He's probably right, she thought as she helped carry things out to Mrs. Anderson's car. The news and media rarely got the important news right, so why would it get anything else right? Besides she should know by now not to judge a person without getting to know them. And even if Jake was a rich playboy who went from woman to woman it didn't matter right now. All that mattered was that the town got the help it needed.
Turning to head back inside, Charlie stopped when she saw a short chubby figure running up the road toward the senior center. At first the person was too far away to make out a face, but when the individual got closer Charlie recognized the runner. Jessica Quinn lived at the bottom on the hill with her grandparents.
Panting, Jessica all but collapsed at Charlie's feet when she reached her. “My grandfather...fell...off... the ladder. Can't … get...up. No...phone or ...car.”
Charlie didn't wait for Jessica to continue. She knew Jessica's grandfather and a fall from a ladder could kill a man his age. “Don't move.”
Without any hesitation Charlie bolted into the senior center. Thankfully Jake stood just inside when she entered. “I need a ride … now.”
Jake pulled his keys from his pocket. “Let's go.” He didn't need any further explanation. He knew by her expression it must be important. Before he could say anymore, she rushed back out the door and was half way to his SUV.
“Where to?”
“Down the hill to the big old yellow house. Jessica's grandfather fell.” Charlie nodded towards the other woman who climbed into the backseat of the SUV. Charlie handed the woman her cell phone. “It's 911, tell them what happened.”
Gravel and dust kicked up as Jake sped out of the parking lot and he listened as Jessica answered the 911 dispatcher's questions from the backseat.
“He turned eighty last month. He wasn't moving when I left. Please hurry.” Jessica's voice quivered and he sped up. He could only imagine how she must be feeling.
There was no missing the huge monstrosity of a house with the crooked wooden sign hanging out front that read Blackthorne Farm; it was the only house on that stretch of road.
Before the truck came to a full stop Charlie opened the door and jumped out. Throwing the truck into park, Jake watched as she sprinted across the lawn toward the prone figure on the ground. Would it be better if he kept Jessica back at the truck, out of the way? An upset granddaughter might make the situation worse. Then again, Charlie might need help and who knew how long it might take for the EMTs to arrive. He'd passed the fire station on his way into town so he knew it was located on the other side of town.
Pulling the keys out of the ignition, Jake looked back at Jessica whose breathing remained labored from her run. “You're welcome to stay and wait here. I'm going to see if the doctor needs help.”
Jessica shook her head causing her light brown bangs to fall into her eyes. “I want to be with him and my grandmother.”
Jake could see the worry and fear etched on her tear-stained face. He could understand her desire to be with her family. After getting out himself, he pulled open her door and helped her out of the SUV. Then he grabbed the first aid kit from the trunk and he followed Jessica up to the house where a seven-foot ladder remained propped against the house. On the ground lay an unmoving figure, his white hair covered in blood and his left arm bent at an unnatural angle. Next to him sat a weeping woman with a long gray braid and glasses.
“He's breathing but unconscious. His pulse is strong though,” Charlie said when they joined her. “I need something for his head. He's got a nasty gash and is losing more blood than I'm comfortable with. There is no question that his left arm is broken.”
Jake handed her the gauze pads from the kit, impressed at how calm and collected she remained as she continued to do an assessment of the elderly man. She didn't appear fazed at all by the situation unlike the two crying women kneeling next to the man.
“His neck looks fine, but I don't want to move him. His skin feels cool. Is there an emergency blanket in the kit?”
A quick search turned up the blanket the doctor wanted. Jake tore open the package and covered the injured man with the metallic-colored blanket. “What else can I do?” He felt useless standing there as she worked.
Charlie didn't say anything, she only nodded toward Jessica who had started to sob uncontrollably the minute she saw the blood.
Nodding to let Charlie know he understood, he leaned down and placed a gentle hand on Jessica’s shoulder. “We should move so we're not in the way.” Jake tugged Jessica and her grandmother to their feet and led them past the driveway where a Honda Accord sat squashed beneath a huge tree and towards the farmer's porch.