I was up before the first light of the day started breaking through the dark sky. By the time daylight began to slowly filter into the cabin, I already had our few meager things packed.

Jaxon walked up to the porch and handed me four granola bars.

“Figured you might be hungry.”

I shrugged. “I can deal, but she needs to eat before we begin trekking down the mountain.” I walked inside the cabin and gently shook Juliana awake. She groaned and slowly blinked up at me, her pretty eyes bleary with sleep. I smiled at her, reaching to brush some of her hair back from her face.

God, she...