“All right, Kate. It’s all right. We’re gonna get you home and take care of you. I promise. I just need you to stay awake and stick with me, okay?” he muttered incoherently, not that it mattered. The words weren’t important. He spoke to give her something to hold onto…and to keep his mind off of the fact that he let her get hurt. She could freeze to death or get hypothermia or lose her legs and it would be all his fault. All because he didn’t want to sit around a warm fire and sing Christmas songs.

With one hand, Clark maneuvered the coat his hands until he was able to pull out the cell phone from her pocket.

“Kate, what’s your password?”

“No password,” she mumbled, her head curling into the space between Clark’s shoulder and neck. Her breath tickled. At least it hadn’t lost its heat yet. Her phone lit his face, clearly asking for a password. Did she not want to give it to him, or was she so out of it she thought she didn’t have one? Clark wracked his brain. He couldn’t stop his walking and he needed help. He couldn’t help her alone.

Then it came to him. And he pressed four numbers. They granted him access. 1-2-2-5. December 25. Christmas Day. She really did love Christmas as much as she claimed. During their tour yesterday, Michael informed him that the nearest hospital was in the next town over, meaning even the fastest ambulance would be miles behind someone who lived in town. They’d never make it in time to save Kate. He needed someone who could help. And he needed them fast. Making quick work of the damp phone screen, he clicked the first name he recognized. The voice on the other end of the line answered in one ring.

“I knew you’d come around! Want me and Michael to pick you up—”

“Do you know a doctor?”

“What? Who is this?”

“Emily, there’s been an accident. Kate needs—”

“Woodward? Is that you?”

“Kate fell into the river trying to cross this log bridge and she needs to see a doctor.”

“Is it serious?”

“I don’t know, but I need your help.”

“Michael’s a medic.”

“Come to the house as quick as you can.” She didn’t respond. Desperation coursed through him. “Please.”

“We’ll be there in ten.”

Clark could only hope ten minutes would be fast enough. Michael’s medical expertise was their only hope. He hung up and continued his journey.