Page 70 of All Autumn
No, it couldn’t. Love and I weren’t compatible. “Nope. I’m just going to enjoy my time with the best kisser in the world while it lasts.”
“I beg to differ. Dylan’s the best.”
“Ha! You have to say that since he’s your husband.”
She puckered her lips and made kissy noises, which Beau took as an invitation to attack her face with his tongue.
“I stand corrected,” she said, laughing as she tried to avoid his licks. “Beauregard’s the best kisser in the world.”
“Well, now that we’ve established that, we don’t have to beat each other up over which of our guys is the better kisser.” I tapped Beau on the nose. “Down.” He gave me a you’re-no-fun look but settled at our feet again.
Conner’s emergency satellite radio, which we’d moved into the living room with us, crackled to life. “We’ve found the boy.” That was Adam’s voice. I was suddenly wide awake.
Jenn sat up, leaning close to the radio. “Awesome,” she said.
After he gave their coordinates there was silence for a few minutes before the radio came to life again. “There’s a rattlesnake next to him. Connor’s going to pull the boy away.”
My heart fell all the way down to my toes, my stomach going along for the ride. Jenn and I looked at each other, and I could see my fear mirrored in her eyes.
More excruciating silence, and then Adam’s voice screaming into the radio. “Connor fell down the mountain! Oh God. I can’t see him.”
I think I died just then. “Connor,” I whispered. Jenn grabbed my hand, and we sat, helpless, waiting for more information.
“Tell the parents we have the boy,” Dylan finally said over the radio.
Relief at hearing her husband’s voice flashed in Jenn’s eyes, and I was jealous that she knew he was safe. I chided myself. That was a mean thing to think. Of course I was happy to know Dylan and Adam and all the rest of the rescue team were safe, and that the boy had been found. But I was physically sick with worry for Connor.
“What about Connor?” I said to the radio. It had gone silent again.
Jenn squeezed my hand. “I think we’re going to be up all night. I’ll go make us some more coffee.”
“Thanks.” As if sensing the stress in my voice, Beau came to me and put his chin on my knee. I scratched his head. “He’s going to be okay, sweet boy.” I hadn’t changed my mind about ever marrying again, but when I wasn’t paying attention, Connor had slipped his way past my walls. He’d become more than a good friend I was having fun with. Was there a word for between like and love?
“Here you go.” Jenn set the coffee on the table in front of me. Beau lifted his head and sniffed and, not finding the smell to be of interest, put his head back on my knee and peered up at me.
“I wish they’d say something.” I stared at the radio, willing it to come to life.
A few minutes later static sounded from the radio, and we both stilled. “Base, radio Mission Hospital to send MAMA. Instruct them to land in the clearing at the campground. Tell them we have a male, twenty-seven, unconscious, a deep cut in his forehead, probably a concussion, possible broken leg, and the beginnings of hypothermia. We’ve got an EMT here and can report vitals in a minute.”
My stomach somersaulted at hearing Dylan’s voice calmly listing all the things wrong with Connor. “How can he be so calm?”
“They’re trained to be composed in an emergency, Autumn. You know that.”
“I have to go to Asheville.” MAMA was Mission Hospital’s medical helicopter, and if they were taking him to Mission’s trauma center, he was considered in serious condition. I stood, looking around. “Where did I put my purse?”
“It’s on the counter. I’ll drive, though.” She picked up her phone from the coffee table. “Give me a minute to text Dylan and tell him we’re going.”
“No, Beau, you can’t go this time,” I said when he raced to the door. On second thought, I didn’t know how long we’d be in Asheville. “I should drop Beau off at home.”
When we got to my house, although I wanted to toss him inside and haul ass, I walked him, letting him do his business. It took about forty-five minutes to get to the hospital, and I appreciated that Jenn left me to my thoughts.
What were my thoughts? I was so mixed up. I was physically sick knowing that Connor was seriously injured, so much so that I had to ask myself just what Connor meant to me. More than I wanted him to? But wouldn’t I feel the same way if it was any of my friends?
“He’s probably not here yet,” Jenn said as she pulled her car into a parking space near the emergency room.
Whatever I felt for Connor could wait for me to figure out. Right now I just needed to know that he was okay. When we got inside, we found out that Jenn was right. The helicopter hadn’t returned yet. After finding seats, Jenn called Dylan.
“Got his voice mail,” she said, then texted him that we were at the hospital. A few minutes later her phone buzzed with a text. She read it and then handed her phone to me.
