was all that mattered.

That first attempt at moving his much larger body didn't just send pain firing through her injured arm but through her entire body. Her chest felt like it was on fire, and every inch of her protested.

Not stopping.

I won't stop until Cooper is safe.

Please, Daddy, give me enough strength to get him away from the wreckage.

Slow going though it was, somehow, Willow managed to drag Cooper’s body onto the dead man’s. She stumbled as she went, losing her footing and landing hard on her backside. Cooper’s body fell with her, landing on top of her, his weight crushing her already weak body.

Tears burned her eyes.

She didn't have enough strength left to push Cooper’s body off her and get back up.

You have to.

Don’t be a baby.

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