He was an hour past their meeting, and they would have come looking for him soon. He kept his eyes on Jared and his adrenaline took a dive once Jared saw him. Jared took one look at his face and knew she'd been found. He shook his head rapidly and Jude could see the litany of negations. The will to live bled out of him, and he stumbled back. Raphe grabbed him and held him steady. Jude stopped the truck as soon as he crossed the bridge. He kept the truck running when he stepped out. “Jared! I've got her! She's alive, Jared! Hurry! Clara, I forgot the blanket‒” “Got it!” Jared didn't comprehend at first, but once he did, he ran to the truck and immediately stopped in his tracks. She didn't look alive. Caked in mud and naked. He grabbed her wrist to check the pulse. It was strong. Of course it was. His knees buckled. “My clothes got soaked retrieving her, so I turned the heat on full blast.” Jared took the blanket from Clara, got in and wrapped her up. He turned and reached for his brother.
