Page 74 of River Strong

Pickett drove the shotgun deep into the man’s big belly and pulled the trigger as he shoved him aside and grabbed Oakley.

As Frankie fell back, breaking the ice and falling into the water, Pickett pulled Oakley from the creek and into his arms. Around Frankie, blood stained the ice and darkened the water.

Oakley began shaking, no doubt freezing, and her eyes fluttered as he held her close, giving him hope. She was alive, but had to be suffering from hypothermia. He dropped the shotgun and ran with her, anxious to get her to his pickup where he could get her warm before it was too late.

“Norman just told me that CJ set this all up,” Duffy said as Pickett rushed to his truck. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Norman on the ground. “CJ told them to kill all of us.”

“We have to get out of here,” Norman said as Duffy bound the man’s hands with some of the duct tape that had been used on him and pulled him to his feet. “She said there was explosives. Frankie thought she was lying, but I don’t think she was.”

“Duffy, take him in their pickup,” he called over his shoulder. “He’s right. There are explosives. The sheriff’s deputies are on their way. You’ll meet them on the way.”

“I have to get my horse,” Duffy said. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“Hurry.” Pickett reached his truck and put Oakley inside, quickly closing the door. He couldn’t see Duffy as he climbed in after her. He drove up the road a safe distance in case the dynamite blew. Oakley lay against him, her teeth chattering. He had to get her wet clothing off.

In the warm pickup, he stripped off her freezing clothing, then pulled a bedroll from the back and wrapped her in it, pulling her close to give her some of his warmth as he drove toward town.

He hadn’t gone but half a mile when he heard the explosion. It lit the night sky behind him. “Damn it, Duffy,” he said under his breath, hoping his friend had gotten out of there.

Next to him, Oakley moaned. He pulled her closer. “It’s okay, baby. I’m going to get you somewhere warm.” Town was too far.

Ahead was the turnoff to the McKenna Ranch. Oakley was conscious as he pulled into the yard. He saw with relief that Duffy had gotten away. He was dismounting his horse as Pickett pulled in.

“I met some sheriff’s deputies on the way into town and dropped off Norman.”

“Help me get her into the house,” he said to his friend. With Duffy’s help they carried her in. She couldn’t stand and was shivering badly even in the dry, warm bedroll.

“What’s happened?” Holden asked. He’d been standing at the window where the sky glowed bright orange.

“Oakley’s suffering from hypothermia,” Pickett said. “I need to get her warm.”

“Use the guest bedroom down the hall,” Holden said without hesitation.

Elaine came in from the kitchen. “Duffy, go make her something hot to drink. I’ll get her something warm to wear.”

Pickett hurried down the hallway and into the bedroom. Putting Oakley down on the bed, he pulled off the now damp sleeping bag and tossed it away as he carefully slid her under the layers of quilts on the bed. Taking off his own wet outer clothing, he crawled in beside her, drawing her close, his arms around her as he tried to give her all of his heat.

Elaine tapped at the door frame. “I thought you might want these.” She brought in two pairs of freshly washed flannel pajamas and picked up the wet items from the floor and left, closing the door behind her.

“Where...am...I?” Oakley asked from between trembling lips.

“You’re safe. Let’s get you warmed up.”

She snuggled against him. “Did...it...blow?”

“It blew.”

“Duffy?”

There was another tap at the door. As if she’d made him materialize, Duffy appeared in the doorway with a tray. “Hot apple cider?” He moved to the opposite side of the bed and put down the tray. “Looks like you have this,” he said to Pickett and left the room, closing the door again behind him.

“Can you sit up a little?” Pickett asked Oakley. She nodded and he helped her take a few sips of the warm cider. Her color was returning and her skin was warming.

He took the empty cup and she lay back, her gaze locked with his. “You saved my life. How can I ever—”

“You owe me a date.”

She smiled. “I do.”

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