Page 12 of A Gathering Storm

“Goodbye, father.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Felt the dampness of his heartbreak there and wished things could have been different between them.

Taking Will’s hand, Lizzy headed out the door without looking back. She wasn’t sure what her father had hoped to gain from their meeting, but she prayed he would read God’s word and open his heart up to the forgiveness that only He could give.

???

“I see the chopper,” Michael told the trusted men with him. He focused the binoculars on the still smoking crash site. “I don’t see any movement.”

After speaking with Cole Hernandez, he’d gathered all his former Ranger buddies who’d been preparing for something like this for a while. Everyone had willingly agreed to help.

When Michael and his buddies had first found the website from a group known as Strike Force, they’d realized right away the men and women of the team were patriots risking their lives to bring the truth to a world that was being lied to. He and his people would do whatever they could to help. When the call came through, he didn’t hesitate.

“There’s no sign of anyone else in the area yet.” Aiden Hamilton had been at his side through two hard tours of duty in Afghanistan. “We’d better hurry, though. Whoever did this will see the smoke and home in on the wreckage.”

“Agreed.” Michael motioned his men into action, and they eased toward the downed chopper with their weapons drawn.

A noise of a twig snapping beneath someone’s foot had him holding up his hand to halt the team.

“Stop right there,” A commanding male voice ordered. Had the enemy found the site already?

Michael squinted through the dark woods for some indication who was coming after them.

A young man stepped from the coverage. He was in his early twenties but appeared well trained. “Get your hands in the air.”

During a follow-up call with Cole, he’d been briefed on the members on board the chopper. The young man who pointed a weapon at them had to be Kevin Juarez.

“Hold up, brother, we’ve come to get you out of here. You must be Kevin.” The younger man appeared surprised. “Cole Hernandez and Jordyn sent us.” Michael glanced around the space. “Where are the others?”

Kevin visibly relaxed and lowered the weapon. “Over here. They're both hurt.”

Michael went over to Kevin and held out his hand. “Michael Hurst.” He introduced Aiden and Cameron Bolton, the third member of his team, to Kevin. “Let’s get you all out of here.”

“We’re ready. I was certain they’d find us before our extraction team arrived,” Kevin said and appeared even younger up close.

“Show me your injured people. I’m a trained EMT.”

Kevin headed into the woods where another man sat on the ground leaning against a tree, his right leg stretched in front of him.

As Michael approached, he realized the man was the president and his leg was broken. “Mr. President.” He knelt beside the leader of the country to examine his leg, but the president waved him off.

“I’m okay. Take care of my wife.”

The First Lady was unconscious on the ground beside her husband.

Michael had brought as many medical supplies as he could load in the Suburban. He dropped his bag beside Susan Lancaster who had sustained injuries on her face and arms. A gash appeared along her leg and across her midsection. She was hurt badly. The First Lady of the United States was clinging to life.

Michael did his best not to show the severity of the woman’s injuries as he motioned Aiden and Cam over. “I’ll need help from both of you.” Working quickly, he treated the superficial scrapes, then the burns. The gash across her stomach worried him the most. He packed the wound with gauze and secured it tightly. “Let’s take her to the vehicle.”

With Aiden’s and Cam’s assistance, they carried the unconscious woman to the waiting SUV. The third-row seating opened to allow more room in the back. The two men gently placed the First Lady inside. “Cam, come with me. Aiden, stay with her. I’ll stabilize the president’s leg so we can get on the road.”

Aiden nodded and slid in beside Susan.

Michael and Cam returned to the president. “I’m going to get you ready for travel. I’ll need a hand.”

Kevin readily agreed. “What do you need?”

“Two branches this long that I can use to stabilize the leg until it can be treated properly.” He indicated the size required and dropped down beside the president.

“Is she going to live?” President Lancaster asked and held his gaze. Michael wouldn’t lie to the man.

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