He smiled. “Hey, beautiful.”
“You’re here.” Her eyes widened.
“I am. I need you to help me. Can you move your feet?” Kip spoke softly.
“I think so.”
“Pop your seatbelt.”
“I’ll fall.”
“No, you won’t. I’m going to slip out and come around your side of the car.” His voice also carried over his comm.
Kip signaled above him and made his way to Harper’s side of the car. Once there, he made entry. “I want you to slide this around your waist and pull it tight.” He handed her the harness. As she did what he asked, the car shifted position, making an earsplitting creaking sound.
“I’m going to die!” she cried out as she struggled to get free.
Kip reached inside the car and was able to grasp the back of her soaked scrub pants. His other hand managed to get under her armpit and around her back.
As the car began to fall, she screamed. Kip held on to her tightly, pulling her free as the car groaned and careened into the raging river below. Kip hung upside down holding her, one leg wrapped in the line.
The wind lashed him as he swung in the breeze, his heart exploding in his chest. “I’ve got you. Eyes on mine, and we’re taking a little ride.”
He felt overwhelmed by a desire to protect her. He stared into her eyes, doing his best to stay focused and keep her calm. Who was trembling more? His grip was becoming tenuous because of the rain. He just needed to hold on a little longer…
As he got closer to the ground, his team slid her from his arms onto the backboard. His nostrils flared, his breath coming too fast. He flipped upright and landed on his feet, his legs shaking. His large palms held her face as he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The ambulance crew covered her with blankets.
“Harper, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you.” She closed her eyes.
He watched the ambulance pull away. The incident commander extended his hand. “Gutsy move. Between you and me, I’m glad you got her out. No way would I let my people try that.” He turned and signaled to his personnel to finish up.
Kip did the same.
Chapter 18
Voices swirled around her, but all she wanted to do was sleep. “On my count: one, two, three.” The team moved Harper to a bed in the Chase Care Center. “Get the rest of those wet clothes off. Core temp. Draw a full trauma panel, dip a urine and insert and warm irrigating foley; I need a glucose.”
That’s better. Maybe I can warm up. That didn’t hurt too much. I don’t have to pee anymore.
“Core temp 92.4,” a nurse called out. “Glucose 68.”
I need to remember this for my patients.
“Turn on the warming blanket. Hot packs in the voids. Warm IV fluids. Let’s get her to CT-scan.” He glanced from Harper’s shivering body to the monitor. “Hi, Harper, I’m Casey. I’m going to examine you. I’ll try not to hurt you.” He proceeded to do a head-to-toe examination.
Nice and toasty. Soo tired. He sounds nice.
“Harper, we’re going to take some pictures, and then, if everything is okay, I’ll let you sleep.”
Sleep.
* * *
Rich Parry followedon Kip’s heels. “Are you out of your mind? You’re the CEO. You’re not supposed to evenentertainhigh-risk activities.”
Kip closed his office door and started to remove his soaked clothes. “Finished?”
