Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Ninety One

     Christy continued to hold the towel loosely on his arm as they took down the long road, removing it every now and then to check how much blood he had lost. It seemed like he was losing a lot and she glanced worriedly at Baker. "He's losing so much blood."

     "Don't worry about that, sweetheart. We can always take him to the hospital afterwards for a blood transfusion."

     "Yeah, and how would you explain this?" She asked with a bite in her tone, gesturing to Link's arm.

     "He cut himself doing the dishes," Rhett shrugged, and Baker couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. The guys have been making excuses for all of this all of this time and they seemed like natural pros at it.

     "Or he was strolling through downtown and was held at knifepoint in a robbery," Baker suggested, and

     Rhett's eyebrows went skyward at the suggestion. "That's even better than mine!"

     Christy rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Y'all think this is a joke?!"

     Rhett simply turned around in his seat, his face deadpan. "I'd rather be sitting here joking around in light of my best friend dying in hopes that it doesn't rip me apart to shreds on the inside before it even happens."

     Christy clamped her lips shut and she gaped at Rhett with wide eyes.

     "We can't dwell on anything just yet," Baker affirmed for Rhett.

     Rhett nodded his head. "Exactly. Just give him a chance, Christy. I trust him. If you saw what I saw today, you would too. This man is the finest sheriff in town."

     Baker smiled appreciatively at the gesture as he pulled into a driveway that had a double car garage. Rhett turned back around in his seat and instantly felt his hair stand on end. This was it. His heart stuttered in his chest as he realized this was going to be the final straw. The ship was either going to sink or sail, and Rhett had a painful feeling in his chest that it wasn't going to turn out as he had hoped.

     He sighed heavily as he unlatched his seat belt, turning to face Baker. Rhett could see a glint of hope in his eyes, and he only wished he could feel the same way. Everything seemed hopeless at this point, and he slumped his shoulders as he stepped out into the rain.

     It had ceased to a drizzle as he opened the door, allowing Christy to reluctantly move. Rhett ducked his head into the car to unstrap Link and he hoisted him into his arms, beginning to follow Baker into the strange house as Christy closed the door.

     The moment they stepped onto the front porch, that appeared to be rickety and worn down, the front door swung open and a heavy set man with a bald head and strong goatee stood in the doorway with his arms out wide to his sides.

     "Baker!" He beamed, stepping toward him as if he was going to give him a hug.

     Baker held a hand up and shook his head. "Not a hugger, remember?" 

     The man who Rhett assumed was Paul nodded his head, a look coming over his face as if he just remembered. Paul looked up at Rhett, his brown eyes widening slowly. Rhett knew exactly what was coming.

     "Holy crap, you are tall," he murmured.

     Baker rolled his eyes. "Yes he's tall, let's just get in and do this okay? This man doesn't have much time."

     Paul's eyes lowered to the man in Rhett's arms and his face went serious. He began moving into the house, turning on the light into the living area. Baker stepped in, followed by Rhett, and then reluctantly by Christy.