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“What is it?”
But Stanton’s already out of the car and staring at the ground. Immediately, I see what he’s looking at. There are ropes on the dirt, lying there like lifeless snakes. These must be Juniper’s ties!
I scan the surrounding area, trying to imagine where I would seek warmth in the dead of night.
“Where is she?”
There’s nothing in the vicinity but the tall, golden haystacks, limned in the first rays of dawn. But then suddenly, it hits me.
“Stanton,” I say urgently, “the haystacks! She must be inside!”
It’s all I need to say. Stanton and I run in the direction of the closest pile of hay, searching it frantically for any signs of Juniper. No, nothing. Then we hit another haystack, all the while calling her name. At the third stack, there are of straw scattered haphazardly on the ground around the base of the structure, and it looks vaguely unsound, as if someone’s disturbed it.
“Juniper, Juniper! Sweetheart!”
Like wild animals, Stanton and I tear into the golden strands, and there, snuggled in the middle of the massive pile of straw, is Juniper, snoring softly. For the first time since last night, I finally feel like I can breathe again.
Gently, so as not to frighten the sleeping girl, I rest a hand against her back.
“Darlin’,” I say in a broken whisper, “Juniper, darlin’, wake up.”
Her eyes pop open, wild and scared and then immediately fill with recognition.
“You found me,” she whispers before bursting into tears. Her face is covered in dirt and she’s shivering against the early morning dampness.
My heart aching with relief, I pull Juniper into my arms and out of the pile of hay. Her body is cold against mine, and immediately Stanton takes off his fleece-lined jacket and drapes it over her while rubbing her shoulders roughly.
“You’re safe now, sugar,” he says he embraces her from the other side. Between our two bodies, Juniper’s icy one begins to warm up ever so slightly. She sobs into my shoulder, clutching my big form close.
“Sweetheart, it’s going to be okay,” I rasp, my voice breaking with stress. “We found you. Everything’s going to be fine.”
I hold her tightly against me, never wanting to let go again. This is where she belongs.
“Let’s get you home,” I say gruffly, my heart full of emotion.
She nods and sniffles, and with that, I carry Juniper back to the truck. Stanton jogs ahead and cranks the heater up high. I climb into the spacious backseat, still cradling the curvy woman in my arms, and as Juniper rests her face against my neck, I breathe an enormous sigh of relief.
Quickly, Stanton drives us back across the Lazy R towards our home. Juniper is crying non-stop now, and I do nothing but shush her and hold her tight.
“You’re in shock,” I murmur. “But everything’s going to be okay now.” It only seems to make her cry harder, but I do my best nonetheless.
By the time we arrive back at the homestead about forty minutes later, Juniper’s exhausted. She’s collapsed into my arms again, and out like a light.
Stanton comes around the back of the truck and takes the sleeping beauty from my arms. Now, it’s my turn to jog ahead to open doors. With a quick glance between the two of us, we head straight for our home instead of dropping Juniper off at the nurse’s office. A medical check-up can wait.
As we step into the living room, Juniper blinks slowly, lifting her head from my twin’s shoulder.
“Someone will see us together!” she whispers, but Stanton hushes her.
“Don’t worry about that right now,” he croons softly. “How about a nice warm bath?”
At Juniper’s subtle nod, Stanton carries her in the direction of the bathroom. I’m already ahead of them, drawing a warm bath and turning on the overhead heaters to make the small chamber nice and cozy.
“I can walk,” Juniper whispers, perhaps trying to ease our worry. But one look at each of our faces seems to tell her that we’re not ready to let her go just yet. She hugs Stanton’s neck tightly and murmurs something to him. He sets her down on the warm tile floor, but keeps a steadying hand on her back.
“How did you find me?” Juniper asks, her voice small as she stands on wobbly legs in the large bathroom.
My brother and I exchange looks.
“Sarah told us what happened,” I say gruffly. “And more or less where we should try looking for you, but let’s talk about that later. Right now, we just need to get you warm.”
Juniper nods, looking small and frightened as she re-lives her trauma over again. “I didn’t know she was there.” Large eyes look from me to Stanton and then off into the distance. “I didn’t know what was happening.”
“Hey,” I rub her arm gently. “You’re safe now. Just relax, sweetheart. We’ll take care of everything.”
