Blinded by Beauty (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 8)

“That’s Kaylyn’s truck,” Jaris said.

“I recognize it, too.”

They picked up their pace, heading toward the sound.

“Kaylyn has got to be okay, Chance.”

“I hope so, but I keep asking myself why she wouldn’t have come to us.”

“Maybe one of the dogs is hurt and she can’t leave them yet.” Was Jaris grasping at straws, trying to calm his worry for Kaylyn? Yes.

God, I hope he’s right and she’s okay.

They continued down the path for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he and Jaris rounded the last corner where they’d left Kaylyn earlier.

“Over here, guys.” Her voice sounded sweeter than anything he’d ever heard before in his life. “Just a few more feet. Where are the dogs?”

“We don’t know,” Jaris said. “We thought they were with you. We heard a rifle shot.”

“You heard that?” Kaylyn’s tone didn’t sit well with him.

He reached out and touched her face. Sensing she was holding something back, his gut coiled into a knot of concern. “Kaylyn, are you okay?”

“I’m okay, Chance.”

He felt a tear on her cheek and stiffened. “What’s the matter?”

“Don’t worry. I really am okay, but I have been shot.”

Chapter Three

“Where are you shot?” As Jaris knelt down in front of Kaylyn, he could smell the faint aroma of metal, which was a sure sign she was bleeding.

“I promise you I’m okay.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” His experience on the force in Chicago kicked in. Blind or not, he needed to fully assess the situation. “Tell me where you are shot, Kaylyn.”

“In my right leg. Chance, there’s a first aid kit in my glove box.”

He could hear Chance walk over to the passenger door.

Jaris ran his hand gently up Kaylyn’s leg and felt her thigh bleeding. “It’s a good thing you wore shorts today.”

“It was such a beautiful morning, how could I not? I had no idea this was going to happen.”

“None of us did.” From what he could tell, she was right that it wasn’t life threatening, but they did need to get the bleeding stopped. “Did you see the shooter?”

“No, but I think whoever shot me was somewhere to the north of us, up the rise.”

Chance returned with the kit. In a flash they had her wound cleaned and bandaged.

“I’m going to see if I can get a signal to call Doc.” Chance would’ve made one helluva good cop. He definitely had the heart and mind for it even if he didn’t have the eyes.

“I’ve tried to call out but haven’t been able to.” Kaylyn sounded so brave.

“Sweetheart, I’ll walk a few steps away,” Chance said. “You know how the reception is out here. A few feet can make all the difference.”

Jaris listened to his friend move off to the left.