Buck parked the snowmobile in the shed and moved to join JD in the cabin. They were early, but he still glanced at his watch as Dunne opened the door and passed him a cup of coffee. He listened to the sound of an engine getting closer, but he knew it wasn't Chris and Vin because it was coming from the road leading up to the cabin.
"Sounds like company," Dunne said.
"Looks like they managed to get Ezra up early," Wilmington said as the familiar van pulled in behind the truck. They walked over to meet the newcomers.
"Welcome to the North Pole," Dunne said.
"More like Siberia," Standish told him and pulled on a pair of leather gloves.
"Where are Chris and Vin?" Jackson asked.
"They should be back any time," Wilmington answered and moved to help unload the vehicle. "There's been a problem with poachers and we were checking the area."
"Looking for trouble," the medic said and shook his head.
"No, we just wanted to see if they were in one of the other cabins and then call the local authorities," the rogue said and looked at the sky. "I think the storm arrived a day early. How was the drive up?"
"The roads are a mess and this is supposed to last until Christmas day," Jackson said as they reached the door and entered the cabin. He placed the bags on the kitchen counter and moved outside to help with the rest of the supplies. It took half an hour to get everything inside and lock up the vehicles. Nathan noticed Wilmington glancing at his watch and wondered just how late Chris and Vin were. "Buck, when were they due back?"
"About half an hour ago," Wilmington answered worriedly.
"Maybe the snow's slowed them down," Dunne offered.
"Maybe," the rogue said, but deep down he knew it was more than that, but for now there was nothing they could do, but wait.
"Well, boys, I'm going to warm up that pot of stew we brought with us," Sanchez said, not surprised when no one answered. He knew between the wind and the snow, Larabee and Tanner could be in real trouble and they could not do anything to help.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
Vin couldn't remember ever being so cold and cursed the frigid wind that blew directly into his face. He could feel Larabee leaning against his back, but didn't know if he was still conscious. He silently prayed that he was still on the right trail and relied on his instincts to guide him.
Vin wiped at the goggles he wore and licked at his lips only to feel the moisture freeze almost instantly. He kept the lake on his left and said a prayer of thanks when he spotted the cabin just up ahead. He pulled into the yard and turned off the engine as he called for help.
"Buck, JD, we need help out here!" Tanner said and fumbled with the knot he'd made in the rope.
"Vin…"
"We made it, Chris, just hold on a few more minutes and we'll get warm," Tanner said and looked toward the door when it opened and five men hurried toward them.
"You gentlemen look like abominable snowmen," Standish observed.
"Jesus, Vin, why didn't you come back early when the storm moved in?" Wilmington said.
"Shut the hell up and help me untie the fuckin' rope. Chris…Chris got caught in a bear…bear trap so be careful of his right leg," Tanner ordered.
"How bad?" Jackson asked and moved to the semi-conscious passenger.
"Think it broke his leg…had spikes that cut through his b…boots," the Texan answered as Josiah cut the rope that circled him and Chris.
"Come on, Vin, let's get you inside," Dunne said as Standish helped him get the near frozen man off the snowmobile.
"Josiah, think you and Buck can carry Chris?" Jackson asked. He wanted to look at the leg, but first they had to get the injured man into the cabin.
"We got him," Wilmington said and heard a muffled cry from the blond as they carried him into the cabin and moved to the couch so that he was close to the fireplace.
"Ezra, give Vin a hand out of those clothes. JD get him some of that stew and make him sit down," Jackson ordered and returned his attention to the injured blond. "Josiah, help me get him undressed. Be careful with his right leg. Buck, get me the first aid kit from the van."
"On it," Wilmington said and reluctantly left the blond's side.
"Nate…when di…did you ge…get here?" Larabee managed between chattering teeth.
"About forty minutes ago," Jackson answered. "Looks like not a minute too soon. I need to get your boot off, Chris…it's not gonna be pleasant."
"Shit," Larabee said as they removed everything he wore and covered him in several warm blankets. He had no idea how they got his pants off, but figured he'd probably need to buy some new ones when he got back home.
"Nathan, I called emergency services, but the roads are closed and Medivac is grounded until this storm blows itself out," Standish said worriedly.
"Damn," Jackson swore. "Ezra, tell Buck to bring in the emergency supplies I packed."
Chris swallowed convulsively as Jackson and Sanchez took hold of his leg. He heard them talking and readied himself for the nauseating pain he knew was going to hit as soon as they began working the boot from his foot. He gripped the edge of the couch and buried his face in the pillow as Josiah tugged on the boot.
"His leg's swollen," Sanchez said and knew no matter how they did it they would be causing the blond pain. Buck had returned from the vehicle with the first aid kit and the extra supplies Nathan had packed before they left the city.
"Josiah, we need to get it off. There's no telling what kind of damage is underneath," Jackson said and looked across at Tanner who was huddled under several blankets and holding the untouched bowl of stew as he watched what they were doing. He knew the Texan was worried, but until he saw the damage there was nothing he could say to ease the man's torment.
"Just pull the fucking th…thing o…off," Larabee ground out and felt the heat of the flames driving back the chill that had seeped down to his bones. He cried out as his foot was finally freed from the constraining material and breathed through tightly clenched teeth as Jackson took hold of the sock and eased it down over his heel.
Nathan cursed at what he saw and knew Larabee was in trouble. The awkward shift of the bone confirmed that the leg was broken and he knew the deep wounds would need to be cleaned and wrapped. The man needed antibiotics and Nathan knew the supplies he'd brought would not include the meds his friend needed. He could start an IV and give him morphine for pain, but there was nothing more he could do until the storm ended and they could get him to the hospital. He silently thanked God that he'd packed the extra supplies and had stocked his private kit with Kojay's help. He reached for his cell phone and dialed the clinic where Kojay worked; relieved when the older man answered the phone.
"I thought you were going to the cabin, Nathan."
"I am, Kojay…"
"Did you beat the storm?"
"Yes, we did, but Chris ran into some trouble," Jackson answered.
"What kind of trouble?"
"His right leg was caught in a bear trap."
"New or old?"
"Vin, was it a new trap?" Jackson asked.
"No, damn thing was rusty, and I think maybe it wasn't set right," Tanner answered.
"Vin says it was old and rusty."
"Tell me what the wound looks like."
"The bone is broken and there are around eight puncture wounds around his leg, just above the ankle."
"Did you bring those supplies I gave you?"
"I did."
"Good, set up and IV and give him Morphine for pain. How long before you can get him to the hospital?"
"That's another problem. With this storm everything's grounded. We can't get him out of here until this lets up," Jackson explained.
"Then you have your work cut out for you, Nathan. Make sure you clean the wounds and keep the leg immobile. If he develops a fever and I am sure he will then you should give him Tylenol. Make sure you keep him calm."
"It's Chris…he doesn't do calm," Jackson griped.
"Then you do what you must. I will keep my cell phone with me if you have any questions, but right now you are his caregiver and I have confidence in you. Call me if you see any changes in the area around the wounds, especially red lines."
"I will…thanks, Kojay. I wish you were here."
"I would only do what you are going to do, Nathan. The rest must wait until he reaches the hospital."
The phone went dead and he wasn't sure if it was because of the storm or because Kojay had hung up. He looked at each of the men present before turning his attention back to the injured blond. "Chris, I'm going to give you a shot of morphine before I clean this."
"O…kay…how bad?" Larabee asked, his voice edged with pain.
"I'm not gonna lie to you. The bone's broken and there are some deep puncture wounds. You're damn lucky it didn't cut your foot clean off," Jackson advised. "Josiah, use the saline and gauze to clean it as best you can. I'm going to start an IV and give him a shot."
"Nathan, what do you need me to do?" Wilmington asked.
"Bring me a couple of pillows from the bedrooms. We're going to need to elevate his leg once I take care of it," Jackson advised.
"What made you bring your special supplies?" Dunne asked.
"I've worked with you lot long enough to know trouble has a bead on you no matter where you hide," Jackson said and set up the IV line.
"There's a hook on the wall behind you, Nathan," Standish said and took the bag of fluid from the medic. He hung it from the hook and watched as Jackson started the IV in Larabee's arm before injecting Morphine into the IV port.
"Chris, that's going to make you sleepy so don't fight it," Jackson ordered and made sure the IV was running properly.
Chris closed his eyes as the medication took control and eased the throbbing pain in his right leg. He forced them open to half-mast and looked at the man seated in the chair across from the couch. He tried to reassure the Texan, but didn't have the strength as the accumulated effects of the injury, drugs, and a long day in the cold conspired to drag him under.
Vin knew things were bad as he watched Nathan, Josiah, and Buck working to make the blond comfortable and clean the wounds without shifting the damaged bone more than necessary. He frowned when he realized he'd eaten half the stew without tasting it and knew if he ate any more he'd be sick. He shifted and cursed as the dormant pain in his back came to life in an explosion of fiery nerves.
"Vin, when did you last take something for pain?" Jackson asked, but continued to pick pieces of material from the wounds.
"Last night," Tanner answered.
"Where are they?" Jackson asked.
"In the bedroom," the Texan answered.
"I'll get them," Dunne said and hurried into the other room, returning with the bottle of prescription medication and handing them to Vin.
"Thanks, JD," Tanner said and popped two pills into his mouth and chased them down with warm apple cider. He pulled the blankets up over his shoulder as Standish added more wood to the fire. He nodded in thanks and felt the warmth spreading through his body and driving back the cold that had seeped into his bones.
Buck watched as Jackson did everything he could to make sure the wounds encircling Larabee's right leg were clear of any debris that was pushed inside. He knew the medic was worried about infection and hoped they could get the blond to the hospital before that happened. He walked to the window and looked outside, silently cursing the snow that fell heavily to the ground.
"Buck, he will be okay," Standish said and looked into haunted blue eyes.
"Thanks, Ez," Wilmington said simply. "Damn good thing you boys decided to come early. I don't know what we'd have done if it wasn't for Nathan."
"You would have managed…of that I have no doubt. Why don't you sit down and I'll bring you some of Josiah's stew. It'll warm you up."
Wilmington nodded and moved to the table where JD was already seated and listened to Nathan telling Josiah what he needed him to do. The medic was holding Chris' leg while Josiah wrapped gauze around the splint that would keep the bones from shifting.
"All right, Josiah, put that pillow underneath his leg," Jackson ordered.
"Should we move him to the bedroom?" Sanchez asked.
"No, it's warm here and I'd rather not move him around unless it's necessary. Vin…"
"I ain't movin'," Tanner vowed.
"Look, Vin, I know that back of yours is killing you and the Tylenol will help, but you should be lying down. What if we make up a pallet beside the fire?" Jackson asked.
"JD, give me a hand," Sanchez said and moved into the bedroom. They removed the mattress from the lower bunk and carried it into the main room before placing it in front of the fire. They grabbed pillows and blankets and before the Texan could protest, they moved him to the makeshift bed.
"Feel like yer gangin' up on me," Tanner grumbled, but relief shone in his eyes.
"Try to sleep, Vin," Jackson ordered and knew none of them would be getting much sleep until rescue arrived. He pulled the blanket up over the injured blond and moved to the table. Ezra poured him a cup of hot coffee and ladled stew into a bowl for him. "Thanks, Ez."
"You're welcome," Standish said and moved to sit in the chair Tanner had occupied. He held his cup of coffee in his hands and watched over the two men.
TBC