“Okay, Daniel, but I'm getting naked as soon as I get home. My skin's crawling,” Delta says, wiping her hair out of her eyes.
“Sounds like a plan,” he chuckles and turns to gather her jean jacket.
“Today, I thought I was going to die up on that mountain but guess what?” she whispers leaning forward.
“What?” He asks, watching her closely, so she doesn't fall off the bed. “All I could think about was you,” her voice fades. “I wished…” she doesn't fight the tears that escape.
“What did you wish for Delta?” he asks lifting her chin and wiping her tear.
“I wished for you.” A knock at the door and the nurse enters with the wheelchair. Daniel ignores the nurse and lifts her up into his strong arms and kisses her softly.
“You’ve got me, angel.” She smiles as he gently lowers her into the wheelchair.
The nurse watches with a big smile, and he follows, carrying her discharge papers. “The morphine will make her sleep. Let her, it's good for her body. The prescription is for pain medicine if you think she needs something stronger, call the doctor, and he will get that ordered for you. In five hours give her one of the pain pills. You will need to make a follow up in a week to have the stitches removed. Ice for swelling, but watch for drainage or striations. If it is hot to the touch, and the pain is worse, or a fever develops, call us immediately.”
“Thank you, we will do that.” Delta's head bobs as he wheels her outside to the truck.
He quickly places the crutches in the back of the truck and lifts her once again. “So tired, Daniel,” she mumbles leaning against the door when he lifts her up. Sasha tries to climb in the back with them, but Abby keeps her upfront.
Daniel climbs in next to him, and she immediately curls into the crook of his arm. “Sleep, Delta.” Chase and Abby keep quiet as they drive out of the parking lot.
Chapter 7
“There's another wedding party at the Lodge, but I could try to bump someone if I have to,” Chase mumbled as he drives out of the hospital.
“No need, Dad. She’s coming home with us,” Daniel answers quickly. Abby squeals with excitement and covers her mouth quickly, so she doesn't wake up Delta.
Chase frowns into the rearview mirror at his son. “Are you sure that's a good idea, Son.”
“At least until her stitches are out Dad. She’s on pain medicine. Delta will need help getting around until she gets used to the crutches,” he argues.
“I will help, Daddy and Sasha can sleep with me,” she grins. “We will need to get her food from the cabin.”
“Tomorrow we will see what Delta has to say about all of this,” Chase decides. “Should we call her children?” He wonders out loud.
“No, I think she would rather we not worry them, tonight.”
Forty minutes later they are pulling into the driveway. Chase grabs the crutches while Abby takes Sasha out. They move inside quietly opening doors and leading the way inside the large two-story house. The only bedroom downstairs is Daniel’s. He walks quickly inside his room and lays her down in his king size bed. She rolls over and grabs a pillow before frowning over the pain in her leg. Daniel pulls the covers up and leans the crutches on the night table beside his bed.
Sasha sniffs around and follows them into his room. She looks up at Daniel as if judging him before chuffing out a noise and leaping up beside Delta. Chase and Abby follow Daniel from the room quietly.
“It is way past your bedtime, Ab's. Go get a shower and get ready for bed. Thank you for all your help today. You were amazing.”
“I’m glad she’s okay. Why would he leave her like that?”
“I don’t know, but I will get some answers.” Abby hugs him tight and kisses her Grampa before hurrying to bed.
Chase goes to the bar in the corner and pours himself a whiskey, straight. “I didn’t know if we were gonna find her.” He shoots the drink and drops into a large leather chair near the fireplace with a sigh.
Daniel rubs the back of his neck with his hand, “Damn, Dad. Is this all my fault? I never imagined Melody would do something like this.” He jumps up shaking with the realization that Delta could have died on that mountain.
“Easy, son. There's more I have to tell you. The police took Zach in for questioning, and he hinted that Melody planted the fish to lure the bear to the cottage. She was hoping to scare Delta enough that she would leave.” All the color in his face fades away, and he sits hard.
“Oh my God, Dad. What if Abby had been outside?”
“I know son. Melody made her choice, and so did Jacob. I spoke to the police, and they wanted to know if we want to file charges against them,” Chase asks.
“Hell yes.” Daniel's voice is hoarse as he thinks about the bear. “If the bobcat had been bigger, or Delta had fallen into a shaft at the mines, or we had been a few hours longer finding her. We would be looking at murder charges. I will call them in the morning,” he snarls and pours himself a whiskey.
“No need, I told them to charge them. At the very least, they will see a kidnapping charge. We have to go to the police station in the morning.” Chase leans his head back too exhausted to move.
Daniel laughs, “Good. Why don’t you stick around tonight, Dad? It’s too late for you to drive and I might
