By the timethe blizzard stopped there was two feet of new snow, and it was late afternoon.Shelby was starting to feel a little stir-crazy, because being around Wes was like having the most decadent, mouthwatering dessert on a plate that she couldn’t taste.She had the access, but she had no idea how to reach for what she wanted.Not that he would be responsive to her trying anything.They didn’t know each other, and he was clearly just letting her stay with him because he took pity on her.With each passing hour she was convinced more and more how much he didn’t want her there.She was still wearing his T-shirt and sweatpants because all her clothes were in the suitcase she’d left in her truck, in a ditch.
“I’m going to try to clear the front walk a bit, now that the snow has stopped,” Wes said, interrupting her from stirring the soup she had simmering on the stove.She’d pretty much stayed in the kitchen all day to try and distract herself.
“Oh can I help?I wouldn’t mind getting outside.”
Wes was already in his snow gear, and she could see his back tense at her request.
“I better handle this first pass alone, but you’re welcome to take the next shift,” he said before he was out the door.
She was finally alone but at the cost of knowing he really didn’t want her there.They’d passed the last few hours in a sort of forced polite chitchat, with long stretches of quiet.The news about the storm was on in the background and they’d each tried to keep busy.But the entire time she couldn’t ignore how gorgeous he was, how enticing his scent was, luring her to want to get closer to him.Now with the soup on simmer she was unable to sit still and opened her laptop for the hundredth time to look over her notes.But then a loud crash of metal sounded from outside and the house shook.
Running to the front door, she didn’t even bother with shoes or a coat and whipped open the door.There was a big truck and a small car smashed into its side at the intersection about fifty feet away.Wes was already there.She had to get some shoes on and a coat so she could help.She grabbed the big heavy police coat he’d worn the day before and got her boots on.Then grabbed her phone and ran to meet him at the crash.
“Call 911.Tell them we need an ambulance and the jaws of life.Then get back inside—it’s too cold out here for those shoes,” Wes said as he tried to open the car door that looked like an accordion scrunched together.The glass shattered everywhere and an older woman was inside unconscious.Wes pulled out a tool and started to cut the seat belt off the woman.
“Go back inside,” he barked again and she took back off to go inside.But after speaking to the 911 operator and telling them what Wes said, she found another pair of his boots, hat, and gloves, and stomped back out to him with a blanket.Just as he was bringing the woman out of the car.
“You don’t listen at all.”
“I changed my shoes,” she yelled.
“Lay the blanket here,” he said just as a police cruiser arrived.The officer had a triangular makeshift plow attached to the front bumper that pushed the snow away like a boat in the water.But with over a foot of snow it only could do so much.
A young deputy popped out of the car once he finally had it stopped.“Sheriff, you okay?”
“Yes, but check on the driver of the truck please.”
Shelby was almost surprised to see he did have some manners, just not with her.She sat with the woman whose eyes were closed as if she were asleep, while Wes checked her for injuries.
“I think her leg is broken,” Wes grumbled.
“The driver is okay, just a little shook-up,” the deputy said, reappearing.“He said he didn’t see the car coming.”
“I don’t think the ambulance can get through this snow,” Wes said.“Deputy, help me load this woman into the cruiser.Shelby, get back inside.”
“I can help,” she insisted and moved to grab the woman’s purse from her car, the keys from the ignition, and put on the flashers, unsure they would work.She met Wes at the deputy’s car where they’d loaded the woman.
“I’ll ride in the back on the way to the hospital.You’re too big,” Shelby said to Wes.
He huffed, but agreed and held the door for her as she slid in and held the older woman on her lap.
Wes got in the passenger seat and the deputy slowly reversed down the path he’d carved out when he arrived.
“Why was she out on the road?”Shelby said, holding the woman’s hand.“Is she going to be okay?”
Wes gripped the police radio and spoke into the handheld to someone at the hospital.
A deep voice responded right away.“Hey, brother, see you in a minute.We’re ready for you.”
“Good.Copy.”
“Your brother is a doctor?”she asked surprised.
Wes turned back to look at her as if he’d forgotten she was there until she said something stupid.“One of them.”
“What’s your other brother do?Astronaut?”
The deputy laughed.“Practically—he’s only the greatest shortstop to ever play baseball.”
