With no light to see, I ran my hand over my knee but nothing was there. That didn’t mean there wasn’t something below the surface, though.
I couldn’t walk.
I couldn’t crawl.
I couldn’t do anything.
Just a little breather. Then I’ll find a way to keep going. I’ll drag myself if I have to.
Hugging my bent legs, I rested my cheek on my non-injured knee. I gave my vigilant eyes a break, allowing them to close as I inhaled deep.
And because I was so still, I heard it.
A roar.
It faded, but it wasn’t silent for long.
The snap of a twig.
The rustle of brush.
Something’s here.
My stomach dropped, and I froze in terrified indecision. Did I crawl? Did I try to run, further injuring my ankle and likely making a lot of noise that would alert them? Or did I stay still, allowing whatever predator was out there to track my scent and be done with it?
I didn’t know, but I had to try something. Anything.
Hands to the ground, I worked to push myself to my feet, but I didn’t even get the chance to test my bad ankle because my legs gave out.
I barely choked back my pained cry.
The sounds grew closer, and my eyes scanned for the predator.
Surprise and relief flooded me when I saw a dim light just before it cleared the shadows.
Maximo.
“You came,” I forced out through the lump in my throat.
“Jesus, little dove,” Maximo whispered gruffly, rushing over. His expensive slacks and white tee were still pristine, as though the dirt didn’t dare touch him. Only his dress shoes showed signs of his journey, the shiny black leather scuffed and dusted with sand. Crouching in front of me, he pushed my filthy hair out of my face. His alert eyes moved between studying me and scanning our surroundings. “Are you hurt?”
I pointed to my foot. “I twisted my ankle.”
“Let me see.” Grabbing my calf, he began to straighten my leg, but pain zipped up the muscle, and I tucked it close. “Juliet.”
I didn’t even know he knew my name.
At his firm tone, I bit my lip and let him extend my leg and gently touch the swollen joint. His shadowed expression was thunderous, but his voice was soft when he chided, “What did you do to yourself?”
“I’m sorry,” I said reflexively.
He stood and handed me the flashlight. I waited for him to pull me up, but instead, he lifted me in his arms.
Since I didn’t want him to trip while hefting me around—not to mention, I was filthy and smelled—I insisted, “I can walk.”
I think.
He didn’t respond verbally, just shot me a quick look before his gaze returned to where he was stepping.
“Really, I only need a little help,” I tried again.
“No.”
“But—”
“Juliet.” His tone was filled with warning again, as if that were the only way he could say my name.
I held my tongue for as long as possible before muttering, “I really should’ve gone for the road.”
Maximo stopped, and I worried he’d dump me on the ground. Since he was more than a foot taller than me, it wouldn’t be a short fall. Instead, he tightened his hold and aimed his glower my way. “That route is harsher. You’d have been walking for miles with no trees or boulders to offer shade. You wouldn’t have made it far before passing out from heatstroke.” He adjusted me in his arms as he began walking again. “Or worse.”
“Oh.”
He made a noncommittal grunt.
After a few more minutes of tense silence, we reached a waiting four-wheeler. He set me down before grabbing the side pack and handing me two sandwiches and a bottle of water. “Eat.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I dug into the PB&J like it was the best thing I’d ever tasted because, right then, it was. I polished off both and the glorious water within minutes.
My stomach hurt from eating so fast, but it was better than it hurting from hunger or fear.
Once I was done, he took my garbage and shoved it in the pack.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Almost midnight.”
God, I’m so stupid.
I’d gotten lost, sunburned, injured to the point of incapacitation twice, and had been forced to kill a snake.
And it’d only been half a day.
What would’ve happened had he not come? Would I have survived the next day? Would I even have survived the night?
But I wouldn’t have to find out because Maximo had come for me when he could’ve easily left me out there to die.
Unable to choke down my gratitude, I blurted,