Saving Grace

by H. P. Munro

  Chewing on her lip as she thought about the prospect again, Charlotte blew out a long breath then smiled at Ellie. “And Erin. Right now I don’t know which one terrifies me more.” She moved towards the door.

  “Fun starts at ten-thirty, so you have until then to become vaguely human again. A few words of advice on how to survive today. Do not engage in conversation with my mother. Ever. Ellie, do not publicize that you’re a doctor or Emmett Day will have you checking something on him.

  “If you are offered a drink by anyone male or female that has white blonde hair, demurely refuse. I don’t care if you are dying of thirst, and it looks like the most innocent of iced tea. Chances are, the person offering is a member of the Jackson clan. They have the biggest pig farm around here, and are also the biggest makers of moonshine. One drink and you’re likely to lose your eyesight. Oh and if any of the Jackson men offer to show you their testicles”—she paused, then grinned—“aw hell, say yes, ’cause I promise you won’t have seen the like before.”

  She nodded and left the room, leaving her friends open-mouthed.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Erin slammed the door of the vet’s office and held her hands up in supplication to Cindy. “I know, I know. I’m late, but there wasn’t anything I could do.”

  Cindy raised an unimpressed eyebrow at her boss’s apologies. “What took you so long?” she huffed.

  “It turned out more complicated. They waited too long to call.”

  Suddenly she was aware that Erin looked worn out. “You okay?”

  Erin shook her head. “Lost both the foal and Rosie. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.” She’d enough experience not to get upset when she lost a patient, but she’d delivered Rosie herself, and she was finding it tough to take. “I’m just going to go get cleaned up. We need to swing past the house to drop Cooper off, then we’ll go. I promise.”

  Cindy waved her into her office forgetting all about the note on her pad.

  ***

  “Will you stop checking your watch every five minutes.” Molly nudged Charlotte with her elbow.

  Charlotte managed another surreptitious glance before she reluctantly dropped her hand. It had been going too well. Her mother so far had yet to make an appearance. Unfortunately, the same could also be said of Erin.

  The school’s playing fields were awash with picnic blankets and parasols while families enjoyed the warm sun. Molly, on the other hand, was not enjoying the sun or the humidity, and had doused herself in so much insect repellent that Charlotte was concerned about lighting a match anywhere near her.

  “You three remember what I told you?” Charlotte asked as they walked towards the fire pit.

  “Don’t accept a drink from anyone with white blonde hair,” the three chorused.

  “Good, ’cause I don’t fancy watching you having your stomach pumped.”

  She waved over to the various generations of Jacksons manning the fire pit and hog roast. Holding a hand to shield her eyes she saw her mother striding towards her and Charlotte swore her heart stopped.

  ***

  “Hey, Erin.” Sully waved his hands, beckoning her over. “You two look like you could do with one of these.” He held up a cup with iced liquid.

  “These better be virgin ’cause she’s on call,” Cindy said, nodding towards the cups.

  “Not a drop of fun juice went near it I promise.” Sully dragged his fingers across his chest. “Just pure iced tea courtesy of Alex.”

  Without turning around, he jerked his head towards where Alex was standing talking to the local Reverend. He leaned in closer as he handed the drink over. “Tell me, is she still talking to Reverend Jones?”

  Taking the cup, Erin nodded.

  “Good. You can’t go anywhere. Just stay here and pretend like we’re talking,” Sully begged, his blue eyes pleading with Erin.

  “Why? What you done now?” Cindy asked.

  “It’s not me, it’s Jess.” Sully lowered his voice so only they could hear him. “You know how the two of them never really hit it off.”

  “What, you mean after she shouted out in church if it was God’s house, where’d he keep his TV?” Erin crunched an ice cube between her teeth. “He can’t still hold that against her, she was five!”

  Sully nodded. “That was the start of it. The nativity play thing didn’t help none either.”

  Erin laughed. “What? She was just showing good ol’ southern hospitality by inviting Mary and Joseph into her inn, and offering her own bedroom.”

  Groaning at the memory, Sully rubbed a hand over his face. “If only it was that simple this time. Now it seems Jess is quizzing him on bible stuff, specifically on homosexuality in the bible. An’ she’s like a dog with a bone at him all the time.” He risked a glance over his shoulder and saw Alex glaring at him. He smiled sheepishly at her and shrugged.

  “You are a weak man, Matthew Sullivan.” Erin laughed, slapping him on his shoulder.

  “Or some may say wise. Anyways Alex is better at dealing with this sort of stuff than I am. Y’all heading over towards the games? They’ve got Teddy on the dunk tank. At least I think that’s what they said.” He stopped and screwed his face up. “Hell, with Teddy it coulda been the drunk tank.”

  Erin shrugged. She wasn’t much in the mood after her morning. Even the prospect of soaking Teddy couldn’t snap her out of it. “You best go rescue Alex, she wouldn’t leave you on your own.”

  Sully clutched his chest. “Oooo guilt?! Low blow, Hunter.” He waved them off and went to save Alex.

  Erin made the effort to smile and chat with townsfolk as she walked through the various stalls. She was grateful for the plastic cup of iced tea Sully had thrust in her hand as, when she wasn’t being sociable, she sipped merrily on the cold liquid.

  “You want to play some games?” Cindy pointed over to where stalls had been set up with fairground games.

  “You go on. I’m okay just wandering around.” She saw the doubt on Cindy’s face. “Honestly, go. I’m probably going to go find Sam and chew his ear off about my bathroom door.” She pushed lightly on Cindy’s shoulder. “Go. Win me something.”

  “Only if you’re sure,” Cindy said, already heading off towards the stalls and not waiting for a reply.

  Erin smiled as she watched Cindy skip off. She took another sip of her iced tea then went in search of her brother.

  Her route took her close to where the cookout was happening. She was pleased to see ol’ man Jackson hadn’t reneged on their deal, and the family were busy roasting a hog. It was then that she saw Virginia Grace striding across the grass. Erin snorted, wondering who Virginia had in her sights this time. Relieved it wasn’t her, she twisted her head to see who it was she was bearing down on.

  Until that moment Erin had never understood the phrase ‘time stood still’ but she would swear blind for an instant that is what happened when her eyes locked with Charlotte’s. Everything around her was a blur. The noise from the PA announcing the winners of the baking competition and the music from the high school marching band all faded into the background.

  Suddenly, the moment was ripped apart by a loud blast. People were screaming and yelling while Erin stood rooted to the spot.

  ***

  Charlotte’s instinct to run the hell away from her mother powering towards her like a steam train fueled by Chanel was overpowering. She’d turned to look for an escape route when her eyes fell upon Erin. All at once she forgot about Virginia barreling in her direction and what had been a search for an escape route became a road to salvation.

  She’d just stepped forward when an explosion from the fire pit blew her off her feet.

  ***

  “Take these an’ come with me.”

  Erin looked down in confusion at the pads being pressed against her chest. Her eyes followed the hands and arms shoving the medical supplies against her until she was looking down into Mack’s brown eyes.

  “You good?” the small nurse asked, shif
ting the pack she was carrying on her shoulder. “’Cause I need your help. Hold onto these dressings and put out your hand for me.”

  Doing what she was told, Erin looked down at the set of tweezers Mack had placed in her palm.

  “I need you to come an’ help.”

  Nodding, Erin tightened her grip around the tweezers. “But I’m not a doctor.” She looked around and saw various people sitting with cuts, looking equally as stunned as she did.

  “I got doctors coming out the wazoo,” Mack said as she marched them towards the first aid tent. “There’s a doc here from New York who’s triaging folks and Timothy and Maddie are taking the worst hit to the clinic, which seems to be mostly the Jackson clan and Virginia Grace. Though I think she was just hollering ’cause she ended up on her ass. I just need you to do first aid. Help clean cuts and the like. I’m not askin’ you to operate.” She squeezed Erin’s arm. “You’re a healer,” she said as she swept open the canvas door of the tent.

  “I’m a vet!”

  Mack nodded. “I know that. Jus’ don’t stick your hand up anyone’s ass.” She ignored Erin’s scowl as she held open the door and motioned for her to enter. “Not unless they ask you to anyhow.”

  ***

  “Erin?”

  Ellie frowned as she cupped Charlotte’s face gently. “It’s Ellie, Charlotte. Did you hit your head at all when you fell?”

  Charlotte shook her head. Apart from feeling a throb at her hairline she felt okay. “I’m fine honest.” She sat up abruptly. “Molly?”

  Placing a calming hand on her friend’s shoulder, Ellie gently stopped Charlotte from making any more sudden movements until she was sure she was okay. “She’s fine. We’re all okay,” she reassured. “We were far enough back from whatever it was.”

  She gave Charlotte another quick inspection. “Okay, there’s a first aid tent. Head over there, you’re going to need that cut seen to. Take Molly with you, she’s got some cuts too.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To see if I can help. Joanne’s already in GI Jane mode and triaging.”

  Charlotte allowed her friend to help her to her feet. “Okay, come find me when you’re done.”

  “Charlotte, you all right?” Molly asked, dabbing a tissue against a cut on her arm.

  Nodding, Charlotte guided Molly towards the first aid tent. “I’m good. Let’s go get cleaned up.”

  Thirty minutes passed, and they were still waiting. Much to Molly’s chagrin, Charlotte kept allowing people to go in front of them. She knew Molly was starting to lose patience with her hesitation. Finally, Molly had enough. When Charlotte made a move to wave someone in front of them she grabbed her arm.

  “Oh no, no more. We are next.”

  Charlotte was about to respond when Mack emerged from the tent and gave them a cursory look. Her head recoiled at the sight of Charlotte.

  “Well look what the cat dragged in. Welcome home, Charlotte.”

  ***

  A half-hour passed in a rush as Erin focused on cleaning wounds. Although the Jackson’s seemed to have taken the brunt of whatever had happened, there were a large number of people who’d sustained wounds embedded with small pieces of glass. She was putting a dressing on the arm of a little girl when she heard Mack’s voice.

  “Okay, the vet is just finishing up so you go to her, and I’ll take you.”

  “Vet as in ex-military medic?” A voice she didn’t recognize enquired.

  She heard Mack snort. “Vet as in animals. If it bothers you, I’ll take you. Erin, you got another head wound.”

  Erin nodded without looking up as she made sure the dressing was secure. “She should be okay. The cut wasn’t deep, and I managed to get everything out,” Erin said to the girl’s mother. “You were very brave, Maisie.” She smiled, lifting the girl down off the table.

  Standing straight the smile slipped from her face as she found herself looking at Charlotte.

  “You gonna help her or just gawk at her?”

  Mack’s voice snapped Erin back to the task at hand. She hoped she could remain professional enough to get Charlotte patched up and out of the tent so she could have a meltdown in peace. She yanked off her gloves and snatched another pair from the packet.

  “Sit down.” She indicated with her head as she pulled on the fresh gloves.

  Charlotte sat down meekly not taking her eyes from Erin.

  As soon as she sat, Erin could see dried blood along her hairline. Swallowing hard she reached out and touched Charlotte. As her fingertips gently brushed auburn hair aside, she hoped the lump in her throat would remain there and not come out in a sob.

  “You have some glass in there. Are you going to be okay if I try and get it out?” Erin was thankful her voice was strong and clear, belying the raging torrent of emotions she was feeling.

  Charlotte nodded. “I’m not very good with pain.”

  “I remember.”

  Using her fingers to hold back Charlotte’s hair, Erin inspected the wound further before using the tweezers to remove the tiny fragment of glass. Feeling Charlotte tense up further beneath her, she exhaled softly and pushed aside her own torment to try and get Charlotte to relax as she worked.

  “Remember that time when you thought you got bitten by a snake, and you were hopping around begging me to suck on your leg like Tarzan.”

  Scowling, Charlotte started to fidget in her seat until Erin’s hand on her head stilled her.

  “It coulda been a snake.”

  “It was a branch. I have never seen anyone make such a fuss. You were wailing an’ hollering you were gonna die.”

  She snorted. “Yeah what about that time—“

  “All done,” Erin interrupted, stepping away and stripping her gloves off.

  Tossing them into the waiting waste bin, she busied herself tidying dressings. She was determined to hold onto her emotions until Charlotte left the tent. She heard a quiet ‘thank you’ from Charlotte and the sound of her footsteps retreating from the tent.

  Mack glanced up as Erin studiously stacked dressings. “So Charlotte’s back.”

  Erin looked up and nodded. “Looks like it.”

  ***

  Charlotte stepped out of the first aid tent. The pain from the cut was nowhere as painful as the ache she felt in her chest. She had tensed from the first contact. Erin’s touch was so familiar to her that the emotional turmoil was almost too much to bear. After all these years and the first time she would feel Erin’s hands upon her would be under such clinical circumstances.

  For a moment, the years drifted away. Charlotte could have sworn they were teenagers once more, playfully bickering all the while their eyes making promises that would be kept later when they were alone. Then that feeling was gone when Charlotte realized what Erin had been doing. The moment wasn’t them slipping effortlessly back into the banter they’d shared before. Erin had merely been trying to distract her while she worked. She reached a hesitant hand up to her head and felt the small dressing covering the wound.

  “You okay?”

  She turned to see Molly’s worried expression.

  “I’m okay. Let’s go find your sister and Ellie.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Teddy peeked her head around the edge of the tent. “Someone told me the vet was in here fixing folks so I thought I’d see if I can get vaccinated for foot ’n mouth.” She grinned broadly stepping into the tent.

  Erin stretched her neck out, wincing as it popped. “Are you the last?”

  “Yup an’ you’ll be pleased to hear there’s nothing wrong with me.” She scowled at Erin’s raised eyebrows. “At least nothing first aid will do for.” She stepped aside as Mack entered the tent.

  “Claudia Roosevelt, you’re dripping all over the place. What in the hell happened to you?”

  Teddy slicked her wet hair back and twisted it to rid it of excess water. “The whole damned school is what happened. Mack, you and Harvey ought to think about getting Lewis into Little Leag
ue. The little shit has got an arm on him.”

  Mack chuckled. “He’s been practicing since the minute he heard you’d be on the dunk tank.”

  “Good to know. I’ll make sure he gets some more homework to take up some of that spare time,” Teddy replied with a wicked look.

  “You heard what caused it yet?” Erin asked.

  “Ol’ man Jackson hid bottles of moonshine inside the hog when he saw Harvey. Only the stupid old goat forgot to mention that to his kin. So they put it on the fire pit.” Teddy shook her head. “Damned lucky no one was badly hurt. I saw Alex on the way over, and she told me to tell you from Maddie that no one needs to get kept in at the clinic.”

  Mack nodded and exhaled. “Well, in that case, I’m gonna go enjoy what is left of the celebrations. Erin, thank you for your help. You did good.”

  Erin nodded and smiled as Mack left. She turned to look to Teddy.

  “Did you know?”

  Immediately, Teddy knew what Erin was talking about. “I thought I saw her but wasn’t sure. Ruth was meant to speak to you so you weren’t blindsided.”

  Laughing Erin shook her head. “Blindsided? I feel like someone just pulled the world out from under me.”

  “As someone who has spent the day literally having the seat being pulled out from under her, I don’t envy you.” Teddy put her arms around Erin for a hug.

  Accepting the hug, Erin rested her chin on Teddy’s shoulder. “You’re wet.”

  “Aww honey, you have really got to work on your pick up lines.” Teddy gripped harder as Erin started to squirm out of her hold.

  “There is something wrong with you. You know that, right?” Erin began to giggle as she wrestled with Teddy.

  Teddy gripped around her waist and hoisted Erin off the ground. “You only just figuring that out?” She dropped Erin back down and hooked their arms together. “C’mon there’s still plenty of day left, and you have friends that want to celebrate with you.”

  “What about Charlotte?”

  “What about her?” Teddy waved. “Let her spend time with her own damn friends.”

  Erin exhaled as she let Teddy lead her from the tent and back towards the main body of the celebrations. “Thank you.”