Page 3 of Savage Heart

Being at Harrington Ranch with my family and all the people who work there—it’s my favorite place in the whole world. I’ll miss it so much while I’m away. I’ve never had a desire to get out of here. Ironwood is home.

I look around again for Lincoln or Iris but still don’t see them.

A car pulls into the lot, and I only notice because the tires come to a screeching stop.

Sam Price gets out and yells, “There’s been an accident! Lincoln and Iris had a wreck!”

All the blood drains from my face, and I rush toward him.

“Where are they?”

“They’re in town, near Sweetgrass Market,” he says. “I didn’t see it happen, but the car didn’t look good.”

“Was anyone helping them?”

“The police were there, and I think an ambulance was coming.”

“Can you drive me over there? I’ve been drinking.”

He shakes his head. “Sorry. My mom yelled at me while I was on my way here. I have to get home.”

I pull my phone out with shaky hands. It’s going to be all right. They’re going to be okay. Why didn’t they tell me they were leaving?

Grady answers on the second ring. “Hey, need a ride?”

“Yes. Lincoln and Iris were in a wreck.”

“Oh shit. You still at the Jensen place?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m on my way.”

He comes just as promised. I’ve tried calling both Lincoln and Iris, and neither of them answer.

“Hey,” he says as I get in the car. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even know they’d left.”

“Mom said they’re going to the hospital.”

I look at Grady. “Did she say how bad it was?”

“No, sorry. I don’t think she knew that yet, but I was just trying to get here fast.”

“Thank you for coming. Fuck . . . neither one of them should’ve been driving.”

We get to the hospital, and my parents are in the waiting room.

“Oh honey, thank God you’re okay. At first, I wasn’t sure if you all rode together or not,” Mom says.

“Are Manny and Jennifer here?” I ask. “Or Cherry?”

“Manny and Jennifer are back there with Lincoln. Brandon is, too, I believe. He was the first on the scene. And I haven’t seen Iris’s mom yet,” Mom says.

Brandon is Lincoln’s brother and has just become a cop. I’m glad he was there to help. It doesn’t surprise me that Cherry hasn’t shown up.

“I saw Lincoln and Iris for a second as they were being rolled back,” Dad says. “Both seemed all right, just pretty banged up. Iris had a nasty gash on her leg, and Lincoln did on his head, but they were both awake and responsive.”