Page 77 of Adam's Rising

“Yes.”

He rushed forward, then removed his knife, cutting the rope. He scooped her into his arms, but she cried out in pain.

Adam flashed the beam at her ankle. It was bent in an unnatural way.

“Dear God, what —”

“I don’t wanna talk about it. Please… just get me out of here.”

“Oh, honey…” His eyes watered up, but he blinked them back. He needed to be strong. How could he cry when she’d been through hell — because of him?

Claire brushed the tears away from her face, then his. “I’m okay now. I knew you’d save me.”

“Always,” he said, holding her tighter as she shivered against him. “As long as I’m alive… probably longer.”

* * *

The sun had set,and Adam was exhausted, but they couldn’t risk the men coming back.

It was too dangerous riding the horses through the wilderness, so Adam carried Claire while Rusty walked Bolt and Red Dog.

He didn’t want to let her go, but between the slope and the snow, it was too much.

Adam lifted Claire onto Bolt, his warmth would help her, too. “You take care of my girl, Bolt.”

Claire stroked his mane and lowered her body against his neck.

Adam walked ahead, clearing brush, calling updates when the terrain changed.

Peter stayed close, but didn’t ask about Claire. The set of his shoulders spoke volumes, though.

“She’s going to be okay,” Adam said, not sure if he was reassuring himself or Peter.

They reached the ranger station around two in the morning. A snowmachine team met them there, part of the expanded search that had fanned out since morning.

Clara Mae had pulled every string she had.

A ranger with medical training helped assess Claire.

“She’s hypothermic, has a compound fracture, is dehydrated, and badly underfed. We need to get her to the hospital.”

Adam squeezed Claire’s hand. “They’re going to airlift you to —”

“No,” Claire croaked, her throat still husky from dehydration. “I don’t want to leave you.”

Adam leaned toward her ear and whispered, “One of the first things we’re taught in search and rescue… Take control of the patient.” He smiled. “If you were drowning and unreasonable, I’d have to knock you out.” Even saying the words, he cringed, but his comment elicited a small smile. “You’ve trained to work search and rescue, Claire. You know what happens next. The doctors will be the real heroes; no one will know my name.”

“I will.”

“I know, honey. Be good. I’ll be there faster than you can miss me.”

Claire forced a smile as her eyes fluttered shut. “I already miss…”

The paramedics had given her something to relax, so her body could heal.

He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you soon, honey. I love you.”

* * *