Breakfast for Two (Peakview series Book 2) Page 9

  “Hang on girls. I’m going to get you out.”

  “Grandpa. I knew you’d find us.” Sophie sobbed and put her face up to the glass.

  He peered into the window. All three girls huddled together on the back of the front seat trying to hold themselves out of the freezing water which was starting to cover the seat cushions. He tried to yanking the door, but the water came half way up and blocked it from opening. He must act fast.

  “Girls, I need to go back to my truck and get something to break the window for you to climb out. Is anyone hurt?”

  “I don’t think so, but we’re so cold. Please hurry,” squeaked Sophie’s small frightened voice.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”

  Howard plunged back through the icy water to his truck and grabbed a sledge hammer and a large blanket and headed back out to the vehicle.

  He decided on breaking out the rear windshield, it had the largest area for them to climb through and it was still completely above the water level.

  “I need you girls to cover your heads and put them down as far as you can without going under water. I’m going to break out this rear window and I don’t want you to get cut with glass.”

  The girls huddled together shivering. Howard raised the hammer above his head and swung it at the window. The glass shattered and a small opening appeared. He swung again and a spider web of cracks spread across the window. One more swing and the whole back window caved in. He reached in with his gloves and pulled on the pieces of glass to create a hole for the girls to come through. Next he laid the blanket over the edge hoping to keep them from getting cut.

  “Careful girls, crawl out the window. We need to get you somewhere warm and dry.”

  One by one, with Sophie leading the way, they climbed over the seat and scooted out of the window onto the trunk of the car. Howard didn’t want them walking through the icy water to the shore, they already looked frozen enough. His own legs were completely numb.

  “I’m going to carry you to the shore.” He turned to Rachel, closest to him. “Honey, put your arms around my neck.” With that he lifted her up and started trudging toward the bank. The car shifted slightly as Rachel’s weight was removed.

  “Grandpa, I’m scared,” Sophie stuttered through chattering teeth.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I promise that you’re safe right where you are sitting. I’ll be right back.”

  As fast as he could move his stiff legs, Howard got Rachel to the bank and sat her down on a log, then he ran back in the frigid water. He approached the car again. Sophie and Allie huddled together for warmth. He couldn’t leave one of them out here alone, and he didn’t know how many more trip he could manage in this water.

  “Girls, we’re all going together. Sophie, climb on my back like I’m giving you a piggy back ride. Once Sophie clung to his back, he turned and told Allie to grab his neck from the front and lifted her up in his arms. The going became even slower now, the weight of the two girls dragging him down as he started toward the bank. Once his foot slipped on a rock, causing both girls to shriek, but he managed to stay upright. Reaching the bank, he sat the two girls down next to Rachel.

  Where was that ambulance? He surveyed the three wet, shivering bodies in front of him. Soaked from their waists down, their lips were already turning blue. Oblivious to his own discomfort, Howard contemplated what his next move would be.

  “Do you think you can walk to my truck? It’s just up the hill. It has a nice, warm heater. We need to get you out of the cold.”

  All three girls nodded their heads.

  Howard’s shoulders relaxed. A small amount of his tension seeped away as they stood up and locked arms to head up the hill. He followed closely behind to make sure no one slipped or fell. He helped them climb into the big front seat then turned the heater on full blast. There wasn’t room for him too, so he leaned against the door, shining his big flashlight at the road to alert the EMTs. He felt his pant legs frozen stiff around his legs like icicles, but he couldn’t feel his legs themselves. He was contemplating driving the girls himself, when he finally heard sirens and saw flashing lights approaching.

  Howard waved the flashlight to flag then down. The ambulance skidded to a stop behind Howard’s truck. Jake, the local paramedic, jumped out.

  “Hey, Howard. What’s going on? Someone’s in the river?”

  “Boy, am I glad to see you. The girls went off the road, but I got them all out. Their car’s down there.” Howard pointed toward the dark creek. “They’re in my front seat. They appear to be very cold, but not seriously injured.”

  “Thank God you found them when you did. Too much time in icy water can be deadly. Do you know them?”

  “Yeah, Sophie’s my granddaughter. She called me. The other two are Allie Peyton and Rachel Anderson. It’s Rachel’s car—she was driving. Hit a patch of ice on the curve.”

  Jake and his partner walked over and opened the passenger door. “Everyone okay in here?”

  “Just really cold.” Someone said through chattering teeth. “Mr. Cranston saved us.”

  “If it’s okay, I’d like move you all over to the ambulance. We’re going to transport you to the medical center where we’ll get you warmed up and examined by a doctor to make sure there aren’t any serious injuries. Can you walk back to the ambulance with us?”

  “Yes,” they all said in unison.

  “We’ll call your parents from the ambulance, and they can meet us at the medical center.”

  Jake walked the girls over to the ambulance, and while his partner began asking routine questions, he jumped out the back. Howard remained by his truck, partly because he wasn’t sure what to do next, and because he was too cold to move. He felt like a giant popsicle, icy from head to toe. And his bones ached, every single one of them.

  “Howard, we’d like you to come with us. It looks like you spent some time in the icy water getting the girls out. We’d like to get you checked out, too.” Jake’s brow furrowed in concern.

  “I’m fine. I need to go and get Melanie, my daughter, Sophie’s mom.”

  “We’ll call her from the ambulance. It’s better to get you there now.” Jake put his arm on Howard’s back and urged him forward. “Besides, it will reassure the girls to bring you along since you know them. They look pretty scared in there.”

  He didn’t need medical attention—he was tough. It would take more than a little icy water to bring him down, but he sure didn’t want Sophie and the others to be scared, so he reluctantly agreed.

  “Alright. Let me lock up my truck.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Melanie poured the package of spaghetti into the boiling water. The familiar chorus of Run to You by Bryan Adams signaled an incoming call on her cellphone. She glanced down at the screen, expecting to see Sophie’s smiling face, but instead it was a blocked number.

  “Hello, this is Melanie.”

  “Ms. Gentry? This is Peak County Search and Rescue. There’s been an accident.”

  Melanie’s heart dropped to her feet. “Sophie? Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine now, ma’am. Her friend’s car ended up in Apple Creek. We’re in the ambulance now on our way to the Peak County Medical Center. All three girls are wet and cold, but there don’t appear to be any serious injuries. It’s a precaution to get them checked out by a doctor. Can you meet us there?”

  “Of course, I’m on my way.”

  Her heart beating a hundred miles a minute, Melanie turned off the stove, grabbed her keys, kicked off her slippers and slid into her snow boots. She grabbed her parka from the hook by the door, not even bothering to put it on and ran to her SUV. The engine started, and she tore off down the lane as fast as she could safely go. Sophie was her life. She didn’t know what she’d do if anything ever happened to her. It had just been the two of them for so many years. Then she thought of Howard. She still wasn’t used to having a dad. She picked up her cell phone and carefully dialed the number to his garage. N
o answer. Maybe he’d stopped next door. She tried the café.

  “Violet’s.”

  “Violet? It’s Melanie. Is Howard there by any chance?” Her voice shook.

  “No, I haven’t seen him since lunch time? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes…no… I mean I’m not sure. I got a call from the Peak County Search and Rescue, Sophie’s on her way to the medical center, some kind of accident. I’m heading there now.” Her voice broke completely. “I don’t know what I’d do without her!”

  “Is she hurt?” Violet’s voice sounded concerned.

  “They said she’s okay. I was just hoping Dad could come, too. Will you tell him where I am if you hear from him?”

  “Of course, honey. Let me know if there is anything you need.”

  Melanie put down her cell phone and concentrated on the road. The twenty minutes to the medical center seemed like hours. Finally she turned into the dark, ice-covered parking lot and slid to a stop. Grabbing her purse she jumped out and ran toward the entrance, not even taking the time to lock her vehicle. She burst through the door. A middle-aged woman looked up from the front desk.

  “Can I help you?”

  “My daughter—Sophie Gentry—I got a call…”

  “Oh yes”. The receptionist smiled up at her. “One of the young ladies in the back, follow me.” She pushed out of her chair and headed through the door, motioning for Melanie to follow. “They’re fine, just a little cold. They were lucky that Mr. Crandall got them out when he did though. Hypothermia can set in real fast.”

  “Mr. Crandall?”

  “Yep. He rescued them all by himself before our people even got there.”

  Melanie’s heart swelled—a dad who was there for her and Sophie. How did they get so blessed? Before the nurse even opened the door to the exam room, the sweet sound of Sophie’s laughter greeted her ears. She entered to see all three girls huddled together on an exam table, laughing at something.

  “Hi Mom!”

  “Oh, Sophie!” She hurried into the room and engulfed her daughter in a huge hug. “I’ve been so worried.”

  “We’re fine, Mom, really. Thanks to Grandpa. He got us out of Rachel’s car.”

  At that moment, the Peytons and Rachel’s parents also rushed into the little room. Hugs exchanged all around. Melanie turned back to Sophie.

  “Where’s your Grandpa?”

  “I’m not sure. I think he’s in one of the other rooms. He saved us and then came with us to make sure we weren’t scared.”

  “I need to go and find him. I’ll be right back.”

  Melanie made her way back to the front desk. “Excuse me, Mr. Crandall, where is he?”

  “The room next to your daughter. You can go see him, just knock before you enter.”

  “Thanks.”

  She headed back down the hall and knocked on the adjacent door.

  “Come in,” Howard’s voice boomed.

  “Dad, are you okay?” Melanie engulfed him in a big hug. He looked cold and pale. “I heard that you saved Sophie. How did you find her?”

  “I’m fine. Right after you left, I walked over to the garage to shut it down for the night. The phone rang as I was locking up. It was Sophie. She sounded so scared. I didn’t think. I jumped in my truck and took off to find her. Sorry, I probably should have called you first.”

  “No, I’m just glad she’s safe. How can I ever thank you?”

  Howard coughed several times.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Melanie took his hands in hers.

  “I’m fine, fighting a head cold. I wanted to come get you, but they insisted that I come in the ambulance and get checked out with the girls. I’m ready to get out of here. Can I hitch a ride home with you and Soph? I’m afraid my truck is still down by the creek.”

  “Of course. Let me go find the doctor and see what we need to do to get you and Sophie checked out of here. Be right back.”

  Melanie ran into Dr. Johnson in the hallway. “Excuse me. I’m Melanie—Sophie’s mom and Howard’s daughter. Is it okay for me to take them home?

  “Should be fine. Just let me check in on each of them one more time. Your daughter is lucky that Howard got to her when he did. Yong people are so resilient, she’ll be good as new by morning. I’m more worried about your dad. He spent a long time in that icy water getting the girls out of the car. Keep an eye on him for a few days, will you? And bring him back in, if you notice anything concerning.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  ***

  Violet wiped the counter again. It didn’t need it, but she needed something to distract her. She was worried about Sophie. Although she’d only known them a couple of months, she had come to think of Melanie and her daughter as almost family. And where was Howard? She looked out every few minutes at the garage shrouded in darkness. She was concerned about him, too. She shook her head. Even though they’d shared some romantic moments, she didn’t need to start worrying about Howard. He’d managed to take care of himself for many years. He probably just went straight home to his cabin after pulling someone out of the snow. Still he would want to know about Sophie…

  “Night, Violet.” Gary Anderson said walking toward the café door. “If I were you, I’d go ahead and shut it down. I doubt you’ll get any more business tonight.”

  “Night Gary. You drive safe now.”

  Violet agreed, no one was out in Peakview tonight. The snowy roads turned to ice once the sun went down this time of year. Even though it was earlier than she usually closed, she walked around the counter and turned the sign on her door. She’d shut things down and take a drive out to Howard’s cabin and let him know what was going on. It was the least she could do for the man she was starting to care so much about.

  Violet maneuvered her SUV out of Peakview toward the cabins on Apple Creek. She marveled at the beauty that surrounded her. Every season here in Colorado’s high country held its own special beauty. Tonight, ice covered the tree branches which sparkled like diamonds in the illumination of her headlights. The clouds parted, revealing a million stars in the heavens above. The glow of the moonlight on the newly fallen snow, made it almost appear to be daytime. She had the roads to herself and the peacefulness surrounded her. How glad she was that Stan suggested moving here all those years ago. She wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

  She turned off the highway onto the small dirt road that led to the cabins. She didn’t see any lights. Odd. No lights on in Melanie’s cabin and none in Howard’s either. Maybe Melanie had gotten in touch with Howard after all, and he joined them at the medical clinic. She considered driving to the clinic herself, but no, she wasn’t family, and she’d probably just get in the way. She had no idea where the boundaries were between her and Howard, but she didn’t want to crowd him. Not when he was still trying to figure out where he fit in Melanie’s life. Wide awake, and not ready to go back to her apartment yet, she pulled up beside Howard’s cabin and turned off her engine. The night was so still, devoid of sound except for the trickling of the creek, muffled by the ice that covered most of its surface. She hadn’t sat there long, when her reverie was interrupted by the crunch of snow and the glare of headlights as a vehicle approached and stopped at the larger cabin. The interior lights went on. She smiled to see Melanie, Sophie, and Howard all pile out of the vehicle.

  She quickly climbed out of her SUV. “Melanie, Howard. You’re home!”

  Startled, Howard looked over in her direction. “Violet, what in the world are you doing out here in the cold this time of night? Do you need something?”

  “No. I’m fine. Melanie called earlier and told me about Sophie. I came by and let you know where they were, but I see you found them. Sophie, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Rachel’s car went in the creek, but my grandpa rescued us.”

  “What?”

  “We about froze to death, but then Grandpa smashed the window and got us out. We got to ride in an ambulance.”

  “Melanie ope
ned the door to the cabin. “We’re about to eat a late dinner. Do you want to join us, Violet?”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Nonsense, you are never an intrusion.” Howard walked over to where she stood and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her with him toward the warmth of the cabin. “You feed the whole town every day. You deserve to have someone else feed you once in a while.” He squeezed her arm.

  Even through her heavy coat, the warmth of his embrace surged through her. He did feed her, with so much more than food.

  The cabin felt chilly as the temperatures had fallen to below zero outside, so Howard built a fire, while Melanie heated up the dinner she’d started hours ago. Sophie retold her story of their plunge into the river, the rescue, and their trip in the ambulance.

  “Well, I’m glad everyone’s okay,” Violet said when Sophie took a breath. She looked over at Howard in admiration. He’s a real life hero. Concern filled her eyes noticing that he continued to cough. He looked a little paler than usual.

  “Howard, that cough doesn’t sound good.”

  It’s nothing. A little head cold—that’s all.”

  Violet enjoyed the simple meal and the feeling of family that surrounded them. The homemade spaghetti sauce that Melanie prepared from scratch was delicious. Sophie, bubbly as always, did not seem to suffer any ill effects from the afternoon’s adventure. Howard, on the other hand, wilted in his seat as the meal progressed and excused himself to go home to bed as soon as they finished eating.

  Once he left the cabin, Violet turned to Melanie. “Your dad doesn’t look very good.”

  “I noticed that, too.” Melanie agreed. “I hope rescuing the girls wasn’t too much for him.”

  “Well, keep an eye on him. He’s probably coming down with a virus of some kind. Lots of things going around this time of year. I should be getting back to town. Thanks for the excellent dinner.”

  “Anytime. You’re always welcome.”

  “Goodnight, Sophie. You take care.” Violet bundled up and headed back to her car. She started the engine, glancing over at Howard’s cabin. The lights were already out. She prayed he got a good night’s rest.