Chance grappled with the steering wheel, hands wrapped around it tight, trying to stay on the asphalt, reeling from the impact from the other vehicle. The jolt rocked the truck, and he grimaced as he wrestled the steering wheel, trying to keep them on the road. The outside tires skidded against the rocks and grass lining the sides of the interstate. Piles of slush and ice flew up as the truck hit a slick patch of ice and started to slide. With a jerk of the wheel to the left, he managed to get them back onto the highway, though he knew they weren’t out of the woods yet. Horns honked as people sped past him, and he wondered what crackerjack box they got their driver’s license from, because they’d obviously never been through an actual DMV test.
Tina jerked forward, her body stopped by the seatbelt, and she grabbed onto the handle above the passenger door, righting herself. She stared at him, her eyes wide. The breath soughed in and out of her chest, and he wished he could pull her into his arms and comfort her.
“Hang on, honey.”
“Somebody hit us.” Her words were colored with shock, but overriding her voice was the sound of screeching brakes all around him. The odds of staying on the interstate were slim to none, with brake lights flaring to life ahead of him, as cars swerved around haphazardly like balls in an old-fashioned pinball machine. He struggled to keep from ramming into their fellow motorists.
Before he could answer her, a second car plowed into the rear of the truck, sending them spinning and skidding, and Chance slammed his foot on the brake, turning into the direction of the skid. Without control, they spun once, twice, before leaving the asphalt completely, tumbling down the drainage ditch on the side of the highway, before coming to a halt nose first, pointing away from the roadway.
The truck jolted to a halt, and Chance threw the gear into park before rubbing his shaking hands across his face. His heartbeat raced, his head spinning with the thought of just how close they’d come to disaster. Drawing in a deep breath, he exhaled slowly and turned to face Tina.
“Are you okay?”
Face pale, she gave a shaky nod. “That was some amazing driving, Mr. Boudreau.”
“I need to get out and see how bad the damage is. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“How about I call nine-one-one while you do?” She pointed toward the front, looking through the windshield. “Looks like a couple other people spun out, too. We’re going to need tow trucks and maybe ambulances.”
“Good idea.” Pulling out his cell phone, he handed it to her, wincing at the pulled muscles in his shoulder. He vaguely remembered hitting it against the driver’s door when the first car hit them. It didn’t feel like it was dislocated, but he had a feeling he was going to be bruised.
“Are you injured?” Chance’s eyes moved over every inch of her, studying her intently, hoping against hope she hadn’t been hurt. Luckily, she’d been wearing her seatbelt, or things might have been a whole lot worse.
“I’m good. A little shaky, because of a big old jolt of adrenaline, but other than that, I’m okay.”
“Good.”
His door opened easily enough, and he climbed from behind the steering wheel, groaning when he looked at the front panel. Where the other driver hit him, the frame was bent and pushed in, with a sharp jagged edge embedded into the tire, which was now flat. Walking around the truck, the passenger side seemed undamaged, but the rear of the truck had a large impact area, where the bumper hung off the right side completely, dragging along the ground. The left side of the rear door was pushed in. No opening that without a pry bar. Fortunately, the glass was intact, since it was freezing outside. In the mid-thirties when he’d left the Big House, the temps hadn’t climbed much, and the sun was playing peekaboo with big, fluffy, gray-tinged clouds.
Shaking his head, he climbed back into the driver’s seat, and pulled the door shut, noting a hairline crack in the glass. He hoped it held until help came, otherwise, it was going to get cold pretty darn quick.
“Did you get through to nine-one-one?”
She nodded and handed him back the cell phone. “Yes. They’re sending first responders as quick as they can, but we’re not the only accident. Everyone’s backed up dealing with traffic messes up and down I-45.”
“Guess you’re not going to make your flight.”
“Looks that way. On the plus side, neither of us is hurt.” She pointed toward the three other cars. “Think we should check on them, see if they need help?”
“That’s what I’m fixing to do. I only came back to give you a head’s up and grab my coat.”
“I’ll go with—”
“No, you stay here. It’s too cold for you to be out there without a jacket. Sit tight, and I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
The look she shot him clued him in to the fact she wasn’t about to stay in the warm SUV, at least not without an argument, and he didn’t have time for that. He hoped nobody needed medical assistance, but he had rudimentary knowledge after living with Brody most of his life. Having a firefighter and EMT for a brother meant every member of the family ended up taking CPR and keeping their certifications current.
“I’m going with you. A little cold isn’t going to hurt me. The least we can do is make sure everybody’s as comfortable as possible until the first responders get here.” She flung the passenger door open and climbed down, her feet hitting the grass before he made it around the truck.
“Put this on.” He held out his heavy coat, and she started to shake her head. Giving her a don’t-argue-with-me stare, she simply turned and slid her arms into the sleeves. He grinned when she pulled it close around her, the large garment swallowing her smaller frame. It reminded him of a little girl playing dress up in an adult’s clothing, with the sleeves hanging past her hands. Grabbing the lapels, he pulled her close and pressed a quick kiss against her lips before he could stop himself.
The feel of her lips beneath his felt like being struck by lightning. A quick jolt sped through him, lighting him from the inside. The sweetness of her mouth against his was a taste of paradise. Nothing else mattered except pulling Tina into his arms and losing himself in her kiss.
The sound of screeching brakes pulled him back, and reluctantly he broke the kiss and took a step back. Tina raised a hand to her mouth, pressing her fingers against her lips, her eyes huge. And he felt like an idiot for having forgotten where he was and what he should be doing.
“Chance—”
“Let’s go.”
Without another word, he started toward the closest vehicle, a sedan that had landed up against the side of a pickup truck. The wailing of an infant broke through the traffic sounds, and he sprinted forward, and looked through the driver’s side window. Two women sat in the front seats, appearing shaken. A trail of blood trickled down the driver’s forehead. She didn’t notice him, and he tapped lightly on her window. She turned toward him, and he motioned for her to lower her window, which she did. The other woman attempted to climb between the bucket seats, and he noted the passenger door was dented inward, and the car rested cattycorner against the truck. In the backseat, the baby’s cries grew louder. He noted the child seat securely attached to the back seat, which was a blessing.
“Everybody okay in there?” He watched Tina attempt to open the car’s back door, but it didn’t budge. “Ma’am, can you unlock the doors so we can check on the little one?”
When she blinked at him without moving, he stuck his hand through the open window and hit the door locks, heard the click as they disengaged. Tina pulled the door open and motioned for the woman climbing the seat to stay where she was.
“Does anybody need medical assistance? We’ve already called for tow trucks and ambulances if you need help.”
“I think we’re okay. Somebody hit us and we skidded on the ice. Emma, is the baby okay?”
“He looks like he’s fine,” Tina smiled as she reassured the woman. “He’s a real cutie pie. What’s his name?”
“Russell, but we call him Russ.”
“That’s a great name.” He watched Tina unbuckle the child from the child seat and scoot across the back before handing him the infant. Holding the child carefully, he did a quick cursory check, and the baby smiled at him. He found himself returning his smile, thankful the little boy appeared to have weathered the incident without injury. Easing his torso through the open window, he handed the child to the woman in the passenger seat, who clutched him to her chest, tears running down her face.
“Thank you! Bless you both.” She rained kisses against Russ’ cheeks. “I was so scared when I couldn’t get the door open.”
“We’ll send somebody back to check on you. Honk if something happens. I need to check on the driver of the pickup.”
Chance moved around the sedan and headed for the pickup. An older man in a tan-colored cowboy hat grimaced in the driver’s seat, his lips clenched in obvious pain. Looked like he was the lone person in the cab of the truck, thank goodness, Chance thought. He watched Tina move past him, and she pointed to the SUV about fifteen feet further away. With a nod, he let her go, knowing the older man needed help.
“How badly are you hurt?”
The guy shook his head. “Think my leg’s broken.”
“Already called nine-one-one. EMTs and ambulances are on the way. Think you can hold out until they get here?
He nodded again, pointing a shaking hand toward the SUV. “Go, help your lady. I saw that SUV flip over once. It landed upright, but I’m not sure how bad they’re hurt.”
“Honk if you need me.”
Chance sprinted toward Tina and watched her disappear into the back of the SUV. She left the rear door open, and he couldn’t see what she was doing until he got closer. Stopping beside the driver’s window, he noted the driver was out cold, but a young woman lay sprawled across the back seat. Tina kneeled at her feet, running her hand along the woman’s legs, and she screamed.
“I think her hip’s broken or dislocated. She’s holding her arm at an odd angle, too. Could be it’s broken or badly sprained.”
“It’s…definitely…broken. Heard it snap when it hit the window.” Her face screwed up at the pain when she tried to move.”
“Shh. Stay still. Ambulances and help are coming. Hang in there. Who is the driver? Do you know how badly he’s hurt?”
The girl shook her head. “He’s my dad. We were driving up to Fort Worth. I had a dance competition, and we were going up a day early so we could meet up with some friends. He had his seatbelt on, but he hit his chest pretty hard on the steering wheel.”
The whining sound of sirens grew louder, and Chance looked up, seeing the flashing lights coming up along the side of the highway, riding the passing lane on the outside. Traffic was at a standstill, backed up as far as he could see, nobody moving aside to allow the EMTs and ambulances through, forcing them to ride the side of the road.
Within minutes, first responders were swarming all over the scene. Chance updated them on each vehicle, and the condition of each person. He wanted them to look at Tina, worried she was hurt and hiding it, helping others and not worrying about herself. Once the madness cleared, he’d insist she get checked out.
“Looks like we’re not getting to the airport any time soon.” Tina moved to his side and slid her hand in his, twining their fingers together. With a sigh, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Surprised, yet pleased, he gently squeezed her hand.
“Not today anyway. I should probably call one of my brothers to come and pick us up, because the truck’s useless. It’ll have to be towed.”
“Yeah, I figured that as soon as I saw the front end. Go ahead and make the call.”
When she tried to pull her hand free, he tightened his grip on her, refusing to let go. He liked having her close, feeling her hand within his. In the midst of all the chaos, holding onto her felt like a lifeline, keeping him anchored.
She handed him back his cell phone, pulling it out of the coat’s voluminous pocket. Gripping the phone, he stopped, trying to decide which brother would be the closest. As much as he hated it, he’d have to call Dane, since he was at the ranch, which made him almost an hour closer than anyone else. Pressing his brother’s speed dial, he waited.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Dane.”
“Chance, thought you were on your way to DFW.”
“Change in plans. We got into a fender-bender. Somebody skidded on ice and hit us. Well, technically, two people hit us, and we ended up on the side of I-45.”
He heard Dane’s gasp of surprise. “Are you and Tina okay? Do I need to call nine-one-one?”
“Thanks, but that’s all handled. EMTs and ambulances are already on the scene. We’re both okay. But we’re going to need somebody to come and get us, because the truck’s not drivable. I figured you’d be the best one to call, since you’re closest.”
“Tell me where you are. I’m on my way.”
Chance felt the tension in his shoulders immediately ease. He felt better knowing his brother wouldn’t let him down. Tina needed to get out of this mess and get someplace safe and warm. Meeting her eyes, he smiled, trying to convey that everything was going to be okay. Even if part of him was secretly glad she’d have to stick around, at least for a little while.
“About an hour north of Shiloh Springs. You can’t miss it; traffic’s backed up at least a mile, maybe more. When you get close, you might want to exit and come up the service road. It’ll probably be swamped too, but it’ll be moving. I’m not sure how long it’ll take to clear up this mess.”
“Gotcha. Be there as soon as I can.” Dane disconnected without saying goodbye, but that didn’t surprise Chance. He was probably halfway to his truck already.
“Dane’s leaving the ranch now. He’ll be here as soon as he can. I need to call Frank’s Garage, and see if they’ll send the tow truck to pick up my truck. Why don’t you go and sit in it, and get out of this wind? You’ve got to be freezing.”
“I will, but only if you take your coat back.” She started to shrug out of it, but he put a hand on her arm, stopping her.
“Keep it on. I’m going to make the call, then check to see if there’s anything I can do to help. Then I’ll come back and sit with you.” Pulling her close, he dropped a kiss against the top of her head.
He watched her climb back into the truck before dialing Frank’s Garage. Frank Jennings was an institution in Shiloh Springs, owning and operating the town’s garage for decades. All his brothers took their cars to Frank. There wasn’t anything the man didn’t know about cars or trucks, all their inner workings, and he trusted his baby in Frank’s hands.
“Frank’s Garage, Dante speaking.”
Chance grinned at the other’s voice. Dante Monroe was Jill’s brother, one who’d had a bit of a checkered past, but had gotten his life back on the straight and narrow. He’d worked with Lucas, telling his story about illegal gambling in Texas, because he had first-hand knowledge about how devastating falling into the twisted net of gambling could be, and how despicably far-reaching its insidious tendrils could be.
“Hey, Dante, it’s Chance. Listen, I got involved in an accident on I-45, and the truck’s undrivable. Think you or Frank could come and tow it back to the garage? Dane’s on his way to pick me up, but I don’t trust anybody else to take care of me except for Frank’s.”
“Hang on a second.” Chance pulled the phone away from his ear when he heard Dante yelling, “Hey, Frank, Chance Boudreau needs a tow, up on I-45. His truck ain’t drivable. Want me to pick him up?”
Within seconds, he was back. “Frank said he’ll come pick it up. Tell me where you are.”
Chance gave him directions, along with the closet mile marker. He’d got that information from the ambulance driver he’d spoken to earlier. Holding the phone to his ear with one hand, he rubbed at his forehead, grimacing at the headache pounding behind his eyes. Great. The last thing he needed to make this day perfect—a migraine.
“Alright, my man, Frank will be there as soon as he can. If he runs into any trouble, he’s got your number.”
“Thanks, Dante.”
“No problem. Stay safe and warm.”
Disconnecting the call, he walked back to his truck and climbed behind the wheel and looked at Tina. She was curled up on the seat, facing him, her eyes closed, a tiny smile turning up the corners of her lips. How was it possible every time he looked at her, she seemed even more beautiful? He didn’t need nor was he looking for a woman in his life. While most of his brothers had found their soulmates and were engaged, or in Brody’s case married, Chance wasn’t ready for a commitment. He had plans for his life, his career, and it didn’t call for getting serious about a wife for several more years.
But when he looked at Tina, he wanted to toss all his good intentions out the window. See where things would go if he decided to explore his feelings for her. Would it lead to heartbreak, leaving him gutted and alone? Or would it lead to something like his momma and dad had, a sharing of their lives and souls that surpassed romantic expectations?
“Did you talk to the garage?” The husky edge in her voice made his breath catch.
“Yeah, Frank’s on the way. Dane will probably get here first. Frank will recognize the truck, and he knows what to do. We’ll be back at the ranch before you know it.” He started to turn toward her and felt the pulling in his shoulder. Yep, he definitely would end up bruised before the end of the day.
“I’d feel better if you’d let one of the EMTs check you out, make sure you’re okay.”
Tina shook her head, her lips tight in a stubborn line. “I’m fine, but I don’t think you can say the same. I’ve noticed you favoring your left side. Did you hurt your shoulder?”
“It’s nothing.” She made a scoffing sound, and he chuckled. For a second, she sounded just like his baby sister, Nica. “I promise, I’m fine. Maybe a couple of bruises, that’s all.”
“Right, counselor.” She sighed and leaned her head against the headrest. “Everything’s been so crazy. This is like the cherry on top my crazy sundae.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.” She gave him a cheeky grin. “Gotta have some secrets, counselor. Otherwise, where’s the fun?”
“You do realize you’re making me want to dig deeper, find out what makes you so unique?”
“Dig all you want to. There’s nothing to find. I’m pretty much an open book.”
He quirked a brow and she laughed, the joyous sound filling the truck’s interior. The happy sound brightened his mood, making him almost forget he needed to figure out all the intriguing secrets that made Tina Nelson tick. He doubted she was dangerous, at least not intentionally. But some instinct, that inner warrior who awoke whenever he sensed something wasn’t quite right, stirred deep within, and he knew there was more to the quirky brunette than just a coffee shop java slinger.
Good thing she’d be sticking around for a little while longer, because he felt an overwhelming need to keep her close. There was a lot more he needed to know, to not only satisfy his curiosity but to keep those he loved safe. Even if it broke his heart.