Page 6 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Dr. Bingham, Sr. had nearly gone through the roof when Nick told him what he’d done. “How does someone just drop out? How can you throw this away, Nick?” he’d roared. “And all for what? So you canfindyourself? Waste a few years scraping by and then start over? And dowhat?”

It had not gone well, to say the least. Nick had offered to pay back the money somehow, over time. But his father had thrown up his hands and walked away. “Don’t bother.”

Nick had never been one for quitting things, but this time, he just felt it had to be done.

His father hadn’t forgiven him yet.

Shortly after it all went down, Nick had escaped Chicago for Heritage Bay. He certified as a medic for the state of Wisconsin and, by the fall, had taken the volunteer search-and-rescue position. Unfortunately, his father still did not entirely approve. He wanted Nick at the top of the food chain if Nick was going to be saving lives at all, not working as an unpaid medic.

Nick braced himself for a jump over one of the muddy tributaries of the main stream that ran through the forest. He missed the dry edge by a couple of feet and mud instantly sprayed up onto his tires, shoes, and shorts.

He cursed under his breath. Getting sprayed with messy brown liquids was becoming a pastime lately. He laughed. Oh well. What was one more day in stained clothing? No big deal.

Speaking of that, he’d really blown his chance to talk to the attractive young woman who’d spilled coffee all over him yesterday. Flouncy skirt, big smile. A girl-next-door type. Very cute.

Nick ran a hand across his shorts to brush off some dirt, but it did little to help. Maybe he’d get lucky and see her around town. He could try to talk to her then, but for now, he’d better get his head back in the game.

Nick turned around for a quick check on Tom, who peddled just a few yards behind him. Tom gave a thumbs-up. He was fine.

In the summer, hikers, mountain bikers, and boaters in trouble usually called for help. In the winter, it had usually been weekend warriors braving the cold and snow.

Nick loved the work, even if it was unpaid. There was something to be said about feeling really useful, and maybe even vital, now and then. The adrenaline rush didn’t hurt, either.

Several minutes later, Nick and Tom reached the boys. With a careful check, they were both relieved to find that Nate, the stuntman, hadn’t injured his spinal column. A fractured collarbone and a lot of bruising seemed to be the extent of it.

Nick tied up Nate’s arm in a sling, fastening it close to his chest so the pain wouldn’t torment him with every excruciating movement.

If the doctors found later that Nate had suffered a concussion, from the looks of it, Nick thought it would be a mild one.

“One, two,” said Tom slowly, “three. Lift.” Nick and Tom transferred the boy to the stretcher.

“Try to stay calm, Nate.” Tom grinned widely for the sake of the kids. “It’s time for a little hike. For us, that is. You, my man, get to ride.”

Nate held back tears. “Do you think it’s broken?”

“Not sure. But don’t worry,” said Nick. “We’ll get you taken care of.”

The boy winced at the pain in his shoulder.

“Have you ever done a jump like that before?” Nick asked, securing Nate on the stretcher.

“Sort of.”

Nick attached his and Nate’s helmets to his backpack. “You know, I tried a jump like that when I was your age. Broke my ankle. Walked on crutches for six weeks. I’d say you got a little lucky today.”

“You call this lucky?” Nate pouted.

Nick grinned at him. “Trust me. Things could’ve been worse.”

Nate let out a sigh.

Tom strapped his bicycle helmet to his backpack then ran a hand across his short, dark hair. He addressed the other boy. “All right, Jonas, why don’t you lead the way, my man? We’ll try and keep up.”

Jonas nodded, having loaded up his own backpack with the digital recorder and phone. He slung his helmet over the handlebars and glanced at Nate then at the long uphill climb ahead. “Okie doke.”

Nick and Tom loaded their gear back onto their shoulders, and Nick spoke into the two-way radio again. “Departing the scene. ETA fire road forty-five minutes. Victim awake, alert, secured. Over and out.”

Nick and Tom lifted the stretcher and Jonas began to push his bike on foot.

Nick gazed down at Nate, who appeared to be trying his best not to cry. “Don’t worry, dude, we’ve got you. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

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