by Diana Tobin
Suddenly, all she saw were trees, and her car dipped down an embankment before coming to a jerking halt.
The air bag exploded in her face, and darkness took over.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Hi, Mom.” Micki kissed her mother’s cheek and took the covered casserole from her hands. “Did Lynn come with you?”
“She should be here.” Nettie hung her wet jacket on a coat rack next to the door. “Isn’t she back yet?”
“Back from where?”
“Put that in the oven and I’ll try her cell.” Nettie left a message when her youngest didn’t pick up. “She’s probably driving. Maybe that’s her.” Lights shone through the front windows as a car pulled into the drive. Nettie rushed to open the door. Seeing who approached, she sagged a bit and let out a disappointed, “Oh, it’s you.”
“Fine greeting,” groused Wil. “Guess this means the honeymoon’s over. Married not quite five months and my bride isn’t happy to see me.”
“I’m always happy to see you.” Wrapping her arms around him, she gave him a quick kiss. “I thought you were going to be Lynn.”
“Is she closing the shop?”
“No.” Nettie drew her husband inside and hung his jacket next to hers. “Dani and Mary Lou are closing tonight. Lynn should be here by now.” Nettie twisted her fingers together. “She had planned to be here hours ago to help Micki pack. I had a bad feeling about her going by herself. Silly, perhaps, but…” She shrugged, unable to finish her thought.
Wil cradled Nettie in his arms. “Where did Lynn go?”
“Livermore. Something about honey.” She met Wil’s gaze. “I don’t remember if she gave me a name.”
“Okay, honey. Let’s not panic. If she’s visiting friends, she probably lost track of time.”
“I don’t think she referred to him as a friend.”
“Him?” questioned Wil.
“I was busy when she left and not paying much attention. She talked about seeing a man about honey and promised she wouldn’t be long and would help Micki with the packing.” Chewing her lip, she added, “She’s not answering her cell phone.”
“All right. I hate to do this, but I’m going to call JC. He might have an idea who she was meeting.”
“Why would you think he’d know?” asked Micki.
“Honey would be something he might sell at his farm stand. Much as I dislike the idea of speaking to the idiot, if it helps alleviate your mother’s worries, well, there’s not much I wouldn’t do for her.” Kissing Nettie’s forehead, he pulled his phone from his pocket. “JC. Wil Owens, here. We’re trying to locate Lynn. Do you know someone in Livermore selling honey?”
“What do you mean trying to locate?”
“Thought I spoke plainly.”
“Sorry. Right. You think she went to Livermore to buy honey?”
Wil gritted his teeth. “Isn’t that what I just said?” He blew out a breath and uncurled his fist. “I apologize. Nettie is worried and Lynn isn’t answering her phone. We, the family, have plans this evening. Lynn should have been here hours ago. Thought you might have a name, or something, where we could begin checking.”
“Okay. Yeah. I know of a guy. Let me do some checking and I’ll get back to you.”
○◊○
JC hung up before Wil could say another word.
His stomach churned with the knowledge Lynn’s family didn’t know where she was. Nettie had never struck him as a worry-wart, but he wouldn’t discount her concern.
Within minutes, he’d spoken with Lew Perkins, learning Lynn had left their farm long enough ago to have made it back to Webster mid-afternoon. The storms passing through had brought nightfall early. If she’d had car trouble, the storms could be interfering with cell reception, too.
JC phoned Wil, letting him know he was going to drive to Livermore in case Lynn was stranded on the side of the road.
“I’m coming with you,” declared Wil.
“Only if you’re here within the next five minutes.” Shoving his phone back in his pocket, JC gathered up what might be needed once he located Lynn and her car. Stowing the gear, he decided it was good Wil was going with him. Having car trouble and getting stranded in a storm could make Lynn nervous, enough so she shouldn’t drive. He refused to think of her being injured and unable to drive.
JC had the defroster going full blast in his truck when Wil got in and immediately headed down the driveway. “Thanks for coming with me.”
“She’s my daughter.” Wil stared out the windshield.
“She’s my—” What? JC had to stop and think what Lynn was to him. Girlfriend sounded a bit juvenile and not completely accurate since he’d stupidly told her to get out. But, she was his friend, his lover, his…everything. Lynn had to give him another chance because he just realized he wanted her for his wife.
Wil mumbled curses about young fools, but JC ignored him, driving as fast as he dared on the slick roads. After a few minutes Wil’s grumbles ceased as he kept a sharp eye out.
They were halfway to Livermore when JC saw a dark pickup on the side of the road, as if to protect the bashed in car sticking up from the ditch.
JC’s truck rocked as he stomped on the brakes, flew out the door, and crossed the road. The driver’s door was open and a figure was slumped on the steering wheel, the deflated air bag providing no cushion. Before he could reach Lynn a strong hand gripped his arm, followed by a firm voice.
“What you think you’re doing?”
JC shrugged off the hand and glared at the man who’d stopped him. “She’s mine. Did you do this to her?”
“Found her. Called 911. State troopers will be here, too.” He took a step closer to Lynn’s car as Wil joined them. “Be best if you fellas go on your way and clear the road.”
“She’s my daughter,” Wil told the man. “I’m not leaving her.”
Ignoring both men, JC stepped into the ditch to crouch next to the open door. His fingers trembled as he reached out to gently smooth back her hair. “Lynn? Honey, can you hear me?”
“Jase?” Her eyelid fluttered and she tried to raise her head. A trickle of blood stained her upper lip.
“It’s me, sweetheart. Don’t move. Help is on the way.” He leaned in to press his lips to her exposed cheek.
“Oww.”
“What hurts, honey?”
“Face. All o‘er.” Her words slurred together, but she understood what he asked.
“Did you hit your face on the window?”
She started to shake her head and thought better of it. “Hit me. Pushed off road.”
“What did she say?” Wil stood behind JC, leaning over his shoulder. “How did this happen?”
Before JC could answer, they heard approaching sirens. Wil stepped up to the road while JC held Lynn’s hand. “EMS is here. You’re going to be fine, honey.”
A tear leaked out and ran down her face. “Don’ leave.”
He pressed a kiss to her cold hand. “Never,” he vowed.
“Sir, we need you to move.” A female paramedic stood behind JC, holding a large box he assumed held medical supplies.
He gave the woman a nod and turned back to Lynn. “I’m not leaving you, honey. Just moving to the other side. Won’t be a minute.” JC jogged around the car to the passenger side, carefully leaning in, trying not to jostle her. “I’m right here.” He pressed her cold hand between both of his while the medic examined her.
“JC,” Wil moved to stand beside him, staying out of the way of those helping his daughter. “This is Lew Perkins. Lynn had been at his place this afternoon picking up honey.”
“Mr. Benjamin,” Lew nodded in greeting. “After you called, thought I’d take a look. My wife and I enjoyed Lynn’s visit. I’d want someone lookin’ out for one of my daughters.”
JC nodded but kept his attention on Lynn and the medical personnel.
“Appreciate it, Mr. Perkins,” Wil said.
“Lew,” invited the other man. “Didn’t see wh
at happened, just found her like this. I wouldn’t let her get out of the car since I didn’t know the extent of her injuries.”
Wil sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t know how to thank you, Lew.” He blinked hard.
Lew patted Wil’s shoulder. “They’re always our babies.”
The EMS team slid a board behind Lynn, moving her out of the car and onto a gurney. The three men watched as the team covered Lynn and strapped her to the gurney before loading her into the ambulance.
“I’m going with her,” JC announced. “You drive my truck.” He began patting his pockets. “Damnit! What’d I do with the keys?”
“I’ve got them, son,” Wil held them up for inspection. “You left them in the ignition. Just damned glad you put the brake on before you bolted.” JC started to move away when Wil grabbed his arm. “Did she say what happened?”
The cold fury on JC’s face would’ve frightened a lesser man. “Just that someone hit her.” JC stomped to the ambulance before they could close the back door. “I’m going with her.”
“Sir, that’s against regulations.”
JC leaned down so his face was a breath away from the man trying to stop him. “I don’t give a damn about your regulations! I’m going with her if I have to drive this rig myself.” Before the paramedic could offer another protest, JC said, “Every moment you stand here arguing with me is another moment she’s not getting to the hospital. If you want to end up in the same category as the bastard who did this to her, fine. I’m happy to oblige. But, not until she’s taken care of.”
“Roger,” the female paramedic spoke up from her place beside Lynn. “Let him come. The patient has been asking for him.” She gave him a steady look. “Let’s go.”
Without another word, JC climbed in, going to Lynn’s side. In complete opposition of his fierceness moments before, he gently placed a hand over hers and spoke quietly, letting her know he was there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Headlights hit the rearview mirror and flashed in her eyes. She was bounced forward before she heard the thud of metal on metal.
What was happening?
Fear and dread churned in her belly. Nausea clawed at her throat. She didn’t have time to be sick. She had to get away.
Her car was hit again, and she struggled to keep it on the road.
Rain slashed at her, making it difficult to see. She could feel the wetness on her face. Why was the window open?
The car went flying. Or, skidding. Something. The movement made her stomach lurch and bounce just as her vehicle did.
A tree came rushing toward her.
She screamed, unable to move. Then, nothing.
Slowly, Lynn opened her eyes, squinting against the stabbing pain of light. Her face was mashed into the steering wheel. A figure was at the door, pulling on the handle. She sighed in relief. Help was here.
The relief was short-lived and quickly replaced with fear.
The man wrenched open the door. He offered no words of comfort. Instead, he yelled obscenities, calling her foul names. She lifted her head to get a better look at her would-be rescuer. Recognition slammed into her an instant before his fist slammed into her face.
Pain exploded. The scent and taste of copper added to the sickening fear.
She wanted to lift her arms, protect herself from the next blow, but her limbs felt weighted. Her mind grasped only a few words, leaving her to beg.
Stop! Please, stop. Help me. Someone help me. JC.
She screamed at the hand on her head and tried to scoot away.
“Shh. It’s okay, honey. I’ve got you. Don’t cry. Please, don’t cry.”
The voice was deep, familiar, and loving. Her body relaxed even as she forced her eyes to open. “JC?”
“Right here, sweetpea.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m not leaving you.”
“What happened?” It hurt to talk and her throat felt as if she’d swallowed sand.
“Your car went off the road.” JC gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Do you remember?”
Lynn kept her gaze locked on his, fearing if she closed her eyes she’d be back in the nightmare. “Wasn’t a dream?”
“No.” He drew in a breath. “Did you try to avoid a deer or moose?”
“Hit me. Came up behind.” She gripped his fingers. “Smashed into back. Pushed me off road.” Tears leaked from her eyes and slid into her hair. “Thought he would help. Hit me. Punched…”
JC kept his touch gentle even as his eyes lit with fury. “Can you tell me what he looked like?”
“Donn-ee.” She blinked as more tears flowed. “Why?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. But, I promise, he’ll never hurt you again.”
She gave a little nod and looked around at her surroundings. “Where—”
“Ambulance, honey. We’re on our way to the hospital in Farmington.”
“Honey. In car.” She was so tired. She could sleep now that JC was there. She was safe.
“We know. Wil and Lew are taking care of it. I left him with my truck. He’ll be at the hospital later.” He leaned closer, his lips against her ear. “I’m so sorry. Please, give me another chance. I love you.”
Her eyes drifted closed and her bloodied lips relaxed. “Love.”
○◊○
Wil found JC pacing the waiting room floor. Wary glances from some of the nurses made Wil wonder what JC had done now. “How is she?”
“Damned if I know,” JC spat spinning on a booted heel to slam his fists on his hips. “They threw me out of the room because they were going to get her clothes off. As if I haven’t seen—uh…” JC shut his mouth realizing he was about to spill the ill-kept secret that he’d been naked with her. He figured Wil knew it, but they didn’t need to discuss it. “I promised I wouldn’t leave her, but I’d like to find that fucking bastard and turn his face into a bloody pulp.” He jammed his fingers into his hair. “The coward punched her. How…” JC had to stop, swallow, and draw in a breath.
Wil grabbed his arm. “Did she tell you what happened? Did she get a vehicle make or license number?”
“A big, dark vehicle. With the rain and wind, she couldn’t see much. But, she was hit from behind and pushed off the road.” He lifted his head and stared down into Wil’s eyes. “He was trying to kill her. He opened her door, and rather than helping her, he punched her in the face. Several times.” JC pressed his fingers to his eyes and drew some deep breaths. When he looked beyond Wil’s shoulder JC’s eyes were cold and hard. “I’m going to tear his balls off and stuff them down his throat before I kill him.”
Wil couldn’t prevent the shudder down his spine. JC wasn’t making a threat; it was a vow. “You need to leave this to the police. When Lynn gives her statement, hopefully she can describe her attacker for them.”
His frosty gaze met Wil’s. “We know who it was, she told me. The asshole coward is Chyster.”
“Donny did this to her? Her ex?” A thousand questions ran through Wil’s mind, but nothing JC could answer. He knew Lynn’s parting with the other man hadn’t been exactly amicable, but he didn’t understand why Donald Chyster would resort to violence. “Where are you going?” he asked, as JC stomped from the room.
“Getting some answers. I’m not leaving her side until she tells me to.”
Wil stared after JC’s retreating back. He prayed the cops found Chyster before JC did something he couldn’t take back. Stepping outside, he was about to phone Nettie, deciding she should come to the hospital since it looked as if Lynn would be there awhile. The brisk air cooled his mind a bit. He’d call Ethan first and ask him to drive Nettie to Farmington. Under the circumstances, Wil wasn’t going to risk another of his girls.
○◊○
Ethan drove Nettie and Michaela to Farmington where they found Wil sitting in the waiting room. Nettie made a bee-line for her husband’s outstretched arms, where she was immediately engulfed.
“How is Lynn? Can I see her? What happened? Where’s JC
?”
Wil pressed his lips to Nettie’s to stop the flow of words, and because, as her husband, he could kiss her any time he wanted. Which was often. “They were taking her for x-rays. Unless those turn up something, I think she’s mostly bruised. JC bulled his way back to her side, stating he wasn’t leaving Lynn unless she told him to or they physically carried him out. I think the doctor and nurses decided ignoring him as much as possible was the better, and safer, idea than continuing to argue. As for what happened, let’s sit down and I’ll tell what little I know.”
As Wil relayed what JC had shared, Nettie gripped his hand tightly. When he named Lynn’s attacker, Ethan and Michaela exchanged glances that had Wil questioning them.
Michaela clung to Ethan. “Earlier this summer, Demon Donny showed up at our house looking for Lynn. He wanted her back, claiming their breakup was a simple misunderstanding.” She snorted in disgust. “How finding your fiancé in bed with another woman, going at it, could be seen as a misunderstanding, I’m not sure. It was a heck of a lot more than that!”
Ethan couldn’t hold back a grin. “Sweet little Lynn grabbed one of my hockey sticks and explained in great detail how she was never going back with him. JC happened along on his tractor about then, and we loaded Donny into his fancy sports car and got him out of our driveway. Somehow, he ended up in a ditch.” A scowl replaced the grin. “Sounds like this was his way of getting back at her.”
“Why didn’t any of you tell me this?” exclaimed Nettie.
“It wasn’t ours to tell.” Ethan placed his arm around Michaela’s shoulders. “We thought that was the end of it. The guy was such an asshole. Sniveling and crying. Made me wish I’d broken his nose instead of just bloodying it. I’ve seen worse fights on the ice. I’ve been in worse.”
Wil’s lips twitched before he became serious again. “The state trooper I spoke to thought it looked deliberate. He wants to speak to Lynn by tomorrow morning. I hope they catch Chyster before JC comes across him. That boy was ready to tear him limb from limb for what he did to her.”