Page 106 of Axe Backwards
When I turned around again, Noah was wading into the river. Though it was August, the water was frigid. The current was strong. Even from here, I could see his body fighting it. He walked carefully, slowly putting one foot in front of the other on the slippery rocks, fallen trees, and God knew what else.
“You’re almost there,” I yelled.
Nodding, he carefully approached the animal, coming up next to it to avoid spooking it.
It didn’t have antlers, and it was clearly a baby, but moose were deadly, no matter the size.
A deep, loud braying sound ricocheted off the treetops.
Tess shrieked and pointed a tiny finger down the riverbank.
Heart in my throat, I clutched her tight and searched for the source of the noise. I swore my soul left me when I caught sight of the massive bull wading into the water, letting out pained wails.
Noah ignored the giant creature, remaining focused on keeping the calf’s head above the surface.
Crouching until his head and back were the only parts of his body visible, he tried to pick it up, but the animal didn’t budge. From far away, it looked tiny, but next to Noah, it looked like a mini horse.
Shit, how the hell was he going to get it out?
“Its leg is stuck,” he hollered over his shoulder. Head held high, he inhaled deeply, his chest expanding. Then, without warning, he ducked under the water.
My stomach lurched, and I squeezed Tess a little too tight. “Noah.”
He came up quickly, took a breath, and then dove back under again.
By the time he surfaced again, I was shaking in terror. This time, he looped a second rope around the calf’s neck. Once he’d situated it the way he wanted, he slid his arms under the moose’s body and lifted.
The calf bucked and squirmed as Noah hugged it close to his chest and turned. The fear coursing through me lessened a fraction when he started back toward shore with the now free moose.
The water was up to his waist and every muscle in his arms and torso rippled and strained under the weight of the calf and against the current. If the situation weren’t so dire, I might havetaken a moment to appreciate the way his wet T-shirt clung to his sculpted frame.
The bull on the bank brayed, louder this time. The menacing tone made me worry that he’d charge.
“Noah,” I yelled, pointing at it. “Careful.”
At the sound of my voice, the creature turned slightly. The move gave me a better view of his body and the distinct puckered scar along his right flank.
It was Clive.
Oh shit. A normal bull moose was unpredictable and dangerous. But Clive? He was a menace.
He’d been known to crash weddings and destroy cakes. He’d broken up town parties and damaged sporting equipment. I wanted to scare him off, but I was holding Tess, and I wouldn’t put her at risk.
As Noah climbed around rocks along the bank, I held my breath. He kept the moose, which had to have been over one hundred pounds already, close to his chest as he took one careful step after another.
I held Tess just as close when Noah stumbled onto the riverbank, and my shoulders slumped as he set the calf on the ground and dropped to his knees to catch his breath.
My pulse pounded in my ears. I wanted to rush to him, to help him, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near either moose with this little girl in my arms.
He looked up, water dripping down his face and neck and arms, and gave me a big smile. “Stay there,” he mouthed, holding up a hand.
Clive lumbered toward the calf, yet Noah didn’t move.
He looked my way again.I’m fine. His lips formed the words, but he made no sound.
When Clive approached the calf where it lay on the ground, he nudged it gently with his muzzle. The much smaller creaturetipped its head up, then clambered to its feet, stumbling and collapsing again.
I winced, scared that Noah would be trampled or worse if Clive got mad or felt threatened.
