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“Can you stand, Kaylyn?” He wanted to get her into the cab, since it offered a little bit of cover, though definitely not enough.
“I think so.”
He knew that the shooter might still be close.
“Emmett, this is Chance. Kaylyn’s been shot.”
“Jaris, I can’t believe he got a signal.”
Thank God, he got through.
As Chance continued telling Emmett about what was going on, Jaris ran through all the things they knew so far in his mind. It was obvious that whoever shot her wasn’t in the trucks that he and Chance had heard earlier. Those vehicles had been near the waterfall. The gunshot had happened before they had driven off. There didn’t seem to be a connection, but his days on the Chicago PD told him there might be.
Chance returned. “Emmett was already on his way. He’s going to call Doc to head up here, too. Cody and Bryant are with the boys in town.”
“Excellent. Let’s get her into the truck.”
They helped Kaylyn to her feet, placing her in the backseat with her head in Chance’s lap and her feet in his, allowing her to elevate her wounded leg.
They shut the doors, listening to every sound outside the vehicle. So far, there was no indication that the shooter was still around.
“Did you see any trucks, Kaylyn?” Chance asked.
“No. I haven’t seen anything or anyone. I’m so worried about the dogs, guys.” Her voice shook. “I heard them yelping and they haven’t come back. We need to go looking for them.”
“No,” Jaris stated firmly. “Too big a risk. Someone shot you. They might still be out there.”
“I’m betting it was a hunter.” Hearing her voice shake just a little revealed to him she wasn’t so sure.
He thought about telling her what Emmett had told him earlier—that no one should be out this way—but decided against it. No need in worrying her more.
“That might be true but clearly whoever it was is reckless.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “We need to get back to the ranch house so that we aren’t sitting ducks.”
“And Kaylyn needs medical attention.” Chance sighed. “Walking is out of the question with the injury to her leg. Maybe we could try to carry her.”
“No.” He knew what they had to do. “I’m driving.”
“You’re what?” Kaylyn’s doubt was obvious in her tone.
“Are you serious, buddy?” Chance didn’t seem sure his idea would work, although he clearly agreed they should get out of there fast.
“Very.”
“Emmett is headed our way.” Chance had a point, but Jaris knew in these kinds of situations, seconds mattered. Who knew when Emmett would show? “Shouldn’t we wait for him?”
“No. We can do this, buddy.” He grabbed Kaylyn’s hand and squeezed. “It’s going to be okay.”
She squeezed back. “Jaris, you haven’t forgotten you are blind, have you?”
“Of course not, but I drove for years before I got shot.”
Kaylyn touched his jaw with her fingers. “But you cannot see now. We should wait for Emmett. He’ll be here soon. I still think this was a freak accident and has nothing to do with Lunceford.”
Hearing the bastard’s name made him want to protect her all the more. Sight or no sight, I’m going to get that psycho.
He moved his hand down Kaylyn’s leg. “The bleeding seems to have stopped. Let’s get her in the front seat. She will be my eyes.”
Kaylyn removed her fingers from his face. “Are you sure about this? We could just stay low in the truck until the Stones get here.”
