I blew out my breath, anger, fear, panic. Inhaledslowly.
Keep it together,Delaney.
“Ryder, tell me exactly where you are rightnow.”
He grunted. I could tell he was moving around. “On my back? In snow. You woke meup?”
He moved. “Blood. Someone’sbleeding?”
“Is someone withyou?”
“No.”
“Are youbleeding?”
He paused, finally: “Yes.”
“Where?”
“Head. I’m seeing double too. Hell.” He sucked a breath and sort of exhaled a shaky laugh. “I think I got run off the road. I don’t remember gettinghit…”
“Where is yourtruck?”
“Uh. Overthere.”
“Get in your truck. Now, Ryder. Rightnow.”
“Sobossy.”
I bit my lip to keep from screaming at him. “Iamyour boss, Reserve Officer. Now moveit.”
He groaned. “MyGPS?”
“Yes. We’re narrowing itdown.”
There was nothing but short, huffed breaths, and then more groaning, a few curse words, and finally the sound of a door shuttingagain.
“Try the engine,” I toldhim.
I could hear the battery clicking and knew that engine wasn’t going to turnover.
“Well, that sucks.” He swallowed thickly. “I’m down aravine.”
“Can you see anythingelse?”
“Snow.”
“He’s in a ravine in his truck,” I toldJean.
“Keep that cell on,” shesaid.
“Do you have emergency supplies?” I askedhim.
He shifted a bit. “I think I gave them to the mom.” He exhaled slowly. “Freezing to death was not in my holidayplans.”
“You’re not dying. I won’t let youdie.”
“Was joke,” heslurred.
