Threads of Love

by Frances Devine

  She saw two men, one holding what looked like a crowbar, shove Dewayne into the muddy ditch. They both wore baseball caps, one blue and the other red. Dewayne sprang back to the road like a striking mountain lion, landing a punch on Red Hat’s chin. The man staggered back while Blue Hat struck with the bar, catching Dewayne behind the knees and dropping him to the ground.

  Zoe screamed and rushed forward. “Stop! Leave him alone!”

  Red Hat grabbed her arm and yanked her forward. Tobacco fumes washed over her. “Give us your money. All of it.”

  “I will—I’ll get it.” She hated the tremor in her voice. “Just stop hitting him.”

  Dewayne made a move to get to his feet, and Blue Hat whacked the bar across his shoulders, felling him like a tree. Sobs clogged Zoe’s throat as the man drew back a leg and kicked Dewayne in his side.

  “Stop! I’ll get the money. There isn’t much.” She pulled free and backed toward the Hummer. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of red and blue lights flashing as a police cruiser maneuvered around the stalled cars. A siren wailed. Thank You, Lord. As the men dashed away, Zoe ran and fell to her knees beside Dewayne.

  Blood trickled from a gash in his head. He groaned and opened his eyes.

  “Let me help you up.” She planted her shoulder beneath his arm, only for him to fall back to his knees. She needed help. “Stay here.”

  He nodded.

  Zoe sprinted to the squad cars and waved her arms. “Help!”

  Another traveler leaped from his car and stepped in front of her. “Lady, a lot of people need help. Wait your turn.”

  She ducked under his arm and ran to one of the officers, who was just getting out of the car. “Please, some men just beat up my friend. They tried to rob us.”

  The officer nodded, motioned to his partner that he’d handle it, and followed Zoe. “Did you get a look at the attackers?”

  “They wore baseball hats—one red and one blue. They wore flannel shirts and stained blue jeans. They ran toward the front of the line.” She swiped a hand across her tearing eyes. “My friend is Dewayne Hofford. I tried to help him get up, but he’s too heavy for me.”

  “How badly is your car damaged? Can you drive?”

  “It has a flat. Dewayne’s in no condition to change it.”

  “Did he lose consciousness?”

  She shook her head. “No, but he’s bleeding.”

  The officer—Zoe noticed the name Castell on his name tag—turned as an ambulance weaved its way through the traffic toward the front of the line of vehicles. Another followed close behind.

  Officer Castell pushed a button on his radio. “I’ll take care of this. Have the other officers arrived? Good. Send them after the ambulances, and I’ll need a tow truck.” He smiled at Zoe. “Now, let’s take a look at your friend. We’ll have you on the road in no time.” He waved at the closest ambulance.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure there are others hurt worse,” Zoe said. “But if the EMT can clear Dewayne, and we get the tire changed, I’ll drive him to the hospital myself.”

  “No problem, ma’am. Let’s see what we’ve got.”

  “What took you guys so long to get here?”

  “Mud slide buried the road about a mile back. We got it cleared, but traffic is backed up over five miles to get through this pass. We did the best we could.”

  By the time Zoe, Officer Castell, and a paramedic made their way to the Hummer, Dewayne had managed to scoot against the front bumper, his face pale beneath the blood trickling from a cut above his left eyebrow. Zoe tried to decipher the look he gave her. Whether of pain or frustration, she wasn’t sure.

  “I’m fine,” he insisted as a paramedic shone a light in his eyes. “Just need to catch my breath. There are dead people, children, they need your help more than I do.”

  “We’ve plenty of help arriving.” The paramedic felt Dewayne’s side. Dewayne winced. “Concussion and possible fractured rib. Not life threatening, but it’s hard to tell under these circumstances. You need to seek medical assistance.”

  Officer Castell sighed. “Ma’am, I’ll get the spare tire and have the tow truck move some of these vehicles so you can leave.” He speared her with a glance. “Are you sure you’re able to drive? You’ve got your own bump on the head to deal with.”

  “I’m positive.”

  “I can drive,” Dewayne insisted. “Just give me a couple more ibuprofen.”

  The paramedic shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  Officer Castell helped move Dewayne away from the Hummer. “I’ll change your tire, sir, you rest.”

  “It’s a regular-sized tire. I don’t carry one of those little ones.”

  “Even better.” He nodded at Zoe.

  She reached beneath the dashboard and released the latch so the officer could get the tire. How would she have managed herself if the officer hadn’t helped? Tears pricked her eyes. God never failed to come through in a pinch. Even when the need was out of the ordinary.

  While Officer Castell changed the tire, the tow truck crew worked on pulling aside vehicles that wouldn’t run and helping to start others that would. Paramedics ushered the walking wounded to a safe waiting area and moved the more severely wounded directly into the waiting ambulances.

  A paramedic reached into a car then pulled back, shaking his head before moving on. It seemed the dead had to wait.

  With the spare tire mounted in place, Officer Castell climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. The Hummer roared to life. “Good thing you managed to steer for the ditch. Some folks’ cars are too banged up to drive.” He closed the door and maneuvered the Hummer clear of the hill blocking the passenger door then climbed out. “I’ll have an officer meet you at the hospital to take your statement.”

  A few minutes later, Dewayne sat in the passenger seat, still insisting he felt fine enough to drive, and Zoe sat behind the wheel of the biggest vehicle she’d ever driven.

  Dewayne hunched in the passenger seat, careful not to make any sudden moves. Every time the car jostled, his head throbbed and stabs of pain shot through his side. Once clear of the multicar pileup, Zoe drove like a mad woman. Good thing all the cops were busy at the accident site.

  She kept her knuckle-white grip on the steering wheel and her eyes glued on the road. The sun streamed through the window, touching the ends of her hair with fire. He remembered the feel of her hair, alive in his fingers. He sighed.

  “Are you all right? Is the pain worse?” Zoe cut him a sideways glance. “We’ll be at the hospital in Trinidad soon.”

  “I’m fine. Don’t worry every time I make a sound.”

  “Stop saying that.” She rolled her eyes. “Why do you always have to be so … so macho? Those men could’ve killed you.”

  “But they didn’t.”

  “Thank God they didn’t. You helped a lot of people last night.” Her voice shook. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  She was right. If he were injured worse than he thought, and something happened, the tire, the work the police officer did getting them back on the road, all would’ve been in vain. Except for Zoe. She would’ve been okay. Back on the road to Colorado by tomorrow at the latest. She still had time to make her meeting with her cousins.

  “Just drop me off. You can borrow the Hummer. I’ll have one of my employees come and get me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. You went out of your way to help me, now I’m returning the favor. I’ll still make it. I’ve got two days.”

  “Day after tomorrow.”

  “That’s still two days. I can show up late on Saturday and still make it. We aren’t meeting until three, I think.” She flashed him a grin.

  “Okay, Pollyanna.” He returned her grin, the gesture pulling at the split on his lip. “We almost got there early.”

  “What happened, Dewayne? I woke up and two men were pounding you in the mud.”

  “That’s pretty much it.” Holdin
g his breath against the pain in his ribs, he shifted in his seat to get a better look at her. “I stepped outside for some fresh air, and they jumped me. Wanted all our money or they were going to bash in the windows. So I hit one of them.”

  “Why didn’t you give them the money? You can always buy new windows. You only get one head, hard as it is.”

  He shrugged. “It wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.” His actions weren’t based on whether or not he’d have to purchase a new windshield. The thought of what the men could do to Zoe if they wanted—if they put him out of commission—that’s what spurred Dewayne to take them on. From what they’d said during his beating, he figured they’d gone up and down the line of crashed vehicles, looting what they could, using violence if necessary. Maybe no one else had the stubbornness to stop them. Especially after the catastrophe they all had to deal with. Besides, he hadn’t wanted Zoe to have to deal with another stressful situation. So much for being her knight in shining armor.

  Here he was, wounded, barely able to move, and on his way to the hospital, while her face still showed signs of her tears, not to mention the beginning of a colorful bruise on her forehead. Had she cried over him?

  Conflicted emotions coursed through him. One of elation that she might be receptive to rekindling their relationship, another that she’d suffered through a horrible night. He closed his eyes. Remembering her life verse, he vowed later to ask her how God turned the multicar pileup into a good thing.

  Chapter 9

  After three hours in the emergency room, Zoe finally got Dewayne to take a painkiller and lie down in the hotel room adjoining hers. Now she stood in the doorway between the two rooms and watched him sleep, amazed at how much he still resembled the young man she knew from high school.

  A lock of hair fell forward across one eye. A two-day’s growth of stubble gave him that GQ look some men strived to attain.

  She slipped her hand into the pocket of her jeans and ran the ring through her fingers. She’d caught his calling her “baby” while she cried in his arms. Had the word slipped out from habit, or did it mean he still considered her his baby? She sighed. Too much confusion. Too many conflicting emotions. They needed to sit down and have a serious conversation. But not now. Not with him doped up on painkillers. She needed time to work up her nerve and let them both have clear heads when the conversation occurred. Maybe they could talk when she returned to Mesquite for her car?

  Stomach rumbling, she turned back to her own room and grabbed the keys to the Hummer. Locking the door behind her, she marched across the parking lot and took in the sight of Dewayne’s pride and joy bashed in on the passenger’s side.

  He had to be heartbroken. Good thing he owned an auto repair shop.

  Not familiar with the town of Trinidad, Colorado, she drove to the nearest fast food place and ordered two chicken dinners and two large Cokes. With the smell of fried chicken filling the Hummer, she drove back to the hotel.

  With her purse slung over one arm, one hand balancing a holder for drinks, and the other clutching the bag of food, she unlocked the door to her room and stepped inside.

  “Zoe!”

  “I’m coming.” She dropped her purse on the bed and carried their dinner into Dewayne’s room. His eyes were closed, blankets tangled around his jean-clad legs.

  “Don’t go.” He rolled his legs from side to side. “Why do you have to leave? Let me go with you.”

  He was dreaming. Talking in his sleep. They hadn’t had a conversation the night she’d left. Like a thief, she’d escaped in the dark, leaving him and the life she loved behind. She set the bag of food and the drinks on a small round table and approached the bed.

  “I love you, Zoe. Don’t you see that? I want to marry you.”

  Her heart stopped. She needed to wake him before he said more. Would he remember the words he spoke and be embarrassed? She touched his shoulder. He grabbed her hand, crushing the bones beneath his fingers.

  “Dewayne! Wake up, you’re hurting me.” She pried his grip loose.

  “Zoe?” His eyes fluttered open. “How long was I sleeping? I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.” He struggled to a sitting position. “This is why I never take pain pills.”

  She turned away, running her tongue over dry lips. “I’ve brought supper.”

  “Great. I’m hungry.”

  Thank You, God. He didn’t seem to recall a word he’d said. She closed her eyes, halfway wishing he had. “Is chicken all right?”

  “Perfect.”

  She handed him his soda then dragged the table closer to the bed. “Other than feeling run over, how are you?”

  “Fuzzy, and I’ve got a killer headache.”

  “Do you want another pill?” She glanced at her watch then made a move toward her room. The doctor had said he could take another if the pain was bad enough.

  “No. Sit down and eat with me.” He motioned toward a chair under the window. “Pull that closer, and we’ll share the table.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed.

  Zoe dragged the striped chair to the table. Pulling out boxes of chicken and plastic containers of slaw and potatoes, she grinned. “A home-cooked meal.”

  He chuckled. “Did you ever learn to cook? I remember the spaghetti you made once, when you put in cinnamon instead of chili powder. Yum.”

  “You’re teasing.” She remembered, too. It’d been terrible. “And yes, I did learn to cook, and learned well.”

  “You’ll have to prove your cooking skills to me sometime.”

  Did he mean it? He wanted her to cook for him? Like in the future?

  She brought a forkful of potatoes and gravy to her mouth and studied his face. Purple and blue decorated the receding bump on his forehead. Furrows, most likely from his headache, lined his brow. She looked toward the door adjoining their rooms.

  Here she was, a single gal with an attractive man, alone in his hotel room. Once, a few nights before high school graduation, they’d almost succumbed to their passion in their favorite “parking” spot. Instead, friends roared up, honking their horns, and saved Zoe and Dewayne from a mistake. She glanced at the bed.

  Dewayne caught her look and his eyes darkened. If he wasn’t injured, would they act on what had been interrupted years ago? No, not with their newfound faith. Even if they weren’t Christians, they weren’t ready for a physical relationship. Too many emotions needed to be sorted through. She jumped to her feet. “I’m really tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He grabbed her hand. “Wait.”

  She searched his eyes.

  “There’s no need to rush, Zoe. I know what you’re thinking. We’re safe. I’m in no condition for … that. Even if I were, I wouldn’t put you in that situation.”

  Maybe she was in no danger from him, but what about the other way around? What if she were weak enough to go against her moral convictions about what was right in God’s eyes? With the heated thoughts burning through her mind, retreat seemed the best option. She shook her head, picking up her dinner. “I should go. I really am tired and achy. A hot bath will help me sleep. See you in the morning.” She ran to her room and slammed the door, flipping the lock as if wild dogs chased her.

  She leaned against the paneled wood and closed her eyes. What an idiot she was! She’d shown Dewayne how she felt about him as effectively as if she’d put it into words.

  Dewayne smiled and grabbed another drumstick. Yep, she still had feelings for him whether she wanted to admit to them or not. He leaned back against the headboard. All he needed to do was get her to realize that fact and act on it. Not the way she could have by being in his room, but a kiss wouldn’t have hurt anything. Maybe he’d try kissing her tomorrow, when his head didn’t pound so much.

  The shocked expression on her face had been priceless. He chuckled at the way she scurried from the room like a mouse running from a cat. And he was the cat.

  The sound of a shower came from the room next door, reminding Dewayne how much
he, too, needed to clean up. He tossed his half-eaten chicken leg onto the table then gingerly pulled his T-shirt over his head. He might as well take care of hygiene while nausea from his concussion was momentarily relieved.

  He’d just settled his aching body in a tub of water as hot as he could stand when the shower shut off next door. What would she put on? An oversized T-shirt like she used to wear? He’d stopped by her home early one morning years ago. His teenage heart had almost stopped at the sight of Zoe’s tanned legs beneath that faded shirt. Or did she actually wear pajamas now? Dewayne closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the tub. He shouldn’t allow his thoughts to run in such a direction. The Bible advised taking each thought captive.

  Using his toe, he turned off the spigot. Slowly, the water soothed his aches and pains. If only it could soak into his head and his heart and clarify which direction he ought to go. His heart wanted Zoe. His head said he’d get hurt again.

  Theme music from a sitcom vibrated through the wall. Would Zoe be offended if he knocked and asked to join her? Most likely. They’d spent a lot of time together the last few days. He’d let her be.

  Dewayne jerked awake and shivered. He’d fallen asleep in the tub and now sat in water as cool as the room. He clamped his chattering teeth and reached for a towel. The room next door was silent. His head pounded and spots danced in front of his eyes.

  It wasn’t until he’d dressed for bed in a pair of worn-out basketball shorts that he realized Zoe had his painkillers. He slipped on a T-shirt and padded to the door separating their rooms. He rapped three times on the laminate door.

  Zoe opened the door, wearing an oversized shirt and cotton shorts, her hair mussed and still damp from her shower. “Are you okay?”

  “I need a pain pill.” He leaned against the doorjamb. “I fell asleep in the tub and woke up with a killer headache.”