Page 61 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

Jace pushed up on his good arm and roared in pain. The stains grew larger. Meredith put a hand to his chest to stop him. She pressed her shirt to his side with her injured arm then began to wrap the area.

Jace closed his eyes and sat still. When she was done, she stood and offered him her hand. Slowly, he joined her, leaning heavily against her and her injured shoulder. She walked with him to his horse and helped boost him up. It took three attempts, and after Jace was on, she could see what the task had cost him, his face pale, sweat across his forehead.

“Go,” she yelled and slapped the horse’s rump. It sprang into action. On the way to her mount, she stopped to pick up the gun and her coat. She was able to get the coat on one side but left it hanging over her injured shoulder.

When she looked up, she found Jace had circled back and was watching her. “I think you’ve dislocated your shoulder,” he yelled and rode to her. She slid the gun into her saddle holster and hoisted herself up. She needed to sit down. She needed a drink. She needed to pass out.

They were a pair, both injured, but Jace was losing blood, and she wasn’t. Clenching her teeth, she kicked at Coco’s flanks and shot off. Jace would follow, that she knew. Tucking the reins under her legs, she opened the saddlebag with one hand and took out the radio; they were miles from cell service. She made her mayday call. She didn’t know what protocol was required so instead blubbered into the small handheld piece about a bear and their situation. Jace was slumped in the saddle, and she feared he’d fall out at any time.

About a half mile from the ranch, Willow broke through the forest, her horse racing toward them. When she saw Jace, sheblanched and gasped, then rode up alongside him and took the reins, letting him fall further forward on his horse. Meredith rode on his other side, hoping she could catch him if he fell. When they come within range of the house, a truck was waiting for them, but Willow waved them off.

“It will take too long,” she called and kept up the breakneck pace. She didn’t stop until she was at the steps of the house.

Meredith fell more than dismounted and rushed to Jace. She didn’t care that she was in her half hung coat and bra or that her arm had gone numb as it swung loosely from her shoulder.

Leo, the EMT from the other night rushed out, and following behind him was Tuck. They caught Jace as he slid from the saddle and quickly carried Jace inside. She tried to follow, but Marjory stopped her.

“Meredith, we have to take care of that arm.” She led her into the kitchen and peeled the coat from her. “I want you to take a deep breath and focus on that.” Marjory forced her into a chair and started moving her arm, tucking it into to her side and then slowly sliding it out. It was agonizing. Following a loud pop, Meredith’s pain was immediately diminished, and she started to weep.

She jumped from the chair. “I need to see if he's all right!”

Marjory pulled her close. “Honey, Leo is just getting started––”

“I tried Marjory. I really tried. I did everything I could think of.” Meredith clung to Marjory.

“I have no doubt. Meredith, look at your shoulder. I know you fired the gun. That’s all anyone can do. Now, let’s get you cleaned up.”

Meredith shook her head.

“At least put some clean clothes on. At least a shirt.” Marjory tucked a strand of hair behind Meredith’s ear.

“Here,” Willow said as she came into the room and handedMeredith a tumbler with amber liquid in it and another flannel shirt. “You need this. Do one quick swallow.”

Meredith took it from her, her fingers numb and stiff, likely from shock. She tossed back the drink. The burning sensation as it ran through her from head to toe felt good. Made her feel alive.

“Leo says that some of the wounds are deep, but the one on his side didn’t puncture a lung, just bruised it. He's cracked some ribs, too. Leo's putting Jace’s pieces back together as we speak.”

“Won’t he need to go to the hospital?” Meredith asked. She set the tumbler down, and with Marjory’s help, put on the shirt.

Willow shrugged. “He needs to try and stop the bleeding first. The ambulance is on the way.”

Meredith nodded and swayed on her feet.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.”

She slumped against Marjory. “I need to see Jace. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop the bear, Marjory. I’m sorry. Tell Pops I’m sorry.” Once she started crying and apologizing, she couldn’t stop.

Marjory took Meredith’s face between her hands. “Hush, darling. You did amazing. You saved his life. Pops and I will be forever thankful. We’re so proud of you keeping a cool head under those conditions. But Meredith, you are covered in my son’s blood, and it makes my heart ache to see it.”

Meredith nodded, gulping in large pockets of air, hoping to gain control.

“Take a shower, then we’ll drive together to the clinic when you get out. I hear someone coming now.”

There was no siren, but the sound of a car speeding toward the house.

Meredith nodded and stepped into the bathroom. She waited for an indication that Marjory had moved away before she came out to stand in the hallway by the stairs. If they were going to take him to town, she was going to get one last look at himbefore they left. When the doctor ran up the stairs, the house seemed to be placed on pause. Not a sound as people waited for word.

Finally, a door creaked open, and a shuffle told Meredith that Pops was coming down the hall. His frame filled the space at the top of the stairs. Marjory and Willow came to stand next to Meredith.

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