Rachel's Road to Love (The Great Smoky Mountain Getaways Book 3)

by Elsie Davis

  With the dishes finished, Rachel headed to the back bedroom. Pulling out her suitcase, she repacked her clothes and shoes. Most of it hadn’t been worn, considering they were sunny, honeymoon outfits. Fun and frolicky had no place on a cold, snowy mountain.

  She snapped the locks closed and wheeled it down the hall, expecting any minute to hear a snowmobile approaching. The weather was warmer today, with the full sun beating down. There was still no sign of Chad, and she headed out to the porch to wait for her friend.

  Rachel settled into one of the comfortably padded rocking chairs, enjoying the crisp, cool air and the sound of the birds calling out to one another. A male cardinal landed on an evergreen tree nearby, his bright red color against the snow-covered green branches picture perfect. She pulled out her phone and snapped a few photos, trying to capture the magic of the moment.

  Leslie’s ring tone blasted into the peaceful silence, startling the cardinal, and he flew away. “Hey there. Where are you? I thought you’d be here by now, considering when you left,” Rachel said, eager to see her friend again.

  “Change of plans,” Leslie said, her voice laced with tension.

  “Why? What’s wrong?” she asked, a knot forming in her stomach.

  “Promise you won’t freak out or anything. I’m doing enough of that on my own.”

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Rachel asked again, her stomach twisting in a multitude of knots now.

  “There was an accident. I don’t remember much, but the guy came around a curve too fast, and I tried to avoid him. What happened after that is kind of vague, but I’m in the hospital. I’m sorry, but I won’t be coming to get you anytime today.”

  “But are you okay? I mean, why are you in the hospital? Is it serious?” Rachel’s brain was racing with all the possible scenarios but tried to remain calm. Leslie was talking to her, which was a good sign.

  “Broken arm. Possible concussion. Bruises. That sort of thing. The doctor wants to keep me here overnight to monitor my condition and watch for any signs of trauma to the head.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry. What else did the doctor say?” Rachel felt awful as a sick feeling of dread washed over her. This was her fault. If she hadn’t asked Leslie to come to get her, this wouldn’t have happened.

  “Not much. I blacked out, so the doctors aren’t taking any chances. They’ve ordered a CT scan. That’s all I know.”

  “Does Chad know?” Rachel asked, the knot in her stomach doubling in size.

  “What do you mean? Aren’t you with him? And no, I wanted to tell you and let you tell him. He’d freak out on the phone with me, and I really don’t need more stress at the moment.” Leslie knew her brother all too well and was right.

  Rachel closed her eyes, the thought of being the bearer of bad news, not a job she wanted. “I see. And yes, he’s here, but he’s avoiding me.”

  “Why?” Leslie asked, the single-word question direct and to the point.

  One she couldn’t ignore. “Because I asked you to come to get me. Chad's worried I told you about the PTSD and that you’re coming here to rescue him.”

  “You did tell me. So what’s the big deal?”

  “He’s a private person, and I think he didn’t want anyone to know about it. The fact I do has strained our friendship, more so, now that he thinks I’ve brought you in on it.”

  “Chad’s my brother, and I know all about how closed off he can be, but if there’s one thing I learned over the years, it’s how to handle him. Or at least I will be able to after you calm him down about the accident. Just reassure him everything will be okay. Please, Rachel. He can be a bit protective of me at times.”

  She wouldn’t deny her friend anything, especially as she was lying in a hospital bed and it was all Rachel’s fault. “I’ll tell him. You have my word. I’m so sorry I asked you to come to get me. I should have just waited…but my mom. I shouldn’t have let her get to me. This is terrible.”

  “A broken arm is inconvenient. A broken head would be a bigger concern. But God was watching over me, and I’ll be all right. You’re like a sister to me, and I’d do anything for you. Sometimes, things happen outside of our control, but we can’t stop doing things because something bad might happen. If we did that, we miss all the good in life as well.”

  Leslie was right, of course, but it didn’t make the guilt for her part in what happened to lighten even a smidgeon. “I hear you. I’m going to try and find another way to get to town so I can come and see you.”

  “Rachel, you don’t have to. I’m sure everything will be fine. You just take care of my brother. Trust me. That can be a full-time job.”

  “Humor me. I want to be with you. We can help each other like we always have.” Rachel would go whether Leslie agreed or not, even if it meant calling her mother. Some things were far more critical, and Leslie was one of them.

  “Okay. I could use a ride home tomorrow if the doctor releases me. They said my car had to be towed and wasn’t drivable. And at this point, I have no idea what happened to the snowmobile.”

  “I’ll break the news to Chad. Hopefully, he’s got some ideas who will come out this way to give me a ride into town. And I bet he can make some calls to figure out what’s going on. You just concentrate on getting better and out of the hospital.” Rachel hadn’t stopped pacing the floor, but she drew up short when she spotted Chad walking out to the shed.

  “We have a caretaker for the property. Ask Chad for his number. I’m sure the guy will help you, given the circumstances. I’ve got to hang up; the doctor just came in.”

  “Okay. Love you, girl.”

  “You too,” Leslie said before the line went dead.

  Thank you, Lord, for keeping her safe. Please forgive me for asking her to come to my aid. I should have stood up to my mother, but I try to be respectful. Unfortunately, it’s getting me nowhere.

  Rachel headed down the hall and grabbed her jacket. With each step she took toward the shed, her heart grew heavier, worried about his reaction. He was hammering a couple of nails into the siding and oblivious to her approach. “Chad,” she called out, alerting him to her presence.

  He looked up and let out a heavy sigh. “I guess this means my sister is here, and you’re leaving?” he asked, glancing toward the cabin.

  “No, and yes, in that order.” The decisive moment was upon her.

  “What do you mean?” Chad slid the hammer into the tool belt around his waist and turned his full attention to her.

  She put her hands together and twisted them, trying to quell her nerves. “Don’t freak out, but Leslie’s in the hospital. She’s okay, or mostly okay.”

  Chad jerked back, taking in her words. “Tell me what you know,” he ordered, his brisk tone authoritative and commanding.

  “Sh…she was in an accident on the w...w…way here. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.” This was even harder than she’d imagined.

  “I don’t think whose fault is of concern at the moment. Far more important is the matter of how Leslie is doing.” He pulled out his phone.

  “You can’t call her right now. The doctor is with her. Leslie has a broken arm and is under concussion protocol. They’re keeping her overnight for observation since she blacked out and doesn’t remember anything after the other vehicle came into her lane and hit her.” Rachel forced herself to repeat everything she knew, trying to relay all the details in hopes of calming Chad down a bit.

  “Why didn’t she call me?” he snapped.

  “Honestly, she didn’t want to deal with this…your reaction, that is.”

  “How else am I supposed to react? My sister is in the hospital and needs me, and I’m stuck on the mountain with the selfish woman who couldn’t sit still another day. Leslie had no business driving on the back roads that aren’t fully cleared yet.”

  So much for not worrying about who was at fault just yet, as it would seem he’d already come to his own conclusion. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.” There was no defens
e she could give that would make any sense.

  Chad rubbed his forehead and then the back of his neck, lines of tension rippling across his forehead. “I’ve got to get the hospital. Leslie’s all I’ve got,” he said, his voice almost breaking.

  “She mentioned the caretaker. So I told Leslie I would come into town, and she thought you could set it up for him to come to get me.”

  “You?” he said, derision lacing his voice. “I’m Leslie's brother. If Charles comes here, it’ll be me going into town to make sure she’s okay. You’ve done enough.”

  “I get it, but it doesn’t change anything. I need to leave, and I’m going to see my best friend whether you like it or not. So please, get two rides off this mountain. Remember, she called me first.” Rachel needed to see her friend if only to make sure Leslie would be okay. Anything to make the gut-wrenching ache in her stomach disappear.

  Chad paled; his expression one of torment. He had seen awful events in his life, and this was sure to rattle him. His comments and reaction were based on the fear of something happening to his sister. And he hadn't been able to protect her any more than he'd been able to protect the children in a country torn by war.

  Rachel had gone too far with her comment. Her heart ached for the man standing in front of her, a deep pain reflected in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. We both need and want to see her. Hopefully, you can make it happen. Until then, I’ll be in the cabin.” Rachel turned and walked away, unwilling to say anything else. Guilt was eating at her, and Chad’s comments only made it worse—because he was right.

  Rachel warmed her hands by the fire, praying Leslie would be okay. Not five minutes later, she heard the back door slam shut.

  Chad entered the room. “Charles has two guys coming in on snowmobiles to take us into town. So be ready in one hour. And for the record, I talked to Leslie, and there have been no updates, but it was good to hear her voice.” The relief was evident in not only his voice but his demeanor.

  The cabin should have been a peaceful retreat after the wedding disaster. But, instead, it had turned out to be another disaster. One to add to a long and clearly, still growing list of poor choices Rachel kept making in her life.

  Eleven

  The snowmobile transport had been nothing short of a wild ride, one Rachel was relieved when they arrived at the caretaker's home. Maybe if she had been the one driving, it would have been more fun. But, instead, she’d hung on for dear life as they raced through the woods and back to the edge of civilization. Charles had been kind enough to loan Chad his truck, and the long ride back to Edgewood was nothing of a test of wills as they searched for small talk and failed for the most part.

  He turned into the visitor parking lot and drove each row, searching for a spot and pulling in when he found one. Side by side, his pace nothing short of a brisk walk, borderline run, they entered the big double sliding glass doors. Chad moved to the front reception desk, leaving her to follow.

  “Excuse me, my name is Chad McCarthy, and I’m looking to find my sister’s room. Leslie McCarthy. She was in an accident this morning, and they are keeping her overnight,” he said, his voice rippling with tension.

  The nurse smiled at him. “I’m not so old I don’t remember you, young man. Or you, Rachel Harrelson. Been in this small town too long, not to know.” She grinned. “Your sister is on the second floor. She’s doing fine last time I heard.’ The woman glanced down at her clipboard. “Room 222. Down the hall to the elevator, right turn when you exit.”

  “Thank you, Mary. You always did have a great memory as the school nurse,” Rachel said, helping Chad out as he tried to place the woman.

  Mary beamed, pleased Rachel had remembered. “Run along, you two. I’m sure Leslie will be glad to have visitors,” she said, shooing them away.

  Chad shot Rachel a grateful look, but one that quickly disappeared. “Okay, and thanks for the information.” He headed down the hall, leaving Rachel to follow once again.

  “Can we please put aside our differences for the moment? I’m not sure it will help Leslie,” Rachel asked, leveling him with a confidence she was far from feeling.

  He turned to her and shrugged. “Sure thing. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. It’s not all you, trust me.”

  Not all her still meant partly her, but at least some offered her a little more reassurance.

  Chad stepped back, allowing her to enter the room ahead of him. And given the fact he was her brother, it was a kind gesture that spoke volumes.

  Leslie glanced their way, a gentle smile lighting her face. “Hey, you two. I never thought you’d be able to get here today. What a great surprise.”

  “Of course, we’re here.” Rachel leaned down to kiss her friend’s forehead. “I’m just so sorry this happened.”

  “Stop. I keep telling you it’s not your fault. The other driver wasn’t respecting the road conditions, and the blame lands squarely on his shoulders.”

  Rachel glanced at Chad, hoping that some of this conversation was sinking in. It was bad enough she was beating herself up over the situation without him laying it on thicker.

  “Any updates on your condition? I can’t believe you wouldn’t call and tell me yourself,” Chad said, standing next to the bed, sizing Leslie up as if to reassure himself she was truly okay.

  “And I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you left the army and were back home. Makes us even, don’t you think?” Leslie countered.

  “Guess your brain isn’t rattled as much as they think, 'cause you’re still sharp as a tack with the comebacks. Some things never change,” Chad said, ruffling Leslie’s hair.

  “And some things do,” Leslie said, leveling him with a matter-of-fact look. “The CT scan came back clear. So now it’s just a standard concussion protocol, and they will keep me overnight. So relax. Besides, with no car and only one good arm, I’ll get better food service than I could at home.” Leslie laughed.

  “Clearly, you’ve not eaten hospital food any time recently.” Chad scrunched up his face in distaste and shook his head.

  “True. Maybe you could sneak me in some fried chicken and some macaroni and cheese. I can just taste it already. Pleasssseee,” Leslie whined, turning on her irresistible smile.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Chad shot his sister a smile and winked. “Now that I’ve seen you for myself, and you have a good report, why don’t I let the two of you talk. I’ve got some important calls to make.”

  Leslie nodded. “Good, because I need to talk to Rachel about a few things.”

  Chad left the room, and Rachel pulled up a chair, needing to be closer to Leslie.

  Seeing her did help—a lot. Other than the cast on her arm, she seemed to be doing well. “What can I get you? Do you need a drink? Or need the nurse for anything?” Rachel asked.

  “I’m well cared for, so stop worrying. Now tell me, what’s going on with you and my brother?” Leslie made a deep dive into the one subject Rachel wasn’t prepared to discuss.

  “Nothing. I told you that. We had a good couple of days together, but that’s it. You need to get Chad talking about the community center. It’s a great plan and the perfect way to help so many children who have lost a parent and need a mentor. His vision is amazing and will be a true blessing to the community.”

  Leslie eyed her more closely. “Sounds to me like Chad has made quite an impression on you. Sweet.” She grinned. “As to the community center, I love the idea. I also never knew my brother was a kid person, so that’s an interesting but nice change.”

  “The war changed a lot of things for him, I think. Don’t forget your promise to talk to him—after I’m gone,” she emphasized.

  Leslie nodded and took a sip of water. “I will. But it’s not like you aren’t coming back. Have you heard from any of the mission organizations yet?”

  “Some, but there wasn’t any vacancy on the teams. I’ve sent out a few more. Even one to the Alaskan Outreach Center. It’s always been my dream t
o go there, and they needed someone to help in the classrooms with the younger kids. It would be an amazing opportunity.” The first time she’d ever landed on the website, she’d felt a rush of adrenaline. Alaska. The great frontier. A place where wildlife photos and landscapes would abound. It was one of the demanded programs to get into, seeing as every other volunteer dreamed of going to Alaska.

  “Sounds it. But I still wish you didn’t have to leave again so soon. If you stayed, maybe Chad and you—”

  “Stop with the matchmaking. I’m not even close to ready for a relationship, and you, of all people, should know it.” Leslie wanted her to be happy, but she needed to understand that her happiness didn’t have to be attached to a man. Instead, she was ready to take charge of her life and make her own happiness.

  “Can’t blame me for trying. It would be perfect. Just think of all the fun we could have, and the holidays. Oh, they would be such a joy.”

  “Maybe so, but not my kind of perfect,” Rachel teased. “An overbearing guy who wants to be in control. No, thank you. And to pull off this community service project—he’s totally committed and in control.”

  A nurse came into the room. “How are you feeling, Leslie?”

  Leslie shrugged. “I’m good. A little tired, though.”

  “That’s normal. Your body has been through a lot, and it’s trying to fight back in the best way it knows how. Get some rest. I’ll give you a little sedative, and you can settle in for a good nap.”

  She shot Rachel an apologetic look. “Okay. I’m sorry, Rachel. I know you just got here, but I’m so sleepy.”

  “It’s all good. I’ll catch a ride to my house and come by to see you later.” Rachel leaned down and gave her friend a half hug, not wanting to hurt her.

  Leslie stifled a yawn.