Mountain Man's Accidental Surprise - K.C. Crowne Page 0,54

the ledge of the building, but I grabbed his shoulder.

“Don’t go too far out.”

He stopped and looked at me, fear in his eyes. This was too much for these kids to handle, but at least they were alive.

“What are we going to do now?” Andrew asked me.

I couldn’t tell him that I didn’t know, but that was the truth. “We’re going to wait here until help arrives.”

“And do you think help will arrive soon?”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure the sheriff already has help on the way.”

“Can you call him?”

“I don’t have a phone on me. Do you?”

Andrew shook his head. “Our dad said he couldn’t afford one for himself, much less for me.”

Considering their ages, it wasn’t much of a surprise. But I was seriously cursing not having a phone handy. I’d left mine in the truck with Emmy. We needed to get off this roof.

“At least the rain let up,” I muttered. In the distance, I heard a sound. A motor.

“Do you hear that, Maggie?” Ricky said to his little sister. “I think that’s a boat.”

“I think you’re right,” I said, feeling a renewed sense of hope. “I knew Teddy and the others would get out here soon.”

The boat came into view, and all three kids began jumping up and down, screaming for help. “Hold up, don’t jump around too much,” I warned, fearing the roof might give out on us.

I waved and called out, and the boat steered our direction. As suspected, Teddy was behind the wheel. A few others were in the back - one other officer and a couple that were wrapped in blankets, likely rescued as well.

“Thank God,” I said as we began loading the kids one by one into the boat.

It became clear there wasn’t enough room for me. There was already one too many with the three kids.

“We can make room,” Teddy said.

“No, I’m too big, it wouldn’t be safe,” I said. “Get them to safety, then you can come back for me.”

“Are you sure? The roof doesn’t look that steady—”

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “If I have to, I’ll swim.”

“I’ll hurry back.”

Teddy took off with the boat, and soon, I couldn’t even hear the motor. I looked at the hill I left Emmy on, praying she was safe. My truck was gone, and there was no sign of her anywhere.

She had listened to me. Good. She was safe. But I had to get to her.

“Come on, Teddy,” I muttered to myself.

I heard another motor and thought the return was awfully fast.

Almost too fast.

I scanned the horizon, searching for the boat, and when I saw it, a smile spread across my face. Teddy wasn’t behind the wheel; Sam and Eli were rushing through the water to get me.

I waved my arms until they steered the boat in my direction, and before long, they were parked beside the building.

“What happened to you?” Sam asked as I climbed aboard the boat.

“I could ask you the same question,” I said. “Where’s your truck?”

“It’s just on the other side of this mess.”

“In the mountains?”

“Yes.”

“Good, take me there. I need to find Emmy,” I said.

Sam steered the boat away from the building and toward the higher ground.

“Care to tell me what happened? One minute you were behind me, the next you were gone,” I said.

“We got separated at one point, and when I drove over the dam, I knew it wouldn’t be long before it gave out. So we swung by the dock and picked up the boat because I knew Teddy would need help with the rescue efforts. Didn’t think I’d be rescuing my own brother, though.”

“Where’s Mason?”

“He’s helping the medics with injuries.”

“Good. Take me to your truck,” I said. “I have to save Emmy.”

Ooo000ooo

I drove Sam’s truck along the mountain road that Emmy most likely traveled to get to safety. I told Sam and Eli to go back on the boat - Liberty needed them. Normally I’d be out there with them, but I had Emmy to save first.

Please let her be safe, I prayed to myself. Please let her be safe. Please let me find her.

I rounded the corner and the view from the mountains was astounding. Up ahead, there was a lookout point. I knew it well - it offered a beautiful view of the town. I wondered what there was to see now.

My truck, for one thing, I thought, frowning. Someone was standing next to it, but it wasn’t Emmy.

I skidded to a stop right behind it, not caring if I was blocking the