Page 33 of The Chance

They almost made them feel like they belonged.

Aubrey was still adjusting to that.

And to the way that man looked at her. And kissed her. Hard to forget that part. Every chance he could, that man took it. And Aubrey just kissed him right back. Almost before she could stop herself.

He was really good at burning a woman when he looked at her. And when he kissed her.

Yet he hadn’t pressured her even once about what she wanted to be there between them. He was leaving it up to her—completely. He’d told her that, too.

Sometimes, he would just catch her. When they were alone. And he would kiss her like she was all he had ever wanted. Just kisses—he never pushed for more. It was like he knew… he was taunting her. That was the only explanation.

Two cars ahead, George’s truck slowed. A squirrel darted across the road. Aubrey let her foot off the gas and lightly hit the brakes when she saw George’s. Movement from the right side of the road caught her attention. Just in time.

Aubrey and Genny both screamed.

Aubrey slammed on the brakes. Her SUV jerked to a stop, skidded just a little, as she swerved. They stopped before they went down into the small drainage ditch. But they stopped. In time.

But… ahead…

It was too late. She knew it was too late, even as the truck that had caused this squealed away. They just left. The driver of the big black truck just left like they hadn’t cared at all.

Genny was yelling. Screaming. As she looked.

Toward herbrother’struck just up ahead.

The dark truck had slammed into George, hitting square on Ronnie’s side. George’s truck was in the ditch. The ditch wasn’t deep, but… it looked like George’s truck was going to tilt over at any moment.

Aubrey reacted on instinct, throwing her SUV into park and killing the engine. She knew… she and Genny—they were going to be needed now. Aubrey shoved open her door as Genny did the same on her side.

“Stay close, Genny. We’re going to need you to stay focused. No matter what.” That was Genny’s family in that truck. And Ronnie… Ronnie would need them most.

Thank God Giavonna had their kids. She hoped Giavonna had all four of their kids.

George was climbing out. His arm hung at an awkward angle Aubrey had seen before.

“Veronica!” George tried to get to his wife. Aubrey reached him first, blocking him. “No, sweetheart. No…”

He looked up at Aubrey, like he didn’t recognize her.

And then he did. “Thank God. Thank God. She needs help. Help her, please. Just help her, Aubrey, please.”

“I’m going to. George, sit down.” She guided him to the ground. His face was pale, his arm obviously broken. She turned to Genny.

The rear door of the truck opened. A woman was yelling for help. But she was moving on her own.

Greer. They hadn’t known Greer was with George. Greer was twelve weeks now. Twelve weeks. And she’d been in a collision. “Greer, get your brother and sit down. Now. Sit down and stay out of the way. Both of you. Genny, let’s move.”

There were other people running up to help now. She saw them—recognized the town librarian’s father, Burt, among them. One of her own patients at times. He had his phone out.He was a former cop. Burt would take charge of those outside of George’s truck, she was sure.

And Aubrey would take care of who was inside George’s truck right now.

Aubrey took all of this in as she climbed down the three-foot ditch. To Ronnie’s side. She couldn’t get in. Not the way the truck was leaning.

But… Greer’s door was open. Aubrey would have to climb, but… she should be able to get in. Aubrey scrambled in, with a hand from Burt.

Ronnie was not going to be able to climb out of the truck at that angle. She just wasn’t. Blood ran down Ronnie’s forehead from a cut near her hairline, and her breathing was quick and shallow. She was thirty-four weeks pregnant now, Aubrey thought. Ronnie just pressed against her stomach with one hand.

Thirty-four weeks was viable. But there were so many things that could go wrong. With the baby. And Ronnie. If there was internal bleeding…

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