As much as he still wanted to take the blame for Nash’s death, he had to forgive himself and move on. It was what Nash would have wanted. His brother had only ever sought the best for him and wouldn’t want him to live under the weight of the accident. Because that’s what it had been. An accident. Jericho just needed to accept it.

At a groan from Ivy, Jericho brushed back the strands of hair from her face. Her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened. As she focused on his face above hers, confusion pooled in the dark brown. “Jericho?”

“I’m here.” He rested his hand against her cheek and stopped himself from bending down and pressing his lips to hers.

“Where are we?”

“On our way home.” If only they were a little farther.

She reached up as if to touch her wound, but at the movement she cried out. In the next instant, she leaned her head to the side and vomited. She had nothing in her stomach to empty except the water he’d been giving her.

When she finished, her lashes fluttered back down. And she was so still, he guessed she’d passed out again from the pain. Even though she was a strong woman, her body could only handle so much.

“We need to keep moving.” He stood, the desperation prodding him as it had since they’d left the cave.

Otis tried to push to his feet but couldn’t make it more than halfway up before collapsing. “After your efforts to turn me into a saint, I’d like to prove I’m good for something and help carry her the rest of the way to Fairplay. But I don’t think I’ll make it.”

The long summer day was working in their favor, but Jericho guessed they had another hour of daylight at most. Would he have to leave Otis behind and finish carrying Ivy to town on his own? If so, he’d have to bind the man to a tree to ensure he didn’t run away. But such a defenseless position could put him in danger if any wild animals came upon him before Jericho had the chance to return.

It was also possible the conniving outlaw was acting weak in order to get Jericho to go on without him.

“Stop wasting time and tie me up.” Otis spoke matter-of-factly. “If you hurry, you’ll make it to town with her before daybreak.”

The dusty wagon path ahead was cluttered with dandelions amidst patches of sparse dry grass. From here on out, it was worn enough that he could pull the litter. It would be bumpier for Ivy, but it would allow him to move more quickly than if he carried her.