When the fragments of the hillside settled, he inhaled. Pain sliced through him and a moan escaped as he rolled to the side, allowing Jennie room to breathe.
“Are you hurt?” She scrambled to her knees and leaned over him. Her warm breath feathered across his face.
He closed his eyes, willing the aches to subside. “I’m okay.” He blinked and focused on Jennie.
Blood covered her lower lip, and a red mark marred her cheek.
He pushed himself to a seated position and swiped the red liquid from her mouth with the pad of his thumb. His stomach twisted. “You’re injured.”
“Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who needs medical attention.” She sat back on her heels and shifted her gaze to Zoey who stood twenty feet away. “Honey, call 911.”
David shook his head. “I don’t need an ambulance, but we do need the police.”
“What? Why?” She stared at him.
He captured her fingers. “Those rocks didn’t fall down the embankment by themselves. Someone caused the initial slide.”
“How do you know?” She brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead with a shaky hand.
“I saw a figure at the edge of the parking lot just as the small boulder started to roll.”
“Doesn’t mean they were pushed.”
“Maybe not, but the person ran away.”
Jennie huffed and stood. She held her arms open and Zoey dove into her embrace.
“Are you okay, Momma?”
“I’m fine, sweetie. I have a first-aid kit in my bag. Go get it for me.”
Zoey rushed over, grabbed the bag, and returned.
“Thanks, Zoe.” Jennie circled behind him. “Let’s take a look at the damage.”
“You don’t—”
“Don’t have to? Yeah, I know, but I’m a nurse and you’re hurt. It’s what I do. Besides, you protected me.” Kneeling behind him, she helped him off with his shirt and sucked in a sharp breath.
“That doesn’t sound good?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“You look as if you met up with Freddy Krueger.” Her fingers feathered his ripped skin.
He hissed. “I figured the cuts would be a nice addition to my sliced arm.”
“Not funny.” Jennie tore open a package and dabbed his wounds.
“No, it’s not. Someone’s out to hurt you.”
She continued to treat his back. “Are you sure it wasn’t just an accident?”
Had it been a mishap? The odds were against it, but still… “It’s possible, I suppose.”
“We’ll tell the officers what happened and see if they find any evidence proving your theory.” Jennie handed him his shirt. “All done. Be sure to get those cuts nice and clean when you get home. I don’t want to see you at the hospital with an infection.” She stood and held out her hand.
Zoey joined her mom with the offer to help him stand.
He placed his hands in theirs and forced himself to his feet. “Thanks, ladies.”
