Our First Christmas by Lisa Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

covered her right eye. She was unconscious.
    Lucas jogged alongside the EMTs as they carried her to the open bay of their rescue squad. “How is she?”
    An EMT at the head of her stretcher held up an IV bag. “She sustained head trauma and is unconscious. She’s responding to stimuli, but she’s not rousing. We’ll know more when we get her to the hospital.”
    He reached out and took Marisa’s small, pale hand in his, marveling how delicate and limp her fingers felt in his. Gone were the energy and the fire.
    â€œMarisa.” Her name sounded like a strained plea.
    She did not move. Did not squeeze his hand.
    Lucas glanced at the EMTs. “Where are you taking her?”
    The paramedic named the Austin hospital. “Her family needs to be contacted.”
    â€œI’ll take care of that.”
    The paramedics loaded her in the back of the ambulance and slammed the double doors shut. Lights flashing, they drove away.
    Feeling helpless and of no use, he pulled his phone from his breast pocket. She’d mentioned her father, but he didn’t know the man’s name. Who would know? Bradley, no doubt, but Lucas would call him as a last resort. In the end he called Brody Winchester.
    Winchester answered on the first ring. “Yeah.”
    â€œIt’s Lucas. I need to talk to Jo. I’m trying to locate Marisa’s father. She’s been in a car accident.”
    â€œHow is she?
    Lucas supplied what little details he had and waited as Brody brought the phone to his wife.
    â€œLucas?” Jo Granger’s voice was filled with concern.
    He explained the situation and soon had the name and number of Marisa’s father. The call had been tense and direct, and he’d tried to keep as much distance as he could from his emotions as he chronicled the facts, including where she was being taken.
    When he hung up the phone, he glanced toward the bend in the road where he’d last seen the ambulance. As much as he wanted to follow, he was better use to Marisa investigating the accident. Just the idea of finding the man who did this calmed his mind with renewed purpose and allowed him to box whatever feelings he had for Marisa.
    He grabbed his flashlight from his vehicle and made his way to the accident site. The county sheriff’s deputy was taking pictures, but the forensic team had yet to arrive.
    The deputy lowered his camera. “We usually don’t get a Texas Ranger at accident scenes. This case special?”
    Lucas hesitated as he studied the mangled vehicle. “Yeah. This one’s special.” Unwilling to elaborate, he circled the car, a panther pacing. “What do you have?”
    The officer glanced at his notebook. “Best I can figure, she was driving on the main road and was sideswiped. It was a blue car, judging by the paint on the wreckage. She skidded off the road and went over into the ravine. Seat belt and air bag saved her.”
    He fisted his fingers, and it took a moment before he could unfurl them. He moved closer to the car and spotted the brightly wrapped presents. Peeking from the torn edges of the paper was the wheel of the toy Range Rover Marisa had bought last night. Though the toy had been through an accident, he guessed the mangled wrapping job had more to do with Marisa’s distraction with his code yesterday.
    The work.
    She didn’t believe her late-night visitor was connected to her work with him, but he wasn’t so sure. His reputation for busting cartels was indeed well known, and he knew in his gut she’d been attacked because of her association with him.
    His work was dangerous, and he understood the burden it placed on a wife and children, so he’d stayed clear of any lasting relationships. “You come and go as you please. You’re like a cat.” How often had his sister said that? He’d been fine with that decision until he’d seen the petite woman dressed in white, sipping