by Ciana Stone
He smiled. "I'm starting to think that myself."
Naomie went over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good. I'm going in to help make jam. Where's the baby?"
"Rusty's on the back porch with her."
"He's such a doll. Okay, see ya."
"I'll be in before long."
"Okay." Naomie went around back, and sure enough Rusty had Minnie on a quilt spread out on the ground under an old oak.
"Good morning champ," she said to Rusty.
"Minnie said, Rusty." He announced. "Listen. Minnie say Rusty. Rusty."
"Rud die," Minnie mimicked and grinned.
Naomie clapped along with Rusty. "That's fantastic. You're such a good teacher and protector, Rusty."
"Just like my dad and Uncle Mace?"
"Absolutely. I'm headed in to help. Need anything?"
"No, ma'am. Thank you."
"Oh, it sure smells good in here," Naomie commented the moment she reached the screen door.
"Hey girl," Bailey looked over her shoulder. "I was starting to think you'd bailed."
"Not a chance. Point me in the direction you want me."
"Want to start washing this batch of berries and top them?" DeLyn asked as she nudged a basket of strawberries on the floor. "We just got a bunch in from the farm in Florida."
"Hmmm, strawberries," Naomie said and picked up the basket. "Wash and top. I'm on it." She poured a colander full of berries, took the paring knife DeLyn offered and looked out of the window over the sink as she started working on the berries.
"When I was a kid, my grandmother on my dad's side would fix the most amazing strawberry cobblers. I remember–" Naomie's voice caught in her throat as terror grabbed her.
Headed straight toward Rusty, who had his back to it, was a cougar. Head lowered and fur bristled, it clearly was on the hunt. Naomie frantically looked around, spotted a big butcher knife and grabbed it.
She was already at the door when Rusty screamed. "GiGi!"
"Mace!" Naomie yelled as she ran out of the back door.
Rusty had hold of Minnie who was wailing and struggling in Rusty's arms. "Rusty, can you hear me?" Naomie said.
"I'm scared."
"I know, but it will be okay, you just have to listen to me, okay? Just do what I tell you."
"Yes, ma'am."
Just then she heard Mace's voice. "Christ. Naomie I'll get its attention. You get the kids inside."
"You don't even have a weapon," Naomie argued. "Let me. At least–"
"Naomie save the damn kids!"
She didn't argue. There wasn't time. The cat was getting more agitated by the moment. "Rusty, start backing up toward me," Naomie said. "Slow and steady. Can you do that?"
"Rusty honey, do what Naomie says," Naomie heard DeLyn's voice behind her.
"DeLyn, when he gets behind me, you and Bailey get him and Minnie in the house and call Russell."
"Okay."
The cat screamed as Rusty took two steps back and Rusty stopped. Naomie saw that he was completely terrified at this point. He was crying and inching back, but the cat was lowering down as if in preparation to pounce.
"Run Rusty!" She screamed and bounded out into the yard. "Run now!"
He did and the cat screamed again just before it leaped in the direction of the fleeing children.
What happened next shocked Naomie into frozen silence for a split second. Just as the cat leaped, Mace leapt as well and grabbed the cat around its body, just beneath its front legs.
Naomie found her voice and body function. "Mace!"
In the few seconds it took her to reach Mace, the cat had managed to claw Mace's arms and legs and even his chest. He stumbled and when he did, the cat twisted. They hit the ground with Mace on his back and the cat going after his throat.
Mace had hold of the cat's neck, roaring in defiance as the cat clawed and tried its best to sink teeth into him. Naomie flew at them, leapt onto the cat, straddling it as she raised the knife in both hands.
It wasn't even a breath of time after the blade embedded into the cougar's head before it collapsed on top of Mace. Naomie flew into motion. "Bailey, help!"
She shoved and pulled until the carcass was off Mace. He'd lost a lot of blood. His face was pale, and his body shook. Naomie knew he had to be in tremendous pain. "Oh my god, Mace!"
Bailey flung herself down beside him. "Naomie save him."
"We will. Get me towels, Bailey. Now."
Bailey hurried away, and Naomie put her hand on Mace's chest. "Listen to me Mace. I know you're in pain, but you have to stay conscious. Can you talk to me?"
"Hurts."
"I know. We're going to get you medical attention." She yelled over her shoulder. "DeLyn call Russell. We need the helicopter."
"He's already on his way."
"Call him! And call Nash!"
Bailey returned with an armload of towels. "Okay, let's bind the wounds as best we can," Naomie said and then nudged Bailey. "Bailey? Look at me."
It wasn’t hard to see how scared Bailey was. She was fighting not to cry. "Please don't let him die, Naomie."
"He's not going to die. You hear me? Now you tell him that and keep him talking while I work on him. Can you do that?"
"Yes." Bailey leaned over, placing her hand gently on the side of Mace's face. "Mace, can you hear me?"
"Yeah. Kids okay?"
"They're fine. You saved them Mace."
"Naomie…helped. Shit, dying here, Naomie."
"No, you're not. You keep talking Mace. Hear me? Keep talking. You're not going anywhere but to the hospital."
She looked around and saw DeLyn standing on the porch, holding Minnie in one arm with her other arm around Rusty, who was hugged up against her side. "Where the hell's Russ?"
"Here, I'm here." Russ ran over and knelt beside Mace. "Christ, son."
"That's comforting," Mace said weakly and then grabbed his dad's hand. "Dad? Can't see. Dad?"
"Mace!" Russell yelled when Mace's eyes rolled back and then closed. He looked at Naomie. "Can you help me lift him?"
"I'll try. Help us, Bailey."
Russell positioned himself on one side of Mace. "Just help me until I'm on my feet. Put your arms beneath him and lift on three. Ready?"
"Yes," Naomie answered and looked at Bailey. "Come on, Bailey. Mace's counting on you."
"I'm ready."
"Okay, one, two, three." Russell groaned as he pushed himself up.
Naomie and Bailey strained to help, and Russell managed to get to his feet. "My SUV," he managed to grunt.
Before they reached the corner of the house, Nash and two ranch hands were there. Between the four men, they got Mace laid in the back of Russell's SUV. Naomie watched as Russell looked around. "You're with me," he said to her.
"We'll call you as soon as possible," Naomie said to Bailey.
"We'll be here," Nash said and put his arm around Bailey's shoulders. "Don't let him die." He then yelled at the ranch hands. "Follow them to the landing pad and get him in the chopper."
Naomie ran to the SUV and got in beside Mace. He was still unconscious and still bleeding. The two ranch hands got into Nash's truck and followed. Two long minutes later they reached the landing pad.
The rotors of the helicopter were already turning. It took only a minute for the men to get Mace moved. She and Russell climbed in, and in seconds they were rising. Russell ordered the pilot to call for permission to land on the hospital roof-top landing then sat beside Mace.
"Mace, can you hear me? Son, I need you to wake up. Can you open your eyes?"
"Tired," Mace said.
"I know you are, son, but you can't sleep yet. Open your eyes."
There was no reaction, at least not from Mace. Tears dripped from Russell's eyes when he looked at Naomie. "I can't lose him."
She reached for his hand. "I know. Just keep talking to him. Hold him, Russ."
Russell moved so that Mace was between Russell's legs, leaning back against his chest. Russel
l wrapped his arms around Mace and kissed the top of his head. "Did I ever tell you about the time when you and Nash were four, and he fell off the porch? I'm sure I did, but it's worth retelling.
"You and he had been playing on the porch all afternoon, trying to balance and walk the porch rail. I must have told you a dozen times to get down before one of you fell, but you were both so determined.
"I can do it, Daddy," you said, "and I won'ts let Nash get hurt." You were already looking out for everyone even at four. Well, sure enough, Nash fell off that rail and hit his head on the way down. By the time I got to the two of you he had a goose egg on his forehead and was wailing like a banshee. You were holding him, telling him everything would be okay and it would stop hurting soon, and you were there so he didn't have to be scared because you'd never let anything hurt him."
Russell stopped and sucked in a breath then pressed his lips together and closed his eyes for a moment, fighting not to cry. "I'd never seen more love on a human face than I saw that day. You were my child of light, Mace. Filled with more love than one human should be able to hold, but you did, and you always have. None of us ever have to feel there's a day when we're not loved because you're in our life and son, I don't know that I could live one single day if you left me, so please, please open your eyes and let me know you're with me."
Naomie covered her mouth with one hand to try and silence the sob that threatened, and once she had it under control, she reached for Mace's wrist. "His pulse is still okay," she said. It technically wasn't a lie. Mace had a pulse, but it was considerably weaker than when they left Heritage. "How much longer, Jim?" She asked the pilot.
"Twelve minutes."
Naomie turned her attention back to Mace and took his hand. "Mace? Hey, big guy, can you hear me? It's Naomie. Your dad and I are here, and we really need to hear your voice. It's important, but we can start slow so if you can hear me will you squeeze my hand? Mace? Mace?"
His hand tightened fractionally on hers, and she looked up at Russell. "He can hear us."
"Can you speak to me, son?" Russell asked. "Just one word."
"Ye–yes."
"Thank God," Russell held him tighter and looked at Naomie, seemingly unashamed of the tears that tracked his face.
She nodded and put one hand on top of his, praying that a man she'd come to love like a brother, a man who'd sacrifice his life for that of another, would not leave this life today. She didn't know if any of them could bear that.
"You have to hang on, Mace," she leaned over and spoke softly into his ear. "It would end Bailey if something happened to you. Do you have any idea how crazy she is about you? And Minnie. Lord that child loves you. You're like a Dad to her. You have to stay strong and stay with us so you can go home to them, build a life and have a family and make your dad the happiest grandpa in Texas.
"And I need you too, Mace. I love you. You're my friend and my family– maybe not by birth, but certainly by choice. You're my fishing buddy now. Remember when you and Robert and I went fishing at the river, and he made you promise that when he was gone, you'd bring me fishing? I'm holding you to that, Mace."
She felt his hand squeeze hers lightly and looked at Russell. "He squeezed my hand."
"Keep talking, honey. Keep my boy alive."
That’s exactly what she did. Until Mace's body jerked, his eyes flew open along with his mouth, and he started to quake. "Oh god. Put him on the floor. Now, Russ. Now."
She wasted no time starting CPR and between breaths shouted to the pilot. "Radio in. Cardiac arrest, starting CPR. Have a crash team on that landing pad."
Then she turned her entire focus to Mace. Chest compressions and breaths were all that existed in her world, along with an inner chant. Please don't die, please don't die, please don't die.
Naomie wasn't even aware they'd landed until the door opened and medical personnel climbed in, pushing her and Russell out of the way. Russell put his arm around her shoulders as the paddles came out. Twice they shocked him, to no avail.
"No response," one ER doctor stated the obvious.
"Again!" Naomie tore away from Russell. "Do it! Now!"
The doctor looked at his partner who nodded. "Do it."
On the second try, the partner gave a jubilant announcement. "We have rhythm. Let's get him to the ER stat."
Mace was placed on a gurney and wheeled off with medical personnel on either side of him. The final ER technician looked at Naomie. "Are you injured?"
That's when Naomie realized she was covered in blood. "No, I'm fine. We need to get to the ER."
"Fine, I'll accompany you, and you can tell me what happened."
"Okay," Naomie looked at Russell, and he took her hand, never once letting go as they made their way to the ER.
Within two hours the waiting room became increasingly populated with members of the family and friends. DeLyn, Nash, Harley, and Rusty were the first to arrive with Bailey and Minnie. Half an hour later, Cici, Amber, and Kal walked in and ten minutes after that Dillon and Josie came.
Naomie went to check with the desk to see if there was any update as Russell talked with the family. She wasn't up to talking or telling what happened. She wanted to erase that horrible memory from her mind, stop reliving it.
Just as she neared the desk, a doctor walked into the waiting room. "Walker family?"
"Yes," Russell answered and held out his hand to Naomie. She hurried to his side.
"It was touch and go for a while," the doctor said. "He suffered a nick to an artery, and the severe loss of blood precipitated the cardiac event. We've repaired the artery and stitched him up. He's got nearly a hundred stitches in him, and his left forearm is in a cast. It was fractured. There were no internal injuries which was extremely fortunate. I'd estimate he'll be here for at least three days so we can make sure there won't be any further coronary issues, but I'm confident he'll make a full recovery. He was a lucky man. If the cat hadn't been killed when it was, he might not have survived, and whoever performed CPR when he went into arrest definitely saved his life, so I'm guessing you all owe someone a fairly big thank you."
"We do indeed," Russell said and extended his hand. "And you as well, doctor. Thank you for saving my son."
"It's my pleasure, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to check on Mace. It'll be a few hours before he's moved from recovery to ICU, but someone will let you know when you can see him."
"Thank you."
The whole family cheered when the doctor left, hugging one another in relief. Russell took both of Naomie's hands in his. "Mama told me what happened. You risked your life to save my son. I don't know words big enough to thank you."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I want too. I'm humbled by you, Naomie. Your caring and willingness to sacrifice for others is inspiring and makes me want to be a better man. But today–" he choked back emotion then continued. "Today, you saved my son's life, and I will never be able to repay that."
"Hug me, and we'll call it even."
Russell smiled and enveloped her in his arms. "Girl, you're a mess," he whispered. "How about I find a hotel nearby where you can get clean? I'll ask the girls to go find you some clothes."
"Oh, would you? Thank you so much. I want to be here when Mace gets out of recovery, but I'd love to get clean."
"I'm on it." He hurried across the room to speak with DeLyn and Cici. Naomie took a seat and waited, and Bailey walked over and sat beside her.
"Thank you," she took Naomie's hand. "I was so scared he was…Naomie, I'm so in love with Mace. I think it'd be the end of me if something happened to him."
"He's going to be fine," Naomie assured her.
"Thanks to you."
"I didn't do anything he wouldn't have done for me."
"He risked his life to save Minnie and Rusty."
"Yes, he did."
"He's really something, isn't he?"
"He sure is," Naomie said and smiled. "He's a real-life hero. And he's just as crazy about y
ou, you know."
"I sure hope so."
"Naomie?" Russell interrupted. "There's a hotel just down the street. Cici's calling to reserve a room, and she and Kal will go find you some clothes and bring them over. Are you ready?"
"Yes, please." Naomie stood then leaned over and kissed Bailey on the cheek. "I'm so glad you came to Texas."
"So, am I. See you in a little while."
"Yes, ma'am."
She and Russell walked outside and had barely made it to the sidewalk when a car pulled up. She looked at him as the driver got out and hurried around to open the back door. "You think of everything, don't you?"
"Thank Cici. That girl can move mountains."
"Bless you, Cici." Naomie climbed into the back of the car. Russell joined her and gave the driver instructions.
"Do you think that cougar was one of the six that were captured and released here?"
She looked at him, feeling anger rise. "When we get back to Heritage, I'll do a necropsy and find out."
"And if it is?"
"Then we find out who's responsible and kick the living shit out of them."
"You mean, of course, have them arrested."
"Not really, but that is the right thing to do. I guess that's where Mace gets it."
"Gets what?"
"That innate sense of right and wrong, the goodness that makes him the man he is. A real-life hero. Just like his father."
"I think he exceeds me in just about every way imaginable."
"And I think you're modest and I love you for it, but I know what I know."
"Is that right?"
She nodded, not yet ready to smile. "I'm starting to lose it, Russ."
"It's no wonder, with what you went through. What can I do?"
"Just be patient for a bit because as soon as we get in that hotel room I am seriously going to lose my shit and you need to let me get it out so I can function again, okay?"
"Think it would make it better if you had someone to hold you while you break down?"
"I think it would help a lot and I love you for offering." She reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly. Today would go down as one of the worst in her life, and considering some of the things she'd experienced, that was saying something.
Chapter Twenty-Three
