Home For a Cowboy Christmas(61)

“I’m coming with you.”

Dwight gave him a nod. He then looked at Sam. The dog sat, watching him intently. “Stay,” he ordered.

He rappelled down the ravine. The exposed dirt was icy and muddy, making things slippery, but he got to the bottom without incident. As soon as his feet touched the earth, Dwight released the ropes and rushed into the icy water to the truck. The front end was smashed to the point it was unrecognizable. The top of the vehicle had caved in from the landing, crumpling the sides and bowing the doors.

His heart thumped loudly as he prayed that Emmy was alive. He reached the driver’s side first. The window was smashed to bits, and he spotted Emmy’s caramel tresses hanging in the water just inches from her head. Her arms and hands dangled in the frigid water. Glass was all around her—in her hair, on her clothes.

Dwight tried to open the door, but it was stuck. His fingers ached and wouldn’t move properly, but he managed to get them between a portion of the door that was bent outward. Then he lifted a foot from the water and braced it against the truck as he yanked.

The door didn’t budge.

“Hang on!” Dalton shouted as he splashed into the water and came up alongside Dwight.

Together, they tugged on the door. There was a groan as the metal finally gave way, and the door opened a few inches. It took several more attempts before they got it open enough for Dwight to get to Emmy.

“Baby,” he murmured as he gently moved her hair out of the way so he could see her better.

His heart clutched when he saw the blood that covered her face. His hand shook as he moved it to her nose to feel for breath. The rush of relief that went through him when he felt her exhale was so great, he nearly passed out.

“She’s alive!” Dwight shouted.

“Thank goodness. What about Orso?”

Dwight leaned down to peer across Emmy. The sight of the older man with the motor crushed into his chest and his head underwater told Dwight that he was dead. Dwight glanced at Dalton. “Dead.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He then reached around Emmy and tried to unlatch her seat belt, which was the only thing holding her above the water. Dwight slammed his hand against the outside of the truck. “Dammit.”

Dalton’s voice was filled with concern. “What is it?”

“The seat belt is stuck.”

“Let me try.”

Dwight reluctantly moved out of the way so Dalton could attempt to free her. But Dalton didn’t have any luck either.

“We need to cut the seat belt,” Dalton said.

Dwight shoved his friend out of the way as he recalled Emmy always carrying a knife with her. He found her feet and lifted her jeans to find the blade stuck in her boot. He withdrew it and handed it to Dalton. “You cut while I catch her.”

With one slice, he severed the seat belt. Emmy dropped into Dwight’s arms. Dwight managed to keep her out of the water, but it was difficult to move her with his injury. Dalton helped him carry her out of the stream and onto dry land.

Once she was on the ground, Dalton rubbed her hands to warm them while Dwight inspected her face to see where the blood was coming from. She had tiny, jagged cuts all over her face. He found the largest near her hairline—the one responsible for the blood. Her head had hit the steering wheel, most likely.

“Wake up, Emmy. Come on, baby, open those pretty eyes for me,” Dwight urged.

Dalton glanced up at him. “I’m worried about her hands. We have no idea how long they were submerged in the water. She needs medical attention immediately. Both of you do.”

“Let’s get her up the ravine.”

“Boss!”

Dwight and Dalton looked up to see Carlos and several other men. Dwight didn’t care how they were there, he was just happy to see them. “Emmy’s unconscious and injured. We need to get her up.”

“On it!” Carlos shouted.

Dwight wasn’t sure how much longer he would last. The cold and blood loss were taking their toll on him. He stared at Emmy, silently willing her to wake up.

“Stay here,” Dalton told him.

Dwight held Emmy to him, offering her as much of his warmth as he could. The wind had died down to only a few gusts, but the snowfall had yet to taper off. He could hear Sam barking from above. There were also voices, as well as the sound of vehicles. Dwight watched as a makeshift stretcher was lowered from the top of the ravine, along with Carlos. Dalton and Carlos walked to him and Emmy.

“What are you doing here?” Dwight asked.

Carlos adjusted his hat and glanced up at the others standing on the edge of the bluff. “Bobby was worried about you. He stayed out there in case you needed help with the heifer. When he heard the gunshot, he knew something was wrong and called me. I phoned a few others, and we came straight out here.

“And we’re glad you did. I’m Deputy US Marshal Dalton Silva.”

The two men shook hands. Carlos twisted his lips. “My nephew, Billy, remained on the mountain. He saw two men where they shouldn’t be and tracked them. He thought you were with the other man at first. Once he realized you would get to Dwight, Billy followed Emmy in the truck. He was getting ready to shoot the man when Emmy sent the truck over the edge.”

Dwight met Dalton’s gaze before nodding at Carlos.

Carlos turned his attention to Dwight. “We need to get both you and Miss Emmy up the bluff. Let me take her.”