Chapter 280 Holding Her in His Arms
Riley patted Finley's back, trying to calm her, but the crying just got softer.
"Finley?" Riley looked down, worried.
The little one had cried herself to sleep, tears still on her cheeks.
Seeing her like this broke Riley's heart.
It was a cold night, and Finley was barely dressed. This couldn't go on.
Riley took off her coat, laid Finley on it, and tried to think of a plan.
But she couldn't climb out of the pit. She was too weak.
After several tries, Riley gave up and held Finley to keep her warm.
The night wind rustled through the forest, but there were no human voices.
Desperate, Riley took out her phone.
Even though she knew there was no signal, she hoped for a miracle.
The phone's light shone on her face as she scrolled through her contacts and called Donovan.
No miracle; the call didn't go through.
Riley hung up with a bitter smile and looked up at the pit's opening.
Luckily, she had a flashlight, so it wasn't too dark, which was some comfort.
"Riley?" Just as she was about to give up and wait for morning, a tired, deep voice called out.
Was she imagining it? Riley blinked and looked up.
Donovan's voice came again, "Is that you down there?"
Realizing it wasn't a dream, Riley's eyes brightened, and she croaked, "Be careful. There's a pit here. Finley and I are down below."
After a few seconds of silence, she heard faint footsteps.
The footsteps stopped above her, and Donovan's tired face appeared.
Seeing Donovan, Riley felt a wave of relief and said, "Finley cried herself to sleep. Go back and get help to get her out."
Donovan's heart clenched seeing them, and he replied, "I'll be right back. Wait for me."
Riley nodded.
Donovan turned to find Paxton and the others.
His face turned grim. He had come too late! Riley and Finley must have been so scared!
After a while, he met up with Paxton and the others.
Paxton was worried. Even with Donovan's directions, it was hard to find them in the deep forest. When he saw Donovan, he immediately followed him.
At the pit's edge, Paxton had someone get a rope to pull them up.
Riley could only grab the rope but was too weak to climb, especially with Finley.
Seeing this, Paxton was about to order one of his men to go down and carry them up.
Before he could, Donovan jumped down.
Paxton was startled. "Mr. Wilder!"
Donovan landed steadily and saw Riley, pale and exhausted, holding Finley with tear-streaked cheeks.
"Let's get Finley up first," Riley said, handing Finley to him.
Donovan nodded, holding the little one and climbing up with the rope.
Riley was about to climb up when Donovan jumped back down. Before she could react, he scooped her into his arms.
