Gabe said, “Brandon, you paddle. I’m still making calls to get my backups in place, so we can get her out as fast as we can. If it’s a stroke like Levi describes, time is a huge factor. Minutes, even seconds, can make the difference.”

Brandon couldn’t remember paddling across a lake so fast in his life. His shoulders ached, but he ignored everything but his thoughts about Levi and Gabe’s comments about making phone calls. Levi’s grandmother was fortunate they were near an area with cell phone reception. Despite the fact Levi had to walk some distance from the cabin, at least he could connect. Much of the BWCA was still well out of range of electronic communication.

Gabe said, “They’ll fly her from Arrowhead Falls to the hospital in Ely. Another pair of EMTs are heading up the route behind us. We should meet them about halfway back, so if you’re exhausted, buddy, you only have to last until then.”

“You know, Gabe, if I don’t tell you often enough, you’re a fantastic person. Don’t hold it over my head when we’re having fun ragging on each other, but I don’t know if I would have the guts to do what you do.”

“Half of the guts come from training. You learn what to do, and you follow the guidelines. Thank you for the compliment, but maybe you should think about dating a boyfriend who lives a little closer to civilization.”

Brandon laughed. He appreciated that Gabe had a sense of humor even in dire situations. He always thought Gabe’s ability to make people laugh kept some people alive who would have otherwise perished on their way to the hospital. Gabe’s humor in a tough situation reminded Brandon of their breakup. He couldn’t remember laughing when he broke up with anyone else.

After they had a bitter argument that culminated in yelling at each other, Gabe gripped the doorknob, threw his head back in a dramatic gesture, and exclaimed, “In the deep, dark night, you’re going to miss this body. It’s the best one you’ve ever had!” He turned the knob and stepped out into the night slamming the door behind him.

Brandon couldn’t stop himself from laughing, and he laughed hard. He called Elle and exclaimed, “You won’t believe what I just saw!” He still chuckled every time he remembered the high drama.

Fortunately, in an emergency, Gabe was all business. He didn’t let the occasional dry humor comments interfere with his efficiency. As they slipped the rescue canoe into the waters of the second lake, Gabe asked, “Do you need any help paddling?”

Brandon dug his paddle into the placid surface of the lake and said, “I think I’ve got this. You can help me on the way back.” Brandon attempted to bring some levity to the situation and asked, “Are you worried about the Wendigo? It could be out there watching.”

“I do that to tease you. I’m more worried that Larry will corner me in the grocery and try to kiss me. He’s a societal menace.”

Brandon shook his head and smiled. “I don’t think you have much to worry about from Larry. He only means well. It’s his inane songs that do the real damage.”

“You are wicked when you want to be. Aren’t you my friend? A true friend would protect me from the kisses of amorous strangers.”

As they carried the canoe across the last portage to Lone Cedar Lake, Gabe said, “I’m glad I don’t do this very often.”

In a confused voice, Brandon asked, “Go on rescue missions?”

“No, go on missions to rescue someone on a haunted lake in the middle of Buttfuck Nowhere.”

“I think that’s all of northern Minnesota.”

As they pushed the canoe into the edge of the lake, Gabe said, “No, there’s the middle of Nowhere, and then there’s Buttfuck Nowhere. That’s two towns over.”

Brandon giggled. In a few moments, he pointed at the dock and said, “Here’s where we pull out.”

Gabe surveyed the area. “It’s just a little old dock. Where do you go from here? Do you plunge into the woods and hope for the best?”

Brandon climbed out of the canoe and helped with Gabe’s equipment. “No, there’s a path. You can’t see it until you’re on top of it. They try to keep it hidden on purpose. That way they don’t get unexpected visitors…like me.”

“Now there’s privacy, and then there’s being lost. I think this is dangerously close to the latter.”

Brandon pointed at the first stones. “See, they’re right there. Just follow the stones.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

As the clearing emerged in their sight, Brandon spotted Levi on the front porch. He jogged to the cabin while Gabe ambled up behind. Levi said, “Oh, man, the two of you are about an hour earlier than I expected. I came out here for a breath of air.”

Brandon asked, “How is she?”

“I don’t know. I’ve tried to keep her awake, but she can’t talk very well. Her mouth and cheek look all wrong, and she can’t move her left arm. When she fell asleep, and I couldn’t rouse her, I came out here for a minute.”

Gabe pushed past the two of them, opened the door, and called over his shoulder, “Which room?”

“The door on the right.”

Brandon wrapped an arm around Levi’s waist as they followed Gabe. He said, “I’m so sorry about this. It’s horrible.”

Levi reached up and wiped tears from the corner of his right eye. “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t know what to do. I thought about putting her in the canoe with me, but I didn’t know what I would do. I didn’t want to hurt her. I don’t think I could concentrate enough to paddle. My gut’s all tied up in knots. Every few minutes I feel like I want to vomit.”

Gabe sat on the edge of the bed with a steel box of medical instruments. He asked Grandma Daley questions in a low voice. Brandon stepped up behind him. “Do you need anything?”

“I don’t. Levi, it’s good that you called us. I’m checking a few things, and then we’re going to load her onto the canoe. We’ll do our best to immobilize her so that we don’t cause any injuries. The sooner we get her to the hospital in Ely, the better.”

Levi watched Grandma Daley wave her right hand again, and he choked up. He asked Brandon, “Can we go to the living room? I’m worried I’m going to be sick.”

In a commanding voice, Gabe said, “Take him into the living room. That’s fine. I’ve got all I need here. Get yourselves together. We leave in about five minutes.”

As soon as the bedroom door closed behind them, Levi threw his arms around Brandon and hung on tight. He blubbered, “I knew it would happen someday, but I guess I couldn’t ever be ready. It all happened so fast. Is she going to die?”

Brandon looked into his eyes and brushed hair away from his face. “I can’t tell you that. I wish I knew how to answer. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t think Gabe can make a diagnosis either. We’re going to take her to the hospital in Ely. She’ll get the fastest transport and the best treatment we can give her.”

Eli said, “Maybe I should have noticed yesterday. Maybe I should have seen something at breakfast. Oh God, Brandon, what if I could have done something, and she dies.”

Brandon held on tight. He said, “Don’t think like that. Did you see anything unusual? A few days ago when I was here, she was doing great. Did something change?” Brandon put his hand on Levi’s chest. “Take a few deep breaths before you say anything.”

Levi closed his eyes, breathed deeply three times and said, “No, I didn’t notice anything at all. In fact, she’s been doing great for the last couple of weeks. It’s been more like it was when I first moved up here. I was getting a little worried she would try to get down in the dirt and help me dig the flower beds. When she’s feeling good, sometimes she forgets that she’s over eighty years old.”

Brandon laughed softly. “You have one tough Grandma.”

Levi smiled for the first time since he noticed something was wrong. “You don’t know the half of it. She is tough as nails, and she’s stubborn, too. She’s going to hate going to a hospital.”

“Why would she hate that? Is she scared of them?”

“No, but she told me to call for the people with the box if she was ever too weak to get out of bed. I think this qualifies as that kind of situation.”

Before Brandon could respond, Gabe opened the bedroom door. “Okay, guys, it’s time to get this beautiful woman to the hospital. We’ll carry her out on the stretcher we dropped outside. I don’t want to risk causing any problems.”

As Brandon periodically rubbed Levi’s shoulder, it gave Levi the strength he needed to help get Grandma Daley to the canoe. He said, “It will be easier for the two of you if I take my canoe and paddle along with you, won’t it?”

Gabe said, “That’s not a bad idea. Let me call and see where the other guys are.”

Levi looked at Brandon with questions in his eyes. “Other guys?”

“Gabe has another crew on their way to help out. Like I said, it’s the best assistance she can get.”

“Wow, it’s like a small army helping out.”

The return trip to Arrowhead Falls unfolded like clockwork. Elle waited at the edge of the woods with the transport to the airport. As they loaded Grandma Daley onto a plane, Gabe said, “Brandon, you go with Levi in the air. I’ll ride with Elle, and we’ll meet you in Ely a little later. This great lady is still with us, and that’s a good sign.” Just before they climbed into the plane, Gabe shook Levi’s hand and said, “You did a great job. I want you with me in an emergency.”