Nickie had lost all sense of time, and when she heard a deep, echoing voice call her name she thought it was a mocking wail from The Devil Wind, but then she heard it a second time, and it was clearer. Almost afraid to believe help had arrived she gingerly lifted her eyes above her arm and peered into the gloom; she saw nothing.
“NICKIE.”
The low bellow was coming from behind her, and eyes scrunched, she looked over her shoulder; George was crawling towards her like a great lion. A wave of relieved tears began cascading down her face, and as he neared Nickie pointed to Gina, indicating he should go to her first. Cupping her hand around her forehead to protect her eyes from the flying dust and debris, Nickie watched him roll Gina over, study her face, then put his lips against her ear.
Crawling back to Gina’s feet he stayed crouched over making it impossible for Nickie to see what he was doing, but as he shifted his body she realized he had been fighting with a sleeping bag. Having pushed it up her legs, he was zipping her inside as he shimmied it up her body.
Uncoiling the rope he’d secured around his waist he wrapped it around her, tying her up like a parcel, and it was only then that Nickie saw the rope was trailing out behind him, flapping in the wind.
He laid on his stomach, and to her amazement he pulled out a cellphone, touched the screen, and moments later she saw the rope grow taut; the sleeping bag, with Gina tucked safely inside, began to slowly slide across the ground.
“HEAD DOWN!” he yelled, and turning around he scrabbled behind Gina.
Nickie buried her head back into the crook of her arm, and though she knew he’d be back for her, she wasn’t convinced she’d survive. Even when he returned and he began cocooning her inside the sleeping bag she didn’t believe it, convinced some piece of flying bark would slice her in two. As the rope was tightened around her and she began sliding across the grass, she thought it would snap, and she’d be picked up by The Devil Wind and thrown over the cliff, but when she felt herself being lifted up she dared to open her eyes; they were met with Beau’s smoky-blue gaze.
“Beau?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s me, you’re safe now.”
She could barely hear him over the wind but she knew it was real, and moments later she was inside the truck next to Gina, and George was untying the rope and unzipping the bag.
Finished with the job, George left to lay in the bed of the truck, and climbing in behind the wheel Beau put his arm around her, hugged her tightly, then firing up the engine he slowly began the drive back to the ranch. Leaning against his shoulder Nickie closed her eyes and let her tears freely flow; she’d been plucked from the jaws of hell and was on her way home.
Tyler had an ambulance waiting, and Gina was immediately loaded for transport to the hospital. Beau carried Nickie, traumatized and exhausted, inside the house and laid her on the bed in the guest room; with Beau and her father hovering nearby she was checked over by a paramedic and given the okay.
“You are one lucky lady,” the paramedic declared as he closed his bag. “You’ll probably find some bumps and bruises once you’ve cleaned yourself up, and if there’s anything that needs a second look come on in to emergency.”
As Beau walked him out through the garage where the ambulance was waiting, Nickie stared up at her father sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Dad, I’m so glad you’re here,” she stammered, fresh tears coming to life. “I don’t understand though? How did you get here, and what happened to Gerald?”
“Gerald’s behind bars, and before you ask, no, I didn’t send him here,” her father frowned taking her hand and studying the cuts and abrasions.
“You didn’t?”
“No, we’ll discuss all that later, I’m just so glad you’re all right, and home, and safe,” he uttered haltingly, fighting the hot lump in his throat.
“I can’t stop shaking,” she whimpered.
“I’m not surprised,” Beau said as he entered the room. “You’ve been through an unbelievable trauma. The paramedics have given me a sedative for you, and you need a long hot bath, then sleep.”
“Beau’s right,” her father agreed. “You’ve had a horrendous ordeal, and a soak and sleep is the best medicine. We can talk tomorrow, when you’re feeling better.”
“Nickie, listen to me,” Beau said gently, leaning over her. “Gina’s been hurt and I have to go to the hospital. I’m the closest thing she has to family, but I’ll back the minute I know she’s not in any danger.”
“Oh, yes, sure, of course,” she managed. “Beau, I’m so sorry.”
“Hush, you have to get all this grime off you,” he smiled, and as he wiped a large swath of dirt from her face he found a scrape underneath it. “You got some scratches. If you’re still awake when I get back I’ll do some doctoring.”
“Please tell Gina how sorry I am,” she bleated, tears of guilt and shame washing over her.
“Of course I will, and I’m sure she’ll be fine. I just need to be there so she’s not alone while they’re patchin’ her up.”
“I know you have to go, but…” she blubbered.
“Hey, I’ll be back before you know it,” he promised. “Your dad’s here, Tyler’s here, George is here-”
“George, George was…he was…” but her voice trailed off as the memory of the drama flashed in her mind’s eye.
“You need to soak, come on, I’ll take you up and get the water runnin’,” he declared.
“No need,” Tyler announced entering the room. “The tub is full, it’s all ready for you, Nickie.”
“Thanks, Tyler,” Beau said gratefully. “Come on young lady, let’s get you upstairs.”
“Everything’s going to be fine,” her father said kissing her on the forehead as he helped her to stand. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”
With his arm around her waist Beau walked her slowly from the room, up the stairs and into his bedroom, and as he carefully peeled off her clothes he discovered she had bruises in odd spots across her body.
“Everything’s starting to hurt,” she groaned as he helped her into the tub.
“I’m sure,” he sighed. “I wish I didn’t have to go, but-”
“I know you do. Gina was knocked out, it might be serious, of course you have to go.”
“You soak, and when you’re done get into bed. I’ll put the pill and a glass of water on the nightstand. You take it, you understand?” he said firmly.
“Yes, Beau, I will.”
“I’ll have my phone with me, if you need anything you call me. I promise I won’t be long.”
“My phone,” she frowned. “I left it on the kitchen table, Gina did too, that’s why we couldn’t call you.”
“Use the land line. The phone’s on the nightstand,” he assured her.
“Okay,” she sighed sinking a little deeper into the hot water, “but before you go there’s something very important I need to tell you.”
There was a tone in her voice he didn’t recognize; it was serious and intense, and kneeling down to be closer to her he gently stroked her face.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
“Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but if you left and something happened…”
“Hey, nothing’s going to happen,” he assured her.
“I don’t know that,” she muttered, “and I have to tell you. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I have to.”
“I’m listening,” he said warmly, and I don’t care what your confession is. You’re safe and home and that’s all I care about.
“I’m, uh, I’m totally in love with you. If you never want to see me again I’ll understand, I’m a complete idiot,” she mumbled, the tears flowing down her face, “but I love you with my whole heart. The only thing I could think about up there…when I thought I was going to die…was telling you that, because it’s true, I’ve never felt like this in my life, not about anything or anyone. There, I’ve said it. You don’t have to say anything back, it’s-”
His lips dropped on hers, interrupting her, and filled with his own fervent need to show her how he felt, he kissed her gently, warmly, and lovingly, then moved his lips to her ear.
“I’m crazy in love with you too, you naughty girl,” he breathed.
“You are?” she gasped as he pulled back.
“Of course,” he smiled. “When I discovered you were on your way up to Flat Top my heart stopped. I knew I had real strong feelin’s for you, but that’s when I knew just how strong they were.”