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“I will,” she promised.
She followed Jesse to the edge of the woods then she hunched down and waited. Danni closed her eyes and imagined the fear that Walker was feeling right now was pretty, overwhelming. She would be terrified if he were missing.
She waited, hoping it would be soon. She was freezing. Inside, she could find a warm blanket and wait. Soon, Walker would come get her.
**
Walker was going out of his mind. What was Jesse thinking? He couldn’t imagine him hurting her. He didn’t really think that his brother had hurt either of the women.
Pacing wasn’t helping but if he didn’t walk, he thought he would lose his mind. It had been hours since his brother had taken Danni from the garage. No one had seen or heard from them since.
Matt was staying by his side and god was he grateful for him. Without his best friend, he would have lost it already. They had been at Rachel’s all afternoon waiting together for word of Danni.
He hoped. That’s all he could he do right now was hope and pray. Everyone was talking quietly amongst themselves but him. He remained quiet. He had nothing to say to anyone. He stood at the window for a while, arms folded across his chest and just stared out into the dark, otherwise he paced like an animal ready to pounce.
Simon ran into the living room. Walker turned away from the window. “Jesse just texted me.”
“What?” Walker moved to Simon’s side, not knowing what Jesse wanted or if Danni was alive even.
“She’s at your grandfather’s cabin,” Simon informed him.
“I need a ride,” Walker said to Matt.
“What if it is a trap?” He could tell his friend didn’t like this, but he didn’t care. He had to get there as quickly as possible to see for himself.
“We’ll both take you,” Simon offered. “I will feel better if I don’t send you boys to Hocking Hills alone.”
They watched him hug Rachel then kiss her not on the cheek as he had when at the hospital when Danni was hurt by Jamison’s men. Matt looked at Walker. “I think things have changed with my parents.”
“I think so,” Walker agreed. He was antsy, wanting nothing more than to get on the road.
Simon slapped his shoulder. “Let’s go, Walker.”
Then they went to Matt’s truck. He was driver for this two-hour escapade. Simon went to the backseat and Walker to the passenger door.
He should have guessed that is where Jesse had been hiding out all these years. As kids that is where they both liked to be. The only time they were both truly happy together and not arguing. It had never crossed his mind because of his prison sentence then parole, he hadn’t been to the cabin in nine years.
“Matt, pick up Hawk. He’s going too.” Matt glanced over his shoulder at his dad. “Unofficially until we know what is going on. It’s kind of out of his jurisdiction.”
Matt went to Hawk’s house first delaying Walker from getting where he wanted to be, but he could see how having the sheriff along would be helpful. Hawk came out in jeans, a t-shirt covered by a red, plaid flannel and work boots like they work on the farm with steel toes in them.
Walker hadn’t seen him dressed like this in years. He was always in uniform. Beneath his shirt, he could see the outline of his holster. He knew he carried his gun, not his official weapon but a gun just the same.
Simon had a weapon tucked in the back of his jeans as did Matt. Walker did not. He was a convicted felon. He preferred to not get into any trouble that could land him back in jail. Simon and Matt had licenses to carry concealed weapons, but they weren’t convicted felons.
Hawk climbed in the back beside Simon. They exchanged pleasantries while he focused on the miles passing by. Thoughts of Danni occupying his time.
Reaching over the front seat, Hawk squeezed his shoulder. Walker looked at him. “She’ll be okay. He wouldn’t have texted otherwise.”
Walker nodded, hoping Hawk was right.
**
Danni had fallen asleep wrapped in a homemade quilt that was different squares of various, colors and fabrics. She loved it. It was heavy and warm in the cool cabin.
She felt his hands on her face. Then she heard his voice whispering to her. The emotion heavy in his tone and words at seeing her. “Danni wake up. Please baby, wake up for me.”
She opened her eyes, unsure of how long she had been asleep. “Walker, Jesse said you would come for me.”
