"Okay, we'll swap when we get to your place."
Leaning forward, Zoe peered through the smoke, but having learned to drive in these very paddocks, she knew almost every dip and hollow. But where would Dad be? The top paddock? Or maybe the lower one? "Did they give any idea where he was?" Zoe glanced quickly at Harrison, his body taut as he held onto the grab handle with both hands.
"No, they just mentioned a fence line, that's all."
Zoe yanked the steering wheel to the left and planted her foot. The Hilux picked up speed as she pointed it towards the red glow in the distance. Finding the rough track she and Spencer used to ride their quad bikes on, she told her mind not to go there. She had to find Dad, and to do that, she had to focus. As the smoke grew thicker, she slowed down, the headlights barely penetrating the thick swirling mass in the growing darkness of the night.
"We should turn back, Zoe."
She glanced at him. "We can't leave them out here."
"It's too dangerous."
"I'm not stopping, Harrison. I can't leave them out here to die."
"We should leave it to the search team. What if we get caught in the fire?"
"We won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
She had no answer. But she'd made a promise to Mum, and she was going to keep it. Gritting her teeth, she prayed God would protect them and lead them to Dad and Peter.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Kevin moaned. His leg hurt like nobody's business. Jammed under the dashboard, no way was it budging. But worse still, the cabin of the truck was thick with smoke and he could barely breathe. He covered his face with his shirt—he had to stay calm. Please send someone, God. Please.
He drifted in and out of consciousness. Sometime later, above the sound of crackling undergrowth, he heard the rumble of a vehicle. And then a voice. Someone had come. Tears pricked his eyes.
"Dad! Dad! I'm here. Are you all right?"
Tears streamed down his face as relief filled his heart. Zoe had come for him. He was going to live.
"Dad, we're going to get you out of there. Stay with us, okay?" Zoe reached out to him through the smashed windscreen. She felt his pulse. Weak, but still breathing. She grabbed her water bottle and squeezed a few drops of water into his mouth as her eyes searched around the cab. Her heart fell. Peter wasn't there. "Dad, where's Peter?"
Dad moaned.
Harrison joined her, poking his head through the gap where the windscreen should have been.
Zoe glanced at him. "Peter's not here, but Dad's breathing. We've got to get him out."
"How are we going to do that?"
Zoe gulped. She had no idea. The truck was lying at an awkward angle, the driver's door jammed into the ground, and Dad appeared to be wedged between the steering wheel and the seat. The only way out was through the front, but how could they do that without knowing what injuries he had? Zoe had no idea, but they had to take the risk. If they didn't get him out, he could burn to death.
"Climb in and try to manoeuvre him out of the seat, and I'll help drag him out. Be careful with his leg."
"I'll try. It's going to be tricky."
Zoe met Harrison's gaze. "I know, but what else can we do?"
Harrison shrugged before picking his way through the glass and into the cab. The awkward angle made it difficult for him to get a footing, but he wedged himself between the dashboard and the passenger seat. He tried to lift Dad out.
Dad screamed, his eyes opening wide, reflecting the pain he was in. "My leg..."
Zoe quickly met Harrison's gaze again. It wasn't good.
"I'll see if I can free it." Harrison balanced precariously as he reached down Dad's leg. He looked back at Zoe. "It's wedged under the pedal."
"Can you free it?" Zoe climbed in as far as she could.
Harrison panted. "Maybe."
Dad let out a blood curdling yell.
Zoe held her breath. Seconds passed.
Harrison's head bobbed back up. "Got it."
Zoe released her breath. His leg must be broken, but what could they do? "Okay, lift him up and I'll help drag him through. Dad, can you hear me?"
Moaning, Dad gave a small nod.
"This will hurt, but hang in there, okay?"
"Okay." His voice was a ragged whisper.
Inch by inch, Harrison raised him up. The pain-filled groans coming from deep within Dad tore at Zoe's heartstrings, but they couldn't stop. Better to suffer short term pain than become fuel for the fire. Zoe ignored the pain in her own body as she took Dad's weight from Harrison and waited for him to climb out and help her lower Dad to the ground, all the while trying to support his lower leg.
Finally, they laid Dad on the ground. Zoe grabbed her water again and squirted several more drops into his mouth as she wiped away blood from his blackened forehead with a strip she tore from her shirt. She leaned over him. "Do you know where Peter is, Dad?"
His breaths came fast, and he coughed as he tried to speak. He shook his head.
Panic set in. Where was he?
They couldn't stay to look—they had to get away from the smoke, and soon. What damage was it doing to them all? She took a quick look at Dad's leg. No wonder he was screaming in agony. His foot sat at an odd angle.
"Let's get him into the back. We'll need to lift him carefully."
Harrison leaned down, and together they picked him up and placed him as gently as they could onto the back of the pickup.
"I'll sit with him while you drive. Best head straight to Glenville."
Harrison raised his brow. "Hope I don't get lost."
"It's that way." Zoe pointed through the smoke back the way they'd come.
"Right. It's clear as mud. Or should I say, smoke?"
"No time for jokes, Harrison." Her eyes met his brown ones.
"Sorry." He dipped his head, and opening the door, climbed in.
Zoe cradled Dad's head on her lap and prayed Harrison would drive carefully—no more ditches, please. As the pickup bounced along at a slow pace, her eyes peered through the growing darkness at the blackened paddock and the swirling smoke tinged with red. Where was Peter? She took some deep breaths. Lord God, please help us find him. You know where he is. Please be with him and lead us to him. Please help him not to be scared.
The farmhouse was in darkness when they passed by. Zoe shivered at the eerie sight. Normally the security lights would be on, but she guessed all power had been cut. They continued on, and soon after passing the house, Harrison turned onto the road to Glenville. Zoe kept wiping Dad's face but couldn't do anything about his pain. His groans grew louder with every passing minute.
The main street of Glenville was still filled with vehicles from the surrounding area. When Harrison double-parked in front of the Community Centre, Zoe, stiff and sore from sitting in one spot for so long, could barely move. Harrison reached in and helped ease Dad off her, and just as she was moving to help lift him down, a voice called out.
"Zoe, we were all worried about you."
She lifted her head. To her annoyance, her heart skipped a beat. Spencer was striding towards the truck. When would her heart listen to her head? She wasn't interested in Spencer Coleman anymore. She glanced at Harrison to gauge his reaction. His jaw was clenched.
"Where've you been?" Spencer almost sounded angry.
"Looking for Dad. We found him."
"There was already a search party out looking for him."
"I couldn't wait, sorry. Anyway, we found him, but Peter's still missing."
Spencer's face blanched. "He wasn't with your dad?"
Zoe shook her head as she carefully helped lift Dad to the back of the truck. She didn't trust herself to speak.
"Any idea where he might be?" Spencer asked as he and Harrison lifted Dad onto the pavement.
She shrugged. "He'll be hiding somewhere, and he'll be scared. I'd go, but I have to look after Dad." She climbed down onto the ground.
"I'll go, Zoe." Harrison said.
"I'll go with you." Spencer added.
Zoe raised her brow. "Okay. Check if his quad bike's gone. If it's not, good chance he's hiding around the farmhouse."
"We'll bring him back, Zoe." Harrison placed his hand on her shoulder as they crouched around Dad.
She lifted her face and her eyes met his—such determination she'd not seen before. Harrison had a purpose. Maybe he wanted to prove he could match Spencer's heroism. There was no need. He was her hero, he didn't need to prove it.
"Thanks." She gave him a grateful smile before he and Spencer strode off.
Zoe bent down on one knee and inspected Dad's ankle. It was a mess, but he was alive.
"Not looking good." An older voice that seemed vaguely familiar sounded above her.
She looked up—it was Spencer's grandfather, and he was crouching beside her.
"No, he's in a lot of pain."
"Let's get him inside. I'll grab a stretcher." Mr. Coleman senior disappeared inside and returned a few minutes later with a stretcher and several helpers. And Mum.
As Mum raced past the men, tears streamed down her face. She knelt down and cradled his head, showering kisses all over his face.
Zoe pushed back tears of her own. Never had she seen her mother be so open with her love for Dad.
"Where did you find him?" Lifting her head, Mum wiped her face with the back of her hand.
"In the back paddock."
"Peter?" She sounded desperate.
Zoe gulped and took a deep breath. "Harrison and Spencer have gone back to look for him."
Mum's gaze remained steady. "Let's pray they find him."
"I'm sure they will." But she wasn't sure at all—how could she be? But she prayed with all her heart he'd be found, safe and unharmed.
The men lifted Dad onto the stretcher and carried him inside, placing the stretcher in a corner where a temporary Triage centre had been set up. No doctors, just two nurses and one paramedic. A doctor was on his way, so they'd been told.
Zoe drew a breath. This is what she'd spent the last five years studying for. She may not have officially started her Internship yet, but she knew what to do.
"This is my dad, and I'm a trained doctor. Can you help me with him?" Zoe looked at the nurse who stood beside her.
"Sure, what do you need?"
"Ice, and something to splint his leg with, and some pain relief."
"I'll be right back."
Carefully loosening Dad's laces, Zoe felt his lower leg. Dad winced. She glanced at him. "I'm sorry, Dad, I've got to do this."
Zoe continued inspecting his leg while she waited. Mum stood beside Dad, holding his hand. His ankle was swollen, and although there were no protruding bones, the lump just above his ankle suggested he'd broken his tibia. No blood, thankfully.
"I'm so glad you found him, Zoe." Mum sounded relieved.
"So am I, Mum. He'll be okay—he'll need surgery, but he'll be okay."
The nurse arrived back with an ice pack, aspirin, two flat boards she'd found somewhere, and a crepe bandage. Zoe smiled at her. "You did well."
The nurse's face lit up. She obviously wasn't used to praise.
With the nurse's help, Zoe applied the ice pack and positioned the boards either side of Dad's leg, and then wrapped it carefully with the bandage. Basic first aid, but it felt good knowing what to do. "How's that feel, Dad?"
"Still sore, but better." His lips parted slightly, as if he were attempting a smile.
"We'll get you to hospital as soon as we can." Zoe raised her head and looked at the nurse. "Any ambulances available?"
The nurse shook her head. "Still waiting for one to return."
"How long?"
She shrugged. "Another half hour? It's a two hour round trip to Blackwell."
Zoe knew that all too well. The locals had been lobbying for a hospital of their own for years, but it had never eventuated. She smoothed the hair off Dad's forehead. Could he wait that long? The pain in his face had lessened a little, but she didn't like his colour, nor the way he was coughing and wheezing. Zoe's heart fell. She'd been so focused on getting Dad away from the fire and stabilising his leg she'd overlooked the damage he might have suffered from inhaling all that smoke. He'd survive a broken leg, but he mightn't survive smoke inhalation. She grimaced. How stupid! Leaning over, she listened to his chest. His breathing was irregular. She took a closer inspection of his mouth and nose. No visible burns. "Dad, have you got any pain in your chest?" She searched his face as she brushed his forehead.
He pressed his hand to his chest as he coughed again and shook his head.
Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. But still, he needed proper attention, more than what they could give him here. She looked up at the nurse. "Can you check on that ambulance?"
She nodded and then scooted away. Within minutes she returned. "It'll be here in less than ten minutes."
"Great. No-one else is waiting for it?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
Zoe turned to Mum. "Do you want to go with Dad or stay here and wait for news on Peter?"
"Oh Zoe, I don't know." She looked down at Dad and squeezed his hand. "I don't know."
"Go with Dad and I'll call as soon as we hear anything."
"I'll come with you, Ruth." Mrs. Coleman stood behind Mum, her hand resting on Mum's shoulder.
Instant relief showed on Mum's face. "Would you, Hilda?"
"Of course, Ruth. You need a friend with you."
Mum's eyes moistened. "Thank you." Mum turned her gaze to Zoe. "Let me know when they find Peter."
"I will, Mum, don't you worry. I'm sure they'll find him soon." But she still had no way of knowing that. A sudden image of Harrison and Spencer working together flashed through Zoe's mind. If the circumstances had been different, she would have smiled.
Harrison glanced at the man sitting beside him in the driver's seat. Never had he expected to be in the same car as Spencer Coleman, yet here they were, together and alone, speeding along a country road in the dark, on a mission to find Zoe's brother. At any other time and for any other reason, this just wouldn't have happened, but they needed to find Peter. Harrison found himself praying again. Strange, because he didn't really believe God would bother listening to him, given they had zero relationship, but it seemed the only thing he could do, and he did it without thinking. They really needed to find Peter alive and well. The alternative just wasn't thinkable. And besides, he wanted to do it for Zoe. God, if You can hear me, please help us to find Peter alive and well. Show us where he is. Thank you.
Harrison held on as Spencer braked harshly before turning into the entrance to Bellrae. The glow in the sky had lessened in the half hour or so since he and Zoe had driven down here with Kevin in the back, but the air, still thick with smoke, burned his nostrils and made visibility low.
Spencer flicked a switch and the whole area around them lit up.
"Wow. How many lights have you got?"
Spencer chuckled. "A few."
Although the light bounced off the smoke, they could still see a whole lot better than before.
"Any idea where he might be?" Harrison asked as he peered out.
"Got a couple of ideas. We used to play hide and seek with Peter, and he had his favourite spots."
Harrison fought back the jealousy rising in his chest. Spencer and the Taylor kids had known each other a long time—he had no right to feel envious of the times they'd played together. "How long have you known Zoe?"
Spencer chuckled. "Just about as long as I can remember. She's a good one, Harrison…look after her."
Harrison's eyes kept searching the dark for Peter. "I will, no two ways about that."
"She loves you."
Harrison's eyes widened as he turned his head and met Spencer's gaze. He could hardly believe he was hearing those words come out of Spencer's mouth.
"I mean it…she really does love you. You don't need to worry about me."
Harrison blinked. How had Spencer known?
&nb
sp; Spencer grimaced before returning his focus to the front. "I was foolish and lost her. My mistake."
Harrison cocked a brow, a sympathetic, but relieved grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your loss, my gain."
"You could say that." Spencer drew a breath. "Anyway, I've been thinking…I reckon Peter could be in one of two places." He pulled up in front of the darkened farmhouse but left the truck running and the spotlights on. "There's a tree house round the back, and there's the barn—both places he's been known to hide in for hours."
"Right, I'll follow you."
Harrison caught the flashlight Spencer tossed him and flicked it on. Coughing, he covered his mouth with his arm and prayed Peter was still conscious but he feared the worst. How could anyone survive this?
He followed Spencer around the back to the tree house. An image of Spencer chasing a laughing Zoe up the ladder flashed through his mind. He gulped. Focus on finding Peter.
Spencer climbed the ladder and poked his head in.
"Can you see him?"
Climbing back down, Spencer shook his head and raked his hand through his hair. "He has to be in the barn."
"Let's hope so." Harrison followed Spencer to the barn on the other side of the farmhouse.
The door was open, and they flashed their lights around. An old rusty tractor sat in the entrance. Behind it lay bundles of hay. One was open, and something about it made them take a closer look. Was there a sound? A hen clucking? Not an unusual sound for a farm, but none were visible.
They ran forward, and leaning over the railing, raked through the loose hay. Spencer pulled out a red hen which squawked loudly in his hands. He let it go on the ground.
Harrison rummaged deeper into the hay. His hand froze at the touch of a body. Peter. "He's here! Under the hay." Harrison jumped over the railing and dug further until Peter's body was in the open. He cleared Peter's nose and mouth and placed his ear against Peter's chest. "He's alive, but only just."
Spencer jumped over the railing, and together they lifted him back over and onto the ground, pulling his head slightly back. "Peter, can you hear me?" Harrison did two chest compressions.
Promises of Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance Page 12
