Belle stumbled from the truck and knelt next to him, panicked. Paul and Burke hustled to her side. Burke rolled Duke over and rested his head on his legs. Belle watched, unbelieving. "Oh Lord," she prayed with a sob, the reality of Duke's fate taking hold of her. Burke performed CPR while Paul tried to radio for help. But the storm had rescue crews scattered all over the county, and it became apparent that Duke would have to be transported in Paul's vehicle. Calmly, Burke commanded Belle. "Go to the truck, get my phone and call Dean. His house is not far from here, and he's an EMT." "Good plan," Paul said. She stumbled to the truck and dialed the number. "Dean," she said, tears in her words. "It's me, Belle. Paul Fuller, Burke, and I are in the south range by the big corral. It's Daddy, Dean." Weeping overcame her. "I'm on my way, Belle. I'm on my way." *** In the bathroom outside the hospital emergency room, Belle clung to the low, cool sink, trying to control her tears. Her stomach and sides ached from crying, and her throat burned with bile.
