Page 218 of Wild Embers
Shadow shies violently beneath me, and Javier's gelding rears.
"Javier?"
He doesn't answer. Instead, he slowly folds over the saddle horn.
My heart lurches into my throat. "Javier?"
He slides from the saddle and disappears into the snow with a heavy thud.
"No."
I don't remember hitting the ground. One second, I'm on Shadow, then the next I'm on my knees beside Javier, my gloves instantly turning slick with blood. "No, no, no..."
My hands shake as I press against his shoulder. "Javi, look at me."
His eyelids flutter.
He's alive. Thank God.
I yank my phone from my pocket.
No service.
I search for the smart thing to do when another sound reaches me.
An engine—deep and growing louder.
Relief floods my chest so fast it hurts.
Someone heard the shot.
I stagger to my feet, waving both arms. "Help!"
Headlights weave through the trees before a dark pickup bursts onto the path, tires crunching through fresh snow. The driver's door flies open, and a figure hops out.
Grant.
My shoulders drop a fraction, beyond grateful to see another human being.
"Grant!" I cry, running toward him before pointing back toward Javier. "Someone shot him. I don't have cell service."
Grant looks past me toward Javier lying in the snow. His face remains strangely calm. Then he sighs. "I'm sorry, Jelly Bean." He meets my eyes. “We have to leave him."
I stare. "What?"
"We’re leaving.”
"No!" I shake my head furiously. "We can help him!"
Grant takes one slow step closer. His voice never rises. "Not going to happen."
"No." I shake my head so hard my braid slaps against my coat. "No, we can get him into your truck. We just need to?—"
His hand grips my wrist like a vice, a twinge of pain shooting up my arm.
“Grant, you’re hurting me.” I try to yank away. “Let go,” I grunt.
His touch feels wrong. Cold. Possessive.
