It had been a week since my car had been vandalized and Cash had his “little talk” with Sheri and her father. She'd obviously denied everything, but there had been no more incidents which I was happy about. Of course, I thought ruefully, there isn’t anything else destroy. My car had been it, really.
I was waiting patiently in the pub for Dale to come by to give me a ride to the city. I needed to pick up a few supplies for the pub, and since I didn't have a car, Dale offered the use of his time and pickup truck. Robert came out of the kitchen and handed me his list. We'd just finished discussing the supplies he needed when I heard the beep of Dale's horn. I quickly said goodbye to Robert and hurried out to meet Dale. He'd climbed out of the truck and was holding my door open for me. I knew where Cash came by his good manners.
I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before climbing in.
“Thank you so much for doing this for me, Dale. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem my dear. I'm happy to help,” he said closing my door before going around the truck and climbing back into the driver’s seat.
As we turned onto the country highway leading out of town, we chatted about the ranch and the new vegetables that were ready to be harvested. Robert had already made his request for what he needed for the pub. We were just about out of town when I noticed a big four by four pickup truck very quickly descending on us. Dale also observed the truck in his rearview mirror. The truck didn't slow as it approached us and it hit the back bumper of our truck. We lurched forward with the impact.
“Hold on Blue,” Dale instructed, just before we were hit again. I had a death grip on the door and the dashboard.
“Jesus!” I yelled when we were hit a third time. I was reaching for my phone to call 911 when the truck hit our corner bumper causing us to spin out of control. The last thing I saw was our truck, heading head first, into the ditch on the side of the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was finishing up a few reports when my phone rang. I looked down at the screen to see that it was my dad calling. I hit the button to pick up the call.
“Hey Dad. What's up?”
“Cash, we’ve been in an accident. I need you to meet us and call an ambulance.” My dad's voice was low and hesitant, fuzzy, as if he was having a hard time finding words.
“Dad are you ok? Is Blue ok?” I demanded. Why the hell did he need an ambulance?
“I'm ok son, but Blue, I'm just not sure. Please hurry,” his voice was growing weaker, fainter.
“Where are you Dad?” I demanded, getting up from my chair and heading out of my office.
“About three miles past Brightwater's place.” Then the phone went dead. I headed for the front door, yelling out orders as I went. I jumped into my truck and hit the accelerator. Normally, it would take twenty minutes to get to Old Man Brightwater's place, but I made it there in ten.
When I arrived at the scene of the accident, my stomach bottomed out. My dad's truck was sideways, the passenger side leaning into the deep ditch off the country road. The tires on the driver side were up in the air. He'd crashed through the wooden barricade. I threw my truck in park and jumped out. My dad was sitting on the side of the road near the overturned truck. He was holding his head in his hands.
“Dad! Dad!” I called running over to him. When he looked up at me, I noticed he had a small cut on his forehead and a bruise forming near his right eye. I could hear the ambulance in the distance, thankfully. I bent down in front of my Dad.
“I'm okay son. Get Blue, she's still in the truck. I couldn't get her out,” he said apologetically.
I ran over to the truck and climbed in through the driver’s side. It was rough going because of the angle, but I finally made it inside only to find Blue out cold. Her head was resting on the front airbag, while her body leaned into the side airbag. I called her name loudly several times before her eyes began to flutter open.
“Cash?” She blinked her eyes a few times at me.
“Yeah baby, it's me. Do you hurt anywhere?” I asked touching her head gently.
“I don't think so,” she sat up and suddenly her eyes grew wide. “Dale. Oh my god, Dale. Where is he?” she asked frantically.
“Baby, he's ok. Calm down. We need to work on getting you out,” I tried releasing the seat-belt but it held fast. I pulled my pocket knife out and began to cut away at the strap. It took a few minutes but it finally gave way.
“I'll need you to scoot through the driver’s side sweetheart. Your door is jammed.” She nodded, pushing the air bag out of her way. I exited the truck first, helping her as she inched sideways toward the steering wheel. She climbed out slowly, her knees giving way when she tried to stand on her own. Thankfully I was there to hold her up.
The ambulance had arrived and the medics were checking over my dad. One of the guys came over to Blue and started asking questions about any pain or discomfort.
“No, I'm fine. I'm just a little shaken up is all. Is Dale alright?”
The paramedic nodded his head. “He'll be fine, Blue. Just a little cut on his forehead and a bruise near his eye. His airbag didn't deploy properly, so it didn't protect him as well as it should have.”
“Thank God he's ok,” she leaned harder into me. I could feel her shaking. Two of my deputies had also shown up and Big Bob's tow truck was on the side of the road. Simon, the senior deputy came to talk to me and Blue.
“Blue, can you tell us what happened?” he asked.
“We were driving along and suddenly a big white pickup truck, the kind with four wheels in the back ran up to the back of our truck. It was moving really fast and hit our bumper. On the fourth hit we spun out of control.” Her shaking intensified as she recapped the accident.
“Did you get a look at the driver?” Simon asked writing in his notebook.
“Not really. When I turned to look all I could see was a baseball cap. I was reaching for my phone to call Cash when he hit us the last time and spun our truck around.” I pulled Blue’s hand into mine as she spoke and I saw the terror reflected in her eyes.
Simon closed his notebook and looked over at me. “Okay, thanks, Blue. Dale didn't see the driver either. We'll put an APB out on the truck to see if we get any hits on anyone local.”
“Thanks Simon,” I said. I'll get Dad and Blue squared away, then I'll come back to the office.” Simon nodded and headed back to the patrol car.
I turned Blue to face me. “Sweetheart, are you really alright? Maybe we should go to the hospital just to get you checked out.”
She shook her head, then rested it against my chest. “No, I'm okay really. Just shaken up. And scared, Cash. I don’t know why these things are happening and I’m afraid of what will happen next.”
“I know baby. We are going to find the person who did this. Let's go check on Dad.” I tucked her under my arm and walked over to where the paramedic was putting a butterfly bandage on Dale's cut.
“Oh Dale!” Blue exclaimed, running over to my dad and hugging him close.
“Hey honey, I'm ok. Really. Just got a little bump from the steering wheel. I'm glad you finally decided to wake up from your nap,” he gave her a grin. I knew he was trying to reassure her and get that panicked look out of her eyes.
She shook her head and hugged him tightly. Dad returned the hug and gave her a little kiss on her forehead.
“Come on you two, let’s get you home so you can rest,” I told both of them. I tucked Blue under my shoulder, walking her over to my truck. She was still shaking. I leaned in, kissing the crown of her head. Dad had stopped to talk to Big Bob, so I got Blue settled into the truck while we waited for him.
“I'm so sorry Cash,” Blue murmured. Here tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks.
“Blue, there's nothing for you to be sorry about. You didn't cause the accident,” I reassured her. I took her hand in mine squeezing it tightly.
“That guy hit us on purpose, Cash. I'm sure Dale wasn't the target,” she argued.
“You don't know that you were the target either. It could have been a drunk behind the wheel or just some asshole, dead set on causing trouble. The truck can be replaced. You and Dad can't. I'm just so relieved you are both ok.” I leaned over and thumbed the tears away. “This wasn't your fault, Blue,” I said firmly, hoping it would sink in.
She nodded but I could tell she still felt guilty. Dad finally finished his conversation with Big Bob and climbed into the back seat of the truck. I drove away from the scene heading for the ranch.
My heart had finally settled into a normal rhythm as we started off. I looked over at Blue. She was leaning against the door, her eyes shut and her hands tightly clasped together. I could see the fine tremor of her body. I hated the thought of bringing her back to her apartment, where she'd be alone. Maybe I could convince her to stay with Dad. Everything in me wanted to pull her close and just hold her, kiss her. I needed reassurance myself that she was truly ok. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Dad watching Blue. He gave me a sad smile. Guess my old man was also feeling guilty.
“Dad, it isn't your fault. You and Blue are both ok, and that's all that matters. We'll find the guy who is responsible and put him in a cell.”
“I know you will son. I know,” he reached forward so he could squeeze Blue's shoulder. She reached up and grasped his hand with her own, but she didn't open her eyes. I saw two more tears slip free. The sight of her tears made me want to rip someone apart.