Tinsley

Looking from the screen of my laptop down to the watch on my wrist, I see I’ve been writing nonstop for the last three hours. In the last two weeks, I’ve completed seventy-five percent of my book. The words have never come to me this easily. When I sent the first half to my editor, she suggested I stay here at least a year to see how many books I can write and wasn’t too pleased when I busted out laughing at her suggestion. When I explained to her why staying here for any length of time would be too difficult for me, she suggested I write my and Damien’s story. Again, laughter bubbled straight out of me without thought. How could I possibly write an entire novel about our story? It began just as quickly as it ended. Besides, most readers want that happily ever after ending, and let’s face it, that’s not how our story went.

I close my laptop and slip it into my bag before leaning back against the table and closing my eyes. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve tried to stay close to home, and managed to have no more run-ins with Damien, but I was beginning to feel a little cooped up, so I came to the park to write today, and it’s been perfect. The blue sky, birds singing, cars passing…it’s been the perfect background for my muse.

A car horn blares and I jump, my eyes shooting open to see Dahlia waving from the driver’s seat of her little red car and Sami’s tiny hand waving from the backseat. I smile at the excitement on their faces. Dahlia stops at the red light and rolls down her window.

“Hey! Mind if we join you?” she yells, and Sami bounces in her car seat.

“I’d love that!” I yell back. As soon as the light changes from red to green, Dahlia pulls out into the intersection, and a large delivery truck barrels through, the driver slumped over in the front seat. Before I realize it, I’m running toward the road, waving my hands wildly as I scream for Dahlia to watch out. I catch her attention and she glances at me, confusion drawing her brows low just before the sound of metal crunching and shattering glass fills the air around me. My heart stops in my chest as a chill rushes through my body watching the truck carry Dahlia’s car a few feet before coming to a stop.

My heart slams in my chest as I dash forward, adrenalin propelling me at the sound of Sami’s ear-piercing screams. My shoes crunch over the debris and tears rush down my face, blurring my vision as I slam to a stop. Hands shaking, I gasp out a sob at the blood coating the window Dahlia was just smiling behind. My stomach twists as hyperventilation tries to take over.

“Tinsley!” Sami screams, and my eyes snap back to her, her face red from screaming, covered in tears and snot. She’s shaking, terrified, and more sobs rack my body as I try to gain control.

“It’s okay, baby girl. I’m here,” I murmur, my voice shaking. “I’m going to get you out, okay?” She wiggles, trying to get to me, but the car seat holds her back. “Just sit still, honey. Stay still, okay?” I soothe, looking over her face, noticing a few cuts for the first time.

She reaches her hands out and calls for me again, and my hands fumble with the handle. Finally getting the door open, I reach across the backseat, and pull her from her car seat, careful not to jostle her. My breath hitches as she wraps her shaking arms around my neck and buries her head in my shoulder, sobbing. I pat her back, soothing her as I exit the car and keeping my hand on her head so she can’t see Dahlia.

Back stepping, I spin from the car to put Sami down so I can check on her aunt when a voice stops me.

“They’ll check on the driver. I’ll come with you and check over the little girl.” I release a deep breath, holding Sami tight and nodding at the paramedic. Sirens wail, and I realize I’m only hearing them for the first time.

“Dahlia. The driver’s name is Dahlia,” I mumble as the man puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Stay right here, okay?” he says, and runs over to a group of paramedics and firemen before I can respond. I take in the emergency vehicles and look back at Dahlia, tears clogging my throat once more.

“Shhh, Sami, honey. I’ve got you,” I whisper, hoping with everything in me Dahlia is going to be okay and it’s not too late.

The paramedic rushes back by my side and guides me to the picnic table I was sitting at so happy and relaxed just a few minutes ago. I take a seat, Sami still holding onto me for dear life. The paramedic gives me a sympathetic look.

“Can you try to turn her around so I can check her over,” he asks.

“Sami,” I say, and wait for her to lift her eyes to mine. I give her a small smile. “Can you sit on my lap so this nice man can make sure you’re not hurt?” She nods and lets go, allowing me to turn her around. Over the next few minutes, the paramedic checks Sami over, then cleans the few cuts on her face and places Band-Aids on them. I glance back toward Dahlia’s mangled car, my anxiety through the roof as the shock of the whole situation starts to fade. My hands tremble as they load her into the back of the waiting ambulance, and I fist them against Sami, panic creeping its way up my spine.

“Where are they taking her? Is she okay? I need to go with her. Has anyone called her brother?” I rush out. An older man in a sheriff’s uniform walks over to us holding what I assume to be Dahlia’s purse. Sami smiles at him and waves.

“I’m Deputy Marks. We’re trying to get a hold of Damien. He’s in the mountains assisting wild life officers today. We’ve sent someone out to get him. I can take you and Sami to the hospital,” he explains, and I swallow hard against the dryness in my throat, hoping to alleviate the tightness in my chest.

“Is Dahlia okay?” I ask, terrified of what his answer is going to be.

“It’s too soon to tell,” he says, his lips pulling in a tight line. “She hit her head pretty hard. We’ll need to get a statement from you.”

I nod, feeling numb against the overwhelming emotions. If she doesn’t make it—I shake my head, needing the thought to leave before it finishes forming. “I’ve already placed the car seat in my cruiser if you’re ready to go.” The sirens of the ambulance come back to life as it races down the road. Deputy Marks picks up my bag from the table and places Dahlia’s purse in it. I stand with Sami and follow him to his car. My legs are heavy as I walk, like they are weighed down by cinder blocks. I’m terrified to go to the hospital, having no idea what I’ll find.

Deputy Marks opens the car door for us, and I bend down, attempting to place Sami in her seat. Her grip around my neck tightens and her body begins to tremble against me as she fights against me.

“Hey,” I soothe, feeling like a moron. Sami was just in a car accident, and here I am trying to put her back in one. I look at the officer, trying to convey what Sami is going through, and he gives me a knowing nod, then backs away, allowing me time with Sami alone.

“Sweetheart, I know you’re scared, but we need to go to the hospital to wait for your daddy,” I say, trying to keep my voice quiet and soothing. She lifts her head, and the look on her face breaks my heart. Her pretty little face is stained in tears and her eyes are filled with terror. Without a lot of experience with kids, I am so out of my element right now.

Sami places her hand on my cheek.

“Are you coming with me? In the car?” she asks, her voice hoarse from crying. I place my hand on her in the same way, look her in the eye, and give her a smile.

“I will be right beside you. I will hold your hand the whole time. Okay?” The tiniest of smiles forms on her lips. “Ready?” She nods and allows me to place her in the car seat. I slide in beside her before I even buckle her in, hoping to ease her fears. As soon as the two of us are buckled up, she grabs my hand and squeezes, and I honestly don’t know who is comforting who.

Sami’s eyes haven’t left me the entire ride to the hospital. Once the car is parked in front of the emergency room entrance, relief crosses her face. I unbuckle her seat, and she jumps right into my lap as I scoot us out of the car. Sami back in my arms, I follow Deputy Marks to the entrance.

“Sami!” Damien’s deep voice halts me in my tracks, and I spin, finding him running through the parking lot toward us. Sami turns in my arms and holds her hands out for her daddy. As soon as he reaches us, he takes her from my arms and holds her close to his chest as he places soft kisses all over her head. He glances at me for a brief second, so many emotions playing in his eyes, but the one that catches my attention is gratitude. I don’t miss the tear that slides down his cheek before he looks away, turning to Deputy Marks. “Thanks for getting them here safe.” The deputy nods as we all make our way through the sliding doors.

“Why don’t I take her and you can see if there’s any news yet,” I suggest. Reluctantly, he passes her back to me. “We’ll be over there in the waiting area,” I assure him, knowing he doesn’t want her out of his sight or reach. I settle in as best I can in the cold hard plastic chair, Sami resting her head on my chest.

“I’m sleepy,” Sami says on a yawn, her eyes heavy with sleep, and I rock her back and forth until her eyes close and her breathing evens out. Worry eats away at my gut, but there’s something soothing about rocking a sleeping Sami in my arms.

“No news yet. I can’t believe how quickly she’s taken to you,” Damien says as he takes a seat next to me, running his hand over her silky blonde hair.

“I’ve taken to her just as quickly. She’s a sweet and beautiful little girl,” I tell him.

“Thank you for taking care of her. She’s my world. I couldn’t...” He shakes his head, and I place my hand over his.

“I know, but she’s okay. Dahlia will be okay too,” I tell him, hoping he believes me, even though I’m not sure I believe it myself. We both sit in silence until by head feels like a weight. Damien sits lower in his chair and guides my head to his shoulder. I take in a deep breath and his scent drifts into my nostrils. God, how I’ve missed that smell. A mixture of his cologne and something that is all him. Masculine and woodsy. I drift off to sleep knowing my heart is in serious trouble.