“Same, but I hit my head.”
Jake started to move and Brianna said, “No! The van’s not stable,” just as it rocked.
“All right, everyone stay calm and stay still,” Jake said. “Badger, come in.” Jake’s voice sounded a little slurred to Brianna. Rachael must have noticed too, judging by her worried face. “Copy, Badger. No fatalities, minor injuries, possible concussions, one dislocated shoulder. Me, I’m a bit woozy. But the van wants to take a swim so we need to get the fuck outta here ASAP.”
Okay, so Jake could communicate with Brock, which was a good thing. He’d save them, Brianna had no doubt.But tell that to my heartshe thought as it jackhammered against her rib cage. Did she hear a distant siren? Over the sound of rushing water, it was hard to tell if it was wishful thinking or real. She closed her eyes and focused. Yes, a siren. But better than that, Brock’s voice somewhere above them shouting orders.
“I can’t do this,” Twila whimpered next to her. Her tan face was quickly losing color and her breathing was quick and shallow.
“We’re gonna be okay,” Brianna whispered to Twila, who gripped her hand. “Just breathe with me, okay? You’re a singer, you know how to breathe deeply, right? Let’s do it.” Brianna took a deep breath and held it, nodding encouragement to Twila as she blocked out her own fear. Twila breathed in and they exhaled together. Twila matched Brianna’s next two breaths as color returned to her face. And damn if Brianna didn’t feel a little calmer herself.
Then she heard the best sound ever—Brock’s voice, just outside the rear of the van.
“Everyone, we’re going to get you out. We need to stabilize the vehicle and then we’re going to use ropes and litters to get you back up the hill. I will let you know when it’s safe to move and then we’ll be evacuating from the back of the van to the front. The way you can help me in the meantime is I need everybody to stay calm and stay still.”
“Calm and still,” Twila repeated as sweat trickled down the side of her forehead. Brianna squeezed her hand and prayed that Brock wouldn’t slip and fall to his death. With the AC off, the air in the van was growing warm and stale, smelling of sweat and fear.
The van shifted and slid. Everyone gasped. Brianna fought the urge to shout Brock’s name, to tell him that despite the fact they’d just met, she loved him. She’d never known anyone so brave, so big-hearted, so gentle and yet so strong. He’d made her feel protected yet brave too, and seen in a way that didn’t hurt and humiliate. He accepted her despite her bad blood. Brock had helped her find her way to her music and that’s all she’d ever wanted in a partner—wanted, and never expected to find.
The van stopped sliding again. Everyone breathed out a collective sigh of relief.
Please, Brock. Please hurry so that I can tell you I love you.
The siren had cut out without her realizing it. She wondered how many vehicles had come to the rescue. She listened to Brock give directions to the other two guards about securing the van, and she listened to Jake’s updates. She held Twila’s hand and breathed with her. And in the back of her mind, the refrain repeated—I love you, I love you, I love you.
The late-afternoon orange sunlight had faded to purple twilight by the time the back doors opened. Brianna turned and saw the best sight ever—Brock’s face looking in, his eyes searching until they landed on her.
“We’re going to start the evacuation process now,” he said right to her. “Starting with the rear. We’re going to go slow and careful. The van is as stabilized as it’s gonna get and we’re gonna keep it that way. Listen to me and do exactly as your told and you’re going to be fine.” He held her eyes a moment more before turning to the mandolin player and helping him out of the van. He was wearing shorts and his knee was banged up and bleeding but he seemed to be moving all right. He slung his mandolin case over his shoulder on its strap.
Next was the guitarist who thanked Brock profusely as he helped the man out of his seat. Then the singing instructor, who clung to him in a way that sparked the tiniest bit of possessiveness in Brianna. If she didn’t already like the woman, she’d probably do something stupid and ill-advised once Brock got Brianna out and standing on the road above.
After Brock made sure the banjo player was secured, it was Brianna’s turn. She watched Brock make his way carefully down the aisle between the seats, his gaze never leaving hers, lending her strength. It wasn’t until he was close that she saw the fear in his eyes.
“Brianna, are you all right?”
She nodded. “But Twila needs help. She’s in terrible pain. Help her first.”
He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them on a huff. “All right, Twila. Let Brianna help you out of the seatbelt and I’m going to get you to safety. We’ve got EMTs up there looking everyone over. Mighty good pain pills I’ve heard.”
Twila gave him a half-smile. “The ibuprofen Bri gave me was great but I think it’s wearing off.”
“Then let’s go.”
Brianna helped get Twila out of her seat and Brock half-carried her to the back of the van. The extra minutes he was gone and helping Twila into a litter were the longest of Brianna’s life. Finally, Brock reappeared and moved quickly to her.
“All right, baby,yourturn.” He gave her the quickest kiss on the cheek.
“Do I get one of those?” Jake asked.
“Only if you ask nice,” Brock said with a smirk. He had Brianna standing, and now that she was moving she started to feel pain and stiffness here and there.
“In that case, I’m not waiting.” Jake undid his buckle and reached for Rachael’s. “We’re getting out of here now, angel.”
“You all right to do that, brother?” Brock asked.
“Hell, yeah. Badge, I know you did a great job stabilizing this thing, but enough’s enough. I’m not waiting around another second.” Brianna heard him helping Rachael behind her as Brock helped her to the back of the van.
Which shifted enough to send Brianna to her knees with a cry of fear.
