Page 53 of Caught Bear Handed

“Beau,” I said sharply, knowing that time was racing away from me.“How do I use the radio?”

“Push the button.”The words slurred.

Problem was, I didn’t even see a button.There was a dusty metal box on a table and a curly cord.I felt around until I found the opening and flipped the well-worn top up.There were a myriad of knobs and switches.Beau didn’t have a tutorial in him, and I needed to play with things until I got someone, anyone on the other end.

I found the power button, which felt like a giant win.The machine hummed, and there was the faint smell of warm dust that intensified to burnt toast, which I tried not to let alarm me.I assumed that the knobs had been tuned the last time someone had used this beast, but there was no telling who they’d contacted.

Hopefully, they were helpful, because moon willing, they were about to hear from me.

The microphone popped when I pressed the button.Static greeted me, and my heart sank.

“Hello?Hello!”I called out, hoping to connect.

Someone answered.I almost passed out from relief.Their voice was garbled, and I assumed that their equipment was slightly more modern.

“This is Kayla Mitchell.I’m with Beau…” I didn’t know Beau’s last name.“He’s hurt.We’re in a cabin somewhere north of Granger Falls on the Sawtooth Scenic Highway.He needs help.”

“We have your location.”

A chill ran down my spine, and I prayed whoever was on the other end of this call was a friend and not a foe.

The voice continued talking.

“I’m only picking up every other word.”Which was frustrating.“Please call Sawtooth Security.Tell them we’re here.”

“Copy that,” the voice said.

“What should I do?”The question was futile, because I’d miss half the details.

“Stay there until help arrives.”

“Copy,” I responded with pride.That was set lingo.It made me feel like I could do this.

I put the microphone down, but left the radio on in case I needed to send another message to my mystery responder in a hurry.Turning to the bed, my heart dropped.Beau’s eyes were still closed, and his breath had slowed and deepened.He’d passed out while I figured out the radio.

Gigi picked her head up and looked at me, concern plain on her face.

“I know, girl,” I said softly as I sat beside them on the bed.I put my hand on Beau’s leg.Electricity shot through my body on contact.I took that as a good sign.“Hey.I need you to stay with me.”

His eyes opened, another small miracle I was thankful for on this long, cold night.“Mate.”

More electricity shot through me.“Mate,” I repeated.“Tell me where it hurts.”

I wished I could’ve asked my mystery responder what I should do with him.

“Doesn’t,” he said.

“Liar.”

That got his eyes to widen.

“Lie with me,” he said, patting the tiny patch of bare cot above Gigi.

She took the hint, rose from the cot with a sigh, and moved down to the floor.I owed her big time.

“You need to shift,” I said as I positioned myself beside him.

I swore to myself I’d keep this neutral, but he pulled me against his warm, hard body.Problem was, there was no neutral with Beau.