Cody winced but nodded. “Good…job.” He picked up the knife and made an X-shaped cut over each wound.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to draw out the venom.” Bending low, he put his mouth over the bite on his calf. He sucked hard, then spit onto the ground. He repeated the process several times. Then he tried to get to the wound in his thigh. After several attempts, his shoulders slumped. “I can’t reach it.”
“I’ll do it.” Ella got to her knees and bent over him.
“I can’t ask you…”
“You’re not allowed to argue with me. Your life is in danger.” She put her hands on her hips. “I’m going to help you.”
Over the sound of his labored breathing, she leaned toward the cut. Her stomach revolted at the sight of his blood. Determined, she put her mouth to the wound.
“Whatever you do, don’t swallow.”
Ella drew out what she could, spitting it out after each suction.
When she finished, Cody pointed to the pump. “Rinse out your mouth, and bring the bucket over so I can do the same.”
After they’d washed, Ella put a hand on his shoulder. “Can you get up?”
Cody got one knee under him, but he stumbled when he tried to rise. Ella slid under his arm, supporting him as best she could. He trembled. “You need to go for Doc.”
Panic nipped. “I can’t leave you and the children!”
His blue eyes speared her. “Sucking out the poison will buy us time, but we need Doc’s remedy for snakebites.”
Her body betrayed her. Knees buckling, she almost went down and took him along.
Cody leaned against her, his warm breath tickling her ear. “You can do this, darlin’. I believe in you.”
His assurance gave her a shot of strength. Ella helped him inside. Jonah stared as they walked slowly through the kitchen. He kept a tight hold on Addie, and Ella blessed him for listening to her command to care for the baby. Isaiah stood over both of them, silent and protective.
When they reached the parlor, Ella made sure Cody lay as comfortably as possible on the couch. A glance at his leg told her time was essential. The thigh and calf had swollen.
He squeezed her hand. “Go, Ella.”
She pressed her lips to his forehead, then hurried to the children. “I need to go to town to get Doc. Keep an eye on Papa Cody for me, okay?”
Isaiah nodded through his tears. Wishing she could reassure the children further, Ella bolted for the barn. Preston nickered a welcome when he saw her. Gathering her courage, Ella grabbed his halter and slipped it over his head. “I don’t know how to saddle you, boy, and I’ve never ridden bareback. You’re going to have to make sure we get to town in one piece, okay?”
The horse nudged her with his nose. She took that as a confirmation. It was a struggle to climb onto his back, but once she was situated, she gripped her legs around his middle. Preston took off at a gallop. Ella clung to his mane. Tears poured down her cheeks as she thought of her husband in pain and danger. Prayers shot from her heart to heaven, each one a fervent plea that he make it through the upcoming ordeal.
Cody bit back a groan while Doc applied a strong-smelling poultice to his wounds. All he felt in his right leg was fiery pain. Ella sat beside him, his hand clutched in hers. Cassie and Travis were in the other room watching the children. They’d seen Ella on her way into town and insisted on coming to the ranch.
Doc tied off a bandage. Cody hissed as it pulled tight against his thigh. Twice in one day. He gritted his teeth, eying the doctor. “Was that necessary?”
The older man chuckled. “You have some fight in you. That’s a good sign.”
Ella’s grip intensified. “Are you sure?”
The doctor placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s young and strong, Mrs. Brooks, and he survived an attack like this before.”
She didn’t look convinced. Cody squeezed her hand. “It’ll hurt for a bit, darlin’, but thanks to you, I should be fine.”
Her cheeks turned pink. Cody studied her, taking in details he hadn’t noticed before. Her hair had fallen from its bun, tangled from the wind. Her dress looked dusty and crumpled, and a few scrapes lined her cheeks. He frowned.
Before he could say anything, Doc turned to her. “Now, young lady, let’s take a look at your injuries.”
