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He decided not to address her comments. “Let’s get a move on and find Angel.”
“Si, jefe!”
Chapter 13
One side of the cabin looked like it had been hit by the tornado. The roof had collapsed on that end, and all the windows were broken out. From the dated appearance of the wood, Jasmeka wasn’t so sure the damage hadn’t already existed before severe weather hit.
“Angel!” She shouted as she ran up to the front door. Miguel caught her and jerked her back.
“Wait,” he ordered. “I’ll look.”
“But he might—”
“Wait there, Jas!”
She might have argued, but fear gripped her heart. While the surrounding area was serene with a few birds chirping here and there, she and Miguel had seen the uprooted trees on the way over. The tornado must have grown stronger and completely touched the ground to have ripped apart trees that way. She faced the fact that heaven had surely shined down on the two of them what with the bouncing truck and busted tires. They could have lost their lives.
Let Angel be okay.
“Angel,” Miguel called out and began testing the framework around the door, whether he could open it without bringing down the rest of the cabin.
Jasmeka thought she heard a muffled sound and ran around to the back of the cabin. The damage here included the entire back wall. It had collapsed under the weight of a thick tree. Heavy branches and leaves were everywhere, but between a couple of them, she spotted a waving arm.
“Miguel, here!”
He appeared in a heartbeat and began digging. Jasmeka refused to stand around. She tugged and pulled, but the branches were too heavy to lift. Miguel’s arm muscles strained, and his face reddened, but he was able to clear the debris. There was Angel, cuts on his face, tears in his eyes, and from the angle of it, a broken leg.
“Hermano,” Angel cried and sobbed. “Lo siento, lo siento.”
“Shush,” Miguel hauled him up into his arms, and Jasmeka’s heart broke seeing Miguel crush Angel to his chest, holding onto him as if he might never let go. She sniffled and wiped her eyes, watching Angel bear hug his big brother. He kept muttering how sorry he was, and Miguel kept telling him to hush.
“We should go,” she said. “He must be in a lot of pain. We have to get that leg set, and who knows what else.”
“I’ll carry you on my back,” Miguel instructed Angel. “It’s going to hurt like a mother, but you’ll have to endure it. We’ve got a good walk to the road. If you feel like you have to throw up, just do it.”
Angel grew paler than he had been before. Jasmeka realized he was telling his little brother, if he threw up on him, it was okay. She knew Miguel was a good guy, but he was really making it crystal clear in this situation. A woman could fall deeply in love with him if she wasn’t careful.
Jasmeka picked the way forward through the trees, holding branches aside so they wouldn’t smack Miguel or Angel in the face. Angel pushed a finger between his lips and bit down. His expression was a mask of misery. A couple times, his head lulled, and he fell unconscious, but then he would come out of it, probably from the pain.
Miguel walked as fast as he could, which was a good clip. She had jog to stay ahead of them. Near the road and before they broke through the trees, she picked up voices. During their earlier walk, she and Miguel had come across Laredo driving his pickup. They had hitched a ride and when they arrived within a mile and a half of the cabin, they started into the trees, asking Laredo to send for help just in case.
“You’re saying there’s a cabin back there?” someone said.
“That’s what Jasmeka said.” This was Laredo.
“Get out of my way! I’m going to get my brother.” Antonio?
?s voice rose above the others after truck tires screeched to a halt.
“Wait, Antonio,” Carmen called. “I’m coming too.”
Jasmeka rolled her eyes, hearing Carmen.
“We’re here,” Miguel said loud enough for everyone to hear, just before they broke through the trees.
“Miguel.” Carmen launched herself at him, but he stepped to the side, frowning.
“Control yourself, Carmen. I have to take care of my little brother.”
