Johnny Winchester: River Hunter Read Online Free

one.  If you need anything a’tall , just speak to me.”
    “Thank you.  Perhaps you could bring some water and
the Tylenol bottle in here, then I wouldn’t have to wake anyone if I need some
more in the night.”
    “Sam has his watch set for four hours so he can come give
you some and check your vitals.  The doctor wanted them taken on a regular
basis.”
    “I’ve really disrupted your fishing trip, haven’t I?”
    “Not to worry.  Not to worry a’tall . 
Your life is a wee bit more important than our little fishing trip.  I am
curious about something, though.”
    “Sure.”
    “You didn’t mention any pain in your back, but just now
you looked as though your back was bothering you.”
    “I’m kind of sore all over, but the real problem is
fibromyalgia.  I haven’t had my medicine since...did you say it’s
Wednesday?  (Johnny nodded)  Since yesterday morning and the pain and
stiffness are definitely creeping up.”
    “I see,” he nodded.  “The helicopter will be here
in the morning, so you just have a few hours to go and we’ll try to keep you
comfortable, if we can.  So, if you’re settled, I’ll turn down the light.”
    “I’m settled.”
    The camp light was put out, the pitch darkness enveloped
Suzi and Johnny, their tent, and the entire camp.  Everything was
completely still and silent, but for the sounds of the wilderness and Suzi’s
soft voice
    “Johnny,” she called.
    “Yes?”
    A long pause followed.  “Never mind,” she finally
said. 
    “Is there something wrong?  Do you need something?”
Johnny asked, concerned.
    “No.  I’m fine.  Really.”
    As Johnny lay there, listening for Suzi’s shallow
breathing to even out in sleep, he worried over what Suzi may have needed when
she had called him.  More worrisome, however, was why her voice, calling
his name in the dark, had caused his heart to skip a beat.

In the
Emergency Room
    The camp stirred in the pale, gray of dawn, long before
the sun’s rays found their way over the mountain peaks and through the trees to
illuminate the small, tent-strewn clearing.  Sam’s first task was to check
on Suzi, whose vitals had remained stable throughout the night.  Sleeping
fairly peacefully, though pain still stained her face, he didn’t disturb her,
but instead, went out to help with breakfast.  Awake, Johnny laid quietly
on the floor of the tent, wanting to be there when Suzi woke.  Her cheeks
held just a wee bit of color, still far more than the night before, and he
thought that under the pain there was quite an attractive face, though the
blood-flecked silver hair framing it, he was sure, wasn’t doing it justice.
    The smells of breakfast roused Suzi and she insisted on
getting up and sitting with the men for the meal.  With a little help from
Johnny, she got off the cot and, under her own power, stooped through the tent
door and lowered herself into one of the camp chairs, though not without a few
grunts and moans.  By then, Dave had checked in on the Sat phone and
discovered that the chopper was in the air and should arrive within two
hours.  It was closer to three, however, before two men carrying a
stretcher crashed through the trees, introduced themselves, and while one went
to Suzi’s aid, the other wanted information about the plane crash.  As the
nurse put in a line and hung a glucose IV bag from the back of the camp chair,
Suzi told the other man all she knew about the location of the plane, and
Johnny paced nearby.  He knew they were doing what was required, but he
was anxious to get Suzi on the helicopter and to the hospital.
    The trees rustled once more and half a dozen men and
women, dressed and equipped for a rescue mission, or recovery as it may turn
out, entered the camp.  Information was shared, directions given, and a
discussion ensued, resulting finally in the six rescuers and the four-man
“River Hunter” crew moving out, headed up river.  Just as quickly, Suzi
was lifted onto the