Page 5 of Mountain Reclaiming

“My sister’s douche bag husband left her. I was between jobs and my lease was up, so I came back to help her with the kids.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I can’t say I’m not—”

“Your knights in shining armor are here!”

Whatever Cash was going to say is drowned out by the arrival of four brawny men. Good Lord, this team is good looking. Was a headshot part of the application for joining the team?

Of course the people who have to carry me out of the woods are all drool-worthy. The humiliation doesn’t stop.

Chapter Four

Cash

Ashlynn gets quiet with the arrival of the rest of the team. Her face flames brighter than it had been.

“Is everything alright?” I murmur next to her ear while the guys get the packboard ready for transport.

She trembles before shaking her head. “This is so embarrassing. Are you guys even going to be able to carry me all the way back? I’m not exactly a lightweight.”

“Darlin’, there’s nothing wrong with your weight. None of us would have a problem packing you out by ourselves, but it’ll be more comfortable for you on the board. Also, we really do need to follow protocol, even if we’re letting the ambulance slide.”

“If you say so.” The disbelief is clear in her voice. “It’s still mortifying.”

“You’re hardly the first person we’ve had to do this for. It is our job.”

We work like the well-functioning team we’ve trained to be to get her loaded up and carried out to the trailhead in short order. I’m thankful for the team we’ve become because the guys follow my lead and give each other shit on the way out to keep Ash from getting too caught up in her head about the situation. It really is no big deal to us.

Once we get her situated in my truck, Alana takes Ash’s sister’s car to drop off at her house, followed by Race and Braden, who will pick her up, while I head to the hospital with our patient. She calls her sister on the way to update her.

“Hey Paisley. Just letting you know I’m on my way to the hospital now to get my ankle checked out. Your car is being dropped off by some of the SAR crew.” She pauses. “You don’t need to come with the kids and just wait around for however long it’s going to take. They’ll drive everyone crazy. I’ll call you when I’m done so you can pick me up.”

She pauses again. “No, Cash is driving me.” I hear a squeal as she pulls the phone away from her ear. Her cheeks pinken again. When the noise dies, she puts the phone back. “Yes, that Cash. Look, we’re at the hospital now. I’ll call you when I know more.”

I pull up to the emergency room entrance. “Wait there,” I instruct as I hop out, leaving the vehicle running. Jogging inside, I grab one of the wheelchairs parked inside the sliding doors. I push it outside and around to the passenger side of my truck.

“I said to wait,” I grumble to Ash, who has her door open and her legs swung out the door.

She rolls her eyes. “I didn’t try getting down.”

“Well, that’s something I suppose.” My lips twitch at her pout. I crowd into her space, scooping her up in my arms before she can slide down.

“Cash,” she gasps, arms going around my neck. “I’m too heavy.”

“Already had that conversation. We’re not gonna rehash it,” I growl, settling her into the chair.

I wheel her inside. With reluctance, I leave to go park my truck while she’s admitted. I hustle back in after finding the closet parking spot available, which was a distance away. They’re getting ready to wheel her back when I jog inside. I rush to fall in step with Ash.

She glances at me with surprise. “What are you doing? I thought you left.”

I frown. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

“Oh, well it’s really not necessary. I’m sure you have people to get back to. A girlfriend or wife, kids probably. I can take care of myself. I’m a big girl. Literally.”

The last word is muttered so quietly I know it wasn’t meant for me to hear. It pisses me off that she keeps talking about her weight like it’s a problem. As far as I’m concerned, any extra weight she’s put on since I last saw her has only enhanced how appealing she is. She’s only gotten more beautiful and desirable.

She was a chubby teenager, but her inner beauty overshadowed any perceived flaws. Now those thick, soft curves have me wanting to burrow in and never come up for air.

I don’t think she’s fishing when she mentions a girlfriend or wife either. She truly thinks it’s a given. That is one fact I’m quick to dissuade her of. “No one waiting on me but my mom, and I’ve already let her know I’ll check in when I can. I’ve been a singleton since you last saw me.”