“What about Jessie? What’ll happen to her if you break your neck?”
Reid was pulled in two. “I can’t just leave Megan alone.”
“Accidents like this happen on trails all the time. A rescue team will be here in no time.”
“Then call them.” Reid searched again for something, anything, he could do.
He spotted a fallen tree. If he could maneuver it into place, he could prop it between two trees and shimmy down to Megan. He ran to the tree and started it rolling toward the cliff.
“Help me with this,” he said to Jack the second he hung up. “If we perch it on the ledge, I can use it to climb down.”
Reid expected Jack to argue, but his friend came up the path and helped him turn the tree perpendicular to the cliff. They both held tight and eased it through the base of two sturdy pines and out over the edge. The massive log quivered, and the muscles in Reid’s arms and thighs screamed from the exertion of directing the large tree to the right spot.
They began to lower the massive tree, and it swung wildly.
Please don’t let this hit Megan.
“Now!” Reid shouted, and they dropped it onto the ledge.
The tree landed with a thump and bounced a few inches toward Megan’s head.
Reid held his breath until it settled. “I’ll need you to brace it at the top so it doesn’t roll.”
Jack dropped to his knees and lay on his stomach, holding the log with outstretched arms. “Good luck, man.”
Jack’s hours in the gym would keep the log stationary, and Reid didn’t waste a second climbing on. Hand over hand, he descended. Already taxed, his muscles begged for relief, but Reid powered through until his feet hit the ground.
He gave Jack a thumbs-up and moved to Megan. She lay with one leg twisted under her body. He dropped next to her and ran the ABCs of an emergency through his brain.
Airway, clear. Breathing? He stared at her chest. Waited for it to rise. Good. She was breathing. Circulation. He felt for a pulse. Strong, but rapid.
Thank You for keeping her alive.
He would watch all three until the medics arrived. He took off his jacket and laid it over her body then searched for external injuries. A large knot pulled the skin tight at her temple. Could be the reason for her unconscious state. He’d taken enough first aid classes to know this could be a very serious head injury.
He moved farther down to her leg. A jagged edge of her tibia protruded through her jeans. Bleeding was minimal, but he still ripped off his shirt and applied pressure. It was probably a good thing she was unconscious, or she’d be in a tremendous amount of pain.
“She okay?” Jack yelled.
“Compound fracture. Unconscious with a large knot at her temple.” Reid glanced at his friend. “How long before rescue arrives?”
“Anytime now.”
The authorities in this area were prepared for such an emergency, and she would be in good hands and rushed to the nearest hospital. Once they arrived. Which could take more time if they were already deployed due to the snow.
Megan stirred and moaned. He shifted closer to her head.
She opened her eyes and blinked at him, confusion dulling the otherwise striking color. She glanced around, wincing with pain as she moved. “What happened?”
“You fell off the cliff. Looks like you broke your leg, but otherwise you’re safe.”
“Smith?”
“He’s dead. He won’t hurt you again.”
She seemed to ponder his words, then tried to shoot up. “Ella. I have to get to Ella.”
“Ella’s fine.” He restrained her and helped her lie back.
