Page 3 of My Devoted Mountain Man

"This is Erika White's car, Dean. Is she the one missing?"

"Hi, Fletcher. Yes, I'm afraid so. You work with her, right?"

"I do. Put me to work."

We are divided into groups and assigned different grids of the mountain. I am utterly and completely devastated by the fact that this delicate, young girl has been out here on her own for so long.

The search goes slowly, and with every minute that passes, I grow more concerned for Erika. It's summer, but I try to remember what the temperature was last night. What tears me up inside is how frightened she must be.

I push myself harder and harder because I want to be the one to find her. I swear to myself that I'll pull her into my arms and never let go of her again. I'll confess my love to her and we'll live happily ever after, like in the fairytales.

But this is no fairytale, and it becomes a nightmare when I catch a glimpse of something down the mountain. Whatever it is, it’s not moving.

"Over here."

I shout for the others as I make my way down to where a figure is lying inert on the hard forest ground. The closer I get, the scarier things become until I kneel down before a pale and unconscious Erika.

Chapter 3

Fletcher

My heart wants to leave my chest when I see that Erika is pinned to a branch. The red stain that has spread across her shirt tells me she's been bleeding for quite some time. That's why she's so pale. I hear someone behind me giving coordinates so that the field doctor, Brock Masters, can make his way to our location.

"Erika. Come back to me, sweetheart."

She frowns as if she can hear me, but her eyes stay closed, making daggers shoot through my heart. I pull out my handkerchief and pat the sweat that covers her brow. I'm at a complete loss for what to do before the doctor gets here.

So I just start telling her how strong she is and how she's going to be okay after we get her to the clinic. After a while, I begin telling her how much I admire her and that I've got a little crush on her. She probably won't remember any of this, so it doesn't matter what I say.

All I desperately need is for her to know that she is no longer alone and that help is on the way.

It seems like it’s been talking forever when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you the doctor?"

"Call me Brock."

"She's very important to me, Brock. Please take good care of her."

"I understand, but you need to let me get near her so I can do my job."

I realize that I've been blocking everyone from reaching Erika, and I begrudgingly get up and move to the side. Brock checks her and tells us she's lost a lot of blood. First, the team needs to cut the branch that's holding her down so that they can transport her to the hospital.

They've got procedures in place for this kind of thing, but I'm panicking. There are so many people around her that they keep pushing me back. I know I'm only in the way, but I want to be close to her when she wakes—because she will wake up and be okay. She has to.

Even though Erika is still unconscious, I hear Brock say out loud everything he's doing as the team works on cutting the branch. I try to see her face, and find that she’s frowning even in her sleep. Brock needs to move back to let the team work, and I see him approach me.

"The puncture has only affected her side, but no organs have been pierced. It's only the fact that she's lost so much blood thatshe hasn't woken up yet. Once we're at the clinic, I'll operate and get the branch out."

I don't really know what to say, so I stay silent as I watch him go back and help the team move Erika to the gurney they brought in. They strap her down and make sure she can be safely transported to the town's clinic.

Following after the team like a lost puppy makes me feel useless, but I need to be close to her. When we get back on the road, I see transportation is already there. I beg them to let me ride with her, and they reluctantly allow it.

Throughout the ride, I hold her small hand in mine and keep sending prayers to God and the universe to keep her safe until I can tell her how much she means to me. Once we arrive at the clinic, things move fast around us, and I'm left in the waiting area until she comes out of surgery.

I must look pretty bad because Dean approaches me to talk.

"I didn't know you were so close to Ms. White."

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