Chapter Seventeen #2
The envoy switched to lights only as they stopped in the middle of the road, but the earsplitting sirens echoed in the trees for what seemed like an eternity.
One deputy continued up the hill toward the ranch and Cash overheard a firefighter say that they were blocking the road at both ends.
Nick placed his hand at the small of Cash’s back and led him over for introductions.
Captain Hart with Hart’s Creek Rescue was perfunctory and professional, which Cash found reassuring.
Hart didn’t have time to hold his hand and offer hollow promises.
His crew had a job to do, and they needed Cash and Nick to stay clear so they could do it.
“Understood,” Cash said. “I just want to be clear about something. I only care about Rueben’s safety. The truck isn’t important.”
The chief nodded briskly before barking out orders.
In a flurry of activity, the crew donned safety gear and lit up the forest with emergency lighting.
Cash and Nick moved out of the way and observed from a safe distance.
Nick wrapped his arm around Cash’s waist, pulled him close, and pressed a kiss to his temple.
“Rueben’s going to be okay,” Nick said.
“I won’t accept any other outcome.”
Captain Hart motioned for everyone to settle for a second so he could communicate with Burke.
The men shouted questions and answers back and forth for a few minutes before Hart signaled for them to continue.
A crewman pulled metal hoist wire rope from a spool on the back of the Hart’s Creek Rescue truck and hooked the end to a spinal board.
Three additional crewmen, geared in backpacks and rescue harnesses, hooked their kernmantle ropes to the sides of the truck before positioning themselves at the edge of the road.
One of them got handed an extra rescue harness and a rope, and the other two took possession of the spinal board.
They used the system of pulleys on their gear to adjust the rope so they could disappear over the side.
Cash instinctively took a few steps forward before Nick tightened his hold on his waist.
“And just what are you going to do that these guys can’t?” Nick teased.
Cash sighed. “You’re right. It’s just killing me to stand here and do nothing.”
Nick pressed another kiss to his temple and held Cash even tighter.
The gesture was meant to comfort, not restrain.
Cash practically melted into Nick’s touch.
The setup happened fast, but the journey down to Rue seemed to stretch on forever.
Luckily, Cash could tell what was happening from the shouted communications between Captain Hart and the crew.
“How the hell did Burke make it down there without equipment?” Nick asked.
“We’ll find out when they bring his ass back to the top, but I suspect fear overrode his common sense.” If Cash had been first on the scene, he probably would’ve attempted it too.
“I can feel you tensing up like you’re about to bolt for the edge of the road,” Nick said. “Maybe text an update to Ivan. They have to be freaking out right now.”
“Good call.”
Cash pulled out his phone and opened the group chat thread he’d set up for emergencies.
If this didn’t qualify, he didn’t know what did.
It was the first time he’d had to use it, and hopefully it would be the last. Rue was part of the group of course, but Cash suspected his phone had been damaged beyond repair.
He could read the thread after his rescue and Cash got Rue a replacement phone.
He typed a quick text to inform them of the progress and immediately received a reply from everyone.
Cash figured they were together at Ivan and Rory’s house, where the crew gathered for poker every Saturday.
Tears welled in his eyes when he read just how much everyone loved Rue.
Cash looked forward to him reading their sentiments too.
Nick leaned closer to read the exchange. “You have a remarkable family, Saint.”
“I really do.”
The men called out when they reached the truck. An argument ensued, and Cash surmised Burke had refused to go back up the mountain without Rueben.
Nick snorted and said, “I think that sly little minx is about to get his way. Do you think life has prepared Burke for Rueben Sanchez?”
Cash laughed and laid his head on Nick’s shoulder. “Not in the slightest.”
Captain Hart stayed by the edge of the road and called instructions to the hillside crew and the guy working the hydraulic winch on the back of the rescue truck.
It seemed like hours passed before the crew’s bright helmets came into view.
Cash took a few steps forward, but Nick pulled him back again.
“Wait until everyone is up safely,” he urged.
Two members stood on either side of the spinal board with Rueben, and the third assisted Burke’s ascent. As soon as everyone was on solid ground, Cash and Nick rushed over to the group. Two EMTs approached the spinal board at the same time.
“One minute, please,” Cash asked them. He dropped to his knees on the pavement without waiting for them to respond.
They’d draped Rueben with a shiny rescue blanket and strapped him to the board.
He didn’t seem to notice Cash’s presence because he was too busy frantically searching for someone else.
Cash had seen the wild-eyed expression on frightened animals before, and it killed him to see it in Rue’s dark eyes.
He knew the moment Rueben’s gaze landed on his target because the straining muscles in his neck relaxed, and he released a heavy sigh.
Cash chuckled because he knew who Rueben had been looking for. The sound got Rue’s attention, and he attempted a smile.
“Hey, boss.” His teeth chattered, probably from shock.
Cash wished he could grip Rue’s hand to calm him, but it was tucked under the blanket.
He rubbed his hands up and down Rue’s shoulders and arms, hoping to stimulate some warmth to comfort him instead.
Cash could barely swallow around the lump in his throat, let alone speak, but he gave it his best try. “I’ve never been happier to see you.”
“Back at ya. I’m really sorry about your—”
Cash shook his head to cut him off. “I don’t care about material things. I just wanted you home safe and sound.”
“Makes two of us. Burke said I need to get checked out at the hospital, but I didn’t break anything. Can you just take me home?” He sounded so small, and it made Cash’s heart ache.
“I think Burke is right, but I’ll tell you what. I’ll stay at the hospital with you, okay?”
Rueben glanced in Burke’s direction once more and scowled.
Cash turned to see what had put the thundercloud in his expression.
Captain Hart had Burke wrapped in a bear hug and didn’t seem interested in letting go.
When Burke wrestled free, Hart kept a grip on the sheriff’s biceps.
Their interaction seemed intensely…jovial if that was a thing.
Their conversation appeared heavy while their expressions displayed affection and respect.
Rue released a little growl, then shouted “Hey!” loud enough to get everyone’s attention. Burke broke away from Captain Hart, who smiled as he watched the sheriff walk away.
“Just who the hell is manhandling my man?” Rueben asked when Burke dropped to one knee opposite Cash.
Burke’s mouth quirked into a wry smile. “That’s my cousin, Kerry Hart,” he said. It was worth noting that Burke didn’t rebuke Rue’s possessive claim. “Kerry and his crew are responsible for getting us to safety.”
Rue didn’t look remotely relieved. “Kissing cousins?”
Cash suppressed a startled snort, but Nick didn’t bother.
“Gross,” Burke said. “I’m not presently kissing anybody.”
Rue’s irate expression morphed into full out flirtation. He batted his mile-long eyelashes and said, “Want to change that?”
“Okay,” said the female EMT before Burke could respond.
“It’s time to take Mr. Sanchez to the hospital for evaluation.
” Her tone was serious, but her eyes twinkled with good humor.
“That was quite a ride you took, and I fear you might’ve bumped your head too hard if you want to kiss this big oaf.
” She hooked her thumb in Burke’s direction.
The sheriff groaned as he stood up. Burke hooked his arm around the EMT’s shoulder and introduced her as his baby sister, Shawna.
“And, no,” Shawna said to Rue. “We don’t kiss.” She elbowed Burke in the ribs and added, “I can barely tolerate him.” The huge smile and adoring expression she aimed at her brother said otherwise.
“I can’t believe my good fortune,” Rue said as Shawna and her partner lowered the gurney down next to him.
“You careened down a ravine and knocked yourself silly,” Shawna said. “How is this fortunate?” She and her partner lifted the spinal board and gently placed it on the gurney.
“Well, I got rescued by my very own knight, and now I get to pump you for information about him.”
Shawna looked up from releasing the spinal board straps. “Oh, honey, I will tell you everything you want to know.”
Burke groaned and rubbed his temples. “I must be dreaming.”
Rue snorted, then let out a giggle. Cash thought maybe he had rattled something pretty good. “Sugar,” Rue crooned, “you’ll be saying that for sure once I get out of the hospital.”
“Now we’re definitely getting a little loose-lipped,” Shawna teased. “But I have a caveat to feeding you information.”
Rue’s eyes widened. “What is it? I’ll do anything.”
“Happy to hear it,” Shawna said. Once they removed the spinal board from under Rueben, they strapped him down to the gurney and raised it for transport. “I will answer all your questions if you refrain from telling me the wicked things you plan to do to my brother.”
Rueben’s blinding smile was immediate. “Deal. I’d shake your hand, but mine is pinned down.”
“I’ll take your word, sweetie,” Shawna said. “Catch you later, big brother.”
Cash followed the paramedics and placed a hand on Rue’s shoulder when they reached the ambulance. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Do you want me to call your abuela?”
“God no,” Rue replied. “I really believe I’m fine, boss. Let’s not upset her unless it becomes necessary.”
Cash leaned closer to Rue’s ear. “You just don’t want her showing up and ruining your seduction plans.”
“Gross,” Shawna said. “I heard that.”
Rueben winked, and Cash stepped back. When he returned to Nick’s side, he was deep in conversation with Burke, Hart, and the tow truck driver. They were discussing plans to haul the truck back up to the road.
“I need you to be as careful as you can,” Burke said. “That truck is evidence in a criminal case.”
The tow truck driver nodded. “Was the driver intoxicated?”
The assumption pissed Cash off. He was about to let the guy know it, but Burke spoke up first.
“No, Cal. The driver wasn’t at fault for the accident.”
Cal looked down the side of the hill and back at Burke. “How so?”
“Someone cut the brake lines on the truck.”