Quinn Read Free Page B

dark form slumped in the corner of the stall to register in Quinn’s brain. In that first second, as he took in the familiar parka, the solid, sturdy figure of his beloved father, Quinn’s mind rejected the truth, even while the natural instinct for survival kicked into high gear.
    “Pa.” He was down on his knees in an instant, his hand at his father’s throat.
    Eyes fierce, he studied the sickly pale flesh, so cold to the touch.
    At last, finding a faint pulse, he sucked in a breath and reached for his cell phone.
    Alive. Alive.
    For now, for this one moment, it was all that mattered. It meant that they still had a fighting chance.
    At the voice on the other end he said tersely, “Quinn Conway. I need a medevac at the Conway ranch right away.”
    He listened, then replied, “Not a ranch accident. He’s on the ground. Weak pulse. No response. Possible heart attack.”
    He rang off, before dialing the number up at the house.
    He heard the voice of old Ela, who had been with the family for as long as Quinn could recall. “Ela. I’m out in the barn. I need Big Jim.”
    He listened, then swore under his breath when he learned that his grandfather was in high country with the wranglers. “Have Phoebe come out to the barn right away.”
    Phoebe Hogan had been twenty-three when her cowboy husband had died in a flaming truck accident, leaving her the impossible task of running their hardscrabble ranch alone. She’d been hired as a temporary housekeeper and surrogate mother shortly after Seraphine went missing and stayed on, easing three boys through the loss of their mother, helping them navigate the minefield of awkward teen years. As the months had turned into years, Phoebe had sold her own ranch and remained with the Conways, serving the family with absolute devotion.
    Minutes later she stepped into the barn, holding the lapels of the oversize parka she’d grabbed from a hook in the mudroom.
    “Welcome home, Quinn. What do you need?”
    As she spoke, she stepped closer and gasped at the sight of Cole lying deathly still in the hay, wrapped in Quinn’s parka for warmth.
    Her hand flew to her mouth as she knelt beside Cole. She looked up at Quinn. “What…?” It was all she could manage.
    “I found him in Scout’s stall. I’ve already phoned for amedevac. I need you to contact Big Jim and my brothers. As soon as I get word from the doctors in Jackson Hole, I’ll call.” Quinn’s tone was gruff. “I’ll leave it to you to tell Ela.”
    “I’ll take care of it. You take care of him.” She nodded toward Cole and took hold of his hands, squeezing gently before getting to her feet.
    Quinn was grateful for her quiet acceptance. Some women might have wept or asked a dozen questions, none of which he could answer. Phoebe, though she was as stunned by all this as he was, could be counted on to hold things together and do whatever necessary until this thing was resolved.
    This thing
. The very thought of what might have taken his father down had Quinn’s nerves quivering.
    When the helicopter arrived to ferry Cole Conway to the hospital, Quinn helped the medics lift his father onto the gurney and remained by his side throughout the long flight.
    As he sat beside the eerily still figure of his father, grasping his cold hand in both of his, Quinn was reminded once again of the incredible strength Cole Conway had found while drowning in despair. The strength to continue working the land, raising his boys, while grieving the loss of the only woman he’d ever loved. And now, Quinn could feel that strength slowly ebbing.
    Quinn leaned close to whisper, “Stay with me, Pa.”
    Had there been a flicker of movement behind those closed lids?
    Quinn pressed his mouth to Cole’s ear. “We need you, Pa. I need you to stay strong.”
    Cole’s fingers flexed, moved, and Quinn gave a long,deep sigh as the helicopter began its descent. “Hang on, Pa. We’re almost there.”
    As he moved along beside the medics rushing his