Grace looked over from the passenger and caught Charity’s gaze. “I can hear the gears turning in your head, sis. I’m fine.”
They were waiting for the traffic light at Crockett and Main to change to green, when a flash of movement flickered in Charity’s rearview mirror a split second before a mighty crash shook the SUV. Disoriented, Charity tried to speak as she looked around and realized they’d been flung onto Main Street.
Grace gasped and Charity reached for her. “Are you okay, sis? Justine, are you—”
The ominous screech of braking tires on pavement cut her off as an oncoming automobile plowed into Grace’s side of the vehicle, and a terrific crash came as another vehicle hit the rear portion of the driver’s side. The world spun wildly and went dark.
Chapter Ten
Ransome stood in the eclectic yet quaint bookstore that Violet ran, talking with her about her plans for the Emporium when Justin’s phone rang and he excused himself to take the call, holding his finger to his ear as the wailing siren of an ambulance or police car raced by out front on Main.
“Have any other vendors or artisans contacted you yet about space in your emporium?” Val asked.
“Beck O’Malley has committed to consign his honey and Bee’s Knees Body Products, which have developed quite a following. The Garner brothers will also be showcasing their custom-made furniture. Customers will be able to lay hands on the pieces, get an idea of their excellent workmanship, and Wes and Evan are happy to have another outlet for sales.”
Ransome was distracted from the conversation when Justin suddenly appeared in the doorway. His normally tan face was ashen. “We have to go. The girls have been in an accident.”
“How serious?” Ransome asked, fear bursting with violent force in his chest.
Val reached in his pocket for the truck keys and asked, “Where are they? Shit, that emergency vehicle must’ve been for them.”
Violet’s eyes went wide. “Is it serious?”
Justin’s voice was shaky as he said, “Hank wasn’t sure. He said go to the hospital but they’re right down the street. Grace was with them.”
“Please be careful!” Violet called as they sprinted through the big building to the back door.
Ransome took a deep, shuddering breath as they piled into the truck and raced up the back street, running two stop signs, and took the corner at Crockett Street at top speed. The accident scene came into view.
“Holy shit,” Val whispered at the sight before them.
Ransome staggered as he ran down the sidewalk, desperate to get to her and Justine but afraid of what he’d discover.
There was a flurry of emergency workers around Charity’s SUV, which was a twisted wreck in the middle of five damaged cars in the intersection on Main Street. The truck behind her vehicle had a bashed in windshield. Steam still rose from the SUV’s crumpled hood and the smell of burned rubber and leaking coolant drifted in the balmy air. Spectators stood on the sidewalk, and the accident scene swarmed with EMTs, firemen, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff Hank Stinson stood in the center giving directions, efficient and unflappable on the surface, but Ransome could see the desolation in his eyes and it made his heart rate triple.
Hank spotted them as they ran up and he beckoned to them.
“Where are they? How are they?” Justin asked, his voice trembling.
Hank put a hand on Justin’s shoulder and pointed to a nearby ambulance. “Charity’s in that ambulance. She was unconscious earlier but she may have come around. Justine is already on the way to the ER. She has a broken arm and she was unconscious. The air bags did their job. If traffic had been moving at higher speeds, the story would’ve been different.”
“And Grace?” Justin asked.
“They’re removing her from the vehicle. Her side took the worst of all the impacts,” Hank said, flipping a thumb at the big diesel pickup truck in the road, firming his lips to keep from showing his emotions. “Jack, Ethan, and Adam are on their way here, too. They don’t follow directions any better than you do,” he added with a wry smile.
“Grace! Justine! Let me out of this! Ow!” Charity’s voice cutting through the commotion flooded Ransom’s heart with relief.
Hank grinned and clapped Justin on the shoulder. “You’d better go see to her. I hope everyone bounces back that quickly.” To Val and Ransome, he said, “If the officers try to stop you or make you wait on the other side of the tape, tell them to talk to me.”
Another ambulance arrived and Hank stalked away to direct the EMTs to the area behind Charity’s SUV.