She moved into his arms and leaned against his hard chest. The steady beat of his heart and the scent of dust, sweat, and Rusty brought a semblance of peace. She trusted that he would find Will. She had to rely on that trust or she would begin to scream and pull out her hair.
He lifted her chin with his knuckle, brushed her lightly on her lips, then set her from him. “Let’s go find Will.”
Chapter Fourteen
Rachel mounted her horse and headed back the way they’d searched the night before. She felt more confident that they would find Will. Perhaps it was Rusty’s words, bright daylight, or just her mother’s instinct.
They were about an hour from the ranch when Rusty held up his hand as a signal for them to stop. He tilted his head and frowned. Rachel cocked her ear in the same direction and then took in a sharp breath. “I hear him!”
She jumped from her horse so quickly she lost her balance and went down on her knees. Rusty helped her up and they both hurried through the trees, pushing aside leaves, calling out to Will.
&nb
sp; Her heart raced as they climbed over branches and ducked under limbs.
“Ma.” His voice was strained, as if he was in pain. They followed the sound, and then burst into a clearing. Will sat against the base of a tree, his dirty face showing tracks of dried tears. He leaned to one side, his right leg bent underneath him.
“Will, oh my God, Will. I was so scared. What were you thinking?” She slid onto her knees and grabbed him around his shoulders.
“Ouch, Ma. Let go, that hurts.” He attempted to wiggle away.
“What happened?” Rusty knelt beside Will, running his hand lightly over his leg.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going in the right direction to the ranch, so I climbed up this tree to look, but the branch didn’t hold me, and I fell. I can’t walk, something happened to my leg.” He winced in pain, the skin under the dirt on his face turning a stark white.
“Honey, we looked for you all night. We came by here three or four times, calling your name. Why didn’t you answer us?” Rachel asked.
“I didn’t hear anyone calling me.”
“He must have fallen asleep, and didn’t hear us,” Rusty said. “But now we have to get him to the doctor. I have a strong suspicion he broke his leg.”
“Oh, my God.” Rachel covered her mouth with her hand.
“It will be all right. I’ll carry him on my horse, and the doc can set it.” Rusty slid his arms under Will’s leg and shoulders. “Hold on, son, this might hurt a bit when I lift you, but I’ll try real hard to be careful.”
“Okay.” The word barely made it out as he bit his lip and paled even further. Rachel hurried on ahead, moving branches and clearing a path for them to follow.
“Rachel, hold Will while I mount, then gently hand him to me.”
“He can ride with me.”
“No, Ma. I want to ride with Mr. McIntyre.”
She tried to hide her feelings, but Rusty picked up on it. “Honey, it’s a male thing. You can smother him with motherly love once his leg is set and he’s home.”
Rachel sniffed her disapproval, but was so relieved they had found him, nothing would lessen her happiness. Once Rusty was settled on his horse, he reached down for Will and lifted him gently onto his lap. “You all right?”
Will grimaced, but nodded. Rachel climbed on her horse and they headed to town.
Mrs. Clemmons opened the door before they even were able to knock. “What happened here?” A rotund, cheerful woman, the doctor’s wife frowned with concern at Will snuggled in Rusty’s arms.
“Will climbed a tree and fell. Mr. McIntyre thinks he broke his leg.”
“Goodness, young man. What are you boys thinking of, doing those kinds of things that terrifies your mother?” She tsked her way down the hall, leading them to the small room at the back of the house where Dr. Clemmons treated his patients.
“Wait right here, and I’ll have Dr. Clemmons see to you.” She shook her head as she left the room in search of the doctor.
“Honey, help me get his pants off. I’m sure Dr. Clemmons will want to look at his leg.”