Love & Family: Thanksgiving (Holidays In Hallbrook Book 2)

by Elsie Davis

  “Thanks. Don’t worry, Gemma. I’ll get him back for you.” His words implied a solemn promise, and they were words she desperately wanted to believe.

  “Okay.”

  He hopped off the rock and turned left to follow the path down around the quarry to the area he pointed out. Once he was out of view, she glanced down at Brody. She hated feeling helpless. Brody’s sad puppy-dog eyes as he looked at her, left her heart aching. He had to be wondering why she wasn’t coming to get him. Tears welled up in her eyes, making it hard to see. She brushed them away with the back of her hand. Crying was useless, and she needed to stay strong for Brody.

  Ten minutes later, she noticed a glimmer of movement off to the far right, down close to the water. Chad. He’d made it down the embankment and followed what appeared to be a fox run for a short way before he started to climb the rocks to get to Brody. He used the trees as support, pulling himself up higher and higher.

  It seemed as if hours had passed since she first arrived back to discover Brody missing, but it had only been about forty-five minutes. Chad was getting close. Brody picked up his scent or heard his movement, and his tail started wagging. He edged forward toward whoever was coming, slipping a little before he stopped and let out a whine.

  “Sit, Brody!” The dog obeyed the command but looked up at her in confusion. “Good boy.”

  Her dad was less than twenty feet away now, but it was straight up. “Can you get there?” she called out.

  “I think so. What’s it look like from up there? Can you tell which way I should go next?” He was asking for help. Her heart melted a teeny, tiny notch.

  “Try to go up the crevice just to the right of you. You can use the two trees to pull yourself up. Be careful.” One slip and he could plummet into the quarry. She doubted anyone would survive the fall, not with the rocks they’d hit along the way. Her dad was risking his life to save her dog. Apparently, he wasn’t all bad. Her heart cracked open another inch.

  “Thanks. I got this. Good call.” She’d dreamt of hearing words of praise from her dad for so long, she couldn’t help the inner twinge of satisfaction they made her feel.

  Her dad pulled himself onto the area where Brody had landed, and the dog shot forward to greet him, excited, and out of control. Chad threw himself on top of the dog and wrapped an arm around one tree. She could hear him talking to Brody but couldn’t make out the words. The dog settled down, so whatever Chad had said worked. Her dad sat down next to Brody, running a hand over the dog’s legs and paws, and down over his belly and hips, to check him out

  “He seems okay,” he hollered. “Scared, but okay. Our problem is going to be getting out of here. I don’t think there’s any way I can get him back the way I just came without him taking the both of us over the side. He’s too wound up.”

  Gemma tensed. Half the battle was over, but the hardest half was yet to come. She took a deep breath. “Tell me what you need me to do.”

  “Don’t freak out, but I need you to call 9-1-1. Our rescue squad is an awesome group of people, and I know most of the guys. Tell them you’re at my place and explain the situation. They know the quarry, and they’ll know what to bring.”

  No one ever planned to call 9-1-1, and she was no different. Never in her wildest imagination would she have concocted the scenario playing out. Brody and her dad were safe for the moment, and it was up to her to make the call to hopefully bring them both back to safety.

  “I’m on it.” Gemma pulled out her phone and dialed. After she explained the situation, the dispatcher promised the volunteer rescue squad would start arriving within the next ten minutes or so. All she had to do was wait. Some of the tension holding her captive let go.

  “They’re on their way,” she called down to her dad.

  “Thanks. It’ll be okay, I promise.” Spoken by the man stuck on the side of a cliff with a slightly excitable dog.

  She shook her head in disbelief at his unwavering confidence in the situation.

  Gemma gazed out across the open expanse of trees, their fall beauty from this vantage point magnificent. With Thanksgiving two weeks away, she’d have much to be thankful for if the rescue was successful. She said another silent prayer, knowing her faith would help her through this. A sense of peace filled her, calming her nerves. Everything would be okay. Her father promised, and he couldn’t let her down. Not after all these years.

  Less than ten minutes later, she picked up on the sound of a vehicle coming up the gravel drive. “I’ll be right back. I think someone’s here,” she hollered down to Chad.

  Gemma climbed off the rock, slipped on her shoes, and headed for the house. She hurried through the inside and crossed through to the front door. Just as she suspected, the first of the rescue workers had arrived. A black Dodge pickup truck pulled up next to the garage and parked. Gemma started down the stairs, anxious to talk to the rescue worker and get things rolling.

  Sirens wailed in the distance. Her stomach clenched, the reality of their destination a hard and fast reminder of the dangers they faced.

  The door of the truck opened, and a man slid out. Tall, mid-thirties perhaps, in khakis and a long-sleeve dress shirt. He had a duffle bag slung over one shoulder and what appeared to be a medical bag in his hand. The man took the steps two at a time, meeting her at the midway landing.

  “Thanks for coming so fast.” She held out her hand in greeting. Warm brown eyes met her gaze as he returned the handshake.

  “No problem. I just left the clinic, and Chad’s a close friend of mine. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else other than here to help. Do you mind if I change clothes?”

  The sincerity in his voice matched the warmth of his gaze. Even in her three-inch heels, the man towered above her five-foot-eight frame. His dark hair was brushed to one side, giving him a rakish appearance. Short sideburns and an afternoon shadow on his face completed the image.

  “Sure thing. They’re out back if you want to come and assess the situation before the others get here. There will be others, right?” She assumed the sirens were headed there but needed confirmation.

  The man chuckled. “Lady, in less than ten minutes, this place is going to be overrun with vehicles. Real estate becomes really valuable when the rescue squad and fire department show up. Name’s Jake Duncan. I’m the local doctor in town and a member of the rescue squad. Don’t believe we’ve met, although you seem familiar for some reason.”

  “Gemma Watson. And it’s my dog, Brody, that got them into this mess.”

  The doctor tensed. And even if she’d missed his initial reaction, no one could argue the frown line across his brow or the tight pencil line of his lips that echoed his displeasure. Seconds seemed like forever when he didn’t say anything.

  What was his problem? If he was mad because it was her dog, then the guy had passed judgment without all the facts, making him a total jerk. Doctor or no doctor. It’s not as if she was in control of Brody when it happened. That responsibility landed squarely on Chad’s shoulders.

  “If you’re friends with Chad, I’m sure you can find a room to change without my help. I’ll wait for the others.”

  Without a word, the doctor turned and strode inside the house. Returning in minutes, he dropped his duffel bag on the porch just as several other vehicles flew up the driveway, shooting dust everywhere. They skidded to a stop in the gravel.

  “Looks as though it’s time to get to work.” His once-friendly voice was now cold and businesslike.

  Dr. Duncan walked back down to meet the others. More vehicles pulled up as the men gathered together. An ambulance arrived, sending shivers down Gemma’s spine. She hoped they wouldn’t need medical assistance. By the time Dr. Duncan returned back up the stairs, he was followed by six or seven others.

  “Can you show us where they are?” Dr. Duncan’s question cut off any chance at friendliness with the new arrivals.

  “This way.” His change of attitude irritated her, but since she wasn’t there to make friends wit
h the arrogant country doctor or his country friends, she had no qualms dishing his coldness right back.

  She led the group through the house, out the back door, and to the rock. Gemma stopped to slip off her heels. Having already climbed up on the rock, the doctor held out his hand to offer his assistance. He might not like her, but chivalry wasn’t dead. She took his hand and let him pull her up.

  There were warmth and strength in his grip, and it made her feel safe, more so when he didn’t release her hand right away. The cold rock dug into the softness of her flesh, but she refused to show any sign of weakness.

  The others climbed up to join them. Kneeling by the edge of the cliff, she pointed to where Chad and Brody waited.

  The doctor knelt next to her, his hand protectively on her shoulder. “Chad, it’s Jake. Everything okay down there?”

  “Yeah. Boy, am I glad to see you. I’ve got the dog under control, but there’s no way to get him out of here. It’s probably easier if you use a harness and pull us up. The other option is lowering us to the water, but it’s still at least a hundred feet down, and a lot can happen between here and there. What do you think?”

  “I think you’re a crazy old fool to have gone after a dog on the side of a cliff. But besides that, I agree, we need to pull you up. Just hang tight, and I’ll get the guys to grab the harnesses and set up the pulleys and ropes.”

  “Gotcha. I’m not going anywhere.”

  The doctor’s words confirmed he wasn’t pleased it was her dog that sent the famous Chad Andrews rock climbing and putting his life in jeopardy.

  “Maybe you should come back from the edge and off the rock. The rescue squad can take it from here.” The doctor stood but hadn’t let go of her arm and was gently tugging her upward.

  “I’m fine. I’ll move before I’m in the way.” Her feet were freezing, but other than that, she was fine, but it wasn’t something she’d tell him.

  “But the last thing we need is another rescue on our hands.”

  “I want to be here to give Brody reassurance. He doesn’t know Chad.”

  The doctor’s expression grew tenser. Less friendly. But it was his problem, not hers. He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Suit yourself.” Dropping his hand, he moved away and stepped down off the rock.

  “Okay, guys, this is what we’re dealing with. Chad and an adult size dog, maybe eighty to eighty-five pounds, are lodged on a small area in the side of the cliff. We’re going to have to do a mountain side rescue using the harnesses and a wench. We can pull them up.” He stopped speaking and scanned the woods, then turned back to her for a brief second, as if to reassure himself she hadn’t fallen over the edge.

  “We can use this tree.” He pointed to the largest one closest to him. “It’s far enough back to give us room to get a team of six or seven guys pulling.” The doctor continued to give out directions, and everyone murmured in agreement. Another rescue worker showed up, and the men waited as the newcomer was appraised of the events. They all looked at her, and then the new guy climbed up on the rock.

  “Ma’am, you really should stay back and join the others by the house.” The newcomer seemed to be the one in charge, but it didn’t change anything.

  “I’ve been told as much, but I’m not moving until you all are ready. I won’t get in the way. That’s my dog down there, and I’m trying to help by keeping him calm.”

  “I understand. It’s not protocol, and we don’t advise it, but I can’t make you do something you don’t want. Just don’t get too close to the edge.”

  “Thanks.” At least this guy had been a lot friendlier and gave her credit for having some common sense when she objected to his suggestion. She had no intention of getting in the way or becoming a victim in the rescue.

  The man returned to the group, and shortly after, the group dispersed, presumably to get their equipment.

  Six more people showed up. They kept close to the woodpile, out of the way. There were a couple of women, an older man with a young boy, and a few teenage boys. It had to be family members of the squad who were here to watch the rescue. She hadn’t counted on being the local entertainment.

  The place was crawling with the rescue team and fire department, just as the doctor had predicted. Gemma walked off to the side, just past the hot tub, next to a few trees she could hold on to while watching the action.

  Ropes were sorted. Straps stretched out. Lines were tested. The wench was hooked up. More rescue workers flooded the area. Between workers and watchers, there were over twenty people in attendance. It was amazing that in such a short amount of time, this many people stopped everything they were doing to either help or to watch those helping.

  The doctor came to stand next to her. “I’m gonna need you to step back now out of the way. Why don’t you wait on the porch or with the others by the woodpile?”

  She didn’t like his condescending tone. “I’m out of the way of the rescue team, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ve already told you that’s my dog, and I want to be right here for him.”

  “Suit yourself.” He glanced down at her feet.” “If you get bit up by chiggers or red ants, you’ll be singing a different tune. Barefoot in the woods is asking for trouble. By the way, there’s also a man down there, in case you’ve forgotten. He’s our number one priority.”

  “I don’t know what your problem is, but your attitude needs some serious adjustment. You might be some hotshot doctor, but it doesn’t give you the right to talk to me as if I’m stupid.”

  His eyes darkened. “Lady, I don’t have a problem. I’m just a guy trying to save his friend. And I don’t take kindly to a silly city girl, trying to get in the way of a rescue operation.”

  Any answer she might have given was cut off when two workers approached.

  “We’re just about ready, Jake.”

  “Okay. Let’s do this.” Jake and the others walked away.

  How dare he think she wasn’t considering the dangers to Chad as well as Brody. Gemma grabbed her shoes and walked closer to the house onto the stone walkway, the odious doctor’s warning about bug bites enough to make her heed his advice, but she remained close enough to be on hand when they brought Brody and her dad to the top.

  Her gaze landed on the man in question. She was surprised to see him strapping on a harness. Surely, he wasn’t the one going over the edge of the cliff. Who would be in attendance if anyone was hurt? There was a lot of gesturing and pointing going on, and heavy discussion between all the men as they ironed out the details.

  It wasn’t long before eight men hooked onto the rope that was connected to the wench, getting ready to feed the line down, inch by inch. Several others had left and were now stationed on the peninsula across the quarry, watching and radioing back their observations, the crackle of their walkie talkies coming to life periodically.

  She held her breath as the doctor lowered himself over the edge with only the ropes hooked to his harness to keep him from plunging to his death. She took a few steps forward and stopped. It wasn’t as if there was anything she could do, and everyone was busy doing their job. Hers was to wait. The minutes passed, each one more stressful than the last. The rescue team let out more and more rope.

  Gemma glanced at the families of the rescue workers. Loving supporters of the men who responded to emergency calls. Men who responded on a volunteer basis, putting themselves at risk to help others. The little boy of about four was being held by an older man, more than likely, judging by the gray hair, his grandfather.

  The boy pointed at everything, asking questions. He had an adorable habit of grabbing his grandfather’s chin and turning it in his direction to get his attention. The older man’s smile was reassuring.

  Gemma noticed the hearing aids in the boy’s ears, and her heart melted. She hoped it was nothing permanent, but at least he had a way to hear the world. She wondered which one of the workers was blessed to have such an adorable child, full of smiles and joy.

  One of the men approached her.
“Ma’am, are you Gemma?”

  “Yes.”

  “Unfortunately, we don’t have a dog harness. They are going to make a sling with ropes. Chad says there’s a life jacket in the garage hanging on the far wall. Would you mind grabbing it for us? They want to wrap it around the dog to keep the ropes from cutting into him and slipping off his body on the way up.”

  “Gotcha. I’m on it.” The image had been enough to make her pull off her heels for the third time, dropping them on the porch as she ran back through the house and down to the garage.

  The life jacket was right where Chad indicated. Turning to leave, Gemma spotted several boxes piled on the shelves at the back, overflowing with what appeared to be trophies and banners and signs. Who knew what else was in the boxes? Why would Chad have all the accolades he’d worked so hard for stuck in the garage. He’d given up his daughter to chase his dream, and this is what it amounted to? Garaged junk.

  She raced back up the stairs and through the house, handing the life jacket to the man.

  “Thanks.” He smiled and walked off.

  The image of the boxes flashed in her mind. It didn’t make any sense, but as much as it made her want to ask questions, she wouldn’t. She was leaving, and it was better if she didn’t get to know Chad as anyone other than the dad who didn’t want her.

  The rescue workers’ raised voices caught her attention. If something was wrong, she wanted to know. Mindful of where she walked, she approached some of the men near the rock.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Well, ma’am, there appears to be some discussion of who to send up first, the dog or Chad. Our normal policy would be to get Chad up first, but he’s refusing to come. So, it would seem your dog will have the honors. They’re about to pull him up now.”

  “He’s a golden retriever and a big dog, but still a puppy at heart. When they get him up here, he’s going to be scared—and probably a lot of crazy. Everyone needs to make sure he’s well away from the edge before they unhook him, so he doesn’t accidentally fall back off the cliff in his excitement.” Gemma knew how hard he could be to manage when he was excited, and with all these strangers, it would be even harder.