Page 108 of Doing Life

Chris popped up to sitting like a jack-in-the-box, shouting out too. “Maynard! Find me, buddy! Find Chris!”

Abby hit him like a freight train, her solid body welcome and warm.

“Oh, Abby. Good girl. Good dog. Such a good dog.” He hid his face in her neck, breathing in her familiar scent.

Maynard ran to him, then to Chris, panting, tail wagging a mile a minute. Two ATVs pulled up then, the engines roaring until they were cut.

“Good boy, Maynard! Good boy!” Sloan’s high-pitched praise of his dog made Lance sag with relief. “Lance! Lance, what’s the sitrep?” He knew his Sloan. His soldier would secure the area. Then fall apart and love on him.

“We got two wounded. Boone is still unconscious, and Chris has an injured ankle. Can y’all get medical out here?”

“Motherfucker!” Matt was on the ground, patting Boone’s cheeks. “Boone. Man, wake up for me, won’t you? Come on.”

“Don’t—”

“Boss?” Boone’s voice was blown out, hoarse and groggy.

“Yeah. Yeah, buddy. I got you.”

“I’m s-so cold.” Boone was awake, though, hallelujah. Lance might just make it knowing that.

“I don’t think the bus can make it out here, honey,” Sloan told him. “We’ll have to meet them at the barns. You think it’s safe to move them? If it’s not, we can get some more vehicles out here with the EMTs and get some backboards.”

“Chris for sure. Boone, I need to check you out.” He didn’t want to wait if he didn’t have to.

“I’m not waiting here.” Boone sat up, pushing him back on his butt. “What the hell happened to the horses?”

“They ran off a few hours ago.”

“‘A few hours’?” Boone’s voice rose with surprise.

“Can someone take them to the EMTs? Now? If I have to, I’ll wait here.” He wasn’t alone. He had Abby.

“You can ride with me, Lance. There’s room for you andthe dogs. Matt has room for Chris and Boone. You might have to hold Abby mostly in your lap.”

Oh thank God.

“If you’re sure. Someone needs to check Chris for shock and a broken ankle.”

“I’m on it.” Matt was clearly moving Boone, but then he was back. “Sloan, help me lift Chris in a cradle carry.”

“You got it. Lance, stay put.”

“I’ll put out the fire. Plenty of wet goo.”

“Just be careful.”

Well, at least Sloan wasn’t telling him not to.

He got a stick and started scattering the fire around him. It wasn’t as if it was a big blaze. It was at best a little weeny fire, but it had done its job.

Somebody had at least seen them.

By the time Sloan stomped back and touched his shoulder, the fire was, he thought, out. It wasn’t hot anymore, although there was some lingering warmth, so he hoped it was safe.

“Give me that water bottle, I’ll fill it up there with some creek water and just make sure it’s out all the way. The last thing we need is some kind of weird-assed smoldering grass fire.” Oh man, Sloan sounded mad.

Lance didn’t say anything though, he just nodded, and then he stood, handing the bottle over. “Yeah.”

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