A chopper sounded in the distance, and they all froze as one. Then cheers went up. Tools dropped to the ground, and everyone waited until the helicopter was right overhead to start waving and yelling.
“An army bird,” Gideon said, stepping up next to her. “Praise God.”
“Yeah,” Vance said, “our time being trapped is now much shorter. They’ll get us out of here soon.” He let his shovel join the others on the ground. “I’m done with this. Someone must have pulled some strings to see why they couldn’t get ahold of a loved one, and I could kiss whoever that important person is.” He whooped and waved.
The chopper hovered high enough that the wind from the blades was cold, but not overpowering. A line with a large box attached dropped from the open door, and Grant Paulson hurried towardit. He guided it to the ground and opened it. Pulled out an item. “A satellite phone!”
More cheers. The chopper pulled away, the decibels lowering significantly, and the phone rang. Grant answered. “Boy, are we glad to see you guys.”
Maya hurried to his side. “Tell them we have a cardiac patient who needs to be airlifted to the nearest hospital ASAP.”
He passed on the message. Listened for a moment, then nodded. “They’ll have a team here ASAP.”
Renewed hope was a wonderful thing. “Please tell me there are medical supplies in that box,” Maya said.
He asked and received confirmation, then said, “Basic supplies. First aid kit, splints, tourniquets, pressure bandages, thermal blankets, and some oxygen supplies.” He paused. “Over-the-counter pain relievers, insulin, inhalers, and some heart meds.”
“Excellent. Heart meds.” She could only pray they were the right ones. “If someone can get this down to the clinic, I’ll help get it sorted.” Gideon and Vance stood there listening and she smiled. “We won’t need the tunnels after all.”
“Tunnels?” Vance asked.
“Long story, buddy,” Gideon said. “You grab one end of the box and I’ll get the other. We’ll walk Maya over to the tent and let her get started with all of this and then I’ll explain.”
“Sure.” Vance snagged his end and Gideon grabbed his.
With the box between them, they started walking. Maya broke into a light jog with Lila next to her. She heard Grant’s voice behind them. “Go enjoy the rest of the time with your families. We’ll be out of here soon!”
Another cheer went up, and Maya looked back to see the workers dispersing.
Inside the medical clinic, it didn’t take long to get the medical supplies sorted, and Maya gave Mr. Webb one of the meds she’d requested. She patted him on the shoulder, his pale face and shallow breathing a concern. “Glad to see you’re back with us. You’reheaded to the hospital as soon as we can get you there. The next helicopter you hear will be your ride.”
“I can’t thank you and Dr. Del and the others enough for all you’ve done for me.”
“You’re very welcome. Just take care of yourself.”
They left, and Maya yawned. Gideon smiled. “I think you need an early night.”
“I’m all right. Dinner and a movie sound good, though. You up for somePride and Prejudice? I might have brought the DVD with me, and there’s a DVD player in the room.” At his raised brow, she shrugged. “Call me old fashioned.” He grimaced and she laughed. “Come on, you know you secretly love that movie.”
“I can assure you that while I might like it, I do not secretly love it.”
“You watched it with me several times when we were younger.”
His features softened. “And, trust me, you’re the only person I’ll ever watch it with.”
Okay, she might have just fallen all the way in love with him at that very moment. Hoping to keep her feelings hidden, she linked her arm through his, then studied his face. Mirth now danced in his eyes. “Wait a minute. What?”
He raised a brow. “What?”
“Oh no. You’re not innocent. What are you thinking?”
“Have you ever actually made it to the end of that movie when you’ve watched it at night?”
She blinked. Had she? Saturday or Sunday afternoons? Yes. Nights? “Um...”
“Exactly. I won’t have to watch much.”
Gideon would have watched the whole movie if that’s what she wanted, but like he figured, she’d dozed off about an hour into it. This was a different version than the one they’d grown up with and he liked it. A lot. Not that he’d tell her that.
