“Agreed.” Brody started back to his horse. “Let’s stop wasting time and get her to the doc.”

Jericho wanted to be the one carrying Ivy and taking her for help. But if anyone could do it safely, Brody was the man. He had a gentle way about him that worked wonders with horses and all creatures.

Brody shifted Ivy gingerly, but even then she moaned. “Once I’m in the saddle, I need someone to hand her up to me.”

Wyatt jogged toward Brody. Jericho started to follow, only to have Flynn shove a palm into his chest and stop him. “I said stay away from her. Do y’hear me?”

Jericho balled his fists at his sides to keep from brushing past Flynn and going with Ivy.

“You could have gotten her killed.” Flynn punched a finger against Jericho’s sternum.

Killed. The word hit Jericho with the power of a gunshot. Flynn was right. He’d almost gotten Ivy killed.

Jericho retreated a step, his body suddenly weak, his blood cold.

If she died, it would be because of him and his not staying far enough away from her. If he hadn’t come back into her life and threatened her plans to buy Steele’s land, she wouldn’t have felt the need to hunt for treasure, likely wouldn’t have gone out with Hance and Otis, and wouldn’t have been involved in the gun battle.

Everything that had happened to her was his fault.

With a final warning glare, Flynn spun and stalked away. As he reached his horse, he paused. “If you love her the way it seems you do, then go back to Chicago and leave her be.”

“That’s what I was aiming to do all along.”

“Then stick to it.” Flynn shoved his boot into his stirrup and climbed onto his horse. Already Brody had Ivy situated in front of him in the saddle and was heading out. Even as carefully as Brody was holding her, the jarring would hurt her. Jericho just prayed she’d stay unconscious for the rest of the ride back to Fairplay.

Wyatt had mounted and was waiting for Flynn. From the dark expressions of both men, Jericho guessed they’d be happy if they never had to see him again.

As they urged their horses into a gallop, Jericho watched them until they moved down the mountain out of sight. Even then, he stared at the ruts in the wagon path, a new sense of despair settling over him.

Somehow he’d let his infatuation with Ivy blind him. And earlier today, during their kissing in the cave, he’d almost convinced himself he could find a way to be with her, that he could make things work.