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“That girlfriend of yours was right,” Matt replied, marching over to him with Shelby at his side. “That kid is alive. She said she saw him move, which is odd, but regardless, I called the sheriff and alerted him. He should be here any minute…speakin’ of which, do you hear that?”
“Sounds like an ATV.”
“Sounds like more than one,” Matt remarked as Stetson pricked up his ears and started nervously moving his feet.
“Blaze and Candy will be fine. They’ll look, but they won’t do anything. Stetson’s a different story, I need to move him and work with him from a distance.”
“Do you want to take him home?”
“Not at all, this is a trainin’ opportunity.”
As Matt began leading the prancing stallion further up the trail, the sheriff and deputy arrived on ATV’s, each with a paramedic alongside, and pulling EMT evacuation sleds.
“This way,” he said urgently as the medics stepped down. “I believe the survivor is sufferin’ from hypothermia,” he continued, leading them to the wreckage. “He’s wearin’ a down parka beneath his overcoat. I’m guessin’ that’s what saved him.”
“How did you get the door open,” one of the medics asked.
“I had de-icer spray in my supply kit.”
“That’s not something I hear every day,” the medic remarked.
“This is Eleanor, she’s the one who noticed he was still alive,” Matt explained as she stepped back.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” she said breathlessly.
“This blanket is one of the best,” the medic said. “Where did you find it?”
“It was in my kit,” Matt muttered. “I brought what I had for the situation.”
Though the medic shot him a quizzical look he didn’t say anything further, and after a quick examination he sent his partner to fetch the sled.
“So, uh, will he make it?” Eleanor asked.
“His vital signs are weak, but I’m amazed he’s alive at all. We need to get him to the hospital as fast as possible and pray you found him in time.”
“Let’s give them some space,” Matt said quietly, taking Ellie by the elbow and guiding her away.
“Matt, Bethany needs to know Michael Aiken is dead.”
“Your father does too,” Matt muttered. “Do you want to call him?”
“Uh, not really. He’ll ask me why I’m up here. He can be overly protective sometimes and I’m not in the mood to deal with that. But call Bethany first, she’ll probably cry with relief—though she shouldn’t be alone. Maybe you should call David. He’s at the house with her and he can tell her.”
“That’s a great suggestion, I’ll make those calls right now.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Once the medics secured the young man on the sled and left the scene, the area around the Tesla quieted down. Wanting to take advantage of the lull in activity, Noah led Stetson over to the sheriff.
“Hi, Noah, we’ve barely had a chance to say two words.”
“Hey, Sheriff, do you need us for anything? I’d like to get Stetson out of here while it’s not so chaotic.”
“Not a thing, and you should. There’ll be chain saws and God knows what else up here shortly.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. Call me if you need me,” Noah replied, then continued on to where Matt and Ellie were standing with Blaze and Candy.
“I assume you just asked the sheriff if we could leave,” Matt remarked. “I’m sure you wanna get Stetson outta here before the madness starts.”
