But would she want him to live this way for the rest of his life? Alone? He hated to admit it, but he was lonely. He knew everyone in this town, some he counted as his friends. But he kept himself apart from them. Even Gavin, who he’d been best friends with for years. He’d thought moving back here after Rebecca’s death would help him. Yet, he felt lonelier than ever.
He’d forgotten how to be a friend. A boyfriend. The word didn’t sit right with him. He was too old and seen too much shit to start all over. Saxon was wrong. He didn’t need to move on. His life was fine.
He spotted the flash of hazard lights up ahead and slowed down. The ambulance would be about ten minutes behind him. He’d briefly heard a bit of the emergency call. The woman had sounded scared, maybe even a little hysterical. It was the last thing he needed when attending an accident alone. But he’d told Megan to make sure she remained in her car. With this downpour, he was certain she’d be only too pleased to follow his order.
Who’d be out in this unless they had to?
He slammed his hat on his head and pulled his jacket over his uniform. Grabbing his emergency first aid kit and his radio, he quickly climbed out and made his way to the car, wanting to get the woman reassured as soon as possible so he could deal with the real emergency.
When she didn’t immediately jump out of her car, he gave a sigh of relief. Good, she had the sense to obey him and stay in her vehicle. At least she wasn’t going to be a problem.
He stilled as he drew closer to the high-end vehicle. Opening the door, he peered inside with disbelief.
God damn it.
2
She’d long ago decided God didn’t exist.
How could someone be so cruel as to take a thirteen-year-old kid’s mom? Or to cause her dad such grief that he turned away from his own daughter. Nope, there was no God.
But right now, she was praying. Not to God, but to the universe in general for that damned sheriff to hurry the fuck up. The water was still rising. Quickly. She shivered as the rain and wind lashed at her. Damn, it was cold.
She turned to look up as a flash of light caught her eye.
He was here. Hallelujah. This life and death stuff was why she hadn’t become a surgeon. Well, that and she wasn’t real keen on cutting into people.
“It’s okay,” she told the unconscious man, reaching through the open window to squeeze his shoulder. “Help is here. Better help than me anyway. Of course, the damn man took his time.”
“Excuse me?”
With a screech, she turned.
“Ma’am? What are you doing up there?” There was a distinct note of disapproval in the deep voice. She turned her flashlight on him, taking in the wide-brimmed hat and heavy-duty jacket, spotting the sheriff’s emblem on the sleeve.
Oh, thank God.
“Jesus, man, you gave me a heart attack,” she told him, her heart still racing. “And I’m up here because the doors wouldn’t op
en. The window back here was open. I checked his pulse, it’s weak and he’s unconscious but at least he’s breathing.”
He shone his light through the window of the truck. She heard him swear softly.
“Do you know him?” she asked.
“Name’s Russ Barrett. He’s lived in these parts all his life.”
“I put a blanket a-around him and used my jacket to t-try and keep the rain off him. How will we get him out, t-though?”
He turned to her. “I’ll get him out. You’re freezing cold. You shouldn’t be out here in this weather. Get down from there. Now.”
She found herself obeying him before she even realized it. Must be in more shock than she thought. Or maybe it was just the authoritative tone of his voice. This wasn’t a man who was used to disobedience. As she got near the side of the truck, he shocked her by clasping her around the waist and swinging her off. He waded through the thigh-deep water to put her down further up the bank, well away from the water. She had to hide her wince as she landed on her sore ankle.
“Uh, thank you, but I could have done that myself.”
He just grunted.
She shivered, drawing in on herself, feeling utterly miserable.