Page 23 of Heart of the Mountain
My door is ripped open, and the next thing I know, Cutter’s arms are around my waist, pulling me out of the car and holding me close to his chest. I fist his shirt and cling to him, not wanting him to ever let me go.
“C-C-Cut-ter,” I choke out.
“Save your strength.” Water drips down his beard, and his brow furrows as he looks at me. I can’t tell if he’s concerned or considering throwing me back in the water rushing around his knees.
He opens the passenger side door of what I assume is his truck and sets me inside, leaning over to buckle my seatbelt. He cups my cheeks, his eyes roaming over my face and body in search of damage. When Cutter is satisfied with his inspection, he nods and closes the door.
I watch as Cutter helps the other man open Gabby’s door. She’s still not moving, but the man I don’t recognize seems to be talking to her. He reaches over and unbuckles her seatbelt, then scoops her up and wades through the water to safety. He carries her past the truck I’m in, straight to a second truck I didn’t notice before.
Cutter returns to me, opening his door and hopping inside.
“Gabby?” I ask, needing to know she’s okay.
“Sullivan will take care of her.”
“I can’t leave her,” I insist. She was so scared.
“We all need to get out of here and get back to higher ground. Sullivan is a good man. He owns the only inn here in town, so Gabby will have a place to crash. He’ll get a tow for the car squared away once the storm passes.” I nod, but I still don’t like the thought of leaving my new friend. “I’ll call him as soon as we get back to my cabin. You can talk to Gabby and make sure she’s okay.”
I agree, and Cutter backs away from the washed-out portion of the road, doing a five-point turn to head back to town. Gabby and Sullivan have already left, and I’m anxious to get back to Cutter’s so I can check in with her.
The adrenaline coursing through my veins, along with my wet clothes and soaking hair, has me shivering uncontrollably. I rest my head against the window and close my eyes, but Cutter gets my attention by placing his hand on my thigh.
“Stay with me, sweetheart. Don’t fall asleep. I’m not sure if you’re concussed or… Fuck, I did it again. I abandoned the most important person and now…”
“I’m okay,” I tell him, my hand covering his. “We didn’t crash. I don’t have a concussion or scrapes or bruises. It was just scary. You got to us in time.”
He nods a few times and heaves out a breath.
Wait. Did he say I was the most important person? My mind is spinning, along with my emotions. My stomach is in knots, and I feel like I might pass out. It’s all too much.
“Stay with me,” Cutter repeats. “I have to get you warmed up, and then we can talk.”
Is he taking care of me out of obligation, or is he really willing to give me a second chance? Probably the former. Either way, at least I have another chance to convince him I love him.
10
CUTTER
Iturn the heater up and ease my truck back through town, then up toward my cabin. I can’t calm down, even with Sadie by my side. I need to warm her up and then convince her to stay with me for good. Yes, I deserve some answers, but I should have given her a chance to explain herself.
When Sadie admitted to working for Top Spot Realty, I couldn’t think straight. I had just told her about my father’s tragic death, and then I got completely blindsided by her deception. All the feelings of inadequacy and abandonment from childhood rose to the surface, clouding my judgment.
I spent a good hour and a half working on projects around my property before realizing what an idiot I had been. Sadie couldn’t fake her love of Kung-fu movies or the story behind them. I held her, just hours ago, while she told me about her abusive foster father. I wasn’t the only one who shared part of their soul this morning, and I hate myself for not seeing it sooner.
The longer I mulled over our last conversation, the more obvious it became that I needed to go after her. The urgency to get to Sadie increased exponentially when the light rain turned into a dangerously heavy downpour.
Sullivan saw me tearing through town in my truck and flagged me down. I explained the situation, and he let me know a car similar to the one I described drove by not more than fifteen minutes ago. He must have seen the fear in my eyes, because he got in his truck and followed me onto a flooded road, no questions asked.
My cabin has never looked more inviting as it comes into view. I pull into the detached garage and hurry out of the truck to get to Sadie. She’s trembling as she holds herself together, her arms wrapped around her torso and her head tipped down so I can’t see her face.
“I’ve got you,” I say before gathering my woman in my arms. I’m reminded of the first time I carried her into my home. I’m hoping I won’t fuck it up this time.
Sadie curls up against me, tucking her head between my neck and shoulder. I practically kick the door down in my rush to get her to safety. We head straight to the bathroom, where I set her down on the counter. Sadie hasn’t spoken or even looked at me since I got her into my truck.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” I ask, hovering my hands above her shoulders.
She nods. I notice for the first time she’s wearing one of my old flannels.
