Forever Your Rogue

by Erin Langston

“Tess!” Nate sprinted to her, his heart far outside of his body as he watched her wail in distress. “Tess, it’s all right, sweetheart, it’s all right…” At the sound of his voice, she turned, hiccuping, her watery eyes landing on him like a tiny blue beacon: There you are. “Nate!” Tess cried. He stopped short, momentarily stunned as she scrambled down from the bench and raced to him, barreling across the garden as fast as her small, brave legs could carry her. She was coming to him. He took two long strides, and then he was scooping her up, folding her shaking body inside his arms. She clung to him, curling into a tight little ball, her knees tucked against her own chest even as she wiggled her way into his. “Shh…shh…Tess…” Her little hands clutched his coat, her wet face burrowed into his neck. “I don’t like it…” And Nate understood; Tess was frightened, but not of the dogs. She was frightened of her own fear, of the realization that she could be afraid, that she should be afraid. He knew the feeling well. “You’re fine, darling girl, I’ve got you,” Nate murmured, smoothing down her hair. He fervently prayed he was doing this right. “Don’t cry, sweetheart, nothing is going to hurt you…I’ve got you.”

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