13. Kennedy
CHAPTER 13
KENNEDY
W hy did he follow me? Why didn’t he just stay back? I knew it was a risk running out here, but I just didn’t think much about it past that. The animals needed me, and risking my own life didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but with Bradyn out here? What if he freezes to death? Or gets sick?
I take in what I can see of him given the flashlight beam illuminating the loafing shed. The dark strands of hair peeking out from beneath his beanie are matted to the side of his head. His cheeks are bright red, his gaze full of frustration. His stormy expression rivals the one that chased us into this small shelter.
“We can’t head out yet,” he tells me, tone clipped. “Especially since you can’t walk.”
“Agreed.” I lean back against the far wall of the loafing shed. “If you just give me a minute, I’ll be ready.”
“You need longer than a minute,” he snaps.
He leans down in front of the medical bag I’d taken from the pile of salvaged supplies we’d grabbed out of the barn once the horses were out. Rummaging through it, he withdraws a fire starter kit and a small zippered pouch.
“Here.” He tosses me the pouch without looking in my direction.
I take it and unzip it, surprised and relieved to find an emergency thermal blanket inside.
Bradyn moves to the far side of the shed then takes some of the old straw on the ground and pushes it into a pile, carefully ensuring he leaves a gap of dirt around the outside of the pile. Then, he crouches down and prepares to strike a match to the bottom of the fire starter kit.
“Is that such a good idea? Won’t the flames scare them after what they went through?”
He glares up at me. “It might, but we don’t know how long we’ll be here, and freezing to death seems like a bigger risk at the moment.” Without waiting for a rebuttal, he strikes the match, and it crackles to life as he sets it in the straw pile.
The horses snort, but they don’t run.
Bradyn sits down near the fire, his back close to the wall of the shed, so I open up the thermal blanket and set half over his shoulders as I slide down the wall and scoot in closer.
We sit in silence with only the sound of the raging storm around us. The wind howls as rain slams into the sides and roof of the shed.
“We’re lucky the wind is blowing in the other direction,” I say. “Otherwise, this wouldn’t do us any good.”
He doesn’t respond.
I tuck my knees up to my chest as the rest of the adrenaline leaves my system. Cold settles around me, and I start to shiver despite the fire. My body convulses, the shivering getting so bad my head begins to pound right alongside it.
“Come here.” Bradyn separates his legs and pulls me between them, hugging me back against his strong chest. He pulls the blanket out from behind him and places it over me then rubs his strong hands over my arms.
I can’t even form the sentences required to remind him he could freeze too.
The fire continues burning, but I know it won’t remain that way for long since there’s only so much straw in this shed.
Minutes tick by, and finally, the shivers begin to slow just enough that my entire body isn’t convulsing uncontrollably. Bradyn shifts, leaning fully back against the wall of the shed, though he keeps me pressed against his strong chest. Heat begins to spread through my body. Not a lot but enough that I can feel the beat of his heart against my back.
“Th-th-thanks,” I stammer.
“Yeah.” He wraps his arms around me and holds on, giving me as much of his warmth as he can, even as I can feel him shivering right alongside me. “I would have gone out after them too,” he says. “Though I would have taken ten minutes to get dressed in warmer clothes first.”
“Which would have been smart,” I reply with a half laugh, my body still shaking.
“It’s admirable, though, what you did. Thanks for going after the horses.”
“Here’s hoping help arrives before we freeze to death.”
“We’ll survive,” he says. “I told Elliot to wait an hour, which is likely almost up. They’ll be headed out soon. You just have to hang on until then.”
“You did a number on your leg, Sammy,” Lani says as she finishes bandaging me up. “Seriously. What were you thinking?”
“That the horses needed help.” I stare over at the floral wallpaper of the guest bedroom Mrs. Hunt insisted I be placed in once we got back. I haven’t seen any of the brothers, just her and Lani. I’m desperate to know if Bradyn was hurt at all or if Rev’s leg has been tended to by an actual vet.
But so far, any time I try to ask questions, they tell me to keep focused on myself for now. That everything else will be just fine.
“Without X-rays, I can’t know for sure if it’s broken, but?—”
“No X-rays,” I say quickly. I can’t let them put me in a system. Any system. Even if it’s a hospital. If they do, the careful backstory I crafted will fall apart. All it would take is someone looking too closely. And right now, I can’t even run.
“Well, then, all I can do is tell you to keep it wrapped and stay off of it for the next couple of days. If it’s not broken and it really is just a sprain, you should be able to start putting a little bit of weight on it in about forty-eight hours. But just some, don’t go crazy.”
“When can I get back to work?”
“Honey, don’t you worry about that,” Mrs. Hunt says as she pats my uninjured leg.
“I need to work, though. I need?—”
“You need to rest,” Mrs. Hunt interjects. “Don’t you worry about a thing until you’re healed. Your job will still be here. For now, you can stay here so we can keep an eye on you.”
Dread coils in my stomach. The things in my cabin—I need them. “I can’t stay here. It’s too much. Please, just let me return to my cabin, and I promise that I’ll rest up.”
“Nonsense. We’ll have one of the boys bring your stuff up. This is the best place for you.”
“I—”
“I’ll just go and make you something to eat. We’re having beef stew for dinner. Something to warm everyone up.” With a final smile, she leaves Lani and me, shutting the door softly behind her.
Lani snorts. “She’s always done that.”
“Done what?”
“Steamrolled when she goes into protective momma bear mode.” Lani closes her med bag and stands. “You’re lucky you didn’t lose any toes out there.”
“Is Bradyn okay?”
“I haven’t talked to him yet, but I’m sure he’s fine. My brother could walk through the very fires of hell and come out unscathed. Has a time or two.” Her gaze darkens just a bit, those bright-blue eyes she shares with her mother momentarily turning stormy.
“I’m sorry I put him at risk.”
Lani waves her hand. “If it hadn’t been you, he would’ve gone out there anyway. Granted, a lot more prepared than he was, but it’s just who he is. It’s who all of them are.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Good as they come. But don’t tell him I said that. I have an annoying little sister reputation to keep up. Even now in my thirties.”
I smile. “Fair enough. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Good. All right, well, I’m leaving you in good hands. Call if you need me, but I think you’ll rest up just fine. Ibuprofen and lots of fluids. I’ll have Mom bring another ice pack up in about thirty minutes. You should be icing it off and on.”
“Thanks, Lani.”
“No problem, Sammy. See you later.” She waves and starts to head out but pauses to peer out the window and groans. “Ugh, Sharon is here. I knew it was only a matter of time before local media decided to show up.”
Local media. The news. Fear claws at my chest, and I have to fight to push it down. I’m in here. Tucked away in this house. No one can see me. Not a single camera will be able to capture me in here, which means?—
“Look at her, walking around down there like she owns the place.” Lani clicks her tongue. “That woman is a menace just waiting to sink her claws into one of my brothers. Excuse me while I go deal with her.” Lani offers me a quick smile before ducking out into the hall.
I have to fight the urge to get up and hop down to my cabin to gather my things. Truth is, even if I wanted to leave, I couldn’t go anywhere. Not on a hurt ankle. My best bet is to remain right where I am, tucked away on this Texas ranch, surrounded by military heroes. If ever there was a safe place to lie low, it would be this place, right?