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I hold back my tears and resist falling to the cot behind me. Breaking down and crying won’t do me any good, and it certainly won’t save Chance.
We just found our way past all the bullshit; I can’t lose him now. No matter how stubborn and bullheaded he’s being about needing to do all of this alone.
I need to think. There has to be some way that we can get to him without the fire closing in on all of us.
I turn to Wyatt, and pray that he has the answers I need. “Which way is the fire spreading toward the ranch?”
“It’s spreading east. Last I saw, it was a few kilometres out, but the wind was starting to pick up. I don’t know how quickly it moved after that.”
I nod, wracking my brain for anything.
“Is there a creek in the back?” Addie asks. “Somewhere he might have led the animals to that would create a sort of barrier?”
“No, not a creek; that’s on the west side of the property.”
If the fire has a creek and they’re in a clearing, that may have bought him some time, depending on the conditions.
“We need to find someone to help us get the rest of the cattle out of there. Wyatt, do you know of anyone that might have some trailers available? I know everyone’s moving their own stock, but there must be someone that maybe has a smaller herd?”
“It’s possible. I can start making some calls,” he answers.
“How many trailers do we need to get the rest out?” I ask, stopping my pacing.
“At least four.”
“Then start and see who can spare some. Can we use the trailer that you’ve already transported some of them in?”
“We just have the one, but I can get it back from Campbell if I leave now.”
“Give us the number for the neighbour that borders his property line and anyone you think might be free to help. We’ll do the rest,” I order Wyatt, not wanting to waste any more time. “We can’t leave Chance there, especially if the fires are moving as fast as you say they are.”
We have a crowd gathering around us now, concern etched on everyone’s faces.
“What’s going on?” Tess, the owner of the local cafe, asks.
“Chance is stuck at the ranch with some of his herd. We’re trying to see who can help get the animals out,” I reply.
“Chet Thompson’s farm supplies all the dairy to the cafe. I bet he has a trailer. Let me call him,” Tess says excitedly.
“Yes, please! And find out how many he has. We need three more.” I watch as she moves away, taking out her phone and tapping quickly.
“I think I may know someone that has another trailer,” another person says.
“Me, too!” calls someone else.
Krissy and Brett take over, keeping track of how many trailers we are able to pull together, ushering everyone able to help over to one side.
“What do you need me to do?” Addie asks.
I try to calm my thoughts and think rationally about anything else that might need to be organized. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart in my ears, and my body becomes so jittery, and I start to shake out my hands.
“Let me think. Can you gather up some food and water to take with us? I don’t know what state Chance is going to be in when we get there. He likely hasn’t eaten since this morning.”
“On it.” She moves without question, dodging people as she rushes to the table that houses all the food that has been gathered for the evacuees.
My phone dings from my pocket. A new rush of adrenaline courses through me as I pray that it’s Chance.
But it’s not.
