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“Jumped in Kept my feet up like you told me”

Ben’s heart clenched “You’re so brave I’ine the courage it had taken to leap into the freezing white water “We followed your trail You were very smart”

“Cold” Her teeth chattered

“I knoeetheart We’ll be so this ti to carry you, okay? This is the easiest way” He didn’t wait for an answer before hoisting her up on his aching shoulder He’d get her to safety He wouldn’t let her or Jason down again

He exhaled in relief when he spotted tents through the trees, pale blue nylon This caround could only be accessed by boat taken across a lake, so the journey wasn’t over yet

As he approached a tent, Ben called out, “Hello!”

Mo, and an older man’s head appeared, suspicion evident in his creased face “Who’s there?”

“I’irl here and I need help”

A woman’s voice ot to his feet He took in Maggie draped over Ben’s shoulder “My God, what happened? Where did you come from?”

“The backcountry Look, she’s hypothermic and needs medical attention immediately An ambulance is on the way to the other side of the lake Where’s your canoe?”

The ht, and Ben could just reen canoe at the base of a tree A wo a sweater over her head She peered anxiously at Maggie “Is she all right?”

“She needs to get to the hospital,” he repeated iht back to you, but I need to take it”

Another camper appeared beyond the blue tent He was short and stocky, in his forties with a thick head of red hair “Everything okay over here?” He eyed Ben warily

“This irl is sick”

“Where are her parents?” The redhead asked

Jesus Christ, Ben didn’t have time for this “Her father’s lost in the forest”