Page 36 of Unexpected Danger
From the man’s appearance, it was clear he would be physically unable to traverse the rough terrain down the side of the embankment and into the borrow pit without great difficulty. “Thank you for calling it in and for praying. I’ll check on the driver. The ambulance and firetruck should be here soon.”
“Want me to stay here?”
“Yes, I’d appreciate the extra set of lights.”
The man rubbed his hands together. “All right. I’ll do that. Gonna climb back in my truck.”
Without waiting any longer, Brodie hurried off the asphalt and into the tall weeds. The vegetation hampered his efficient movements and slapped against his pant legs. He’d be drenched before he even reached the vehicle. The light from his flashlight bobbed along the uneven ground as Brodie moved as swiftly as possible while remaining vigilant. The poor visibility made it a struggle to be watchful for rock chuck or snake holes. It wouldn’t do to twist an ankle.
He detested car accidents, detested what he might find inside the cab of a vehicle that had lost control on the winding roads.Detested the heartache of the family when he had to deliver the news about their loved one perishing in a wreck.
Or being on the opposite side of things and hearing from a fellow law enforcement officer that his dad had died in a head-on collision when a drunk driver crossed the center line.
Keep your wits, Brodie.This was no time for him to regress into the horrible memory of losing Dad.
Seconds later, he neared the SUV, which had come to rest on all four tires, despite having rolled. A perusal told him it was as stable as could be given the circumstances. The sight rattled him, and he forced a lung-filling inhale. Brodie raised the flashlight to get a better look, and his heart froze mid-beat.
The pale-colored SUV was not just anyone’s vehicle.
It was Londyn’s.
He tore through the remaining distance, his heart pounding in his ears and his chest heaving with the exertion. “Londyn!” His cries echoed in the night and competed only with the thrum of the trucks’ engines and the occasional semi’s thundering roar on the freeway several miles away.
Brodie shone the light inside. Londyn’s head rested against the airbag—unmoving.Lord, please let her be okay. Please.Brodie prided himself on reacting calmly in desperate and at times, volatile situations. It was one of the things that made him an effective sheriff.
But there was no calmness in him today. He pivoted and peered up at the road. Where was the ambulance? Where was the firetruck? How long had she been trapped inside the SUV? Returning his attention to Londyn, he knew he’d need to remove her from the vehicle as soon as possible. The dented door would not make it easy to open. “Hang on, Londyn. I’m right here.” Panic surged through him. Spring weather in Pronghorn Falls varied greatly. It could be seventy one day and fifty degrees the next, with nighttime temps hedging in the freezing range. Thelast time he’d looked at the temperature indicator in the truck, it was forty-two. With the wind, that was cold enough to cause hypothermia.
Where is the ambulance?He craned an ear for the wailing sounds indicative of its pending arrival.
Nothing.
Rain splattered him in the face, followed by an abrupt onslaught of hail. Lightning flashed across the dark sky, and the sound of thunder boomed. Dodging the hail and mindful of the uneven ground, Brodie dashed again to the truck to retrieve a crowbar.
“Everything okay?” The man rolled down his window just inches.
“Can you call 911 again? Tell them we need an ambulance as soon as possible.”
“Will do, Sheriff.”
Brodie pulled the crowbar from the toolbox in the back of the truck and bolted to the SUV once again. He shone his light inside and noticed she hadn’t changed her position. Was she alive?
Lord, please, please…
So much he needed to tell her. So much he needed to say.
So much love for her.
Brodie stuck the crowbar into the crack of the door and used it as a lever. In one swift movement, he tossed the tool aside and leaned into the SUV. He felt for a pulse.
She was still breathing.
Thank You, God!
Indecision weighed briefly on him. If she had spinal injuries, it was best not to move her. But he couldn’t leave her here. He waited a few more minutes for the ambulance to arrive before offering another quick prayer for wisdom and direction, before unhooking Londyn’s seat belt. Brodie removed his coat andwrapped it around her as best as he could. “It’s gonna be okay,” he said.
Ithadto be okay.
The hail stopped, and a steady pitter-patter of rain replaced it. Another crash of thunder sounded, but no sirens.
