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I needed a stick to lean on, a good firm branch that would hold my weight while I inched forward. I only had to rest for a few minutes before I attempted to get to my feet again. I felt fresh tears gather when I realized I couldn’t look for Dixie anymore. I would have to call Mrs. Cooper in the morning and ask for help.
    Hoping, as Zachary so kindly suggested, we found her before another animal did.
    Shivering, I closed my eyes and hugged myself.
    I’d rest for a few minutes, gather some strength and then I’d get up.
    I had to get up. I had to find Dixie.

    A sound woke me. Something was moving quickly across the ground, shuffling dead twigs and leaves that covered the forest floor. I pushed back into the tree, gripping the flashlight, ready to use it as a weapon. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep—I’d only meant to rest for a moment and gather my strength.
    I swallowed, fear racing down my spine as the noises came closer, and I shut my eyes when the sound stopped, too terrified to look at what was now right beside me. Shaking from cold and panic, I bit down on my lip to stop the terrified scream that was building. The brush of fur on my hands startled me, but it was the long wet lick of a rough tongue that caused me to gasp, my eyes flying open as I stared into Elliott’s face. My fear was instantly replaced with relief and I flung my arms around his great neck, sobbing. It was when I heard Zachary’s impatient voice, and realized he was right behind Elliott, that I raised my head.
    He stood, looking down at me, bathed in semi-darkness. With a muttered curse, he kneeled beside me. “Are you hurt?”
    I could only nod; too shocked at his sudden appearance to speak.
    “Aside from the obvious, where?”
    The obvious ?
    I pointed a shaking finger to my ankle.
    He leaned down, his fingers prodding and checking. I winced when he tried to bend it and he placed my foot back down. “I don’t think it’s broken, but I’m not sure you can walk.”
    “I know.”
    He sat back on his heels. “What the fuck were you thinking?”
    “Dixie—” My voice trailed off as his anger exploded.
    “…was lost.” He finished my sentence. “So you decide to compound the problem by charging into the woods and getting yourself lost, as well? Do you have any common sense at all? What good would it do her if you were hurt? Jesus, if I hadn’t found you—” He paused, only to start berating me again. “Do you have any brains in that head of yours, Megan?”
    I took in a shuddering breath, startled by his fury.
    “You are an awful man.”
    He laughed—the sound dry and bitter. “Hardly a news flash, my dear.” He stood up and reached for my hand. “We need to get you out of the woods and somewhere warm.”
    “Dixie—”
    “She’s safe and sitting by the fire, in my living room. I found her not long after you left.”
    My gasp of relief was almost painful and the tears started running down my face again. I buried my face in my hands, huge sobs ripping from my chest. Zachary’s voice was softer when he spoke again. “Megan, we need to get you out of these woods. I’ve been looking for you for over an hour; we need to get out of the cold. Give me your hand, please.”
    He’d been looking for me?
    I wiped my eyes and held out my hand, allowing him to pull me up. When I was standing, my legs wobbling, he hesitated. “If you help me, support my weight a little, I think I can walk,” I insisted.
    He moved closer, wrapping his arm around my waist, allowing my weight to settle into him. Despite the reason he was holding me, my body reacted. Warmth surged through me at his close proximity and I trembled from his touch.
    “Try a step.”
    I stepped forward, the pain tearing through me, making me gasp and stumble.
    With a muffled curse, he swept me into his arms and my head fell into his chest as darkness closed in around me.

CHAPTER SIX
     

     
    “Fuck!”
    My arms shot out, grabbing Megan before she hit the ground. I