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“They’re still working on him,” Travis answered.

Rosie looked pale and her mouth was clenched shut. She and Jenni were holding hands, united in their fear and grief. “My son is strong. He’ll come through. ”

“I have no doubt that Juan is determined to live,” Travis answered.

Jack was under Jenni’s chair, his sad eyes looking at all the humans.

Jason was on guard duty and Jack had come to be with Jenni. It was almost as if he knew she needed him. Travis leaned down and petted the dog’s head.

Charlotte entered the room, covered in blood, looking tired. Letting out a desperate, horrified gasp, Rosie grabbed Jenni in her arms. Both women looked on the verge of collapse.

Travis straightened and reached for Katie’s hand. She clutched it tightly.

Travis forced the words out. “How is he?”

Charlotte let out a long sigh. “Stabilized. For now. We actually stopped the bleeding and have him on transfusions. I have some ER experience from my nursing days and I managed to get him stable. The bullet is still in him and it definitely collapsed a lung. I used an empty pen as a tube to get it re-inflated, and Belinda is manually pumping air into his lungs. I have Peggy looking for an oxygen tank she swears she has in storage. He has lost a lot of blood, and I don’t know what other damage is in there. ”

“Is he going to live?” Rosie whispered.

Charlotte licked her lips, then said, “I did my best with what I have. But the bullet is still in there and there is risk of infection. He’s also in shock and we’re treating him for that. ”

Jenni pulled away from Rosie. “I need to go to him. He needs me. ”

There was a moment when Travis thought Charlotte would deny Jenni, but then she nodded. “He probably does. Just don’t get too hysterical in there. Keep it calm. Keep it soft. Encourage him to fight. He’s not conscious, but he may hear you. ”

Rosie and Jenni held each other hands tightly as they went into the next room where Juan lay. Jack followed to the door and whimpered when the door shut, cutting him off. Katie moved to comfort the dog as Travis looked at Charlotte.

“What’s up for real?”

“I need surgical tools and resources we don’t have,” Charlotte answered truthfully. “I need to get that b

ullet out. I need equipment to monitor him and keep him alive. I need medications to fight infections. ”

Travis nodded. “Okay, get me a list. We’ll get it. ”

“Travis?” Katie’s voice sounded frightened.

Charlotte blinked. “You realize the hospitals are death traps. ”

“There is a small hospital about fifty miles from here. Real small. It’s a possibility. It’ll be volunteer only”

Katie stood up, looking fearful. “Travis, you can’t go. ”

“Why not?” His voice sounded harsher than he meant it to be.

“The fort needs you to be our leader,” she answered. She ran her hand over her belly. “And the baby and I need you. ”

Sitting down hard in a chair, he covered his face. He felt tears on his cheeks, and he whispered, “I can’t just sit here. ”

“Katie is right. You’re not the only one who cares about Juan. ” Charlotte looked weary as well as anxious. “We can’t afford to lose our leader. ”

“Some leader. It’s my fault this happened. ”

“Travis, no!” Katie moved toward him, reaching out to comfort him, but he pushed her hand away.

“No, it is my fault. I should have realized what was going on with those two. If I had given them that damned Hummer-”

It was then Bill entered the room, interrupting. “Travis, the bitch is awake. Want to be there when I question her?”