Page 94 of Saddles

They grab his limp arms, lifting him easily from the frigid hollow.

After laying him gently on the bed, Sawyer starts prepping the wood stove for a fire, and Scott helps me pull off Ford’s boots.

Neither acknowledge the fact that my upper body is stripped down to my bra.

“Help me get his jeans off.” I tug at the waist, but they’re soaked and sticking to Ford’s hips.

“Don’t you want him dressed more?” Scott averts his gaze as he asks.

“No, we need these wet clothes off. Believe me, this works.” I kick off my own boots at the same time.

The underwear comes with Ford’s Wranglers, revealing a row of tiny silver beads running the length of Ford’s dick.

Holy shit, he’s pierced?

“Fuck, that had to hurt.” Sawyer grimaces as he shuts the door to the stove.

“You can ask him later. Roll him on his side.” I shimmy out of my leggings until I’m in my panties, and crawl next to Ford, then pull up the blankets.

Sawyer and Scott glance at each other, their foreheads furrowed. “Is there anything else we can do?”

I’m already shaking as I curl closer to Ford’s still body. “Did you bring those extra handwarmers we bought this morning?”

Sawyer nods and rushes out the door.

“Um.” Scott shifts awkwardly in the small room.

“Now we wait and hope he wakes up.” I want to give him the out he seems to be looking for.

“Okay. I’ll set up the tent in the barn tonight so you guys have some, um, privacy.” His lips are thin, and he adjusts his wool hat. “Yell if you need anything.” In a rush of cold air, he leaves.

The heat from the fire grows enough that I can’t see my breath in the air when Sawyer comes back after a soft knock. “Sorry it took so long. They were buried under like thirty pounds of Hot Pockets.” He gives me a lopsided smile, then opens several of the packages to stuff under the blanket on Ford’s opposite side.

“I know this sounds crazy, but if there was room, I’d ask you to cuddle him.” I flash Sawyer a grin from behind Ford’s head.

Sawyer’s blue eyes grow round. “Oh fuck, he’d kill me.”

“But he’d be alive to be mad,” I say quietly.

Cold seeps into me like a slow tide, dragging me past the point of my teeth chattering.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, just going to sleep and fading into the ice with Ford.

Then he takes a deep breath, and his cheek twitches, giving me a tiny burst of hope.

“We’ll be within hollering distance. Want me to come back to check the fire?” Sawyer looks just as uncomfortable as Scott did a moment ago.

“Only if you don’t see any smoke. Thank you, Sawyer, for hurrying today.” I know they did it for Ford, but it feels as if they’ve done the biggest favor by letting me join them.

“Sure thing. Ford’s a good guy. I just hope we made it in time. I’ll call Dad and let him know.” His jaw clenches, reminding me of Mason, then he gives a quick nod before he leaves.

I know I should be mad, furious even that Ford did this.

But I also know how the darkness is always there, tugging at the seams, trying to find any shred of weakness to work its wayin. That it’s so easy to crumble when you’re already exhausted from carrying the weight of the nightmares.

He saved me, showed me that there’s good in the world, and gave me something to live for.

I just want the chance to do the same for him.

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