Page 18 of Austin's Answer
A crash came from behind me. Turning, I saw that the fire now almost reached the edge of the cabin. Another crash sounded, and a piece of wood flew outward. Then again, and again before the burning door fell outward, followed by a chair.
I stepped closer just as Emily ran through the opening with her arms protecting her head. She immediately lay in the dirt and rolled, trying to put out any flames that may have caught her.
I rushed over, running my hands over her, looking for injuries. “Em, are you hurt?”
She threw her arms around me, clutching me close as a sob wracked her body. “I thought I might never see you again.”
I pulled her close, breathing her in. Her scent was mixed with smoke from the fire, but was still the best thing I’d ever smelled. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
She pulled away too soon for my liking. Her eyes, filled with panic, met mine. “I need to get back to the ranch. Now. Ray gave me a shot of the botulism toxin. There’s antitoxin in my kit, but I’m running out of time.”
My blood ran cold. “The ATV.”
We ran closer to the cabin, the heat from the fire now strong enough to feel like a physical push against us, and climbed onto the ATV. I fired it up and headed for the ranch, eking out every bit of speed the machine had. Every minute stretched on forever, knowing Emily’s life was at stake.
Emily
We couldn’t take the most direct route, as a fence stood between the two ranches. Instead, we raced out to the road, stopping only to open the gate that led to the highway. I clung to Austin, careful not to touch the wound on his side.
My mind churned, analyzing anything that could be a symptom of botulism. Muscle weakness, check. Though it could also be an aftereffect of the adrenaline spike. Vision changes, check. The landscape blurred as we rushed by, but that could be because of our speed. Difficulty swallowing, maybe. A lump filled my throat, but I was also on the verge of tears.
If I didn’t make it, Austin needed to know how I felt about him. I couldn’t let him live his life thinking I didn’t forgive him. I shouted, trying to be heard over the roar of the ATV’s engine, “I forgive you! For everything. And I lo?—”
“Stop.” His voice was raspy, the words barely audible over the wind that tried to snatch them away. “We’re going to make it, Em. We’ll have plenty of time to talk.”
“But—”
“No. I won’t lose you. Don’t even think it.” He took the turn onto Shifter Ranch’s driveway at almost full speed, the outer wheels leaving the ground as I clung harder to him. “We’re almost there.”
“My smaller kit with the leftover antitoxin is in the barn.”
He nodded, bypassing the house. He narrowly missed hitting Declan when he whipped around the gallery, still not slowing. The ATV skidded to a halt right outside the barn door, and I stumbled off the vehicle, knees wobbling.
Austin caught me before I hit the ground and lifted me in his arms. He yelled at Declan, who was stalking toward us. “Open the door!”
Declan sprang forward without question and tugged the door open. Austin rushed through the opening, only putting me down when he reached the cabinet I’d stored the kit in. My movements were frantic as I pulled it out, hands shaking, fingers struggling to grasp the zipper. I tried to slow my breathing, but urgency held me in its grip.
Austin grabbed the bag, opening it for me. “What do you need?”
I sorted through the kit, checking labels. When I found it, I grabbed the rest of the needed supplies as my brain tried to focus on the math needed to calculate an appropriate dose.Please be right.I diluted the antitoxin with the saline solution and prepared the IV catheter. After taking a few slow, deep breaths to calm my jittery hands as much as possible, I sterilized the site for the IV and inserted the needle into my arm.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I started the infusion slowly, monitoring myself for a possible allergic reaction. I checked my kit, confirming I had a vial of epinephrine and a syringe if needed. To distract myself, I calculated the correct dose.
“We need to get you to the hospital.” Austin swept me back up into his arms. “Declan, can you send Mason after us to stitch me up again?”
I studied Austin. His face was pale and sweaty. He was losing too much blood. “You need to be stitched now. Someone else can take me to the hospital.”
“I’m not leaving you.” His jaw firmed.
I cupped his cheek. “I can’t lose you. Not now. Please, for me.”
“I’ll get her to the hospital.” Declan stepped forward, holding his arms out to take me from Austin. “Mason will bring you as soon as you’re stitched up and clothed.”
Austin squeezed me to him for a moment, and his lips brushed against my forehead. Then he handed me over to Declan. Our eyes met and held, his full of turmoil. “I’ll be right behind you, Em.”
I squeezed his hand. “I know.” Declan turned to walk away, and my heart twisted at the thought that it could be the last time I saw Austin. My brain scrambled, running through everything I wanted to say to him. Everything he needed to know. “Wait! Vince is behind the sabotage. He’s responsible for everything. Don’t trust him.”
Austin’s eyes darkened, his fists clenching. He growled, and fur sprouted on his arms.
