Page 72 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

My parents satat the kitchen table with me, and I told them about Cord’s progress while my brother made enough pancakes for all of us.

“I can’t help myself from wondering how they knew,” said my mom.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Cord had no pulse. They could’ve pronounced him dead. How did they know not to?”

“I actually talked to Pete about that,” said my dad. “He told me it’s a relatively new protocol that first responders are being trained on all over the country.”

“I remember hearing about it,” said Gray. “There was another case similar to Cord’s, where a drunk college student walked home in a snowstorm. They thought he passed out, and they were able to, uh, bring him back to life, I guess.”

“I had no idea,” I muttered between forkfuls of pancakes. “So, um, Cord’s brother said there’s an investigation into what happened.”

My eyes met my dad’s. “That’s right.”

“He said Cord had injuries inconsistent with him getting lost in a snowstorm.”

“Your uncle thinks someone tried to kill him.” My dad reached over and took my hand, and my mom gasped.

“Who would do that?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart, but I can tell you this; Cord has some friends in high places. My understanding is there’s a private firm assisting in the investigation.”

“Decker Ashford.”

“That’s right. Do you know him?” my dad asked me.

“He helped put in the security system at the Lilacs, but I got the impression thatwasn’t all he did.”

“Your uncle also told me Cord is not without protection.”

My eyes opened wide. “What does that mean?”

“Some of the people you see in the ICU aren’t doctors, nurses, or family members,” my dad responded.

“Why not post a guard outside his door?” I held up my hand before my dad could answer. “Never mind, I get it.”

“That’s enough talk for tonight,” said my mom, standing and taking my hand after I yawned twice in close succession. “Juni needs sleep.”

I let her lead me upstairs, and after I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and got into pajamas, I found her sitting on the end of my bed.

“How are you holding up?” she asked.

When I shrugged and got under the covers, she stretched out beside me.

“Buck said Cord needed someone like me in his corner to help him get through this.”

I felt her nod.

“It almost sent me into a panic, Mom. I mean, I have no experience outside…”

“Of your own?”

“That’s right. What if I do the wrong thing? Or what if he doesn’t want my help?”

She stretched her arm out, and I rested my head on her shoulder. “As in all things, do the best you can, sweetheart. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to me or someone else. You’re Cord’sfriend, Juni. You’re not a nurse or a physical therapist.”

“He gets upset when I’m not there.”

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