“How is she?” Tor snapped at the door. “How are all of them?”
The sound of police cars rose from below the road. She couldn’t tell Tor that Olive was unconscious. She had to distract him. “Get out into the road and be ready to greet the first responders. They will be here in a second. Any traffic coming needs to be routed.”
“Neve.”
“Do what you can, Tor. I’ll do my part. I promise—you can trust me.”
She was asking for a lot. For everything. Tor loved his daughter more than anyone in the world. Neve had to make sure she was going to be okay.
“Is Olive dead?” the girl next to her whimpered.
“No, of course not.” Neve was aware that while Olive might not be responsive that didn’t mean she couldn’t hear them. She had to feign enough bravery for the little girl to believe she’d be okay. “There’s a little blood. That’s all.”
“Lots.”
“It’s just because she cut her head. Heads are weird like that. They bleed a lot if they get injured. But that’s perfectly normal.” She took off her grey fleece top and crouched in front of Olive, pressing the material to her head to staunch the flow.
Olive moaned. A good sign.
“What happened?” she muttered.
“I think you guys spun out on some ice. Remember that big storm last night? It made the roads slippery.”
“My head hurts,” Olive moaned.
Thank goodness, she was speaking. And making sense.
“I’m not surprised,” Neve said in a calm voice. “You gave it one heck of a whack.”
“Am I going to die?”
The sirens were close. Tor was waving them in. Two paramedics jumped out.
“I’m going to tell you the truth. You’ll have a headache. But you are going to get medicine that will make you feel better really soon.”
“Can you... can you hold my hand?”
“Of course.” Neve reached out.
The girl beside them started crying. “I’m scared.”
“It’s totally normal. You were just in a big, scary car accident. But I want you to look out the window. Do you see all those people? Police cars and two ambulances and a fire truck are outside. All those guys are helpers. They are here for one reason. To make you all okay.”
“Girls?” Amber called from the front seat. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Everyone is fine back here. They’re a little shaken up. A lot scared. But they’re going to be okay.”
“I hate blood,” Olive mumbled, her eyes flickering open.
“Me too.” Neve gave her hand a squeeze. “But you are a brave girl. You are so strong. And you are going to sit here with me and take slow, deep breaths while your dad and these men save the day.”
“I’m sorry that I said I hated you. I told my dad that. But I was mad.”
Neve shook her head. “I promise, that doesn’t matter. You love your father and I was kind of a jerk in that article, let’s face it.”
“Do you love him?”
“I... well...” Neve shook her head. “It’s complicated, honey.”
