Driving away, Nick watched his boys through the rearview mirror. Adrenaline pricked his nerves. Was it because of the fire or from leaving them? Maybe he should turn around.
He shook his head and veered right onto Pine Road. Since when had he become the helicopter parent?
Five minutes from the restaurant, his cell rang.
Howie’s name flashed on the screen, and Nick’s pulse quickened.
He pulled into a nearby lot to answer. “Hey. What’s going on?”
“There’s been an accident.”
Nick gripped the phone tighter. “What kind of accident?”
“It’s Payton. He’s been hit by a car. The ambulance is on the way.”
Ambulance? He whirled around, his right wheel jumping the curb. Lord, no! Not my son. Not Payton.
Moments later he was back at Howie’s. People were huddled together in the street, their backs to him.
No.
Bile stung his throat as he cut the engine and jumped out. Everyone stared at him, faces solemn. Two knelt.
Heaving for air as his heart thrashed against his ribcage, Nick bounded over, staring at his son’s leg—all that was visible through the throng. “Payton!” He pushed through everyone and gasped, falling to his knees.
No. Not my son. Please, Lord.
Payton lay on the ground, head sideways. Blood pooled beneath him and trickled from his nose and mouth. With a guttural cry, Nick lunged forward, ready to scoop the boy up, but strong arms held him back.
“Don’t move him.”
“Get off me!” Nick ground his teeth and fought to jerk free, but the hands held fast. His skin twisted and burned beneath their grip. Someone else grabbed his right shoulder and a gentle hand touched his left.
Rhonda moved into his line of vision, kneeling to eye level. Tears filled her eyes. “The ambulance is on the way.”
Nick sucked in a gasp, then another. He needed to calm down. Think. Pray. “Where’s Jeremy?” Muscles twitching, he searched the crowd for signs of his youngest. He stood a few feet away, torso caved inward, enveloped in Bev’s arms.
Tears streamed down Bev’s face as she stared into Nick’s eyes. “I’m so sorry. I was—we were—I should have been watching him more closely.”
Shut up. Just shut up.
He turned back to his oldest son, the sound of approaching sirens pounding his ear drums. He watched, dazed, as EMTs spilled from the ambulance. Lights flashed, and a police car followed close behind.
Lord, no! God! I’ll do anything. Please, don’t take my son!
Men wearing navy uniforms pulled a stretcher from the ambulance. Another stepped forward and motioned for everyone to move back.
Nick rose on numb legs and stumbled backward. Voices merged together, swirling through a thick haze.
“Driver?”
“The car came barreling out of nowhere.”
“A blue Ford.”
“No, it was a Honda, two door.”
“Iowa plates, maybe Indiana.”
The EMTs lifted Payton onto a stretcher, his limp hand hanging over the side. Nick’s stomach revolted at the puddle of blood seeping into the asphalt. So much blood. Too much. Scampering after the stretcher, stomach convulsing, he climbed inside the ambulance.
This is my fault. Why’d I leave? I should’ve been here.
Oh, Payton, I’m so sorry. So very sorry.
His phone chimed but he barely heard it.
Reaching trembling fingers to touch his son’s hand, Nick leaned forward and sucked back sobs. “Hold on, buddy. You hear me? Hold on.”
Tammy sat on Vanessa’s couch, Tylan nestled between them. Becky occupied the recliner, on her phone, as usual. The scent of popcorn and hot chocolate permeated the air. Tylan giggled at a Tom and Jerry rerun. Even Becky seemed amused, or at least not utterly annoyed.
Tammy glanced at her watch. Brody was supposed to pick the kids up for his scheduled weekend visit three hours ago. Once again, he’d pulled a no-call, no-show. Good thing she hadn’t mentioned anything about his visit to the kids. Instead, she’d whisked them off to Vanessa’s for some junk food and giggles.
Vanessa laid her hand on Tammy’s knee. “Sorry, T. I know this must break your heart.” She gazed at Becky, who, frowning, texted furiously on her phone. “But they’ll be okay. They’ve got you. And me.”
Tammy offered a weak smile. She grabbed a throw pillow, hugged it to her chest, and rested her chin on the edge. “Thanks for giving up your Friday.”
Vanessa shrugged. “Wasn’t much of a sacrifice. It’s not like men are beating down my door.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I can think of a few men who seem interested.”
“Whatever.” She grabbed a handful of popcorn. “You find anyone to watch the kids tomorrow night?”
“I keep telling you, I don’t need a sitter!” Becky glared at Tammy. “I’m thirteen years old. All my friends’ parents let them stay home. Shauna even babysits for other people.”
Tammy lowered an eyebrow. “And watches R-rated television all hours of the night.” Not to mention the fact that the girl had cycled through four boyfriends this year. Allowing teenagers to spend long hours alone wasn’t Tammy’s idea of effective parenting. “Besides, I doubt she’s allowed to babysit overnight.”
“What’s the big deal? Tylan and I will be sleeping anyway.”
Tammy raised her hand, palm out. “Conversation over.” Ignoring Becky’s glare, she turned back to Vanessa. “In answer to your question, I called a couple women from the college group. No bites yet. Not from anyone I can afford, anyway. I had no idea sitters charged so much.”
“I told you, I’m here. Let me help you.”
Tammy sighed. “Once in a while is fine, but you’ve got a life to live, dates to go on.”
“Enough already.” Vanessa grabbed a throw pillow and raised it in a hurl position. She lowered it when Tammy’s cell rang.
A jolt of electricity shot up her spine, causing her muscles to clench. Brody, saying he was on his way and apologizing for being late?
She and Vanessa exchanged glances. Inhaling, Tammy wiggled her phone from her back pocket and looked at the screen.
Hanna, from Heartland Donation Services.
Not tonight.
Closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose, Tammy answered. “Hello.”
“I need you to go to St. Paul’s Children’s Hospital. They’re preparing to do brain death testing on Emily Compton, and we need to do a clinical assessment.”
“Where’s Heather?”
“At Reynolds Memorial.”
“Nory?”
“Down with the flu.”
Tammy suppressed a moan and was about to say no when Vanessa touched her elbow, her eyes launching a conversation Tammy couldn’t follow. “Listen, can I call you back in a minute?”
“One minute.” There was an edge to Hanna’s voice.
Tammy hung up and turned to her friend. “What’s with the gyrating eyebrows?”
“Go. I’ll watch the kids.”
“I appreciate it, V, but I don’t want to take advantage of you. Besides, it’s my night off.”
“We’re friends, Tammy. Seriously, would it hurt to accept help once in a while? Go. This might be your opportunity to get back on your boss’s good side.”
Or at the very least, to avoid aggravating the woman further.
“Besides, I could use the company.” Vanessa’s face softened as her gaze drifted to Tylan. “Seriously, go. This is important. You’re saving lives.”
And hopefully, her job.