Chapter 17
You’re back in Sheffield within an hour. The sun is high in the sky, and the midday heat has forced almost everyone inside, so you go largely unnoticed as you approach the hospital. You weave up and down the streets. Luckily, it’s a small town, and the hospital is difficult to miss.
The commotion in the hospital makes it even more difficult to miss, in fact.
“Whoa there,” you murmur softly to your horse, and it comes to a careful stop in front of the hospital.
“Sir, you can’t-” cries a desperate nurse.
“You all can go fuck yourselves as far as I’m concerned. Now where the hell is my hat?” You smirk, recognizing the voice. Then, all at once, he’s tumbling out the doors of the hospital, falling flat on his face in front of you, as dizzy as a drunkard.
“Now I’ll just need-” he mutters to himself, attempting to push back up to his feet.
“A ride?” you finish. He looks up, confused. Then, recognition dawns across his face.
“Well howdy there, Y/N,” he chuckles, grinning. “You know, for the record, I was absolutely going to come and rescue you.”
“You could barely make it out the door,” you tease, tossing the reins of the horse over its shoulder and carefully hopping down.
Otto instantly pulls you into a tight, almost suffocating hug, and you feel yourself sink into him. His warmth, his steady, reliable frame. He smells pleasant somehow, warm and musky, sort of like a cigar. He grips you to him, almost like he’s afraid that you’ll vanish if he doesn’t hold tightly. It’s a feeling you can relate to. The minute he pulls you in, your resolve melts away, and you let out a sob of relief. You never thought you’d see him again, you thought he was dead or completely lost. But somehow, you’ve been given a second chance. No, you demanded a second chance.
“I’m glad you’re ok,” you sniffle into his long, heavy jacket. “You scared me, Otto.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’,” he says sincerely, his voice raw with emotion. “But you scared me too. I should’ve known you wouldn’t let that Bill Anderson take you. Where is he, anyway?”
“Back on the trail, about halfway between here and Canyon,” you explain. “He probably followed me, but I left him without a horse, so I don’t imagine he’s made much progress.” You look up, watching as Otto’s face hardens in anger.
“Hop up,” he says, “we have business to settle.”