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Liam leaned closer to Cora and whispered, “We’re taking to the trees. Follow me when I give the signal and stay close. Can you do that for me?”
Cora blinked rapidly, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared into the dark forest. She’d never gone off the path before. The idea of what could be lurking in the darkness was almost as terrifying as the two men blocking them now.
“Cora.” Liam whispered her name, and she dragged her gaze back to him. “You’re stronger and braver than you know. You can do this.” Liam gave her an encouraging half smile, and that was all she needed to fortify her resolve. This was the man she loved. She’d follow him to the ends of the earth.
One of the men hurled a string of curse words at them.
Liam’s voice grew low and urgent. “Promise me you’ll stay right behind me, no matter what.Promise.”
“Yes.” She gripped her reins. “I’m ready when you are.”
In the next heartbeat Liam dug his heels into Vulcan’s sides and yelled. The horse bolted forward with Cora’s poor mare doing her best to follow. Instead of racing forward to bypass the two men on the road, Liam charged straight into the woods.
Wet branches slapped at Cora from all sides. She gripped the saddle and stayed low over Merry’s neck as she followed him through the thick foliage.
Angry shouts came from behind them, and Cora could hear the two men giving chase.
The forest was dense, and it was difficult to keep a fast pace, but somehow her horse managed to stay close behind Liam. He called over his shoulder, urging her on and shouting encouragement.
She gripped the reins and flattened herself against Merry’s neck, praying her horse could keep up with Vulcan as they crossed a shallow stream.
A shot rang out behind them, and suddenly Liam yelled,“Faster now!”
Cora dug her heel, ignoring the sharp twinge of pain in her ankle. She closed her eyes and tried to shield her face with one arm. The scent of rain, wet earth and leaf mold filled every breath as she clung to Merry’s back.
The sound of the angry men’s shouts grew fainter once they crossed the stream.
Hope surged in Cora’s chest. “I think we’re losing them!” The forest floor was rife with fallen logs and damp foliage, and the two men’s larger farm horses weren’t nimble enough to navigate in the dark. She was just grateful Liam knew his way, and she prayed her old horse could hang on a bit longer.
“Keep going!” Liam shouted. “We’re almost to the field on the other side.” He called to Vulcan, urging him onward.
The path dipped at a sharp angle, and Merry stumbled.
Cora gripped her horse’s mane with both hands. She tried to steady herself in the saddle, reflexively bearing down on her left foot. Her ankle wrenched sideways, and she cried out.
“Cora!” Liam jerked on Vulcan’s reins, pulling his horse around.
Merry lurched to an abrupt stop before a fallen log.
Cora lost her grip and flew over the horse’s neck. She was suddenly airborne, with no way to break her fall. There was no time to think, or even scream. She hit the ground in a tangle of skirts and limbs and rocky earth. A sharp, hot pain cracked across the back of her head, and then she lay still.
“No!” Liam cried. “Oh, God,macushla. Open your eyes. Cora, can you hear me?” Liam was on the ground beside her, shaking her and calling her name.
She couldn’t seem to open her eyes, but she saw their future stretched before them—traveling the ocean, the home, the babies, the golden years. She wanted to tell him she loved him, and not to worry because everything was going to be okay.
He was holding her close now, whispering words she couldn’t hear anymore, but she could still feel his warm breath on her cheek, and the pressure of his strong arms around her.
It was dark, and so very cold, but they were together, and that was all that mattered. The pain in her head faded away, and Cora exhaled a soft sigh.
26
Providence Falls,
Present Day
It was dark. Cora was only vaguely aware of a loud splash above her. Then another. Suddenly, strong arms gripped her, yanking her up and hauling her onto the dock.
Liam was holding her in his arms. She was unable to open her eyes, but she’d recognize that Irish accent anywhere. Relief flooded her because it meant she was safe. But he was angry. He was yelling something at her. She just wanted to close her eyes and rest, but he kept shaking her. Suddenly, he rolled her to her side and thumped her hard on the back. Once. Twice.
