“You make that sound like a bad thing,” he huffed.
“No, it’s not a bad thing but sometimes distance helps a person put things into perspective.” The soft jostling of the horse as she moved along the narrow path relaxed Mindy. She hadn’t been riding in far too long. Sure, she went riding back in California, but nothing compared to riding in the mountains.
“Perspective, huh? Is nineteen years long enough to get things into perspective?”
She opened her mouth to tell him the truth but now wasn’t the time. He needed to stay focused on finding the teen girl.
They rode on and hope was dwindling until she saw something hanging off a tree. “What’s that, Creed?”
He led the horse closer and reached down to grab the piece of torn, red cloth. “She’s been here. Sheriff Conley said she was wearing a red shirt.” He held up the scrap piece of material.
Maggie pranced back and forth, whinnying. “Look, another piece there too. And more up ahead.”
“Bailey left us a trail.”
“She’s close, Creed. Maggie senses her.”
“Let’s go!” He took the lead on the path. Rocks crumbled under the hooves of the horses but they were steady. “Be careful back there.”
“I’m going slow.” Mindy feared for the young girl. What if she came through the narrow passage during the night, lost her footing and…?
Mindy couldn’t finish the thought.
The poor girl must have been so scared.
“Allow Maggie to go at her own pace. She’s been out here numerous times. She knows the way of the land.”
“Okay.” Mindy wouldn’t argue. She could see how it would take much longer on foot. They’d covered so much area.
“Bailey? Are you out here?” Creed yelled.
“Bailey!” Mindy joined him.
Finally Creed lifted a hand and pointed. “Is that a dog?”
Mindy searched ahead and saw brown fur. She craned her neck to get a better look and found the scruffy dog hiding in a bush. He stepped onto the path, shifting from front paw to paw, his ears perked. He backed up as if determining whether he could trust the intruders.
Creed climbed down from the saddle. “Stay.” He patted his horse. “Come here, boy.” Creed hunched down, holding out his hand as an offering for the dog to sniff.
The scruffy fellow lowered his ears some, swiping his gaze behind him and back to Creed until finally taking a leery step, then another, and whimpered.
“It’s okay, fellow. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Mindy climbed from her saddle and watched the scene before her in anticipation. “Did the little girl have a dog with her?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Not that I know of. Can you grab a piece of jerky out of the plastic bag in my duffel?”
“Yes.” She unzipped his bag and searched through the items. Blanket, flashlight, water bottles, and finally found the bag. Taking out a piece of jerky, she took it to Creed.
“You want this, fellow?” He used the jerky to lure the hungry dog in.
Finally, after some bribing and coaxing, the dog gently took the jerky and gulped it down in one bite. “Poor boy’s hungry,” Mindy said.
“It appears so.” Creed continued to offer the dog jerky until it was gone. He wasn’t as timid now.
The dog lifted his ears again and pranced from paw to paw. He wagged his tail and darted back down the path.
“Wait!” But the dog continued. “Let’s see if we can catch up to him. I have a feeling he’s trying to tell us something.”
They left the horses and hurried down the path.
“Bailey?”
A bark sounded.
They reached an opening into a cave and Creed grabbed his flashlight, switched it on and bent down to search inside the cold cavern. The dog guarded the opening. “It’s okay, boy. I’m here to help. Do you know where she is?”
Mindy swallowed against the constriction in her throat as Creed crawled deeper into the cave. Seconds turned into minutes until finally she heard…
“I found her.”
Creed came out carrying the girl in his arms. Her long curly hair was matted and leaves were entangled in the mass. Her eyes were closed. “Oh my God. Is she okay?”
He didn’t answer. He laid her on the worn path and did a quick physical examination. Her pale color and the cuts on her face made Mindy’s stomach twist. She watched in horror as Creed checked her pulse. “She has hypothermia. Her skin is freezing, but she’s alive.”
“I’ll grab the blanket.” Mindy ran back to the horses, rummaged inside his duffel bag and took out the thick blanket. She hurried back and laid the cover over the girl her, feeling her motherly instincts kicking into gear. “Does she still have a pulse?”
“It’s weak. We need to get her as warm as possible then get her back to the start of the trail. Paramedics can pick her up there. They’d never make it back here.”
The dog barked twice as if to ask how Bailey was doing.
Creed stood and walked a few feet to radio for assistance while Mindy rubbed the girl’s hand.
“Bailey, you’re going to be okay. You’re in the care of someone who’s going to get you help very soon,” Mindy whispered to the poor girl.
“Mindy?”
She brought her gaze up, looking at Creed through unshed tears. “Yes?”
“I’m taking her on the horse as fast as I can. Every second counts. I need to get her help. Can you make it back okay alone? Maggie will take care of you.”
“I’ll be fine. Go on ahead,” she assured him.
Holding her gaze for a silent exchange
