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Drama queen or not, the dog was her responsibility.
“You’ve got to work with me here, Molly,” she said, huffing as she tried to reach again. “Help a sister out!”
Straining, August tried to grab her again, but it was no use. She couldn’t reach the dog. How did it all get out of control so quickly? One minute they were having a nice walk in the woods and the next...
“You can’t lose your cool,” August said to herself. “The second you start acting like the dog, this is all over.”
“August! August!” Faint voices cut through the storm, and August’s heart pounded in her chest. “August, can you hear us?”
“I’m here!” she yelled into the wind. “Hello?”
A few seconds later she saw Keaton tear through the dense green trees, eyes wild and body soaked to the bone. He rushed forward, mud splattering the bottoms of his jeans, his hands reaching for her.
“It’s Molly,” she said, pointing. “She slipped onto a ledge and now she has sap on her paw and she’s throwing a tantrum.”
It sounded ridiculous to even say it out loud, but here she was. August had a feeling she wouldneverlive this down.
Remember that time where you got lost in the woods and everybody you know and respect had to come and save you.
Ugh! She hated being the damsel in distress. It was sonother style.
Keaton looked over the edge, swearing when he caught sight of the dog. Molly whined pitifully, still holding up her sticky paw.
“Goddamn dramatic husky,” he muttered.
Behind them, Lane and Theo rushed over.
“I’ve got to get down there.” Keaton looked back at the two other men, who were ready to protest. But Keaton was already on his knees. “Hold my feet.”
Theo shook his head. “This is dangerous. You can’t—”
“Just do it.” Keaton wasn’t waiting.
He wriggled to the edge of the lookout, and Lane and Theo got down low to hold on to him. August grabbed the waistband of Keaton’s jeans, and kept hold of the tree root. With three of them holding him in place, he should be okay.
She held her breath, praying that he could reach the dog.
Please, please, please...
“Got her! Pull me back.”
August, Lane and Theo all worked against the slippery mud to bring a dirty and bedraggled Keaton and Molly back up to solid ground. The husky clung to Keaton like he was her life raft. When he set her to the ground, she yelped.
“Did she hurt herself?” Lane asked, worried.
“It’s a sticky paw. Tree sap.” August pressed a hand to her chest as she knelt, her fear abating as she wrapped her arms around the dog, not caring that she was going to have wet dog smell clinging to her the whole way back. She grabbed the end of the leash and wrapped it around her hand twice. “Thank goodness you’re safe. Your mom would havekilledme!”
“Let’s get you back.” Keaton helped August to her feet and held her tight against his side. His head lowered to hers as they walked as quickly as was safe on the slippery ground. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry.” She looked up at him, brows furrowed.
“I’m just glad you’re both safe. That’s all that matters.”
For some reason, his words made a heavy sensation settle in the pit of her stomach. Whatever warm, happy bubble they’d created last night was now well and truly shattered.
21
An hour later, August and Molly had both been released from medical supervision. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries. Molly had been saved from the evil tree sap with the use of some olive oil, a wide-tooth comb and a very patient vet. Otherwise, Molly thankfully appeared to be fine. And other than needing a cup of hot tea and a blanket, August was also unharmed.
