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was and sent the man on his way.
Since discovering Nate was safe, Ryan had slipped into rescue mode. It wasn t until he
saw the vacant stare of Gavin Lively that it all became real to him.
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
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Ryan knelt and bowed his head. He didn t need to touch the young man to know he
was dead. Tears sprung to Ryan s eyes. These were his friends. The people he said hi to every
day. How many would end up like the young man who ran Wyn s store?
Ryan was caught between what he wanted to do and what he should do. Finally going
with his gut instinct, he lifted the steel bars that covered Gavin s body. Once cleared of the
twisted metal, Ryan came face to face with the fatal head wound that had ended the once
happy man s life. He quickly looked around to make sure he wasn t drawing a crowd and
closed the dead man s eyes. Sleep, he whispered.
He took a deep breath and pulled off his shirt. He wrapped the khaki sheriff s
department garment around Gavin s head and lifted the body from the rubble. Once clear of
the crowd, he surveyed the area.
Ryan?
Don t come over here, Nate. He purposely stood with his back to his lover.
Is he dead? Although Nate s voice was controlled, Ryan could hear the anguish of the
day hidden below.
Yes. I need to find somewhere to lay him down.
Without a word, Nate strode past him towards the horse trailers. He glanced back and
gestured for Ryan to follow.
I can take care of this. Why don t you go back and help the others.
Nate shook his head. They continued to journey around the trailers until they came to a
small shade tree. Here. Put him next to Earl, Nate said, gesturing to an area beside another
partially covered body.
Ryan laid Gavin s body in the cooler temperature of the shade and straightened the
man s body.
Nate knelt beside Ryan. Who is it?
Ryan realised it was the first time Nate had asked the question. It said a lot about his
lover. To Nate it could ve been anyone who deserved the respect of privacy and shade in
death. Ryan knew Gavin s death wasn t going to come easy for his lover. Nate practically
kept Wynfields s Department Store in business, and Gavin had become a partner in crime for
his monthly shopping trips.
Nate s hand landed on Ryan s bare arm. Ryan?
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
71
Gavin.
Nate s hand squeezed the flesh under it. Neil s been looking for him.
Neil Peters?
Nate nodded. They ve been seeing each other for a couple of months now.
Nate suddenly stood and turned back towards the chaos. Ambulances could be heard
flooding the area as well as a helicopter taking off. Nate looked up. That ll probably be Ezra.
I wonder if they let Wyn ride with him?
I doubt it, Ryan said as he stood beside Nate.
It was an oddly serene moment. The two of them stood there for several moments
without a word being spoken.
Well, I need to find someone from the EZ Does It who can take care of Neil after I tell
him& Nate choked on a sob as it burst from his chest. Our town will never be the same.
Ryan pulled Nate into his arms and kissed the top of his head. We ll heal.
* * * *
Rio helped Ryan Bronwyn make his way to the triage area they d set up before turning
back to the pile. It had been over two hours since the collapse, and they still had people
unaccounted for.
At least they d been lucky so far. Although a lot of people were trapped in the debris,
most victims only had minor injuries. There d been a few where he wondered if they d make
it, but most, like Ryan, were suffering cuts, bruises and dehydration.
In an odd moment of quiet, Rio heard a woman s voice calling for help. His spine
stiffened. He knew that voice. Carol!
He listened again, but another helicopter was landing nearby, drowning out any
possible reply from Nate s assistant. Quiet! he screamed.
Rio began walking around the area with his face as close to the sharp debris as he
dared. He continued to call Carol s name in hopes she would answer.
Help me.
Rio stopped and backed up. Carol?
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72
He heard something that sounded like a groan and started clearing bleacher boards and
support brackets from the area. Fuck! he screamed when he realised he d been standing
right over the top of her.
Can I get a stretcher over here! he yelled.
Rio continued to slowly uncover Carol s body, making sure he didn t injure her further.
Dammit, I should ve been more careful. He couldn t help but to wonder what his weight had
done to her.
It was hard to tell the extent of her injuries upon first look. What hurts?
Carol managed to open her eyes, squinting as the sunlight hit her face. Rio moved just
enough to shield her from the bright rays and reached for her hand.
Ca& n t& bre& athe, she panted.
He saw two paramedics working their way towards him with a backboard. Hurry. I
think she has a collapsed lung.
Rio stepped back and let the paramedics take over Carol s care. He watched them work
frantically for a few moments before he turned away. He couldn t shake the feeling that he
was doing more harm than good as he picked his way through the debris. No doubt he d
either caused the collapsed lung or made it worse.
Frustrated, he grabbed two handfuls of his hair and pulled. The pain brought him back
to the problem at hand. A professional rescue crew had just arrived from Sheridan. Maybe it
would be better to let them do their work, and just wait for further instructions.
He was on his way to find Nate when he spotted Mario. Other than a scrape on his
forehead, he looked fine. Rio pulled him into a hug. I m glad you re all right.
Mario nodded. I was on the grandstand that didn t collapse, but Asa wasn t so lucky.
Rio pulled back. Is he okay?
Mario shrugged. I don t know. They airlifted him to Sheridan. He was in the booth
with Nate. I didn t see him, and no one will tell me anything.
That could ve been Nate. Do you want me to find someone to drive you to the hospital?
Mario shook his head. I m sure he has his people there. He doesn t need me there.
Maybe, maybe not, but I think you d be better off knowing for sure, don t you?
Jeb came into view, and Rio held up a hand to Mario. Wait right here.
He ran over to Jeb. Do you think you can round up another bus driver?
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
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Huh?
There are a lot of people here who need to get to their loved ones in Sheridan. I think
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