The deer trembled, looking over her shoulder at me.
“It’s okay, girl. You’re not alone. I’m gonna get you fixed up in no time.”
She started walking again, limping on her bad leg.
“Just stay put. It’ll be easier on both of us.”
The doe didn’t listen.
“I get it. You’re determined. Been living like this a while?”
She kept right on walking.
I followed her, wondering if I could just grab the wire and free her. I worried the inside of my cheek as I studied the metal imprisoning her. I thought I might be able to get her out if I got my fingers under a specific corner.
I made a clucking sound with my tongue as the wind howled again. The deer halted, glancing skeptically at me.
“Here, girl. Want some apple?”
She sniffed the air and took a step closer.
“That’s it.”
Another step.
“This apple is super yummy.”
A little closer.
The doe strained her neck.
A deep voice cut through the wind. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
2
ROAN
The woman was going to get herself killed. Standing in the freezing cold in a jacket that wasn’t nearly warm enough and a hat with some sort of damned pom-pom on the top. And was that glitter woven through it? Sparkly shit didn’t do anything to keep you warm.
There she was, bending over, trying to get an injured animal to come to her with an apple. The second she tried to pull that wire free, the deer would lose its mind and probably kick her in the head. She’d be lucky if she got out of it with only a concussion.
The woman whirled around, her red hair flying as her eyes went wide—eyes so green they were a sucker punch to the gut. I sucked in a breath.
The moment I saw true fear in them, I wanted to kick myself. She covered it quickly, taking up a stance I recognized as one ready for defense. I instantly took a step back. I should’ve expected it, been used to it by now, but it still grated. “I’m from Fish and Wildlife,” I gritted out.
A little of the tension bled out of her. “Oh.”
Then annoyance filled her expression. “Then you shouldn’t be barking at me for trying to help a deer.”
“I didn’t bark at you.”
She arched a brow. “Pretty sure you came storming over here looking like the abominable snowman and growling like one, too.”
I scowled at her. “I was trying to stop you from getting yourself killed.”
“I know it’s a risk, but she’s hurting and alone. I wasn’t going to leave her to suffer.”
A muscle in my jaw twitched. “A cornered animal, especially when they’re in pain, will react badly. Deer’s hooves can be lethal. Especially if they connect with your skull.”
“I can move quickly. I know how to escape an animal lashing out.”
“Civilians trying to interfere,” I grumbled. Just like Marion Simpson, who refused to stop feeding that damn bear she’d practically adopted. “Do you know how much paperwork I’ll have to do if you get dead?”
The redhead gaped at me. “Did you seriously just say that?”
I shrugged and turned back to my snowmobile—the same vehicle she’d been oblivious to as I approached. A fresh wave of annoyance flashed through me. Wandering around after a deer in a whiteout was the height of stupidity. Not being aware of your surroundings was even worse.
Bending, I grabbed my kit from one of the snowmobile’s side compartments and assembled the tranquilizer gun. It had only taken a quick glance to see the deer would need medical attention.
I turned around, eyeing the doe, who was trying to make her way through the deepening snow. Poor girl. I lifted the tranq gun, and the redhead threw herself in front of me.
“Don’t shoot her!”
I let out a string of curses. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Stopping you from committing deer-i-cide. I won’t let you hurt her.”
A fire blazed in those green depths, one I had to admire begrudgingly, even if the woman was risking life and limb.
“It’s a tranq gun,” I growled. “The doe needs medical attention.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Now, move out of my way so I don’t miss my shot.”
The redhead moved back, and I aimed. The dart hit true. The deer jerked, then stumbled into the snow.
The woman didn’t wait. She rushed over to the doe, sinking to her knees, not giving a damn that she wasn’t in proper snow gear. “It’s okay, girl. We’re going to help you.” She positioned the deer’s head on her lap, stroking her cheek.