Ch. 10

Cole’s POV

As the door shut, Cassia’s eyes flicked to Cole, and he smiled at her encouragingly, rubbing the top of her hand with his thumb.

She gave him a small, uncertain smile in return.

“My parents always taught me to keep track of how far and what direction I was running,” she began, a couple of tears escaping and racing down her cheek.

She bit her lip and tried to stifle a sob, and Cole couldn’t take it.

Without asking, he climbed into the bed, lifting her slightly, and pulling her into his arms, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

He wasn’t surprised when she tensed, but he smiled to himself when she relaxed into him, letting him hold her.

He rocked her just a little before kissing the top of her head.

“I hate to push you, baby -“

“No,” she interrupted him, bringing up both hands to wipe her tears. “No they need help. I was running NorthEast for about 10 miles. There’s a waterfall and a mid-sized river. They’ll have to cross the river to get to the camp. It’s in a