She’d put the word out and just about everyone jumped on it, except for those who were still working, though she was sure they would stop by at some point during the night when they had a few moments. Eli gathered together what food supplies she had since there was no way to have deputies there without feeding them.
The dining room table was filled with snacks, and Bridget was sitting up on the couch, her leg propped on the knee scooter to keep it elevated. Eli bustled around as Bridget watched her from a distance, somewhat envious of the fact that Eli could still move like that while she was stuck in one damn position for hours on end.
She hated not being able to help out in any way other than being out of the way. Sighing, Bridget rubbed her temples. She did have to stop thinking about it like that. She needed to buck up and stop wallowing in self-pity. Hopefully having her deputies there would help.
Eli came in and handed her a plate and a drink. “They should be here soon.”
“I know,” Bridget mumbled. “I don’t look like I got run over by a combine, do I?”
Eli knocked her head back and forth as she eyed Bridget over carefully. “Only halfway run over.”
“Perfect.”
“Your bruising looks a lot better, if you ask me. I think the most obvious things are the broken limbs. They probably won’t even notice the yellow tint to your skin.”
“Some friend you are!” Bridget would have thrown something at her to make her point, but then she would feel bad because she couldn’t pick it up. “You think they’ll tell me what happened?”
“Do you want to know?”
“Kind of?” Bridget raised an eyebrow at her. “Yes. I do want to know.”
“Then ask. I saw your cruiser out in Jensen’s lot. I can always bring you by it if you want to see.”
“You know, I would.”
“Next appointment then, we’ll swing by on our way in.”
“Good.”
The front door opened. The rain that had started earlier that day was still falling outside, so the pinging against the tin roof was loud. Bridget twisted as best as she could to look over her shoulder and grinned when she saw Chip and his wife.
Everyone else arrived soon after, and Bridget found herself laughing and enjoying their company. She was slow to drink, but at least she was relaxed. Eli played hostess most of the night, but Chip eventually coaxed her into joining them for a bit.
When there was a break in the conversation, Bridget dared to ask. “Does anyone want to fill me in on some of my missing memories?”
Silence fluttered around the room, Bridget looking at each of her deputies openly.
“I’d really like to know.”
Chip sighed heavily. “Sonny was drunk. He didn’t know what he was doing.”
“He didn’t,” Oscar chimed in. “Just a drunk fool.”
“All right, so then what happened? All I remember is getting ready in the morning, so I’m missing most of that day.” Bridget waited for an answer.
Chip was the first to break. “You were pulling Sonny over for drunk driving. He was in the middle of the highway, weaving back and forth. No one dared pass him. We got maybe ten calls in about it.”
Oscar nodded his agreement.
Chip continued, “You were the only one on, so you followed him for about two miles, and he never noticed you. According to witnesses, you pulled up on the side of him to try and get his attention or something, and he just…he turned into you. He sheared off about half your cruiser.”
Bridget clenched her jaw. “Sheared off?”
Oscar nodded. “I was first on scene. You were halfway stuck under the wheel, your arm…well, it wasn’t good, Bridget. It took us about an hour to get you out. You were bleeding pretty bad. The whole highway was shut down for hours while we got everything moved.”
“Okay.” She brushed her good hand over her face. “Thanks. Thank you, really. You probably saved my life.”
“Nothing you wouldn’t do for us.”