Page 73 of Colton On Guard

“Help me,” she ordered when she noticed Parker looking down at her. “Throw me a rope or something and pull me out.”

“In good time,” he told her. Then he turned and walked away without another word. Calling both dogs, he headed for the path that ascended the rock face, hoping once he reached the summit, he could manage to get enough of a cell signal to call for help. Revis walked with him, but JB only lay down and refused to leave Genna. Aware the smaller dog might need protection, Parker made Revis go back to stay with his little friend.

The old dog cocked his head and then trotted over to sit next to JB. “Good boy,” Parker called and then continued on.

At the base of the cliff, he stopped and took a deep breath. It had been years since he’d attempted a climb like this. He couldn’t fail. If he did, no one would be able to come help him or Genna, not to mention the unnamed woman who’d pushed Genna.

Forcing himself to move slowly and deliberately, he began the climb. Since there was a trail of sorts, it wasn’t as if he were trying to pull himself up the rock. While the path turnedincredibly narrow and he had to hug the side, technically it was still a hike, though an incredibly arduous and dangerous one.

By the time he made it halfway, Parker had to stop and wipe away perspiration. Though he’d never been afraid of heights, he knew better than to look down.

Once he’d caught his breath, he carried on. He kept seeing Genna lying on that ledge, broken and helpless. Pushing past frustration and rage, he only knew one thing. He had to help her. He couldn’t lose her, not now. Not ever. And he hadn’t even told her he loved her.

He clenched his jaw. Almost there. One foot over the other, keeping as close as he could to the rock, Parker kept going.

Finally, he reached the summit. Here, he could see the valley below and the other mountains. Carefully digging his phone out from his pocket, he held it up.

Still no bars.

Cursing, he turned in a slow circle and tried again. Even in remote areas, he knew he could call or text 9-1-1. The call would be picked up by the closest cell tower.

He tried dialing first. The call immediately dropped. Since he had nothing to lose, he sent a quick text.

Help. We are camping up on the trail near Crowder’s Meadow and need help. Someone has fallen and is injured.

Once he’d sent it, he waited. And waited. Usually, the screen said “Delivered” once a text had been received. It did not this time.

A moment later, he got a red error message, letting him know his phone had been unable to send his text.

Damn it.

He tried several times to make the call. It wouldn’t go through.

On the western side of the cleared area, there were several huge boulders, larger than his truck. He’d never tried to climb them and, truthfully, didn’t have the equipment. Even if he managed to make it up onto one, he didn’t know if doing so would even give him a signal.

Still, he had to try.

Making a quick circle around the nearest rock, he saw no way to scale it. The second one looked better. There were several trees close to it. Some of the branches even brushed against to the stone. Since time was of the essence, he didn’t waste it. He climbed up one of the trees; high enough and close enough to the top of the rock. From there, he could see several flat surfaces that he could stand on, if he could just manage to get there.

Now or never.

Hoping that the branch didn’t break, he grasped it and swung out over the boulder. As soon as his feet touched stone, he let go.

For a second, he remained crouched, stunned that he’d made it. Then he stood and took out his phone.

This had to work. It had to. Otherwise, he’d have to hike back to his truck at the trailhead parking area. He’d definitely have a signal there.

Lifting his phone, his heart stuttered when he saw two bars. Not a strong signal, but should be enough to call 9-1-1.

Just then, his phone rang. Eli.

Parker answered, talking without giving his brother a chance to speak. “We’re at the remote campsite, Genna’s badly hurt. I need you to get some help up here. We’ll need a medevac copter to get her down. And her stalker’s here also.”

“Parker?” Eli asked, his voice fading in and out. “You’re breaking up. Did you say Genna’s hurt?”

Repeating what he’d just said, Parker asked Eli if he understood. But Eli didn’t answer. That’s when Parker realized he’d lost the signal.

He tried again and again, but couldn’t get his phone to work. Texts weren’t delivered and no calls, even to 9-1-1, would go through. He had to hope Eli had understood. But in case he hadn’t, Parker knew he’d need to come up with an alternative plan.