فصل 19

chapter-19 Kanab.

The city of Kanab is a little more than twenty-five miles from Christmas Ranch, though with Gervaso’s driving, it seemed closer. Because of the hour there was little traffic, and Gervaso instructed Ian to keep a sharp lookout for deer so he could drive insanely fast. At one point I looked at the speedometer, and he was going a hundred and twenty-seven, faster than I thought the truck could even go.

We passed a highway patrolman a few miles from the junction, but even before Gervaso could say anything, Taylor took care of it. The cars lights turned off and the car rolled to a stop. She was at least a hundred yards away from the vehicle when she did it. My first thought was that she was getting better at rebooting. More likely her power was enhanced by the intensity of her emotions.

Taylor didn’t say a word the whole way, and as we got closer to the hospital, the mood in the car just got more and more tense. We all knew that there was a chance that Mr. Ridley hadn’t made it to the hospital alive. I couldn’t stop gulping.

Gervaso screeched to a stop in front of the hospital’s emergency entrance, and Taylor jumped out and ran inside. I ran out after her. The large admitting room was mostly vacant. Abigail was reclined in a chair next to the door. Her armpits were wet, and blood was spattered all over her blouse. She looked so exhausted, I doubted she could stand.

“What’s going on?” Taylor asked.

“They’re still in there,” Abigail said.

“Then he made it alive,” Taylor said.

Gervaso and Ian walked in, looking around anxiously.

“He’s alive,” I said. Gervaso breathed out in relief.

For the next twenty minutes the five of us sat in silence. I began looking through a magazine about farm and ranch implements, but I couldn’t focus on the pages. Then an actual rancher walked into the room. He was holding his arm as if it had been broken, but he didn’t look overly concerned. He even took off his hat and nodded to the ladies.

A few minutes later, my mother, McKenna, Ostin, and both of his parents hurried in. “How is he?” my mother asked.

“We’re still waiting,” I said. “But he made it here.” Ostin shook his head. “I can’t believe this happened. It wasn’t even the Elgen.” “What’s going on with the hunters?” I asked.

“Jack called the Kane County police. If the hunters try anything, Jack and Zeus will take them out like Elgen guards.” * * *

It was another half hour before Mrs. Ridley emerged from the swinging emergency room doors. Her expression was grave, but she wasn’t crying, which I took to be a good sign. Taylor ran to her.

“He’s going to be okay,” Mrs. Ridley said. They embraced. “It was close. He lost a lot of blood.” Taylor broke down crying.

I walked over. “He’s okay?”

Mrs. Ridley looked into my eyes. “Yes. Thank you. The doctor said that whoever cauterized the artery saved his life.” She put her arms around me. “You saved his life.” Taylor also hugged me. “Thank you, Michael.” “I’m just glad,” I said.

“I need to sit down,” Mrs. Ridley said.

Mrs. Liss walked over to help Mrs. Ridley to a chair. “Come here, dear.” Taylor asked, “How long will Dad be here?” “They want to keep him a few days. He’s still low on blood, and they’re worried about infection. They say I can stay in the room.” She said to the rest of us, “The doctor said no visitors. You might as well go back. Thank you for coming.” My mother joined us. “You sure you don’t need us?” “I’m sure,” she replied.

My mother hugged her. “You’ll be in our prayers.” “I’ll stay with you,” Taylor said to her mom.

“I can stay too,” I said.

Taylor took my hand. “I’ll stay with my mother.” She looked me in the eyes. “I’d like to be alone with my family.” “I understand,” I said, feeling a little hurt. She must have seen it, because she kissed me on the cheek.

“I love you. I’ll see you back at the ranch.” “Okay. I’ll see you soon. Call if you need anything.” “I will. Bye.”

As I turned to go, she said, “Michael.” “Yes?”

“It’s just like my dream, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “Exactly like your dream.”