“I know.”
She grabbed hold of my arm, squeezing hard. “What do we do?”
The foal was still trying to rise. “I’ll have to tranquilize her. She’s going to hurt herself more if she keeps trying to get up.”
Jensen released me, immediately moving into action mode. “Tell me what to do.”
“Nothing just yet.” I set my pack down, working quickly to set up my tranq gun and adjust the dosage for the foal’s smaller form. I hated that I’d have to cause her more trauma before I could help.
I inhaled deeply and aimed for her hindquarters and fired. The foal reared slightly at the sting. I closed my eyes.
Jensen’s arms encircled me. “You did what you had to do so we can help her. She’ll forgive you.”
I pulled Jensen to me. She understood me without words. How I’d never been able to hunt unless the animal would be eaten, and even then, I honestly hated the whole ordeal. She knew how I hated to see any living creature suffer. While people like my father saw it as a weakness, Jensen saw it as a strength.
“Thank you.” I whispered the words into her hair. “I have to call Mackey again, let her know we’re going to need transport.” Thank God, there was a Forest Service road not too far from here, we’d be able to get this little girl some help.
I placed the call, and within minutes, the foal was slipping under. I edged forward. “Okay, now I can examine her.”
Jensen immediately eased down to the forest floor, stroking the horse’s cheek. I made quick work of assessing the foal’s injuries and checking her vitals as best I could. It seemed to just be her leg, but I was pretty sure it was bad.
“It’s broken, isn’t it?”
I looked up to meet Jensen’s gaze. “If I had to guess.”
Tears glittered in Jensen’s eyes, but she kept stroking the horse’s cheek. “It’s okay. We’re gonna do everything we can to fix you up.”
I scooted closer to Jensen, pressing my lips to her temple. “Mackey was already bringing some extra guys, so we’ll be able to evac her. There will be a trailer waiting on the Forest Service road.”
Jensen nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but hurried steps in the underbrush stopped her.
“Boss?” It was Dominguez.
“Over here.” I stood and waved them over. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the four other guys trailing my team members.
We worked quickly, the only words spoken the most necessary ones. As soon as the foal was strapped in, the four guys Dominguez and Mackey had brought with them took off for where the trailer would meet them.
“Where are they taking her?” Jensen stood off to the side, not wanting to get in the way, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
I strode over, pulling her to me, not giving a single fuck that there were others around. “The equine center outside Cleary.”
Jensen nodded against my chest. “That’s good. I’ll call Dr. Neill when I get home. Tell her I’ll cover the costs of whatever she needs done.”
“You’ve got the best heart of anyone I’ve ever known, Wilder.” I whispered the words against her hair.
Jensen fisted my shirt and straightened to meet my gaze. “I want to kill this asshole, Tuck.”
I pushed the hair back from her face. “I know you do. And I’m not far behind you.”
“Tuck! Jensen!” The voice that broke through the forest was almost as familiar as my own.
Jensen sighed. “Oh, goody, brother bear is here.”
I stood and pulled Jensen to her feet. “Cut him some slack. He’s been worried about you lately. And with everything going on, you’re liable to give him a heart attack.”
Jensen blushed. “I know. You’re right. I’m just pissed off.”
Walker broke through the trees. “Are you guys okay?”
