(Complete) Michael Bassett will do anything to protect his daughter even if it means sending her away. Soon he finds his trips east mean more than just seeing his daughter, because with each one he gets closer to the mysterious woman he wants to sav...
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Mike woke to screaming. He jumped out of bed and followed the screams up the stairs. He didn't even think as he opened the door and rushed to Maribelle. She was thrashing in her bed and screaming. No words were coming out, but it was as if she were trying to call for help. He gathered her in his arms and placed his cheek on hers and whispered over and over.
"Hush, you're all right, hush..."
Her body was rigid but didn't fight him. He felt her relax just before the sobbing started and caused her body to shake. Through his concern he realized she was wearing only a thin t-shirt. He ran his hand down her hair over and over much the way he often consoled Anna. His finger grazed her right cheek, and he felt uneven skin and instantly knew that the hood was hiding physical scars. He was certain that her nightmare was directly related to those scars.
He continued to hold her when the sobs subsided and he whispered quietly. "I used to have nightmares too. I was trapped, and I had nightmares afterwards."
Her voice was muffled because her face was buried in his chest as she clung to him. "How did they stop?"
"Time and because I had to get back on the horse."
"Horse? You had nightmares about a horse?" Her voice sounded husky.
He continued to hold her and ran his hand down her hair. He was afraid that at any moment she would realize who he was and that she wasn't wearing her hood. He didn't want to let go of her yet. He ran his hand over her back and realized she wore nothing under the thin cotton. He felt his blood flow rush south but told himself that he was a professional caring for a person in crisis. As an EMT and firefighter, he had cared for individuals in crisis and shock. He suspected that Maribelle was both.
"No, just a phrase. I was trapped in a fire."
He felt her body go rigid again. "How? What do you mean by the horse?"
He tightened his hold and kissed the top of her head telling himself he was consoling her as he would Anna but knowing it was a lie. "I couldn't avoid walking back into burning structures. It's my job. I am good at it and truthfully not qualified to do anything else."
She pulled away from him and faced him wide-eyed. "You're a fireman?"
He nodded, but he was too busy looking at her uncovered face for the first time. The light was dim, just from a nightlight, but she was beautiful. He knew she was but her high cheekbones and gorgeous, golden brown hair added to her beauty. He could see the shiny pink mark of a burn down the right side of her face. It was faint and did nothing to change her overall beauty. She must have thought it ugly because she had been hiding her face.
He nodded and pulled her back into him. He wanted to continue holding her. "Did you get burned?"
"No, I had my protective gear, but I remember the heat and all I could think of was my daughter. I couldn't leave her."
