A Time of Seasons

by Kay Edwards

Chapter Twenty-Five

  It had been three months since Dalton had left Houston. He was renting the house that would one day belong to him and Misty. He sat on the front porch swing and waited for her to come. They were going horse-back riding together that day. It was summer time in Texas, and that meant it was hot. The two had decided that an early morning ride would be wise. He hadn't seen her in a week with all of his work hours being crazy. He missed her and was ready to spend time with her. He looked across the field and smiled as he saw her riding toward him leading another horse.

  Misty rode up to the porch and looked at Dalton. She smiled at him as he walked toward her. "Are you ready?"

  Dalton chuckled. "I woke up before the sun today I hope I am."

  Misty looked at the twilight. "It will be breathtaking to watch."

  Dalton mounted his horse. "You lead the way. I will follow."

  Misty smiled over at him. "I missed you this week. Thanks for doing this."

  Dalton looked at her surprised. "You're welcome but why would I not want to do this? I missed you too."

  Misty chuckled. "You worked until midnight. I am not sure this would be my cup of tea if the shoe were on the other foot."

  Dalton pretended to be hurt. "You would not move the very air around you to get to me? I'm so upset."

  Misty slapped his leg. "Stop being a pick."

  Dalton looked at her gently. "Can you believe we only have one month left?"

  Misty blushed. "I can't wait. Are you ready?"

  Dalton chuckled. "I just turned thirty-two. Trust me I'm ready but only for you. No other woman has captured my heart like you."

  Misty grinned. "Well, then my future husband let's enjoy today and hope it goes fast."

  Dalton watched her nudge her horse into a comfortable walk. "Come on Dusty." He said as he followed her.

  The two rode in a peace filled silence as they watched twilight turn into sunrise. The different colors that kissed the sky were beautiful. You could almost see the hand of God painting each hue with an expert stroke.

  Dalton looked at the woman in front of him. In a short period of time, she had become his life. He watched the sun dance off the strands of her hair. When she turned and looked at him, he smiled. No words were necessary as they continued down the path.

  Misty was overwhelmed when she turned and saw the love in Dalton's eyes. Her life had been marred with unexpected tragedy. It was also seasoned with unexpected blessings. She had thanked God often for both. She knew that both had happened for a reason and was at peace with that.

  They had been on the trail for an hour when Misty stopped by a little stream. She watched as Dalton dismounted and walked toward her. When he helped her off her horse, he pulled her close and kissed her. She melted at the touch of his lips. "I love you." She said her voice breathless.

  Dalton whispered back. "I love you too." They had agreed to be careful when they were alone. He winked at her as he released her to take care of her horse.

  Misty spoke her mind. "I can't wait until we are married. Then you can kiss me all I want."

  Dalton chuckled. "All you want? What about me?"

  Misty winked. "Trust me. We will be on the same page."

  Dalton shook his head. "Just remember what the pastor said Sunday about love."

  Misty recalled the sermon. "You're talking about the patient part, aren’t you?"

  He smiled as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "You are worth being patient for."

  Misty looked up at him. When she thought of the sermon, she couldn't help but see Dalton in the entire scripture passage. He was patient and kind but what she thought was most impressive was the fact that he didn't envy. He loved her completely without worrying about Brent's place in her heart. He loved Rachel the same way too. "Do you even know how special you are?" she asked softly.

  Dalton pulled her close and whispered. "No more than you."

  It was getting hot and time to get back on the trail and home. Dalton was just about to help Misty on to her horse when a movement to the side caught his attention. Dread filled him as he turned and saw a coyote foaming at the mouth coming toward them. He stayed calm. "Misty I need you to get back on your horse and just go. Don't look back ok?"

  Misty's eyes widened as she saw the rabid creature coming their way. She started to do what he said when her horse spooked and took off. Her voice trembled. "Dalton…"

  Dalton tried to get Misty to his horse, but the minute the horse sensed danger it took off. He looked around for a weapon. The thing was charging mindlessly now. Dalton kept Misty behind him as he felt the teeth enter his wrist. "Go into the water." He ordered.

  Misty listened without hesitating. She knew Dalton was bleeding. She also knew the animal was rabid. She felt the bottom of the creek hoping to find something to fight the animal off with.

  Dalton spoke calmly. "Misty I'm going to get bit again. I need you to not touch this animal. I'm going to try to hold it under water. Can you stay calm for me?"

  Misty's voice was confident. "I can. The only way I'll help is if you need it." She understood he was protecting her.

  The coyote finally became aggressive enough to lunge into the water. Dalton allowed it to bite into his arm again. With his other hand, he pushed the creatures head underwater. He could feel the front claws of the animal trying to free itself. The struggle lasted for only a few minutes and then it was done. The coyote was dead.

  Misty looked at the blood coming from Dalton's wrist. "We need to get home."

  Dalton took off his shirt and wrapped it around his hand and arm after washing his wounds in the stream. He knew he was bleeding but was pretty confident it would stop. He also knew he would be in for the rounds of rabies shots because he was bitten. His main concern was the fact that he and Misty were miles from home without their horses and water and the temperature was climbing fast. "How long of a walk are we looking at?"

  Misty thought. "We are a solid hour on foot. I'm hoping the horses go back to the barn and help comes."

  Dalton could feel his wrist and arm throbbing. "We need to start walking before it gets too much hotter. If something happens Misty, you need to keep going. Do you understand me? The best way to help me is going and getting help. I need my first shot today."

  Misty had tears running down her cheeks as she nodded. "I will keep going. I won't stop."

  Dalton nodded, and the two started walking. Thirty minutes after they began walking Dalton could feel his head start to swim. He knew he had lost some blood and that mixed with him sweating was causing issues. He kept going, though.

  Misty continued to lead the way back home. She knew Dalton was starting to feel the effects of the attack and the heat. When he leaned against a tree, she went back to him. "Please don't stop."

  Dalton nodded and continued to follow. He was not sure how much further he could go, but he would go until he couldn't. He could feel the stickiness of his blood in his shirt and knew he should take a look just in case he was bleeding more than he thought. Just when he thought he couldn't go any further, he heard people yelling his and Misty's names. He leaned heavily against the tree as Misty shouted.

  Misty screamed at the top of her lungs. "We are here! Please, we are over here!" She screamed it over and over again until her brothers were finally able to see her.

  Brock looked at Dalton and knew they needed to get him help. They had an extra horse with them, and Misty mounted it. She watched with tears in her eyes as her brothers got Dalton up in front of Brock. Brock kicked his mount into a faster pace. "Hold on Dalton things are fixing to get bumpy we are only a few minutes from the ranch on our horses."

  Misty and Wyatt kept up with Brock. As they neared the barn, Brock shouted out for some help. Terry came out with Rachel in her arms. Dalton saw Misty getting ready to touch Rachel. He knew she had not touched the animal but didn't want to risk it.
"No! Get a shower, Misty. Don't touch her until you've showered."

  Misty nodded. "I'm going with you.”

  Dalton was going to argue. The look on her face said it wouldn't work. He nodded. They piled into the truck and Wyatt sped toward the ER.

  As Brock pulled into the ER parking lot, he was surprised to see some staff there ready to help with a wheelchair. Dr. Fisk immediately started yelling orders. Misty followed close behind. She stood back and let them work as they got him into a room and on a bed.

  The more Dalton was able to cool down the clearer his head got. He was able to help guide them with what treatment he would need. He knew Misty was worried and managed to smile at her. When the one nurse came in with an IV, he held out his arm.

  Dr. Fisk shook his head. "Don't you think you're going a little overboard trying to fit in with this family?" he joked.

  Dalton smiled at the joke but flinched as they started working on his wounds. It was almost an hour before Misty could sit beside his bed. He had to chuckle at what she was wearing. "My scrubs are a bit too big."

  Misty looked down at the shirt and rolled up pants. "You were the one that insisted I shower." She said with a smile.

  Dalton looked up at the IV antibiotics. "I'm allowed to leave once these run through."

  Misty looked at his bandaged arm and wrist. "How many stitches did you end up with?"

  Dalton looked at her. "I'm not sure. I know I have five in my wrist, but it was my antecubital area that was bleeding so much. His tooth got my vein just right when he was gripped on."

  Misty nodded and then crawled in beside him. She curled into his side. "I was so scared."

  Dalton kissed the top of her head. "I will survive. My blood count is only a little low from the blood loss."

  A knock sounded on the door, and Dalton looked up. Dr. Fisk walked in and sat down by the bed. "I'm sending you home with an oral antibiotic. You said you would take over the counter pain reliever but if you change your mind let me know. You and I both know this is going to start hurting like the dickens. You have another ten minutes left in this bag, and then you can go."

  Misty and Dalton rested until it was time to go. They spent the time talking about the wedding instead of dwelling on the day's dramatic turn.