Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
TILLY
“Paxton!” I shout after him. I barely catch him by the back of his coat, and when he feels me tug on it, he stops.
“I have to go after him.”
“I know, but you’re going to get all of us hurt. If you go out there and don’t come back, then I’ll be going after you next." I see a muscle in his jaw twitch with indecision. “We’ll go together.”
“I don’t want—”
“You can’t stop me from following you.” His brows rise, and I see a small challenge there, but I’m not one to back down. “Don’t think about tying me to anything. I saw that scary movie where the woman is alone in the cabin and tied to the bed.”
“Didn’t he die on top of her while they were having sex?”
“Yes, so don’t give me any ideas. I want you very much alive when that happens.”
"Not the worst way to go," he says, and I shake my head at him while fighting not to laugh. Now is not the time.
"Are you sure your head is okay enough to do this?" I don't want him to, but I know I can't stop him either.
"It's best that I don't lie down." His hand comes up to my cheek. "And head injuries bleed a lot. I'm sure it appears worse than it is."
"You're sure? I don't have a lot of confidence in the way you’re saying it."
"You don't want me to go, and I don't want you to go," he says.
"All right," I agree. “Then we’re wasting time fighting over this when inevitably we'll both be going. I’ll let you handle the generator, and I'll check the barn again. He might have run back in there since I'm not in there anymore."
"We're not splitting up."
"It's right there. I won't go any farther than the barn." I can see the indecision in his eyes. “Please,” I push. “This isn’t my first snowstorm.”
“Don’t leave that barn.”
“Deal,” I say before he can change his mind.
Paxton leans down and presses a kiss against my lips. “Be careful. I don’t need you falling, either. With my luck, you’ll get amnesia and I’ll have to win you over again.”
"That doesn't sound too terrible."
He shakes his head, but a small smirk pulls at his lips. "Babe, if you want me to chase you, I'll do that all day, every day. After the snowstorm."
"All right." I take his hand. "But you're sure you're okay?"
"I will be once I have everyone safe and sound at home." I nod in understanding.
"The snow is deep, so one full step at a time with a wide stance. Make your steps short to keep your balance better," I tell him. Like I said, it's not my first snowstorm, but that wind is going to be a bitch. “Two forces will be working against you with each step you take.”
"Got it." I don't know whether he's humoring me or not, but I feel marginally better that he’s at least listening. I don't want to split up either, but the quicker we get this done, the sooner we'll be back inside the house, tucked in safely.
We keep hold of each other's hands until we make it to the side of the house. He points down to where the generator is, but the wind is so loud it’s hard to hear. I nod toward the barn, and Paxton gives my hand a squeeze before letting it go.
I make my way to the barn and see that the door is still open. I was hoping Dominick came back while we were in the house, but after searching every corner, it’s clear he’s still missing.
“Hey,” Paxton says when he enters the barn.
“He’s not here.” I can hear the panic in my own voice. It’s not only for Dominick, but I know Paxton is going to be upset.
"I didn’t see any tracks,” he says, his worry beginning to mount. “I’m guessing they would get covered fast in this."
"They would." The wind blows snow across what’s already there, masking whatever direction Dominick would have gone in.
"I have to search for him," Paxton says, and I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. "It will be okay. I'm guessing on instinct he would have run to the trees for cover. He'll want to hide."
I don't want to tell Paxton that there’s a possibility Dominick ventured out to the frozen lake. I'm not sure how solid that ice is right now, and I could be wrong.
"You go back into the house. That way I'll know you're safe and I won't worry."
“I can’t do that.” His head has stopped bleeding, but what if he gets lightheaded and passes out somewhere? I wouldn’t be able to find him.
“Please.” He grabs both my hands, pulling me into him, his eyes pleading.
“Can we try something first? If it doesn’t work, I’ll go inside.”
“Yes,” Paxton says without hesitation.
“It might sound stupid—”
“It won’t,” he says, cutting me off. I want to kiss him, but again, now is not the time. It’s sexy as hell how confident he is in me without hesitation.
“Okay, so you walk out of the barn and toward the tree line and then pretend to fall.” His brows lift. “I saw it on TikTok. It’s worth a try.” I’ll do anything right now if it means keeping Paxton in my line of sight.
“All right.”
"I'll stay hidden in here and watch for him.”
"I'll give it a shot," Paxton says before walking out of the open barn doors.
I creep forward and peek out as Paxton goes halfway to the trees before he falls dramatically. It makes me want to laugh, but I don't have it in me. Not when he's out there with his head wound and a missing mini donkey.
"Come on, come on." I chant the whisper to myself. It's getting so close to dark at this point that time really is running out.
Then I see Dominick in the distance and I slam my hand over my mouth so I don't let out an excited squeal.
I watch as he tentatively steps out from behind one of the trees and takes a few slow steps toward Paxton.
He must believe it's all clear because after that, he goes rushing the rest of the way to Paxton.
When Paxton sits up to get him, I step back into the barn so I don’t spook Dominick. A couple of minutes later, they start to come through the barn doors, but Dominick freezes, no pun intended, when he sees me.
“It’s okay,” I say, gently taking a few steps back before kneeling down to be less intimidating.
“She’s all right,” Paxton tells him. “Come on, I’ll give you some treats.
” He leads the little cutie past me. "I'm going to get him settled, if you want to head in.
I need to change his coat and get him warm water.
" Paxton lets out a relieved breath, but I can tell he's still worried. "He’s all wet now."
"Is that bad?"
"He's a rescue. Donkeys are desert animals. They can deal with some cold, but you have to do it right." He shakes his head. "I'm working on building him his own little barn that's heated."
That is so freaking adorable. Paxton has a sweet, pure heart, and I have no idea why he's trying to tie himself to me. Guess that's on him, but either way, I need to focus on the problem at hand.
"You have a mudroom," I point out. "Let me go ahead of you and move a few things in there and toss a few of those paint blankets down on the floor."
"That's a brilliant idea." Paxton gives me a warm smile that has me relaxing. I didn't know how much his being worried upset me too.
"I have my moments."
"They're more than moments."
"Stop saying things that make me want to kiss you. We're busy." I wave my hands around.
"I'll save them for after,” he says and then winks at me.
Gah! This man’s charm is driving me crazy.
Turning around, I hurry back to the house and waste no time getting everything ready.
It might be freezing out, but all I can feel is warmth flooding my entire body, thinking this could be my life.
When I’m done, I head back into the living room and scoop up Paprika to cuddle her close.
“Now we have to get this donkey to fall in love with us too,” I tell her, and she purrs loudly, clearly knowing that’s an easy job for her. “You’ll have to teach me your tricks.”
I know I can be a little rough around the edges, and Paxton has only seen parts of me. What will he think after being stuck together for the next few days?
Looks like we’re about to find out.