Unraveling Midnight by Stephanie Beck Read Free Book Online Page B

would do until Lucy fell asleep and he could chow down a couple pounds of hamburger. The kids piled in the room, each with scrubbed faces and in their pajamas. Lucy had probably asked them to wash up and Ross, bless his silly heart, had nearly rubbed the skin off his face.
    “We’re going to bed, Daddy.” Jessie kissed his cheek. “Don’t eat any more candy. You’ll get a tummy ache.”
    “Okay, honey. Sleep good tonight and don’t get up too early.” He hugged her, though the motion killed his arm.
    “We’ll sleep until eight,” Greg promised and Ross nodded.
    Scott knew the days of hugs were limited, so he savored when Ross embraced him for a long minute. When Greg hugged him, Scott held tight an extra moment.
    “I’m so glad you’re all right,” Scott said.
    He didn’t say more yet Greg’s eyes were wet with unshed tears when he pulled away. They were strong, sensitive boys. Their mother had seen that as a bad thing, while Scott knew he’d been similar in his youth. Time helped control it, but in Scott’s eyes, they were barely out of babyhood and he wasn’t about to scold or encourage them to be more stoic.
    “I’m glad you’re all right too,” Greg said and herded the others from the room.
    Scott listened as Lucy directed the kids to their beds, and when Jessie asked if she would tuck them in, it gave Scott a new level of peace when Lucy said ‘of course’. He closed his eyes, the aches settling on after all the ups and down and hugs. He’d rest for a while and then when Lucy got back, maybe he could get her to tell him more about herself. It wasn’t courting over ice cream cones, but the last few hours had proven to him they were at least moving past the acquaintance stage.
    * * * *
    “In case of emergency…” Lucy read the note on the refrigerator and relief filled her. They weren’t as alone as Scott had said. The name on the card was Chris Meyters and though the area code wasn’t local, Lucy recognized it as still in Pennsylvania. She didn’t mind staying the night and certainly wouldn’t leave. She knew how hard it could be to ask for help, but if there was ever an appropriate time to set aside pride, it was after getting hit by a truck.
    She picked up the house phone and dialed the number. Maybe she should ask Scott, she thought, but remembered the way he could barely move his lips without pain. No, she’d make the call and find out if they had a family doctor who might make a house call. She wasn’t sure if any doctors actually did anymore, but her grandma had had a friend who was a nurse who helped out on occasion.
    “Hello.”
    “Ah, hello. Is this Chris Meyters? I’m Lucy Jamieson, a friend of Scott Terwolf.”
    “Scott? Is everything okay?” The male voice went from pleasant to intense in an instant.
    “Well, Scott was hit by a truck today. He insisted I not take him to a hospital, but I have to admit I’m a bit worried about him.”
    Silence stretched on the other end and Lucy could imagine the news was a surprise. How often did anyone get a call about someone they cared for getting hit by a truck?
    “Is he alive?”
    “Oh, yes, definitely alive. He wouldn’t let me help with bandaging his side, but I didn’t see any more blood leaking through his clothes and he’s speaking well enough. He’s moving very slowly, though, and I was wondering if there’s a family friend or someone who could come and help him with the kids until he’s back on his feet.” The request seemed reasonable. She understood family dynamics enough to know some people didn’t get along. She hoped for the sake of the kids someone would come.
    “Did you call the police?”
    She hesitated. Calling in the incident had crossed her mind more than once in the last few hours, but Scott’s request held her back.
    “I haven’t yet. He asked me not to call, but I got the man’s license plate number. I’m sure the police could find him and take care of the situation.”
    “Why don’t you