by Jennie Marts
She had missed so much of his life. She didn’t want to miss another day. Why had she hesitated when he asked her to marry him? Why had she been so stupid? She should have grabbed his hand right then and hauled him down to the courthouse.
The courthouse. Thoughts of Irma Jean filled her mind, and she wondered if this Halloran character could have been responsible for the assault on the clerk. Could he have been so desperate to find the man he assumed killed his father that he would resort to hurting an old woman?
And where was he now? He had to have been the one who cut the brakes on the car. He must have used that meeting as an excuse to get them up the pass then cut the brakes while they had been trying to get into the abandoned Waffle Inn.
How did he know Johnny would come with her? A horrifying thought came to mind of him grabbing her and holding her as ransom to force Johnny out in the open.
A smattering of cars had stopped on the side of the highway to watch the rescue attempt. Several people stood outside of their cars, and a few teenagers had their phones out, taking pictures or video. A couple of men had crossed to the firemen and offered to help, and Mac had enlisted them to stand by in case they needed assistance in the rescue efforts.
Edna inched closer to Mac. She nodded at the cars lined up on the highway and lowered her voice. “Do you think Officer Halloran could be one of these bystanders? He has to be the one responsible for cutting the brake lines. Would he be ballsy enough to be standing in this crowd now, watching?”
Mac scanned the crowd then shook his head. “No. I don’t see anybody that looks like he could have been a cop. Royce said he was in his sixties, a bit on the heavy side, tall, and still had some red left in his hair. I don’t see anyone fitting that description. But I’ll keep my eye out. I’m fairly certain that you’re right, and he’s to blame for the failed brakes.”
A loud groan of metal sounded, and all thoughts of Officer Halloran were forgotten. The sedan shifted a few inches as the fireman’s foot touched the roof of the car.
Guy had lowered himself down about eight feet but had misjudged the angle and was too far over the top of the car. He waved at his partner and yelled instructions. “I’m not far enough over. If I drop any more, I’ll hit the car. You gotta pull the ladder in a few feet so I don’t land on the roof.”
The older fireman crawled up into the cab of the fire truck, and the long ladder hummed as it retracted a few feet. The motion of the ladder caused Guy to swing in the harness, and his leg hit the side of the car.
Edna screamed as the collision caused the car to shift again. It dropped several feet, stripping the tree of branches. The air filled with the sound of cracking wood.
A hard jolt and the car wedged to a stop. The fireman worked quickly, lowering himself down to the window. He gingerly reached into the driver’s-side open window.
Edna could tell he was speaking soft and low to John, but she couldn’t hear the words he was saying. She hoped it was something like, “Hey, I’m Guy, I have the strength of ten men, and if you just hold on, I’m gonna get you the hell out of here.”
Fireman Guy leaned his whole body into the window. He must have been trying to release the seatbelt. The car groaned and shifted slightly. Edna raised her hands to cover her mouth. Please Lord, let him be alright.
She saw John’s arms reach through the window and encircle the fireman’s neck. One of his arms was smeared red with blood. She couldn’t see his head yet, but she heard his anguished cry as he shifted in the car.
Zoey had said his leg was broken. Tears filled Edna’s eyes as she imagined the pain he must be in trying to maneuver his body out of the car.
The fireman’s legs dangled in the air, the top half of his body concealed inside the car. Seconds ticked by as Zoey clutched at Edna’s hand.
Guy pulled John’s torso through the window. Streaks of blood covered his white hair and one side of his face. His head lolled forward, and after that last cry of pain, Edna was relieved that he had fallen unconscious.
The muscles of the young fire fighter strained as he pulled the older man’s body free from the confines of the car.
A horrible screech of metal sounded, followed by a loud splintering of wood. The car pitched and with a last groan, released its hold on the tree and crashed to the ground. It hit the mountain floor with a dull thud and rolled twice before it stopped. It rested upside down, the roof smashed flat.
Dangling from the ladder, spinning in the harness, Guy wore a satisfied grin as he held John’s slack body in his arms. He let out a triumphant whoop. “I got him! Now pull us in.”
The older fireman still sat in the cab. He retracted the ladder and slowly swung it around so Guy and John were dangling over the blacktop of the highway. They were still ten feet or so off the ground, and Guy used one hand to release the carabiner. The rope made a zipping sound as it lowered.
Mac and the EMT were there, waiting to catch John’s body. They gingerly reached for him then eased him down and onto the stretcher that the ambulance driver had waiting. Mac helped her to load John into the back of the waiting emergency vehicle.
Edna and Zoey clambered into the back of the ambulance. Edna’s tan slacks were torn and covered with black from the highway. Zoey’s face was smeared with dirt, and her mascara was smudged under her eyes from crying. Her shirt was stained with blood, already turning brown as it dried in the warm sun.
Mac gave Zoey’s leg a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll finish things up here then meet you at the hospital.”
“Thanks, Mac.” Edna picked up John’s hand and held it in hers. Please, Lord, don’t let him die. For the first time since he’d been back, he actually looked old, his normal vigor replaced with the fragility of an elderly man. Still unconscious, his face wore a pale sheen compared to the usual healthy tan of his skin.
The younger paramedic took his vitals and started an IV, all while calling into the hospital with the apparent injuries. “We’re bringing down the car crash victim. White elderly male, appears to be in his late seventies or early eighties, broken leg, several lacerations, possible head injury.”
Edna continued to pray, the words he spoke about John’s injuries forming one big blur in her ears. Looking down at the face that she had loved for over six decades, she prayed for the life of the man that she had thought was already dead.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was noon the next day, and Edna’s head lay across John’s chest. Soft snores sounded in the room, a chorus of John, Edna, and Havoc, who lay curled at the foot of the hospital bed next to John’s good leg.
Zoey sat curled in a chair in the corner of the room, reading the latest book club novel that she had found earlier in Edna’s purse.
The doctor had set the broken bone, and John’s leg now rested on top of the sheets, encased in a heavy white cast. He had woken up briefly the night before, just to smile and squeeze Edna’s hand, then the pain medication did its work, and he drifted back to sleep.
Except for a few minutes to use the facilities, Edna had not left his side. She’d pulled a chair up to John’s bedside and sat steadfastly with him for hours, holding his hand or smoothing his hair.
A large flesh-colored bandage covered the six or seven stitches sewn into his forehead. Edna had soaked a wash cloth in warm water and lovingly rinsed the blood from his hair, combing out the stray flecks that had dried there.
Zoey and the Page Turners had rotated through the hospital room, bringing her fresh clothes, meals, and a few toiletries to wash her face and comb her hair. Sunny knew that Edna never felt quite like herself without a tiny dab of lipstick.
They sat with her, prayed with her, held her hand, and offered the quiet love and comfort that only true friendship provides.
Jake and Sunny had snuck Havoc in the night before. Though most hospitals would frown on a dog in the room, this was a small town, and Edna had gone to high school with the emergency room head nurse. Why she hadn’t retired yet was a mystery to Edna, but she was gla
d the nurse was there and had turned a blind eye when Sunny had brought in Havoc. Even in his medication-induced sleep, Edna believed John could sense the comfort of the little dog.
Mac had shown up to the hospital within thirty minutes after their arrival. He’d stayed most of the night, sleeping on the waiting room couch.
Earlier that morning, he had driven Zoey back to the house and waited while she showered and dressed. They’d picked up donuts and coffees on their way back to the hospital.
Mac appeared to be acting strictly in a friendly manner, but Edna knew that his actions were also based on his official capacity. He was a cop first and foremost.
By his steady presence and the way he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, Edna could tell he was worried about her and Zoey’s safety. Cassie told her another police officer sat in the waiting room while Mac was gone with her granddaughter, more evidence of his concern.
A slight movement caused Edna to stir, and she lifted her head to see John blinking awake. She ran her hand down his arm in a gesture of comfort. “Hey, Johnny.”
His eyes scanned the room then found hers. A grin lit his face. “Hey, Eddy. Am I dead?”
“Not this time.” She grinned back. “You’re in the hospital, but you’re okay. You were in an accident with Zoey. Do you remember?”
He struggled to sit up, alarm rising in his voice. “Is she okay?”
Edna gently pushed him back against the bed. “She’s fine, John. You saved her life.”
Zoey climbed from the chair to stand next to the hospital bed. “I’m here, John.”
He turned to her, a look of love evident on his face. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
She smiled down at him. “Thanks to you.”
“What about the car?”
Edna laughed. “The car is not as okay. Once the fireman pulled you out, it crashed down the side of the mountain.”
“Have they found Donna’s son? He had to have been the one to cut the brakes.”
“No,” Zoey said, shaking her head. “They haven’t been able to track him down. And Donna seems to be missing too. No one back in Coopersville has seen her in days.”
“Interesting that she vanishes right about the same time that you appear,” Edna said.
The door to the hospital room burst open, and a woman wearing purple leggings and a rainbow-colored, tie-dyed tunic rushed in. Havoc jumped to his feet and let out a yip.
The woman appeared to be in her early sixties, her blonde hair streaked with white and twisted into a long braid running down her back. She looked wildly around the room, her eyes homing in on Zoey. “Zoey Shining Star, there you are. Thank the heavens you’re all right!”
She weaved around the end of the hospital bed and pulled Zoey into a tight embrace. Fussing over her cuts and bandaged arm, the woman kissed Zoey’s cheek with tenderness. “There, there, my darling girl. That will make it all better.”
The room filled with the smell of lavender and a hint of incense. The woman let go of Zoey and skirted the end of the bed to hug Edna, patting Havoc on the head as she walked by. “Hey, Mama. I got here as soon as I could.”
Edna reached up to hug her. “Hello, Moon. You didn’t have to come, but I’m mighty glad to see you.” Moonbeam must have inherited her father’s build. She stood a good six inches taller than Edna and engulfed her mother’s petite frame in her arms.
Turning to John, Edna was surprised to see tears welling in his blue eyes. “John Collins, I would like you to meet my daughter, Beth Moonbeam Allen.”
His daughter gently touched his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Collins. You can call me Moon.”
John swallowed and said, his voice choked with emotion, “The pleasure is mine, Moon. And you can call me John.”
“I think I will call you my superhero. Thank you for saving my daughter’s life.”
John nodded, unable to speak, the emotions of the moment playing over his face.
Sunny and Jake walked into the hospital room, breaking the awkward silence. Sunny’s face lit with surprise. “Moon! When did you get here?”
Moon embraced the younger woman, hugging her tightly. “I just got in. Thanks for taking my calls this morning.”
Edna looked dumbfounded at her neighbor. “You talked to Moon.”
“Only because you wouldn’t answer me,” her daughter said. “I tried calling you and Zoey both several times last night and couldn’t get an answer. I finally tried Sunny this morning, and when she told me what had happened, I threw some stuff in the car and hightailed it up here as fast as I could. I don’t know if I even packed any clean underwear.”
Her exodus sounded remarkably similar to Zoey’s. Like mother, like daughter. Actually, with her hippy-dippy lifestyle, Edna was just glad to hear that Moon even wore underwear.
“Sorry about that,” Zoey said. “My phone was in my purse, which is still in the car at the bottom of the cliff. Mac said he would try to find it when the wrecker pulls the car up.”
Edna nodded. “I had my phone, but it died sometime last night, and I didn’t have a charger with me.” She smoothed her daughter’s braid. “Sorry to worry you, honey. My thoughts were occupied with John and Zoey and making sure they were okay.”
Moon pulled her mother into another quick hug. “That’s okay, Mama. I’m just glad you’re all okay. I was worried sick.”
“Well, as it happens, I’m really glad you are here,” Edna said. “This way you can be my maid of honor at the wedding.”
Moon’s jaw dropped, and she arched her untweezed eyebrows. “Wedding? What wedding? Who the heck are you getting married to?”
Edna turned to John and picked up his hand. “This man right here, if he’ll still have me. He asked me a couple of days ago, and I haven’t had a chance to answer.”
She looked into his eyes, hers filled with every bit of love she could muster for the man who had stolen her heart sixty years before. “Yes, John Collins. I would be honored to marry you and finally be your wife.”
John grinned. “It’s about time. How soon do you want to get hitched?”
Edna checked her watch. “How does six o’clock grab you?”
“I may have a hard time waiting that long.”
Edna laughed. “All right. Make it five, then.” She looked at Sunny, who had her hands covering her mouth and fat tears leaking down her face. “Sunny, can you rally the troops and pull a wedding together in four hours?”
“You bet I can!” Sunny threw her arms around Edna in delight. “I’m so happy for you. The Page Turners will make it happen and it will be beautiful.” Pulling out her phone, she dialed Cassie’s number and grabbed Jake’s hand.
Edna heard her excitedly tell Cassie the good news as she led Jake from the room and hurried down the hall.
Moon stood in the same place in the room, an astonished look on her face. “Mother, what is going on? Have you finally lost your mind? Or did you just all of a sudden fall madly in love? I just talked to you last week, and you said nothing about getting married.”
“I didn’t know I was getting married last week.” She motioned to the empty chair in the room. “You better have a seat, and I’ll get you up to speed.”
Moonbeam moved the paperback and sat down in the chair next to Zoey. She folded one leg under her body and slumped in the seat, a skeptical look on her face.
For the third time in as many days, Edna told the love story of her and John Collins. John drifted off to sleep in the middle of the tale, but woke up again when she got to the part about the murder and John faking his own death.
Moon reached out and touched John’s hand, her mother’s words appearing to soften her skepticism and touch her sentimental heart. “That must have been so hard on you. I’m sorry for that.”
“So, you see,” Edna said, “I did not all of a sudden fall madly in love. I have always been madly, deeply, and desperately in love with this man. And my heart feels like it could burst with happiness at the thought of finally
being his wife.”
Moon arched an eye at her mother. “I’m not used to you showing this kind of depth of emotion.”
“I am not used to having this kind of depth of emotion. I am actually a little astounded myself at how happy I feel.” In fact, her heart was pounding, and she felt a little nauseous. She was either really happy or she needed an antacid.
“Well, I’m happy for you, Gram.” Zoey patted Havoc, who had jumped off the bed and into her lap during Edna’s story. She turned to John. “I think you got the raw end of the deal, but I’m so glad to see the two of you finally together.”
Moon nodded, big silver hoops swinging from her ears. “I’m happy for you too. And any man who would risk his life for my daughter certainly makes the short list of qualifications to marry my mother.”
Zoey was still looking at John, as if trying to read his expression. “I feel like I owe you so much, John. But you only met me a few days ago. Why would you risk your life for me?”
John looked at each woman, tenderness evident in his eyes. He gazed questioningly at Edna, who nodded, then he turned his eyes back to Zoey. “I would risk everything I have, everything I am for you. I would die before I let one drop of your blood spill, Zoey. Because the blood running through your veins is also mine. I am your grandfather.” He swept his gaze to Moon. “And you, Beth Moonbeam Allen, are my daughter.”
Moon sat motionless, a stunned look on her face. She turned to her mother, shock giving way to anger. “Mom? What is he talking about?”
“I’m sorry, honey. I was already pregnant with you when I married Frank. He married me to take care of me and his best friend’s child.” Edna looked down at her hands.
“And you were just going to keep this from me my entire life? Why haven’t you ever told me?”
“There was no reason to. I thought Johnny was dead. And in every other way, Frank was your father.”
“Mother, you are over eighty years old.” Moon’s voice rose in pitch. “You could have died and buried this secret with you. And never even told me. What if we would have had a health problem or been in the hospital and needed to know my true father’s health history?”
