Page 27 of Their Haunted Hearts
Shaking with shock and emotion, Jenna stared at Kane, unable to speak or move. It was as if she’d stepped into a nightmare. Nothing seemed real. Underfoot the bridge shifted and she couldn’t make her hands release the cable. Water ran down her face and into her collar, freezing her to the spot. The sounds of the panicked elk had lessened. Some had turned away from the edge of the ravine and were moving back into the forest in a rolling wall of brown. Clouds of water vapor closed in around them, and as the bridge moved underfoot, it was as if they were riding a surfboard on clouds. Through the mist she could just make out Raven, working his way back to Emily.
“Jenna.” Kane’s sharp voice shook her back to reality. “Look at me.” He stood for a few seconds, breathing heavily, and then held out his hand. “I know you’re afraid but we need to get over this bridge. I’ll lift you over the gap.” He met her gaze. “I won’t let you fall.”
She looked back the way they’d come and then past Kane but she couldn’t see the other end of the bridge. “Can’t we go back? The elk have calmed now.”
“There is no bridge to walk on and this end might not last much longer.” Kane held out his hand. “We need to move before it falls into the ravine. Think of the boys, Jenna. They need us. We must get home to them. Come on. Trust me. This is the best way to go.”
Heart pounding, Jenna edged closer, looking only at him and not the rolling water and certain death below. She took a deep breath and let go with one hand and grasped his fingers. Between Kane’s legs the jagged hole spanned about three slats wide and she’d easily slide through it. “I’m scared.”
“I know you are but it’s an easy jump. You can do it.” Kane’s other arm was hooked around the cable. “Count to three and jump.”
She turned her hand to take hold of his wrist and his fingers closed around her forearm. She bent her knees. “One, two, three.” She let go of the cable and jumped.
Her toes barely made the slippery moss-covered slat, and teetering back, she grabbed tight to Kane’s arm and then grasped the cable beside him. “I’m okay.”
“I’ve got you.” Kane stepped across the void behind her, gathered her in against him and held her close. “Take a few breaths and then move forward slowly. Test each slat before you stand on it. Keep one arm looped around the cable.”
Concerned, Jenna looked at him. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere, but I’ll need to help Raven get Emily across the gap.” He indicated along the swaying bridge. “Raven is behind her. She’s terrified.”
Jenna didn’t move. Kane’s face was pale and his expression granite as if he had slipped into combat mode. She frowned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m the luckiest man alive. I figure someone was watching over me. My hand fell onto the broken cable or I’d be in the water.” His mouth lifted in one corner. “I’m banged up some but I’d feel better if you were moving to safety.”
He never admitted anything hurt, not ever. Something was wrong. She shook her head. “They’re almost here. I’ll grab Emily when she jumps over. She’ll come to me.”
“Then anchor yourself like I’m doing.” Kane frowned at her. “I’ll take her weight. You just steady her when she lands.”
Trying to look calm and in complete control, Jenna smiled at Emily. “Come on, Em. Let’s get off this darn bridge.” She held out a hand. “Dave will help you and I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”
“Don’t look down.” Kane straddled the hole again and held out his hand. “Hold on to me and jump. You won’t fall.”
“You don’t look so good.” Emily looked over one shoulder. “Raven, will you help me, please?”
“Sure.” He took Kane’s place and swung her across the gap.
When Kane grabbed Emily and set her down on the bridge, Jenna caught him wincing. As he came up behind her, she turned to look at him. “Tell me what’s wrong. Where does it hurt?”
“My shoulder is dislocated. I felt it go when I grabbed for the cable.” Kane urged her forward. “Raven will be able to pop it back in when we get to solid ground.” He sighed. “I figure I have a splinter in my leg. It hurts more than it should. Apart from that I’m just dandy.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “There’s no hiding anything from you anymore, is there?”
Testing each slat as she moved across the swaying bridge, Jenna shook her head. “The combat face was the tell. I figured you were hiding something from me and you’re sheet-white. I’ve seen you injured before and that’s rare.”
“I don’t scare easy but I admit falling through the bridge I came close.” Kane kept one hand locked on her arm. “The next bit will be dangerous, it’s uphill and the boards are all slime. You have both sides of the guide rail to hang on to, so use them and slide one hand and then the other. Never let go.”
It seemed to take forever to make their way along the slippery, whining, shuddering bridge, but eventually they made it to the other side and collapsed onto boulders alongside the ravine. Jenna turned to Raven. “How long since you’ve fixed a dislocated shoulder?” She indicated toward Kane with her chin. “He’s too stubborn to ask you.”
“I’m not.” Kane shook his head. “Just resting, is all.”
“You need those cuts tended to as well.” Emily slid off her backpack and pulled out her medical kit. “I carry everything we need here. Do you need morphine for the shoulder?”
“Nope.” Kane leveled his gaze on her. “Once it’s back in, it won’t hurt as much. You’ll need to cut open my jeans. I figure I picked up a splinter in my leg.” He pointed to a hole in his jeans just above the bleeding cut below. He looked at Raven. “Shoulder first.”
Jenna wanted to hold Kane’s hand as Raven manipulated his shoulder but she just moved closer. She heard a pop as it slid back into place, but Kane didn’t make a sound. He stared into space as if zoning out. Raven made him move his arm and then wanted to place his arm into a sling.
“No, I’ll be fine.” Kane rubbed his shoulder. “It’s happened before. The cold wet clothes will help with the swelling and I’ll ice it when I get back to the office.”
“Sit still.” Emily cleaned the cut on his cheek. “It’s just a scratch. You don’t need a bandage.” She cut open the leg of Kane’s soaked jeans and her mouth fell open. She indicated to Raven. “This one needs a clean and a couple of sutures but that needs surgery. It’s not going to pull out and it will leave splinters behind.”
