Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I was, but I haven’t had one today.”
Bubba walked over to his bag and took out something. “May I look at your eyes? Make sure they’re dilating like they should be?”
“Of course,” I replied.
He shined the light in each eye. “Looks good. Are you sore anywhere else?”
I wrung my hands together before I admitted, “My ribs were pretty tender when I first woke up in the basement and after all the running. They’ve been slowly feeling better. And my feet still hurt from running barefoot.”
Bubba’s eyes went wide.
“You didn’t tell me your ribs hurt,” Liam said softly.
“I don’t think they’re broken, but…maybe more bruised?”
“Do you mind if I examine them?” Bubba asked.
Shaking my head, I stood, inhaling deeply. “I don’t mind.”
He carefully pushed on each rib. I sucked in a breath on one, and he looked at me. “On a scale of one to ten, what’s the pain level?”
When he gently pushed again, I closed my eyes. “Maybe a four? But like I said, it’s getting better every day.”
“I think she’s right, they’re most likely only bruised. They don’t feel broken.”
Liam sighed in relief.
Since I was standing, Bubba looked at the leftover bruising around my eye and cheek. “Bastard really hit you hard.” He gently pushed around my eye and on my upper cheek. “Any pain?”
“A little soreness, but nothing too bad.”
Bubba took a few steps back and pulled off his gloves. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, Mallory.”
The genuine concern in his voice warmed my heart. “Thank you. Is your real name Bubba?”
He laughed, and the instant relief I felt at the unfamiliar sound was nearly overwhelming. My gut instinct about him was right. He wasn’t the man who’d kidnapped me.
“My real name is Leonard. I got the nickname of Bubba from my younger sister, who couldn’t for the life of her say Leonard. I will be forever grateful to her for that.”
It was my turn to let out a soft laugh. “Thank you for doing this, and for keeping it all a secret.”
He stole a quick look at Liam, then focused back on me. “We’ll find out who did this to you.”
Before I had a chance to reply, Liam’s phone rang. When he looked at the caller, he stood abruptly. “It’s Randy.”
I slowly sank to the couch again while Bubba closed his bag and sat down on a chair. We both watched Liam pace while he listened to his cousin.
He stopped and turned, looking at me. A small furrow appeared between his brows. “Yeah, I heard you. Okay. Let me know if you find anything else.”
Once the call was over, he slipped his phone into his pocket.
“What did he say?” Bubba and I asked at the same time.
“He hasn’t gotten any hits on your fingerprints or DNA yet, but he wants to run the DNA through a few other places. So far, he’s only searched Montana and the surrounding states.”
I slowly exhaled. “Is it strange I’m almost worried to find out who I am?”
Liam reached for my hand. “I can imagine this would be scary.”
“I hope I’m not married.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. Liam’s eyes went as round as saucers, and Bubba laughed.
“I mean, I like it here, even though there is a madman somewhere out there who kidnapped me. I’m falling in love with the mountains and the crisp, clean air.”
Bubba and Liam both grinned.
I scrubbed my hands down my face. “Oh my gosh. I wish I could just remember something. Anything!”
Bubba approached and crouched in front of me, lightly placing his hand on my arm. “It’ll come back, Mallory. Just give it time and don’t force it.”
I nodded and wiped a tear away. “Will you stay for dinner? We have leftover lasagna.”
With a wide grin, he stood. “Show me where the food is!”
Liam stood and extended his hand for me. I took it, and he helped me up. “We’re going to get it all figured out. Just know you’re safe here in the meantime, and nothing and no one is going to hurt you.”
Forcing a smile, I tried so hard to believe him, but something deep inside of me was starting to grow wary. He wasn’t far away, the monster. I could feel it in the depths of my soul. He was searching for me…and the only truth I knew for sure was that I couldn’t hide in Liam’s house forever.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Liam
“Liam, what’s going on with you?”
I glanced at Billy with a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been distracted lately.”
Letting out a humorless laugh, I replied, “Distracted how?”
Billy sighed. “It’s like you’re somewhere else. You stare off into space. You’ve been late a few times, which isn’t like you at all. And you’re eager to get home every night. Usually, you’re asking what MaryAnne cooked for dinner and joining us more often than not. But you’ve been going home for lunch and dinner, and I don’t think you’ve joined us in the barn for breakfast at all this week. Is something wrong with Piper?”