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Zain grunted. “How come mine’s not going off?”
Kash rolled his eyes. “Because your damn shoulder got skewered with a piece of metal, Einstein. You’re offline for at least another week. And standing there, growling, won’t change that.”
Mackenzie shook her head as she hit her dad’s number. “Got your text. Hoping you can elaborate for me.”
Atticus scoffed. “I’m fine, Mac, thanks for asking.”
“Of course, you’re fine. I just saw you twelve hours ago.”
“I’m old. It changes hourly.”
“You’re not old, you’re ornery. There’s a difference. The call?”
“Apparently, a couple hikers managed to get off a call to emergency services before their phone died. I’ve got their relative location. They’re out in the Cascade Head area, and there’s a suspected broken leg involved. Seems they completely disregarded the closure on the forest service road and now they’re pretty much cut off. Ambulance services can’t access them, and with the incoming storm, there’s only an hour, maybe ninety minutes, to get them before they’ll be waiting a day or two for help.”
“Doesn’t anyone in this damn town have common sense? That section of Cascade Head hasn’t been maintained since that landslide a few years back. Everyone knows it’s risky, especially this time of year.”
“You know they don’t.” Atticus snorted. “I assume you’re with Beckett. Is his buddy Kash able to accompany you? Charlie’s out of town, and Remington and Everett are still on the disabled list. Though, you should be able to land close enough you two can hike in and grab our injured hiker without needing the hoist. It’s a bit too overgrown, anyway.”
“Kash is good to go. And we’ll definitely have to land and hike in.” She arched a brow when Foster crossed his arms and simply stared at her.
Atticus huffed. “I’m guessing by your sudden silence Beckett has a few thoughts on the matter. You can tell him, he’s welcome to join in. I’ll have the appropriate papers waiting for him to sign, and I’ll put him into tomorrow’s rotation.”
“Dad. You’re not helping.”
“Having him pitch in when it was life and death on the side of the road was one thing. This is different, and he knows it. Which is why he’s probably glaring at you, right now.”
“If he’s glaring, it’s at you, not me. We’ll be there in fifteen. Have her pushed out and ready to go.” She scoffed. “If your advanced age allows for that kind of thing.”
Her dad grumbled something she couldn’t make out before ending the call.
Foster was still staring at her when she tucked the cell into her pocket. “Weather’s coming in fast, sweetheart. Are you sure you’ll have enough time before it gets to the point even I would have reservations?”
Kash laughed. “In all the years I’ve flown with you, I’ve never known you to scrub a mission due to weather. And that’s saying a lot.”
Foster shrugged. “I’m a bit less discriminating than most. But just because I did, doesn’t mean it was the right call to make.”
Mac gave his arm a squeeze. “It should hold off long enough to get the job done. And they really don’t have any other options. Kash.”
“I’ll go grab my kit and Nyx’s and meet you at your Jeep in two minutes.”
Kash raced out, Nyx hot on his heels. Mackenzie darted upstairs, changing into her clothes before heading for the door. Foster handed her a jacket then followed her out to her vehicle.
He opened the door, leaning against the frame when she rolled down the window. “I’m guessing Atticus was resistant to having anyone else join in.”
Mac sighed. “Something like that.”
“I’m welcome if I sign on the dotted line, right?”
“Basically.”
She reached for him, cupping his jaw when he bent low. “We’ll be fine. I’ve got excellent backup. And we’ll be back before the really bad weather rolls in. Though, there’s always a chance we get stuck at the hospital.”
“Have the old man call me if that’s the outlook, and I’ll meet you there.”
“Oh, I’d love to eavesdrop on that conversation.”
“I’m sure yelling will be involved.” He straightened as Kash and Nyx came racing down the path. “All Atticus, by the way.”