Page 103 of Lost Truth
“That’ll be the ambulance I requested for Ivers. He crashed his dune buggy a few miles down the path and flew off it. He’s unconscious and needs medical attention.”
“You should’ve led with that.” She shoved her notepad and pen into the pocket of her vest. “I don’t have time to call for backup, and I can’t leave you here, so I have no choice but to take you with me to the accident scene.”
She spun and waved Pruitt over. “I need a vehicle for off-roading. Needs to hold two people.”
“Follow me.” Pruitt gave Cady a scathing look and marched toward the SUVs parked on the far side of the pit.
Two medics charged into the space, and Booth waved them over. “The injured man is on one of the off-road paths a few miles away. The only detail I have is he’s unconscious after flying off a dune buggy. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. You’ll either need to walk or use a vehicle like this one to get to him.”
“The vehicle would be faster,” the burly medic with a bald head gleaming in the sun said.
“I’ve got you covered.” Pruitt stepped over to the next vehicle. “You can take this one.”
“Grab a backboard,” the medic said to his partner, and she sprinted away.
“Get in.” Deputy Booth pointed at the passenger seat of her vehicle.
Despite his animosity, Pruitt handed her a helmet.
“Thank you,” she said. “Once you learn what’s going on, you’ll understand our behavior.”
He just shook his head.
Another helmet was on the seat, and Booth put it on. Cady slipped into hers, too, and settled into the small vehicle to buckle her seatbelt.
The female medic returned, carrying a backboard, which she and the other medic strapped to the ATV.
Booth gunned the engine, and they shot off with a spurt. Up and down the waves of dunes they rode, Cady’s stomach rolling at the swooping movements. She tried to enjoy the beauty unfolding around them but kept her focus pointed ahead until she spotted Hayden sitting by Ivers’s body. Ivers lay unmoving, but Hayden bolted to his feet and started waving his arms.
“That’s Hayden!” Cady raised her voice to be heard over the throaty engine.
Booth slowed as they approached the body. Hayden remained in place even when they stopped and climbed out.
Cady didn’t care if the deputy was with her. She whipped off her helmet and ran over to Hayden to throw her arms around his neck and hug him hard. She leaned back and raised her voice above the sound of the medic’s vehicle coming to a stop nearby. “The accident looks bad. Real bad. I’m so glad it’s not you.”
“I’m fine.” He smoothed the hair away from her face. “It’s Ivers and his family we need to pray for.”
Pray for Ivers? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Not yet, anyway, but she offered a sincere prayer for his family.
She touched the side of Hayden’s face. “When you told me to call an ambulance, I almost hit the ground. Just the thought of you being hurt and losing your life showed me where my priorities should be. Not trying to be some big-time reporter, but being with you if you’re ready to start a relationship.”
He smiled softly, sweetly. “I’m ready.” His expression turned serious. “I’d kiss you right here to seal the deal, but it seems inappropriate with this man fighting for his life.”
She looked at Ivers, surrounded by the paramedics as they put a C collar on his neck before turning him over. “Do you think he’ll regain consciousness?”
“I sure hope so. He’s our only hope to find Kai.”
Guilt ate away at Hayden as he took a seat at the conference table for a late dinner. He’d taken one of Reece’s famous, grilled-to-perfection cheeseburgers and put it on his plate, along with her equally famous potato salad. Not that he had any appetite. Not at all. His stomach was still in knots over the accident and Ivers’s medical condition. Maybe he shouldn’t have charged off half-cocked to question Ivers.
“Man, oh man!” Gabe looked at Reece, hero worship in his eyes. “You’ve outdone yourself. The best burgers you’ve ever made. You’re giving Submarine Burgers a run for their money.”
“Oh, dear, sir.” Reece fanned herself with her hand. “I do declare your compliment has given me a case of the vapors.”
Gabe threw back his head and roared laughter. “Looks like Betty Lou wants to get in on the compliment too.”
Reece and the others chuckled, likely what she was going for to eliminate the subdued mood in the room.
“Save room for dessert. I’ve got a pan of fudgy caramel brownies just waiting to be cut.” She sat down to her own dinner, and the group fell silent.
