Page 4 of Blaze

Blaze works fast, removing my blood-soaked shirt and replacing it with gauze.

I hold my breath as he lifts my leg to wrap the soft protective material around and around my calf.

“I’m going to add an Ace bandage now.It will be tight.I don’t want you to lose any more blood.”

A female voice calls down from above us.“Blaze?How is she?”

He tips his head back to respond.“She cut her leg.I’m wrapping it up, and then I’ll carry her out of here.”

“Do you need me to get more help?”

“No.I’ll be able to carry her up the way I came down.”

“It’s nearly a mile back to the car,” the woman says.

Blaze meets my gaze and smirks.Smirks?Like we have a secret between us that his friend up on the path isn’t privy to.“She’s barely a hundred pounds.I’ll be fine.”

He holds the nozzle to my lips again.“Drink some more water, baby.”

I take the rubber tip in my mouth and suck.

He picks up the empty plastic water bottle next to me.“Is this all you had with you?”It’s the first indication he’s about to reprimand me.

“Yes,” I murmur, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.“I didn’t mean to be gone long.I thought I would just take a walk and clear my head before I checked into my bed and breakfast.”

“Does anyone know you were out here?”

“No,” I whisper, looking away.

“You have a bed and breakfast reserved in Wilde?”

“Yes.I mean, Idid.I was supposed to check in last night.”

He nods.His brow is furrowed as his lips part again, but he says nothing.I’m certain he’s holding back a lecture.One I deserve.

“I know.I’m stupid.”

He flinches.“You made poor choices, Vicky.That doesn’t make you stupid.Don’t talk about yourself like that,” he reprimands.

My breath hitches as I stare into his intense deep blue eyes.He doesn’t look away from me.In fact, he strokes my cheek again.His voice is lower when he says, “I don’t want to hear that word again.”

I shudder.He’s still holding my gaze.I feel oddly chastised, but in a way that makes me feel…cherished?That makes no sense.I’m definitely inventing things in my head.My brain is addled from lack of water and fear.

“Did you drive here, Vicky?”

I like it better when he calls me baby.I hate my name.“Yes.My car is up by the restrooms.”

“Silver Corolla?”

“Yes.”

“I saw it when we started our hike.I assumed someone had come out earlier than us.”

I blow out a breath.“A lot earlier.Yesterday, in fact.”

He chuckles.“At least you still have your humor.”He picks up my small backpack and opens it.“The only thing in here is your car keys.”His gaze is a bit more accusatory when he meets mine this time.

“There was a water bottle in there, too,” I point out.