I shook my head. Hunter was a grown man, and he knew what he was doing. He was probably busy inside somewhere. He always stayed busy.
I drove home and parked in the garage, entering the house. I kicked off my shoes and quickly changed into warm sweats and a long-sleeved shirt in my room. I tugged a cardigan over my arms as I padded toward the kitchen. I needed something hot to ward off the chill.
But as I plugged in the kettle, I heard a commotion on my back steps. Startled, I turned to see Cash jumping at the door, barking and whining. I opened the door, and he burst in, his fur wet, winding around my legs, obviously agitated. I dropped to my knees in front of him.
“Cash. What is it?” I ran my hands over him, but he seemed to be unhurt. He growled low in his throat, pushing at me. I glanced over my shoulder, a feeling of dread washing over me.
“Is it Hunter?” I asked.
Cash’s ears lay flat, and he barked, the sounds frantic. I pulled on my sneakers and grabbed a rain jacket off the hook, remembering my cell phone.
I followed Cash as fast as I could go with the ground so wet. I cursed myself more than once. I should have driven, but I was so panicked I wasn’t thinking straight.
The first thing I saw as I rounded the house was the ladder lying on the ground. Then the boom box in pieces scattered on the grass. I headed to the porch, gasping in horror at the sight in front of me.
Hunter, unconscious, his clothing dripping with rain, blood on his head and clothes. I dropped to my knees, running my hands over him, calling his name. His lips were blue, his skin a pasty white. I felt along his neck, finding his pulse. Weak and slow but it was there.
“Stay with me, Hunter,” I begged. “Please.” He didn’t stir.
I was shaking so hard, I dropped the phone twice before I was able to punch in 9-1-1. I managed to tell the woman who answered the address and what I thought had happened.
“He fell off the roof. He’s unconscious and not responding. Please,” I begged. “He’s so cold and needs help.”
“The ambulance has been dispatched, ma’am. Do you have a blanket you can put on him without moving him?”
“Yes.” I rushed inside, grabbing the blanket that still was on the floor from last night. I draped it over him. I dropped my cell phone and leaned close.
“Help is coming, Hunter. I’m here. I’m right here, baby. Stay strong.”
He didn’t move or respond. Tears filled my eyes, and the sound of an approaching ambulance broke through my muddled mind. “You’re going to be fine,” I assured him, wiping my eyes. “And when you are, I’m going to kick your ass for doing this.”
* * *
I watched, anxious and fearful, as they examined Hunter, started an IV, and carefully placed him on a stretcher. I was certain I saw him grimace as they moved him. As they loaded him into the ambulance, I put Cash in the house, quickly toweling him off, then I hurried to get inside the ambulance with Hunter. I held his cold hand the entire way, leaning close to whisper to him that everything was going to fine and I was there. I had no idea if he heard me, but I kept talking.
At the hospital, I stood in the waiting room, dripping water on the floor, shaking from cold and worry. A kind nurse came over and handed me a dry blanket. “Someone will be out about your fiancé soon, dear. We need his health card and some other information, though.”
“I’ll get it,” I whispered. I wasn’t sure how, but I would.
I stood, facing the doors they’d taken Hunter through, knowing I should move. Aware I needed to put the blanket she gave me around my shoulders. But my feet wouldn’t move.
Until I heard a voice say my name.
“Ava?”
I turned and met my brother Ronan’s confused gaze. He was with Beth, and they were frowning as they looked at me. In fast strides, Ronan was by my side.
“Why are you here? Are you hurt?” He took the blanket from my hands. “You’re wet.” He draped it over my shoulders, using the end to blot my hair. “Ava?” He looked at Beth, worry etched on his face. “She’s not talking.”
“She’s upset, Ronan,” Beth assured him, taking my arm and leading me to a chair. “Ava, what happened?”
My teeth began to chatter. “Hunter. Hunter is hurt.”
Ronan crouched by my feet. “What happened?”
“He-he fell off the roof, I think.”
Ronan cursed. “What the hell was he doing on the roof on a day like today?”
Tears filled my eyes, and I shook my head. “I don’t know. I have to get his health card. And Cash is alone. My car is at home.” A sob escaped my mouth. “I don’t know how badly he’s hurt.”