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I broke through the water first, shaking my head before slicking my hair back with my hands. Emmett's head broke next and he shook his with a sigh of relief, spraying me in the face. I couldn't find it in me to yell at him since the water felt so great after having the sun beating on our backs for the last two and a half hours. Emmett ducked back under and swam away from me.

"Eddie, I don't think I'll ever get out of this water!" Emmett groaned as he came up for air. I had to agree with him. Coming across this lake was something we didn't expect, but we happily shed our clothes and jumped in without second thoughts. I relaxed onto my back and stared at the fluffy white clouds.

"Don't call me Eddie." He laughed and swam even farther away, disappearing for the third time. I glanced over at the cattle crowded around, slurping down as much water as they could fit into their stomachs. Some pushed each other in and others stomped to get more room. The two horses stood farther from the group, drinking and eating the grass. I knew that they were just as hot as Emmett and I, if not more after carrying us around.

"So when do you think we'll be back home? I know Ma really wants us back before tomorrow afternoon. She wants us all to get together for dinner tomorrow night. Has some news for us of some sort." Emmett splashed water onto his face and scrubbed with his hands as dirt and dust streaked down. "Rosie, too." Concern was etched on his face for a moment before he looked at me.

"It's fine, Emmett. Ma looked excited. Rosalie too. I think Alice already knows since she was jumping and vibrating all over the darn place."

Emmett let out a loud belly laugh.

"When isn't she?" We both let out a chuckle. That was very true. Jasper would know that more than anyone else. The poor man had to live with her.

Emmett and I relaxed and enjoyed the lake for about another hour until the sun was high in the sky, signaling that it was noon, or close to it. I regret not bringing the pocket watch that Pa gave me four years ago when I started coming on these rides. Emmett already lost his. Man never knew where anything was.

"Well, we better get going if we want to get back by then. Let's fill up our canteens again." I nodded my head in agreement and we prepared to get out of the water.

I startled suddenly and sunk into the water as the cattle began belting and scattering. I looked over and watched as a dark gray horse ran past the lake with its saddle and reins dangling. Luckily, our horses stayed where they were, but some of the cattle ran into the water while others ran away, leaving my view as they went over a hill.

"No! Goddammit!" I power swam toward the horses, Emmett close behind, water splattering up from his strong arms slicing through the waves from the tiniest of breeze that came out of nowhere.

"Emmett, round up the cattle again and find that horse. I'm going back the way he came to find the rider," I called before tugging on my pants and shirt, the clothes sticking to my wet body. I clumsily stuck my hat back on my dripping hair. My horse threw his head back from being grabbed so quick but composed himself as I jumped up and kicked at his sides. He spun around and sped in the direction the lone horse had come.

"Come on, boy! Yaw!" I jabbed his sides harder and gripped the reins tighter as he picked up his pace, turning the ride even bumpier and more uncomfortable. I had to grab my hat a few times to keep it from catching the wind and flying off. We eventually came over a hill and stopped. I looked down and around at the open field, trying to find anything.

Something.

Someone.

I took off my hat and pushed my hair back, the water and sweat kept it out of my face. I squinted and looked harder. All I could see was green upon green. Some birds flew up and scattered at our arrival.

My horse made a sound in the back of his throat and perked his ears forward, turning them slightly to the left. I glanced over, but didn't see anything. I patted his neck and put on my hat. Obviously, he could hear something that my human ears couldn't. Maybe it was a rodent of some sort.

"What do you hear, buddy? Huh?" I was ready to turn around and go back thinking that the runaway horse could have gotten away from another ranch and been running for some time. The idea that anyone had fallen off and gotten hurt was slowly leaving my mind. I had to get back and help with the cattle.

"Help m-" My head whipped around while the horses ears flung backwards. "Someone! Anyo-" The voice was so quiet, the words broken by the wind. I flung off my hat again.

"Hey! I'm here, it's okay!" I shouted, my voice shaky as I nudged the horse's sides and trotted down the hill. I saw a flash of blue as we got closer.

"Help me," someone whimpered. I got closer and a slight breeze parted the grass. The girl was so tiny, curled up and clutching her left leg. I jumped down and ran to her, falling to my knees instantly and grabbing her shoulder. And to think I was about to leave without ever knowing she was here.

"Hey, can you look at me? Does your leg hurt?" I was never more thankful than now that my Pa was a doctor. Having gone on house calls with him would definitely pay off at this moment.

The girl looked up at me with red cheeks and glassy brown eyes. Long brown hair stuck to her sweaty face and forehead. I chastised myself for noticing just how beautiful she was in a situation like this. Her blue dress brought out her pale skin, which was flushed red from the brutal sun and the obvious pain. Her whimper and groan brought me back from my thoughts and to the leg she was clutching even tighter. More tears spilled down her face.

"Just my leg," she gritted out, looking up at the sky and letting out a breath. I grabbed at her hands and moved them away. She tried to pull away, but I held tight to them.

"You have to let me look, all right? I won't move it but I just have to raise your dress." My throat got dry at the end of the sentence. My face was already red enough from the sun that I'm sure she couldn't catch on to my embarrassment. She nodded her head fast and moved her hands away, grabbing handfuls of grass and digging her short nails into the dirt. Her eyes clenched shut and she let out short, harsh gasps. I wished that I could make her pain go away in an instant.

I moved to where her dress brushed around her dainty ankles. Her boots were dusty and worn. I slid her dress up to her knee, briefly marvelling at the pale smooth skin. My face heated more and my hands shook the slightest. Pa's hands never shook.

Ever.

I could easily see that the leg was broken, the right side was caved in slightly and bending left. I could feel the break just by brushing my hand over it, but I stopped as soon as she hissed and jerked the leg away, just making the pain worse. She cried out and went to grip it again, but I grabbed her hands and shook my head.

"Touching will just make it worse. I'm going to pick you up and take you to my Pa, okay? He's a doctor and will get your leg all fixed up." I noticed her scraped palms, but I'm sure she cared about her leg much more than some missing skin and blood. I needed to get her up on my horse and then head back to Emmett.

"I'm gonna pick you up, darlin'. That okay?" She jerked her head forward before wrapping her arms around my sweaty neck and lacing her fingers into my hair. She gripped hard and I had to grit my teeth to stop a curse from slipping passed my lips. I carefully hoisted her up against my chest to stop her leg from moving too much. She whimpered and moaned some more. "I'm sorry," I said, grimacing as her leg bounced as I walked to the grazing horse who was farther away from us than I liked. He came closer as if he knew that this young girl was hurt and needed him. I rubbed his nose before moving over to his saddle. Now the tricky part was getting her up there without injuring her leg even more. I needed Pa here. Emmett, even.

"I'm gonna sit you sideways on my lap, all right? I'll try my best to keep it from jerkin' around." She just cried and pulled on my hair. Pa's voice came to me, telling me not to panic, but that was easier said than done in this situation.

"It hurts so much!" She croaked. Her bottom lip was bleeding from biting into it so hard. I maneuvered her in my arms so that I could get up into the saddle without putting her down. Her breathing was coming slower and I looked down at her face. It was sweaty, but her face was turning pale. The redness was disappearing. The pain was going to get to her and make her faint. That would be easier on her.

"I can't." Her words were slurred and her eyes drooped. I moved my fingers into her hair and placed her face into my neck as the pain became too much. I've seen people faint from pain when I've gone with Pa to his patients' homes. It always scared me until he reassured me it was for the best. I wish he was here now. I grabbed my canteen and trickled some water into my one free hand. I wiped her face down, trying to keep her as cool as possible. I had to get more once I got us back to the lake. I grabbed the reins and turned us around, setting a smooth trot up the hill. I used my leg to hold hers against the horse's side to keep it from jumping up and down. In the meantime, it put me at ease a bit to know she couldn't feel any pain. I wanted her out as long as possible.

"Let's go, boy. Get us home," I whispered. I'm sure he understood what I said as he picked up his pace without my doing.

So this is my first story and saying I'm nervous is an understatement. Sending me a review would be amazing, good or critical. Updates will be every Friday.

Thank you SunflowerFran for being my beta! There would be many mistakes if it weren't for you!

Thank you HeartforTwilight for making the banner for me, I love it!

Facebook users, go join the group, "Pay It Forward". It has great people that are so nice and supportive!

Edward - 19
Emmett - 21