Page 117 of Love and Memories

“I’m here. We’re pulling into the ranch. Matt should be there soon.”

As if on cue, Matt Benson’s truck sped along the path and jerked to a stop in front of Travis’s truck.

“Over here!” Travis shouted. “Bring my med bag out of my truck. Back seat.”

He turned back to Bella and brushed her hair from her face. Leaves and pine straw were tangled in the strands, and the blood on his hands spread wherever he touched. It was probably his blood. His left arm was growing heavier by the second.

“I’m here, baby. Just relax.”

Matt appeared at his side and dropped the bag. “What can I do?”

Travis unzipped the bag and pulled out the stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. “There is a wound kit in here. It’s in a clear box. Can you get it out?”

Hooking the stethoscope to his ears and pressing the bell to her abdomen, Travis closed his eyes to listen.

There were sounds, but they were too faint. His hope for the baby’s safety was dwindling. Blunt force trauma like that could have easily killed a baby that size. He had to pray that there was enough amniotic fluid to cushion the blow.

Matt handed over the wound kit. “Everything okay?”

“I don’t know yet. Who else is coming?”

“Nathan said he was bringing the police and paramedics.”

Travis dropped the stethoscope and picked up the blood pressure cuff. Every movement brought stabbing pain from his shoulder, but he gritted his teeth to bear it. “Bella needs to get to a hospital.”

“Looks like you do too,” Matt said, pointing at Travis’s shoulder.

Travis swallowed hard. He couldn’t think about his arm yet. Every movement was limited, which made his work on Bella slower. “Can you check that man for a pulse?” Travis asked, pointing to the man he’d hit with a home-run swing.

“Um, I don’t think that’s necessary,” Matt said, turning back to Travis.

Fine. At least Bella and baby Ariana would get all of the attention from the medics when they arrived. The guy who stabbed Travis’s shoulder hadn’t made an appearance either. He’d probably met the same fate as his friend.

Travis cleared his throat. Two lives lost, blotted out of the world like a candle being snuffed out. They weren’t the first he’d seen, but they were the first he’d caused.

Lights flashed through the woods as Travis finished counting Bella’s blood pressure. “It’s high. She needs to get on the road now.”

Matt stood. “I’ll lead them over here.”

He jogged off toward the approaching line of first-responder vehicles, and Travis leaned over Bella. Pressing his fingertips to her neck, he focused on the steady thump of her pulse. “They’re here. You’ll be on the road soon.”

She lifted her hand, and he grasped it. “Don’t–”

“I’m not leaving you, baby.”

“The baby,” she whispered.

Travis pressed a hand to her belly and closed his eyes. “God, we need Your help right now. Please be with Bella and Ariana. I pray You’d keep Your healing hand on them. Help them remember You’re always here. God,pleaseprotect these girls. I love them, and…”

He squeezed Bella’s hand, unable to talk anymore. His nostrils flared as he sucked in deep breaths.

“Hey,” Bella whispered.

Travis opened his eyes to find her looking up at him.

“It’s going to be okay,” she whispered. “No matter what happens.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He was supposed to be the strong one. He was supposed to remind her everything was going to be okay. Instead, she was the one whose faith was steady even in the darkest moments.

---