Under The Southern Sky (ON HOLD)

Chapter 12

(Continuation of chapter 11)

I'd already been out for two hours checking the north side fences when I noticed something looked strange at one stretch of barbed wire.

I got down off of Thor and put my gloves on, gingerly testing out what was going on, when I heard a ping and swoosh and then a sharp pain in my left upper arm.

When I looked over at my arm that's when I noticed about a three inch piece of wire embedded in my arm.

"Well this is just great" I grumbled, digging my phone from my back pocket.

I tried Bo first but wasn't surprised when I got his voicemail. He was out somewhere seeing to his ranch, so I tried Tuck next. Same thing.

Now I was starting to panic because I was bleeding a little more than I cared for. My last hope was Hank.

"Mercy Rae, what's up darlin?" Hank asked, all chipper.

"Hank, I need you. Got myself into a little trouble. I called Bo and Tuck, but I know they're busy. Bring your first aid kit. North pasture about two hundred yards from the house."

"Damn it girl" he sighed. "I'm comin, just hang on, okay?" I told him I would.

I stared at the piece of wire hanging out of my arm and the blood loss was making me lightheaded. I figured four barbs were in there pretty deep.

Laila and Lacey started going crazy and I knew it was because they heard a truck. "It's Hank girls, go get him!" I told them, and off they ran.

Before too long I saw Hank ridin his four wheeler right up to me, the expression on his face was not his happy face.

I had taken a knee because I didn't want to pass out and let's face it my belly was rollin like the hills right now.

"Sorry it took me so long, darlin.  I had a stop to make" he said and I groaned because I knew where he'd been.  Bo's.

Dang it!  Now he'd be over here worrying and tellin me that's why women shouldn't run a ranch on their own, yada, yada, yada.

Hank put on some latex gloves and got out the brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide and started pouring it over my arm.

It wasn't too bad but it sure foamed up and it did sting a little, tender to the touch when he lifted it some.

"This might hurt a touch" Hank said but before he could do anything, we both looked up and here come Bo and Tuck, on horseback.  They had ridden their horses to my place!

"Damn it darlin" Bo breathed, looking at my arm.  "I'm so sorry I missed your call.  I was so far out, I didn't have service."  I hated that he felt bad, but that's the nature of the beast when you live in the country.

"Damn little filly" Tuck winced when he saw my arm.  Well I didn't think it was that bad.

"Bo, give her some leverage" Hank said, so Bo knelt down beside me, his back to Hank, and I wrapped my arms round my guy's huge bicep.

"Ready" I told Hank, but I really wasn't.  Hank put one hand on my shoulder and then pulled with the other.

"Shit for shinola!" I yelled.  "Son of a biscuit eater!"  Came the final onslaught.  Damn it that hurt!

Hank poured some more peroxide, to clean off the blood, giving him a better look at the wounds.  That stung like hell.

"Fudge Popsicle" I shrieked as the men tried hard not to laugh at my analogies.

I watched Hank prepare a syringe.  "Tetanus" he explained.  I nodded and that little needle prick didn't hurt near as bad as Hank pulling out that wire.