Katie

Katie

By Sandra McGregor

Copyright 2014 Sandra McGregor

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you

Chapter One

Two weeks was a long time to crawl around in the forest, eating berries and bark to survive. Troy Templeton’s two-week Army Reserve requirements were now fulfilled for the year and the long drive back home was almost over.

With less than ten miles to go and the radio blaring a new release on the country-western station, all Troy could think about was a hot shower to ease his tired muscles, a home-cooked meal and a great cup of coffee…in that order. His oldest sister, Amanda, had promised to have a casserole waiting in his refrigerator, and he hoped it was the chicken and rice concoction she claimed as her specialty.

He squinted behind aviator sunglasses, trying to block out the sun’s glare to better focus on a car that swerved into his lane a football field’s length in front of him. His hands gripped the steering wheel as his foot slammed down on the brake and his thick-tread truck tires grabbed the asphalt in instant compliance.

Just as quickly, the car’s driver swerved back into his own lane, over-compensated and plunged over the side of the embankment.

Holy …

Troy jerked his foot off the brake. Just as rapidly, he pressed the gas pedal to the floor, lurching forward to bring him quickly to the spot where mashed-down grass and fresh grooves indicated the driver had applied brakes…but too late.

The truck skidded to a stop on the loose gravel. He slammed the gearshift into park and slid from the seat before the vehicle settled to a complete stop. Adrenalin shoved him toward the embankment’s edge where he hesitated to quickly assess the crunched heap of metal resting precariously against several young trees twenty or so feet below.

A shrill scream broke the ominous silence, sending a chill down his spine. Oh, God, there’s a baby in the car.

With adrenalin pumping through his system like a lightning bolt, he surged forward. His boot heels dug into the loose dirt with each bounding leap down the side of the hill—a hillside that dropped away and sent him careening downward with barely controlled momentum as he struggled to remain on his feet and at least slow down before he slammed into the rear door. He ignored the sharp pain that ran down his left leg when his hip connected with the side of the car, bringing him to an abrupt stop.

With one hand clamped on the windowsill, he maneuvered until he could see the driver. The small car’s sudden stop against the trees shoved the engine backward onto the driver’s legs. Blood trickled down the side of the man's head and dripped off his nose onto his shirt. Mercifully, the man was unconscious, his head lolled to one side. Without a close exam, Troy had no way to know if there were internal injuries in addition to the gash and the obvious damage to his legs. He reached through the broken side window, his fingers searching for and finding a slow but steady beat at the side of the driver’s neck. Troy sent up a silent prayer of thanks.

The man’s legs were in bad shape, but there was a second victim to assess. It’s okay, buddy. I’m coming. You’ll be fine.

Troy’s foot slipped on the dry pine needles, but he managed to hold on to the back door handle and open it to give him access to the frantic child. Although the baby’s face was wet with tears and flushed from prolonged wailing, there was no blood and no apparent injuries. Of course, only x-rays could determine if the toddler had neck or internal injuries.

With no decrease in the decimal level of his cries, the boy’s eyes connected with his, even as tiny hands reached out, begging to be held. Troy hesitated only a moment before ignoring his field medical training. He reached in to unbuckle the seatbelt and gather the hysterical child in his arms. My sergeant would have my head, he told the child, gently gosling him as he turned to lean against the car so he could remain steady while he reached into a side pocket for his cell phone to call for help.

Henry County Emergency. What’s the nature of your call?

This is Troy Templeton and I witnessed a car go over an embankment about two miles north of the four-way stop on Hwy 20. The driver is unconscious, but alive, with massive leg injuries and possibly internal injuries. He’ll need to be cut from the car. The baby, he said, glancing at the toddler who was now sobbing with some interspersed hiccups, is about two-years old and appears to be unhurt…just scared.

I have Life Flight and a fire rescue unit in route.

The baby was now sucking his thumb and had his head lying on Troy’s shoulder. This wasn’t the first time he’d held a baby, after all, he had nieces and nephews, but this was different. He patted the child’s back, cuddling the little boy close while he murmured close to his tiny ear. It’s okay, big guy. Help is on the way. Don’t worry. Who am I trying to convince?

A few minutes later his cell rang. Hello.

Troy, it’s James. What’s the make and model of the car?

Strange question, but he turned to look at the vehicle. Fairly new burgundy, Honda Accord.

Thank goodness. Listen, I’ll be there in about ten minutes with the child’s mother. The car was stolen, so be careful if the driver regains consciousness.

Troy turned to look at the still-unconscious driver and craned his head back enough to look at the baby. Someone hijacked a car with a kid in the back? Wow…crazy. Wonder if he wanted the car or the child.

Don’t know, but we’re on the way.

Troy could hear a female voice speaking softly near the phone, but he couldn’t make out her words.

The mother wants to know if her son is alright.

Yes, he’s apparently fine.

Great, see you in a few.

He flipped the cell closed and shoved it in his pants pocket. Well, little man, he said, stopping when he realized the child’s eyes were closed and he was breathing regularly. Gee, wish I could sleep for the next couple of hours, he softly told the sleeping child. Instead, I see myself answering a lot of questions and telling the same story several times to different people. He sighed deeply, reaching up to add his second arm to support the chunky little boy.

Within five minutes, he could hear the wale of sirens drawing closer and closer until they stopped near his truck at the top of the slope. The sirens were turned off, but Troy could still see the reflection of swirling red lights on the surrounding pine trees in the growing darkness as rain clouds rolled in to block the sun.

Within moments, two firemen appeared at the top of the slope. Hey, how are things down there?

The baby appears fine, but the driver is in a world of hurt, he called up to them.

They disappeared from view. He waited, hearing some shouting and a couple of vehicle doors slam, then they reappeared at the edge above the scene. We’re coming down, one of them called out.

The two firemen repelled down and were soon at his side with the Jaws-of-life and a backboard. Almost immediately, two medics arrived with a portable oxygen tank and a satchel of first aid supplies.

Hey, glad to see you guys. It was comforting to have two of his long-time friends show up. They were good at their job and he trusted them.

Hey, Troy. Good to see you again. John playfully punched him on the arm before he became serious. Did he ever regain consciousness? The question was asked even while the other medic was checking on the victim.

No. He hasn’t made a peep. I’m heading up before the firemen start up that contraption and wake the little guy here, he told the medic.

Good idea. Hey, let me tie this rope around your waist so they can pull you up. Lots safer that way.

Not to mention easier, Troy added with a slight chuckle. Once in the harness, the medic radioed for the men above to slowly pull up the rope.

Troy braced the baby in his arms and started the steep climb to the road above. He was nearing the top when he heard the whop, whop, whop of an approaching helicopter. Then he saw the Sweetwater police car round a curve in the road and stop near the fire truck. The Calvary had arrived.

My baby. A woman bolted from the police car, halting almost immediately when she saw him.

She stared with her mouth slightly open. He could only imagine what she must be thinking to see a stranger holding her baby. She might even think he was the one who kidnapped her son. Then her focus homed in on the child who was still asleep in his arms.

She rushed forward to abruptly stop in front of him, her arms already reaching out to retrieve her son.

Troy leaned back slightly, his voice low, but his tone drawing her eyes up to meet his. Take it easy. He’s fine, just asleep.

She hesitated, and then nodded. His smile was brief and barely moved his lips as he acknowledged her acceptance of his unspoken warning to not allow her unsettled state to disturb the resting child. He transferred the boy to her arms, watching as the child snuggled in close, his mouth near her neck as she leaned her head in protectively and kissed his sweaty little head.

Troy stood rooted to the spot, his eyes following the tiny mother as she moved away from him, rocking the child and seeming to protectively close her body around the sleeping child. Now that the crisis was over and the professionals had the scene under control, he took a moment to stare at the woman. She was probably in her late twenties, slender and attractive, even though her hair was slightly disheveled. She fit the stereotype image of a high school cheerleader…slender, toned and apparently a bundle of energy. At the patrol car, she opened the door and slipped into the front.

Don’t undress the lady with your eyes, Troy.

He ripped his gaze from the direction of the baby and its mother to focus on his brother-in-law—a man now smiling like a Gooney bird.

Cute little number, the police captain said in a low whisper. Interested?

Absolutely not…she’s married. He assumed that was a correct statement, since he hadn’t bothered to look for a ring…or even ask her name or the name of her son…not that it mattered one way or the other.

Well, I have it on good authority that she was widowed two years ago when her husband was killed in Afghanistan and her mother-in-law is none other than Eleanor Brinkley.

Our elementary school teacher? He ripped his gaze from the squad car long enough to glance at James before he turned back to stare at the woman huddled in the front seat of the vehicle.

Yep. Fourth grade teacher and Chad Brinkley’s mother. Remember when he was killed in action and later honored at the Fourth of July ceremony a couple of years ago? Anyway, Eleanor retired soon after that happened and as of yesterday, her daughter-in-law is staying with her…at least for now.

Small world. I remember Chad from church, but he was a few years younger, so we didn’t run in the same crowd. So, what happened today? He lifted his chin in the direction of the car wreck. How did the guy down there get her car and baby?

She said she had just finished filling her gas tank and turned her back to hang the nozzle up when she heard the tires screech as he sped away in her car.

Wow. Right here in our little town?

Yep. Guess you can imagine how frantic she was when she called 9-1-1.

Actually, no. I can’t begin to imagine how I’d feel if someone stole my child…but heaven help him when I got my hands on him. He shook his head, erasing those thoughts and feelings from his mind. Hey, do I need to hang around? I’m on my way home after two weeks, he said, glancing down at his green Army fatigues. I’m bushed.

Did the guy wake up and say anything?

Nope. But since his legs are mangled, it’s probably a good thing.

In that case, you don’t need to stay. If I have any questions I’ve got your number…and I know where you live, he joked.

Thanks. Tell Sis hi for me. See you later.

Hey!

Troy stopped and turned back.

Could you do me a favor?

Sure, what do you need?

He glanced toward his squad car. I’m going to be tied up here until the helicopter lifts off, which could be anywhere from half an hour to an hour, and I’d really like to get the baby over to Piedmont-Henry to get checked out…just to be sure. I’m wondering if you could drive Ms. Brinkley and her son over there and then take her home.

Troy silently groaned. Why did he have to be the first on scene? Sure, but only if you tell her. I don’t want to be in the middle in case she doesn’t like the suggestion.

Coward, he chuckled.

Hey, you’re the authority here, not me. He held up his hands in mock surrender, his chuckle rumbling out.

James led the way to the patrol car and quietly opened the door. Katie, he started, resting his arm on the top of the squad car and leaning down to her level. I’m going to be tied up here for quite a while, so I’ve asked my brother-in-law, Troy, to drive you back to town. Okay?

Troy stood tall while she silently scrutinized him from head to foot…her gaze returning to his face where it hovered for a few moments. He felt like a thoroughbred on the auction block. He knew his boots were dusty and his green fatigues were wrinkled...and there were underarm sweat rings the size of Texas staining his shirt, but he’d used deodorant and he’d brushed his teeth. What was her problem?

Okay, she finally answered, I guess that will be alright.

And I think you should take Evan by the hospital and have him checked out, James continued. He took quite a jolt when your car nose-dived into the trees twenty feet or so over that edge, he added,