Page 42 of Waiting for the Rancher
“Maverick took the blame because he was hoping to save your relationship with Violet. He figured if you thought he was at fault, you wouldn’t be so upset at Violet.”
Sterling’s shoulders slumped even further.
“Now Maverick is out there hurt badly.” This time her words broke with a sob. “And you have to put aside your issues and go help him.”
Sterling opened his mouth to speak.
Before he could deny her, she forced the rest of what she had to say out. “If you don’t forgive him and do this, you’ll have to live with knowing you killed your best friend. Is that what you want?”
“I’ll go, Hazel. You don’t have to say any more.”
“You’ll go?”
“Maverick isn’t my best friend anymore. But I won’t turn my back on someone in need, not even if they’re my worst enemy.”
The tears started flowing again.
“You doing okay?” His voice softened as he took her in astride the saddle.
She nodded. “I’ll be okay once we get back to Maverick.”
“Then you’re willing to lead us to him?” Sterling’s voice held compassion. After years of fear controlling her, no doubt he was finding it hard to believe she’d willingly remain on the horse.
“I’ll stay on this horse all day if it will save Maverick.” She was still clutching the reins tightly, her fingers aching from her grip, but somehow she knew it was less from fear of riding and more because of the urgency she was feeling for Maverick.
Sterling gave a quick nod, his eyes filling with emotion and turning glassy. Then he spun and began to jog back to the barn.
She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Sometimes love gave a person the courage to do the impossible. And today her love for Maverick had made her braver than she’d ever been before.
She just prayed she had the strength to endure whatever outcome they found when they finally reached him.
16
The section of the river where Maverick had fallen wasn’t easy to reach.
But Sterling knew the area well enough that he was able to locate another place downstream where they could descend into the river bottom and then make their way upstream, mostly by riding in the river itself.
Hazel went right along with the fellows, having no trouble making her way over the difficult terrain. Even though it had been more than a decade since she’d been in the saddle, she knew how to read horses better than almost anyone and was able to guide Maverick’s horse without having to say a word.
When they reached the embankment, she pointed out his body, hidden among the rocks and brush. They found a level spot to dismount, then Sterling and the ranch hands began to climb up the steep bank toward Maverick while Hazel stayed back with their horses. Even though she wanted to rush to him and be the first to know his condition, Sterling had been insistent that she stay away from the slippery slope.
They’d brought medical supplies as well as a stretcher. Even if Maverick woke up by some miracle, he’d likely need to be transported back to the ranch and wouldn’t be able to sit in a saddle. Sterling had already sent a man to fetch Dr. Howell from Breckenridge, and hopefully he’d be waiting for them at the ranch when they got there with Maverick. They’d already decided to bring him back to the Noble Ranch since it was closer.
Carefully Sterling led the way up the incline. Rocks shifted and crumbled with each step he took, but Sterling didn’t stop. He pushed forward quickly until he reached Maverick.
As he knelt beside him, he gently lifted Maverick’s head. From what Hazel could see, Maverick was limp and unresponsive, and her breath tightened in her chest with every passing second that she waited for Sterling’s assessment.
When Sterling finally lifted his head and met her gaze across the distance, his expression held relief. “He’s alive.”
Hazel nodded, her own relief weakening her so that she had to hang on to the gelding to keep from sliding down into the rocks and pebbles alongside the river where she waited.
“He’s breathing, and his heartbeat is steady.” Sterling’s pronouncement rose above the rushing water, the most welcome news Hazel had ever heard in her life.
“Let’s get that stretcher here.” With a wave he beckoned his men.
Sterling seemed to know just what to do, directing the others with precise instructions for how to climb, where to lift Maverick, how to lay him on the stretcher, then how to carry him down the hill so that they didn’t jostle him too much.
As soon as they were near the river, Hazel rushed to Maverick.
