Country Frost (King Creek Cowboys #8)

Chapter 5

5

O n the first Friday in December, Leeann spent most of the day combing her favorite stores in Scottsdale for Christmas presents. Considering the number of family members—including parents, seven siblings, seven sisters-and-brothers-in-law, and ten nieces and nephews—it took her most of the day to complete her shopping list.

She’d also bought items throughout the year as she came across gifts that she thought those on her list would enjoy. She’d always set a goal to have all her holiday shopping done by the beginning of December, and today, she’d done a pretty good job of it. Haylee and Tyson’s baby was due on Christmas Day, and Leeann had bought something for the soon-to-be niece or nephew, too.

All the stores had been decorated with trees, garlands, ornaments, and more, and holiday music had been playing everywhere. On her way home, she sang Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree at the top of her lungs.

The King Creek Fire Department had already hung decorations and strung lights along Main Street, which had added to her festive feelings as she left town for the city .

While she’d shopped, she thought about Porter and Ashley, but it was too soon to buy a gift for him. At home, she had a couple of pieces of jewelry she’d made that she thought Ashley would like. Regardless of what happened between her and Porter, Leeann planned to make a gift of the jewelry to the girl.

She was nearing King Creek when she came up behind a truck piled ridiculously high with mattresses and furniture.

Leeann stopped in the middle of singing Rudolph. “That’s so dangerous.” She narrowed her eyes. “A sheriff’s deputy should pull over that vehicle before someone gets hurt.”

The truck’s load was so wide she couldn’t see around it enough to pass, so she had to drive below the speed limit behind the vehicle for the next mile.

A piece of furniture rocked at the top of the pile, and she frowned. It looked loose. She started to slow down to put more distance between her and the truck when a rope snapped. Everything on the vehicle came rushing toward her SUV.

She screamed and slammed on the brakes, but a table, chairs, a sofa, and other items crashed into her vehicle.

The airbag deployed, smacking her in the face and chest, shooting pain through her body and filling the cab with the smell of smoke.

The furniture’s impact caused her car to swerve into the oncoming lane of traffic.

A truck barreled into the passenger side of her SUV, jarring her whole body. The sound of the crash reverberated in her head, and fear ripped through her as her vehicle spun across the highway.

She screamed as her world cartwheeled as her car flipped and rolled.

It came to a hard stop upside down. She hung from her seatbelt, tears rolling down her face as she fought to unbuckle the belt. The catch released, and she fell hard onto the sunroof .

She shuddered, and she heard something splashing—the strong odor of gas assailed her senses. Panic seized her chest—the fuel tank was leaking.

The next thing she knew, strong hands dragged her through the car’s window frame, broken glass scratching her arms.

Her ears buzzed, and she felt like she was underwater. The sound of her name seemed to come from far away.

Cold air hit her in the face as she was scooped up and carried away from her vehicle. Dazed, she looked up to see Porter’s face above hers, his jaw set in a hard line.

He carried her a good distance away from her SUV. She looked back to see a big dually truck had plowed into the side of her car. The vehicle that had been carrying the load was nowhere to be seen. The idiot had left everything behind and had taken off.

“Porter?” Her voice sounded tight and filled with the fear bottled in her chest.

He set her on the dry grass at the side of the road, the ground cold beneath her jeans.

“Are you okay, Leeann?” He knelt beside her, his expression concerned, and gripped her shoulders as he studied her. “Does anything feel broken?”

“I’m fine, I think.” She turned to stare at the car. “That idiot.”

Flames whooshed over her vehicle, and she gasped.

“Stay here.” Porter squeezed her shoulders. “I’ll be right back after I make sure everyone’s okay.”

Leeann nodded, unable to take her gaze from the inferno that was her Rogue. She had been inside just moments before. If it hadn’t been for Porter, would she have made it out in time?

The fire crackled, and pops and groans cut through the air. Dark smoke roiled up into the sky, the smell thick and heavy.

The truck that had smashed against the side of her vehicle began to burn as the Rogue’s blaze caught it on fire .

Other cars had come to a stop, the accident blocking both lanes of traffic. She started shivering from more than the chill of the day.

Shock . She was going into shock. She’d seen it herself plenty of times at the hospital.

Porter came back a few minutes later with his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “Everyone seems to have gotten out in time, but I think the guy driving the truck is hurt pretty bad.” He held her gaze. “Don’t move until the paramedics look you over. Someone has called 9-1-1, so emergency services should be here soon.”

Leeann hugged his jacket around her shoulders. She wanted to argue that she was fine, but experience told her he was right. She shouldn’t be in a hurry to get back on her feet after an impact like that.

Sirens came from the distance as traffic continued to back up in both directions. People gathered a good distance from the burning vehicle. Two men and a woman knelt next to a man who was stretched out on the side of the road.

Several moments passed as the sirens grew louder until they reached the scene, and they cut off.

Emergency vehicles rolled along the shoulders of the road, around the traffic. The first to arrive were two sheriff’s deputy SUVs, and four officers climbed out. She’d grown up with two of them, Deputies Shyla Berringer and John Mayfield.

While John spoke with Porter, Shyla hurried to secure the scene and keep bystanders away from the burning vehicles. The other deputies directed traffic away from the accident. There was no room to go around.

KCFD arrived, and the firetruck engines rumbled as they lumbered along the side of the road, one of them a water tender. When they came to a stop, several firefighters rushed to hook up a hose to the tanker and put out what was left of the fire. She recognized a couple of them, including Archer Roberts, who had gone to school with her brothers. They worked to make sure the flames didn’t spread to the grassy fields on either side of the road.

More sirens neared the accident.

Shivers wracked Leeann’s body as she watched the scene. Cold air prickled her skin and chilled her nose and fingers. Two ambulances rolled up, and EMTs carrying gear strode away from the vehicles. Shyla met them as they came up to the accident. She sent two to the driver of the truck, who still lay on the ground, then gestured to Leeann while continuing to talk to the paramedics, Gracie Edwards and Luther Drake.

Gracie, whom Leeann had known since she was a little girl, walked with Luther, a man Leeann had met years ago at the hospital.

“What kind of trouble are you into now, Leeann?” Gracie knelt at her side.

Leeann sighed. “You know me.”

The pair started asking her questions while taking her vitals and examining her. She only had superficial scratches and bruises, and she had the mother of all headaches.

“I feel sore from head to toe.” She sighed. “Other than a throbbing head, I’m not in any real pain.”

“You should go to the ER to be checked out thoroughly.” Gracie knelt on one knee, and her arm braced on her other. “You probably have a concussion, and you could have internal injuries.”

Leeann shook her head. With her healthcare background she knew she should probably go in, but she did not want to be trapped for hours in the emergency room. “I’m fine.”

Luther frowned. “Let us take you in to make sure nothing is wrong. ”

“I promise I’ll go straight to the ER if I feel anything isn’t quite right.” Leeann held up her right hand. “Promise.”

“Pinky swear?” Gracie said with a teasing smile.

Leeann laughed, which made her chest hurt. “Ow.” She winced but raised her hand again. “I’m okay. Just the bruise from the seatbelt hurts like a son-of-a-gun.”

Porter strode toward them and crouched at her side. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“I’m not going.” Leeann really hoped he wasn’t going to argue with her. “I just want to go home.”

He frowned and looked at Gracie and Luther. Gracie shrugged. “I’ve known Leeann since grade school. There’s no sense in arguing with her.”

“I’ll take you home after the deputies talk with you.” Porter nodded in the direction of Shyla and Michael, who were headed in her direction.

“Thank you,” she said to Porter before turning to the deputies.

Shyla crouched next to Porter and looked at Gracie. “How is she?”

Gracie shrugged. “Stubborn as ever. Leeann won’t go to the ER. We can do nothing for her here.”

“All right.” Shyla gave a slow nod and faced Leeann.

Gracie and Michael stood and gathered their equipment before saying goodbye to Leeann and heading to their ambulance. Porter put his jacket over her shoulders again.

“Tell me what happened,” Shyla said to Leeann. “Start from the beginning.”

Leeann told Shyla about the truck and everything that happened after she came up behind it. “By the time Porter pulled me out of my Rogue, the truck was gone.”

“We have law enforcement looking for it now.” She inclined her head toward Porter. “Mr. Gann gave us the plate number, so we’ll find him in no time.”

“Great.” Leeann gathered the jacket closer to her. “Am I free to go now?”

Shyla gave a nod. “Rest up.” Even though Leeann was a good friend, she was serious and all business. Her expression softened. “Get to the ER if you feel anything is wrong. Anything. ”

“Yes, ma’am.” Leeann saluted her friend. “Will do.”

“You’d better.” Shyla looked at Porter. “Make sure she does.”

“I will.” He gave a nod.

Clearly, Shyla didn’t know Leeann barely knew Porter, but she wasn’t going to offer the information.

When Shyla returned to her duties, Porter assisted Leeann in getting to her feet and helped her put the coat on.

He held her shoulders, and she tried not to wince from the bruise the seatbelt had left on her shoulder. “If you insist on going home instead of the ER, I’ll take you now.”

“I insist on going home.” Leeann smiled even though she was hurting all over. “Thank you for giving me a ride.” She looked at the smoking pile of metal and glass. “Looks like I’m going car shopping. Again. ” A groan escaped, and it wasn’t from physical pain. “I just bought the Rogue less than a year ago. I loved that car.”

“Maybe I can help you find a new one.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m good at negotiation.”

“Why am I not surprised?” She leaned on him as she limped toward his truck. Her knee was killing her. “I’d appreciate that.”

Despite her insistence on going home, she could sense his desire to take her to the ER, but he didn’t say so.

After a moment of silence, he asked. “Do you have a concussion?”

They reached his truck. “If I do, it’s likely mild.” She waited while he opened the door and helped her into her seat .

When Porter started the car, he turned back onto the side of the road to head into King Creek. He’d come in the opposite direction as she had.

He guided the truck down the highway, which had been blocked by traffic heading in the direction of the accident. A sheriff’s deputy waved them through.

She didn’t feel like talking on the way home. He pulled up in front of her house and parked.

After he had helped her out of the car, she leaned on him as he walked with her along the sidewalk and up the stairs.

He took her keys from her and opened the door. “Can one of your sisters stay with you?”

“It’s not necessary.” She walked inside, and he followed her.

He closed the door behind him. “What can I do to help?”

“Would you mind getting me some Tylenol and a glass of water?” She sank into her favorite recliner, everything hurting.

He started toward the kitchen. “Where is the pain reliever and a glass?”

“The Tylenol is on the second shelf of the pantry, and the glasses are in the cabinet next to the refrigerator.” She groaned to herself.

“You’re really going to feel it in the morning.” He returned and handed her the glass of water. “It’s all gonna hit you a lot worse.”

“I have no doubt.” She set the glass aside as he opened the pain reliever bottle and shook out two tablets. He placed them on her palm. “Thank you.”

He sat on the couch opposite her as she swallowed the medication, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his thighs. “I’d stay here with you, but I’ve got to get home to Ashley. I can always bring her back with me. She could stay here if you’ve got a spare bedroom, and I can take the couch. ”

“You’re sweet.” Leeann smiled at him. “I’ll go ahead and call one of my sisters.”

“No one has ever accused me of being sweet.” He looked amused. “I’ll stay until one of them is on their way.”

Leeann was about to tell Porter she was fine and he could leave, but she suddenly felt too tired to argue with him, and she liked his company.

Her eyes widened. “My purse with my phone was in the car.”

He pulled his out of the holster on his belt. “Use mine.”

She groaned. “Everything was on that device.” She took the cell from him. “But I do remember my sisters’ numbers. They’ve had the same ones since we were teenagers.”

She decided to call Jill since Haylee’s baby was due any day. She put in the number, and Jill answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, sis,” Leeann said. “I’m borrowing Porter’s phone since I don’t have mine right now.”

Jill had a smile in her voice. “Did he go Christmas shopping with you? Did you get me something good?”

Leeann laughed, then held her hand to her sore chest. “About that.” She paused. “First of all, I’m fine.”

“Uh-oh.” Jill sounded immediately concerned. “What happened?”

“You know that new car I bought earlier this year?” Leeann asked. “It went up in flames thanks to a wee accident.”

“Where are you?” Panic rose in Jill’s voice. “I’m coming straight to you.”

“I’m fine.” Leeann kept her voice calm. “Porter brought me home and I’m currently in my recliner.”

“Porter?” Jill sounded confused. “You called him?”

“He saw the accident happen.” The conversation was wearing out Leeann. “Can you come over for a bit?”

“I’m on my way,” Jill said.

“You’re the best.” Leeann disconnected the call .

She handed the phone to Porter and thanked him. “Jill is coming over.”

“I’ll let Ashley know when I’ll be home.” He pulled her number up and brought the phone to his ear. He didn’t explain what happened but told her he’d tell her why he was running late when he got home. “See you soon, kiddo.”

He slid the cell back into his holster and met Leeann’s gaze. “How are you doing now?”

“About the same.” She shrugged. “Although I’m feeling every ache and bruise more as time passes.”

He studied her intently. “I’m glad you called your sister.”

“How else was I going to get you to leave?” She smiled, then grew serious. “You saved my life, Porter. Thank you.”

“You probably would have made it out in time.” His gaze didn’t waver. “But I’m glad I was there.”

“Me, too.” She broke eye contact and let herself relax against her chair. “All of the shopping I did today went up in flames.” She groaned. “Now I’m going to have to do it all over again.”

“What are you doing next Saturday?” His question drew her gaze back to him. “Ashley wants to buy gifts and insists that I get decorations. You can go with us if you’d like.”

“My only plans were to work on social media and get ready for my first two book signings.” She smiled. “I’d be happy to postpone it until Sunday and go with you two instead.”

“Good.” He gave her a little smile, then grew focused again. “Are you calling in sick Monday?”

“I might take the whole week off.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I think I should probably get some rest.”

“That’s a good idea.” He nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“I have my sensible moments.” Leeann bit back a yawn. “I’m getting a case of the tireds.”

Porter frowned. “Is it okay to sleep if you have a concussion?”

“We don’t know that I’m concussed—I don’t have any obvious symptoms.” She shrugged. “But it’s not like what most people have heard. If one hasn’t lost consciousness, is able to hold a conversation, and doesn’t have any of a list of obvious symptoms, it’s okay to sleep.”

“I’m glad your sister will be here.” He looked serious. “I’m concerned about you.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a small smile. “I’m okay, really. I’m around sick people all the time, and I know it’s important to go to the doctor if necessary. I will if it becomes apparent that I need to.”

“Good.” Porter seemed content to let her rest until Jill came, for which Leeann was grateful. She didn’t really feel like talking. Her headache was starting to finally go away, but her body hurt, and she was tired.

When Jill arrived, she walked in without knocking—she had lived in the home with Haylee and Leeann. Then, her sisters went and married a couple of hot and sexy cowboys and moved out, leaving Leeann to live alone. She thought the world of Tyson and CJ, and she was happy for all of them.

“You must be Porter.” Jill held out her hand. “I’m Jill.”

“A pleasure.” He took her hand and nodded. “Now that you’re here, I’ll head on home to my sister.”

“Thank you for waiting.” Jill slid her hand from his. “Knowing how stubborn my sister is, I’m happy you ignored her.”

“Hey,” Leeann said with a laugh. “I’m right here.”

“Take care of yourself, Leeann.” Porter walked over to where she sat, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. He drew away. “I’ll see you next Saturday.”

“I’m looking forward to shopping with you two.” Leeann managed a weak smile. “Tell Ashley I said hello.”

He nodded and said goodbye to Jill before leaving through the front door and closing it behind him .

Jill turned to Leeann and fanned herself. “Holy hell, he’s hot.”

“Told you so.” Leeann’s eyelids felt heavy. “Thank you for coming.”

“You need a nap.” Jill headed for the kitchen. “I’ll put a casserole in the oven. Get some sleep, and it’ll be ready when you wake up.”

“Perfect.” Leeann closed her eyes, and it wasn’t long before she drifted off.