Page 12 of Protecting Vidalia
Vidalia agreed, her knees still trembling. As exciting as it had been to spot the bears, it was also frightening.
It was a mile back to the main road, and then Vidalia stepped out of the woods at the trailhead for Victory Falls. Across the road was the diner. It was 11:45 am. Perfect timing for lunch.
Or at least a diet coke.
She hadn’t had much appetite for days now but the smell of burgers in the air did smell good when she stepped inside and went up to the deli counter.
“Where did you come from?” asked the perky, short-haired brunette behind the counter. Her curious blue eyes gave Vidalia the once-over. “I didn’t hear a car pull up.”
“I just came down the trailhead for Victory Falls,” Vidalia replied. “Those cheeseburgers smell really heavenly. Could I get one of those?”
“They are the best,” she enthused. “Cheeseburger, Joe,” she called over her shoulder to the cook behind the gleaming steam table. He grunted and the meat sizzled when he threw it on the hot grill.
“Are you staying in one of the cabins?” the young girl asked curiously.
Vidalia nodded, inhaling the mouthwatering aroma. “Yes, Dax Manning’s cabin.”
“Oh, yeah, I know Dax.” The girl snapped her fingers suddenly. “I knew you looked familiar. You’re that 911 dispatcher from the paper. The one that got Dani Owen’s call. Wow, that was a hard call. I’m so sorry.”
And just like that, Vidalia’s appetite disappeared. “Uh, never mind,” she said tightly. “I’m not hungry after all.” She turned around and headed for the door.
“Hey, wait. I’m sorry,” the girl called after her.
Vidalia didn’t even hear her. In that single instant, it all came crashing down on her again. Of course, there had been an inquiry. Accusations. Horrible references to irresponsible dispatchers in the past. When tragedy strikes, the masses call for blood, someone to take the blame. Anyone but them.
Somehow her picture had been leaked to the papers and then retracted, but the damage had been done. It had all finally died down once the inquiry was over. No one had blamed her in the end, but Vidalia had never stopped blaming herself.
Occasionally, like today, someone would recognize her and the pain would cut deep all over again. Even though she’d changed her hairstyle and wore sunglasses when she went out, she’d still been recognized now and then. Quickly, she sprinted across the road, back up the path that cut along the meadow below her cabin, and then finally back up the hill to her sanctuary.
Inside the bedroom she grabbed the bottle of sleeping tablets and took one. Then she sank down on the bed, her hands over her ears in a useless effort to block out Dani’s terrified cries.
***
JAKE STOPPED AT SMOKIE’SDiner about 2:00 pm to grab some beer before heading to his cabin for a shower. His jeep hadn’t taken long to repair, and he’d used the pickup to haul it back to Dax’s cabin, and then done his grocery shopping. Vidalia hadn’t been there when he’d parked the pickup in its spot in the driveway, so he’d assumed she was still out hiking.
“Hey, Poke, how you doing?” he asked the bubbly brunette. Her face didn’t look bubbly today though. “Everything okay? Did your boyfriend cancel your date tonight?” he teased, trying to brighten her mood.
“Ha ha—funny man,” she replied, flicking her bar towel at him. “I’m fine, but I did something stupid a few hours ago that I regret.”
Her eyes were almost teary and Jake was surprised. “What did you do, kiddo?”
“There was a woman who came in and ordered a cheeseburger around noon and I knew she looked familiar. I finally placed her. It was that woman who took the 911 call about that little girl who died in Rangers Pass,” she replied sadly. “When I recognized her, she canceled her cheeseburger and ran out of here like a ghost was chasing her. I tried to stop her. I said I was sorry, but she just flew across the road and into Victory Falls trailhead. I hope she’s okay.” She bit her lip, staring up at Jake with huge eyes.
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “It wasn’t your fault, Poke, she’s pretty sensitive about that case.”
“Do you know her?” Poke asked.
“I know she’s staying at Dax’s cabin,” Jake said. “I met her last night when Dax asked me to check on his friend and make sure she got there safely. I don’t really know her though.”
“I wish she’d let me apologize,” Poke said wistfully. “Sometimes I just don’t think before my mouth opens.
“A trait totally common to women,” he teased.
“Oh, you!” Poke threw her towel at him, but a grin stole across her face. “We girls aren’t the only ones capable of sticking our feet in our mouths.”
“Don’t worry about it, Poke,” Jake said kindly. “I’m going by there to check on her again, so I’ll pass along your heartfelt apology. She seems like a really nice person and you probably just caught her off guard.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Poke replied, taking his cash payment. “And tell her she has a cheeseburger coming on me anytime she wants it. I had a cousin who was a dispatcher and she said it’s a job that will tear your heart out. It takes an amazing person to stay in a job like that for very long. They are the unsung heroes behind the scenes that never get much credit for the work they do.”
