Rescued By Nova

Chapter 4

South Carolina was beautiful and started much like our last stop. We spent our first couple of days hiking and exploring just spending our time together in nature. We met some cool people at the campground and had dinner with them. Then one morning, we started out our hike on a new trail, just as we had several other times, a few hours into our hike something caught Nova’s attention. She veered off the trail and would not listen no matter how much I called her. That was very much unlike her, we had spent countless hours training, and her recall was amazing, there had never been a time she wouldn’t come back when she was called. I finally decided I would follow her and see what was so interesting she had forgotten the most important thing she had ever been taught.

We hiked for miles off the beaten path, after running through rugged terrain, over downed tree, through briar patches, and all other sorts of obstacles. I was not near as fast as I was in the beginning and lost sight of Nova. I called for her so much I was beginning to lose my voice, but she still didn’t return. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she started barking. That was also not at all like her. I hoped more than anything she would keep barking until I could find her. When I finally found her, she was standing next to a young girl. The child couldn’t be more than 7 or 8 and looked terrified. I ran straight to the dog and the girl.

It took several minutes of comforting for the girl to finally try to talk. She told me her name was Chloe. She was out with her family and had gotten lost and was unable to find them. She had been out there since early this morning. She was tired, thirsty, and hungry. She had a few scrapes and bruises but mostly uninjured. I hugged her so tight and wanted to cry for her. I gave her some water and some snacks. We rested while she got her energy back up. Then she looked up at me and said, “Will you help me find my mommy?” and my heart broke for her. I told her Nova and I would help her find mommy. We would walk back to the campground and if her mommy wasn’t there, I would call for help. I wouldn’t leave her side until she was back in her mommy’s arms.

I pulled out my cellphone and of course didn’t have any service. We had walked so far off the trail I was sure where we were either. On a whim I decided if Nova could get us here then she could get us home.

“Nova, take us home” I said.

She took off in the direction that we came from, slow enough we could keep up. She acted like she knew exactly where she was going without a doubt in her mind. It took us a few hours and was nearly dark when we got back to the campground. I carried Chloe for the last hour or so. She was so tired she was almost asleep on my shoulder. When we arrived at the camp there wasn’t much activity so I suspected her family must be camping at a different campground nearby. Luckily, I did have cell service here, so we called 911 and gave the dispatcher a quick rundown on the situation and then just had to wait on Chloe’s parents and deputies to arrive.

I tried to set Chloe down, but she immediately started to cry so picked her back up and set down in a chair with her on my lap while we waited. I don’t know what made Nova go looking for Chloe today, but I am very glad she found her. I was so proud of my girl; she was getting an extra special treat tonight when everything finally got settled down.

45 minutes later a sheriff’s deputy pulled into the campground, by this time I was so tired I was dead on my feet. I blame my exhaustion on my reaction to the man that exited the car. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. I have sworn myself off men so that’s saying something. He was ruggedly handsome, his hair was dark brown and curly, just long enough that it had a messy look to it. I was sitting here wondering what it would be like to run my fingers through those curls.

He cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Ma’am” He said very loudly.

I have a feeling that wasn’t the first time he tried to get my attention.

Chloe’s parents pulled in about that time. The jumped out the car and Chloe ran to them, and they ran to her. They were all crying tears of joys. It was an amazing thing to see. I was so happy to be a part of such a happy reunion. They thanked us a million times and even offered to pay us (I refused). I told them the quick version of how I found Chloe and Nova’s part in the rescue as well. They were anxious to get Chloe back to their home away from home and safe in bed. I couldn’t imagine how they had felt today while she was gone. Their relief to have her home had to be surreal. Chloes Mom gave me a hug, her dad shook my hand, and I reached over and gave Chloe a quick kiss on the forehead, and they were off. The whole experience was just so surreal. To be a part of reuniting a lost child with their family was something I couldn’t even begin to explain.

Once they were gone Deputy Hottie didn’t move to leave. I wish he would have, staring at him was not good for my mental health. He introduced himself as Deputy Hardee.

“Oh I bet you are” I muttered

He laughed and his eyes suddenly darkened he said, “Would you like to find out?”

I can’t believe I even said that out loud. I can’t believe he even said that out loud. I stood there in shock. Just staring at him. I am not this type of person. I don’t say things like this. What in the hell is wrong with me?

And then said, “Thank you for your help tonight, Deputy, Good Night.”

I turned around and practically ran back into my little home away from home slamming the door behind me. I was mortified. I didn’t flirt. I have no idea what got into me. I barely talked to strangers, I definitely did not think about how hard they were. What in the world has gotten into me. As I stood there with my back against the door, I could hear him chuckling and talking to someone. Who was he talking to? As I stood and listened, I realized he was talking to Nova. I ran inside so fast I left my dog outside! How in the world did I forget my dog?! I stood there wondering if I waited long enough if he would just leave.

After 5 minutes passed and I looked out the window, he was sitting in my lawn chair petting Nova looking as comfortable as a cat on a window perch. There was no way he was leaving anytime soon. He was waiting on me to come back out to get Nova. I walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the small mirror. I was a mess. After over 14 hours of hiking, sweating, and dirt, I needed a shower. What was wrong with me? Why did I care what I looked like? I growled at myself, reminded myself that I was focusing on myself and didn’t care what anyone else thought about me, and walked out the door to get my dog from Deputy Hottie.

“The temptation of knowing I was sitting right outside was just too much for you wasn’t it.” He said, as soon as I stepped out of the door.

I stood there for a moment in shocked silence. The smirk on his face had my body doing things it wasn’t supposed to be doing. My body had never responded to a man this way. Definitely not to Liam. And he was so direct about it, it was frustrating. I didn’t know how to respond, I wasn’t a fast thinker. I was never known for my whit.

“I’ll just take my dog, and you can be on your merry way.” I finally said.

“Not so fast, at least tell me your name before you go.”

“Maggie” was all I said. Short and sweet. He didn’t need to know more.

I called Nova and we walked back in the trailer, and I closed and locked the door. This time I refused to go back out for any reason.

After a good 10 minutes I finally heard a car door close and the sound of the engine as he drove away. I finally relaxed a little bit knowing that he was finally gone.