Page 245 of Track of Courage

“If Thornwood really was Sorros, and he was tasked to take out Wilder, then there’s no way he’d want a witness.” He turned back to Griffin. “And he’s not going to quit.”

Silence, and she clamped her mouth shut. She refused to let tears spill out of her stinging eyes.

“You can wait for the blizzard to end,” Griffin said softly. “We’ll post guards, keep everyone inside—”

“They can’t wait.”

These words came from River, who had joined them, standing at the end of the table. She wore her hair back in a handkerchief, fatigue in her eyes. “Wren isn’t doing well.”

Donald stood up. Groaned and braced himself on the table.

“And Donald has a concussion.”

“I’m fine.”

River held up her hand. “I think Wren has some internal bleeding. Maybe a broken rib nicked something, but she has some abdominal pain and more bruising has appeared. It could be from the fall, but ... she’s pale and still confused and lethargic. She needs more medical help than we have here.” Her gaze settled on Dawson. “We can’t wait for the blizzard to die.”

“It’s already subsiding,” Landon said. “According to the weather service, this is the tail end. It’s clear skies west of Copper Mountain.”

Griffin turned to Dawson. “Take the snow machine and a sled. With the drops in temperatures, the snow should stay powdery enough for you to get through.”

“I should go,” Donald said, his hands braced on the table.

“Yeah, and you’ll pass out along the way, and then you’ll both die.” This from River, and even Keely turned brittle.

Donald gave her a wretched look, so much pain in it, Keely had to look away.

Despite his rough-edged demeanor, the man did love his daughter.

“I’ll bring her to Sully’s and call Moose,” Dawson said. “He can bring a chopper in, and if not, the outpost should have an all-weather ATV. We’ll get her to safety.”

“No. You don’t understand,” River said. “We can’t move her.The bleeding will only increase. You need to go get help and bring it here.” She looked at Donald. “You stay here with Wren. She needs her dad.”

The man looked away, swallowed, his face twisted. Nodded.

Poor man.

“Maybe I should go,” Griffin said.

“No, you should stay. Do your job, and let me do mine,” Dawson said. “I’ll get to Sully’s.” His gaze went to Keely. “Maybe you should stay.”

“Not a chance.” She raised an eyebrow at his wide-eyed expression. “Thornwood is after me. If I’m not here, then...” A shoulder lifted, and she gave Donald a tight smile. “We’ll get help. I promise.”

More silence, during which Dawson gave her a dark, almost fierce look, as if biting back an argument. Then he looked at Donald and nodded.

And just like that, the movie ended.

Time to leave.

“I’ll pack you a survival kit,” Nance said and got up.

“You’re going to need warmer clothes.” River looked at Keely and exited the room.

Caspian whined.

Dawson petted his head. “Not you, buddy. You stay here. We’ll get you when we come back.”

The dog got up, as if in protest, but Dawson turned to Griffin. “Watch my dog?”