Search and Rescue by April Wilson

Chapter 13

Hannah McIntyre

The chopper shakes and shudders as we lift off, jarring my ankle something awful. Not meaning to, I cry out at the sharp twinge of pain.

Jake reaches for my gloved hand and holds it tight as he turns to me, concern etched into his dark expression. “Hang in there, sis. We’ll have you at the hospital in no time.”

Biting my lip to keep from making noise, I glance down at the ground. Killian, Maggie, and Owen are all down there, watching as we ascend into a bright blue, cloudless sky. The storm has passed and already the temperatures are steadily rising. That’s so typical of the weather here at this time of year. There’s a blizzard one day, and the next day the sun is shining and the snow is gone.

Killian raises his hand to block the glare of the sun and stares right at me until we turn east and head toward town.

Killian. I hated leaving him behind in that valley. He’s been with me for nearly twenty-four hours, right by my side and taking care of me, and now he’s not. I feel an emptiness inside without him.

Jake’s talking into a radio headset, speaking loud enough to be heard over the sound of the rotors.

Leaning back in my seat, I close my eyes and force myself to breathe slowly—in, out, in, out—taking steady breaths as I try to manage the pain. The helicopter’s rough vibrations are killing my ankle.

It’s not long before our chopper hovers over the roof-top landing site at the county hospital. I see two people dressed in scrubs standing beside a gurney, waiting for us. As soon as the chopper lands and the rotors slow to a stop, the hospital staff members push the gurney next to my open door. Jake hops out first. He unbuckles my harness, lifts me out of the helicopter, and lays me on the gurney.

My head is spinning now as I battle the pain and some lightheadedness.

Jake follows us into the building, and the guy pushing my gurney guides me into an oversized elevator. He pushes the button for the emergency room on the first floor, and soon we’re descending.

I wonder how far Killian and the others have gotten. God, I hope they don’t run into any trouble hiking down that mountain. What if the poachers are still up there? I know Killian and Owen are trained for this sort of thing, but I hate the idea that they’re risking their necks for me. And as for Maggie—she’s not trained for this. Still, I know the guys won’t let anything happen to her.

Jake stays with me as I’m wheeled into the emergency room treatment area. A nurse—Shelly—takes my pulse and temperature. Shortly after, a doctor comes in to assess me.

My brother stands across the small room, leaning against a wall, and quietly observes everything going on. I see him typing periodically on his phone, and I imagine he’s sending messages to family members. My poor parents must be worried sick.

“Are Mom and Dad okay?” I ask him.

With a rueful smile on his face, he nods. “As well as can be expected under the circumstances. They’re chomping at the bit to see you. It shouldn’t be long now. They’re about a half hour away.”

“Tell them I’m okay.”

Jake’s gaze shoots over to the physician, Dr. Lundquist, as she unwraps my ankle and begins to examine it. “I can tell them that until I’m blue in the face, but they’ll still want to see you with their own eyes.”

After she takes my vitals, a nurse helps me undress and change into a hospital gown. Someone comes into my room and hooks me up to an IV. Something about needing fluids and an antibiotic. The wound on my arm looks horrible, the flesh red and angry, torn to shreds. It hurts so bad, I can’t bare to move my arm. After it’s cleaned and treated, Dr. Lundquist stitches me up herself.

I’m shipped off to radiology for an x-ray. Then I’m back in my treatment room, and we wait for the radiologist to look at the x-rays and give us the news. Is it broken or not? Please not.

Jake has settled into a chair beside my bed. It’s midmorning now, and someone brings me a breakfast tray.

“Why don’t you go eat something?” I ask my brother.

He shakes his head. “I’ll stay with you until Mom and Dad arrive.”

“Coffee, then. You don’t have to sit here and babysit me. I’ll be fine.”

“Give it up, sis. I have my orders.” He tries not to smile.

“Mom told you to stay with me until she gets here, didn’t she?” When he doesn’t deny it, I say, “Jake, go. I’m fine.” I nod toward the IV. “I feel better already.”

He laughs. “Nice try, sis, but antibiotics don’t work that fast.” His phone chimes with an incoming text, and he reads it, then replies.

“Who was that?” Killian? Are they back yet?

“Shane. They’re about to arrive at the hospital.”

My chest aches when I think about my family. I hate knowing I worried them.

But what about Killian? Jake hasn’t said anything about him. Or about Owen and Maggie. “Are they back yet? Killian and Maggie and Owen?”

“Yeah. They arrived at Maggie’s place about an hour ago. They’re fine. There were no mishaps on their hike out of the ravine.”

I wish he’d be more forthcoming. What about Killian?

Before he can say more, his attention is diverted to his ringing phone. He checks the screen. “It’s Annie,” he says eagerly as he rises to his feet. He nods toward the door. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not. Go talk to your wife.”

Jake takes his wife’s call out in the hallway. I’m glad he has her. I’m glad they finally reconnected after so many years apart. Better late than never, right? It’s just too bad that Annie had to endure so much suffering before she and Jake got their second chance.

For the first time since arriving at the hospital, I’m alone with my thoughts.

Where’s Killian? Will I see him again before he heads back to Chicago?

I realize I didn’t get to say thank you or goodbye. If he up and leaves, I swear I’ll kill him the next time I see him.

When there’s a knock at the door, my heart leaps into my throat. He’s here. Jake wouldn’t knock.

“Come in,” I say, my gaze glued to the door.

It swings open, and Maggie walks in, her expression tentative. “Can I come in?”

“Of course you can,” I say, extending my good arm. She comes to the side of my bed and leans down to gently hug me. “Are you okay?” I ask her. “Did you guys have any trouble getting down to the trailhead?”

She drops down into the vacant chair beside my bed. “We made good time getting out of there.”

“And you didn’t have any trouble with anyone?”

“No, but we did hear a few stray shots. Owen said they were likely still on the ridge, searching. But the parking lot was empty, and we didn’t see anyone.”

“Owen’s okay? He doesn’t have a frostbit nose or toes after staying out all night in the freezing temperatures?”

Maggie chuckles. “No frostbite. He looked mighty fine to me. After we hiked out, we drove back to my place so we could take showers and get cleaned up. Scout is fine. Riley and Brendan are spoiling him rotten.”

“Glad to hear it.” I force a smile. She hasn’t mentioned Killian, and I don’t know what that means. I’m afraid to ask, not sure if I want to know the answer. If she tells me he’s already on his way back to the Denver airport, I’ll be crushed. At least he could have said goodbye in person.

“How’s your ankle?” Maggie asks as she lays her palm gingerly on my left thigh. “Is it broken?”

“I haven’t heard yet. I’m still waiting on the radiologist’s report.”

She stands and takes a peek at it. It’s currently immobilized in a proper splint pending a diagnosis.

“Did you see Jake out in the hall?” I ask.

She nods. “I think he’s on the phone talking to his wife.” Then she glances toward the door, which is only half-closed. “Owen’s out there, too. He was hesitant to come in. He said he didn’t want to intrude.” Maggie leans close and whispers, “He’s shy.”

“He seems like a good man.” Like Killian. Why won’t she tell me anything about Killian?

She’s pensive for a moment, and then her face lights up with a smile. “Yeah, he is.” She hands me a shopping bag from a store in town. “I stopped on the way to pick up some things I thought you’d need—flannel PJs, underwear, and a bra. I figured you’d need something to wear when you go home.”

“Thank you!” I motion to the lovely hospital gown I’m currently wearing. “I arrived wearing Killian’s clothes. I’ll need something to wear when I leave the hospital.”

There’s another knock on the door, and I say, “Come in.”

The door opens just a few inches, and Owen pops his head in. “Hey, Hannah. I’m glad to see you’re doing all right. Any word on your ankle?”

“Nothing yet. I’m still waiting to hear.”

“I hope it’s good news.” Then he looks at Maggie. “You should eat something.”

I grasp her arm. “You haven’t eaten yet? You should go, definitely. The cafeteria’s just down the hall. Go get something to eat.”

She frowns guiltily. “You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. Go.” And then I turn my gaze on the big, blond mountain man standing hesitantly in the doorway. He could do with a haircut and a beard trim. “Owen, I can’t thank you enough for helping me, for helping Maggie and Killian, and for keeping us all safe last night. I owe you.”

He shakes his head dismissively. “It’s nothing. Glad I could help.”

I give Maggie a nudge. “Go eat something, and feel free to bring me some coffee.”

Smiling, Maggie stands. “All right. We won’t be long,” I promise.

And then with a wave to me, she walks out the door, leaving me alone with my aching ankle and throbbing arm.

When I hear a quiet knock on my door, my pulse starts racing. “Come in.”

The door swings open and Jake walks in, tucking his phone into his pocket. “Annie and Aiden send you their love. Aiden says he’s glad you’re all right. He said he knew you would be because you’re tough, like Aunt Lia.”

That makes me smile, because my little sister is tough as nails.

Jake’s phone rings again, and he takes the call. “It’s Mom,” he says, handing the phone to me.

“Hi, Mom,” I say as my mom bursts into tears. “Please don’t cry. I’m okay, I promise.” I can hear my dad in the background, peppering her with questions.

“We just arrived at the hospital. Your father is parking our rental, and then we’ll be right up to see you. I just wanted you to know.”

My dad comes on the line. “Hey, kiddo. We’re coming up. I hope you feel like having visitors.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

That’s my family for you. When one member is down, the rest circle the wagons and prepare for war.

After we hang up, I force myself to accept the fact that Killian’s left without even saying goodbye. I have no one to blame but myself. I pushed him away one too many times, it seems, and he’s taking me at my word. I told him repeatedly that there was no future for us, so I guess he listened.