scene.
After that, it was collective chaos. Duke came back up the hill and jumped in his truck, chilled and shaking as he started it up.
“I’ve done all I can, and the best thing I can do is get out of the way. The tow truck will be here shortly, and the driver is going to need some wiggle room to get that car pulled up out of the trees before they can get Big Tom out.”
“Find a place to turn around and go back to your farm,” Cathy said.
“But I need to—”
“What you need is to get warm and into dry clothes, and don’t argue,” Cathy said. “Are you too cold to drive?”
“No. I’m okay,” Duke said, and then quickly found a place to turn and headed back home, out of the way of the tow truck and the rescue vehicles that were now lining the side of the road. “I promised Big Tom I’d call his son. Would you please scroll through my contacts until you find the name Albert, hit Call, and then put it on speaker for me while I drive.”
Cathy’s hands were shaking, but she did as he asked, and as soon as the phone began ringing, she held it up so Duke could talk without taking his hands off the wheel.
Albert answered on the fourth ring.
“Hello, this is Albert.”
“Albert, this is Duke.”
“Hey, Duke. What’s up?”
“First off…don’t panic, but your dad’s had an accident. He ran off the road and is pinned in his car for the time being. I’ve been with him the whole time, and now help has arrived. He’s got the car wedged between some trees, and we couldn’t get the doors open to get to him.”
“Oh my God! I was beginning to worry why he wasn’t home.”
“He asked me to call you, so I am. They’ll take him to the ER in Blessings.”
“Thank you, man. Thank you.”
“Sure thing. Just keep me posted, okay?”
“Absolutely,” Albert said, and disconnected.
Cathy put Duke’s phone back in the console, and glanced up at the road.
“We’re almost there, right?”
Duke heard the concern in her voice. “Yes, honey. Just a few minutes more, and we’ll be back at the farm.”
She glanced at him once, thinking to herself how fearlessly he’d gone down that hill without knowing what he’d find, and then stayed with his friend until help arrived.
“You do know you probably saved his life,” she said.
Duke frowned. “No, I just—”
“How much traffic is on that road?” she asked.
“Not a lot,” he said.
“If you hadn’t seen those taillights, there’s no telling how long he would have been there before someone found him.”
Duke shrugged. “Some things are just meant to be. And, we’re home,” he added, and pulled around to the back of the house, getting as close to the back porch as he could.
Jack came out the kitchen door as they were getting out, took one look at Duke, and frowned.
“What happened to you?” he asked, as he ushered both of them inside out of the rain.
“Tom Rankin had a wreck,” Duke said.
“Go,” Cathy said, pointing. “Hot shower. Dry clothes. Hot coffee will be waiting.”
Duke grinned. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, dripping water as he went.
Chapter 13
“Talk to me,” Jack said, and turned around to make a fresh pot of coffee.
So Cathy began to relate what had happened, right down to reiterating what she’d said before, about Duke saving the man’s life.
“Wow,” Jack said. “Listen, make yourself at home. I’m going to go check on my brother. Help yourself to coffee. Cream is in the refrigerator…sugar is on the table.”
He left the room on the run as Cathy went down the hall to the guest bath to freshen up. By the time both men came back down, she was sitting at the table nearest the window, watching it rain. She looked up as they walked in.
“Have you heard anything yet? Did they get him out of the car?”
“Yes. I’m sure he’s already at the ER being treated, and his car has been towed away. The road is clear now, if you’re ready to try this again.”
“Not unless you take hot coffee with you,” she said.
Jack grinned. “Finally, someone is telling Duke what to do for a change.”
Duke poured a cup of coffee into a travel mug, then popped the lid on it.
“Will this work?” he asked.
“Are you still chilled?” she asked.
“No. Seriously, I’m fine,” Duke said.
“Okay then, but only because the rain is beginning to let up. Jack, thank you for your hospitality and coffee. I will see you day