Page 2 of Tanner
“Is that the guy that got hurt in the mines?”
“Yeah.”
Last week our small town was rocked, literally, when a buildup of methane in the old mineshafts was ignited. A scientist was down in the shafts working on collecting mineral samples for the state. Thankfully, the scientist was coming back up towards the entrance to make a call when the lantern he left behind ignited, and the explosion occurred. It was unlike anything I've ever felt before.
I’m surprised my large storefront window didn’t break when it rattled violently from the force. The Knight's Ridge Fire Department volunteers were called in, and they were able to get the scientist out, but not before a cave-in nearly trapped the scientist and one of the firefighters, Tanner, under the rubble. Tanner was able to push the scientist out of the way, but unfortunately, he took the brunt of the impact in the collapse. He’s been in a coma at the hospital ever since.
“What do you need me to do?” I ask.
“Could you pick him up? When I called him, he said he hadn't eaten all day."
“Can you blame him? The hospital food is inedible.”
“Exactly. He can’t leave to get anything, and he's barely eaten or slept since the accident." The muffled voice from early is louder now in the background. "Two seconds, okay?"
“Don’t worry about it, Hazel. I will leave now to take him something to eat.”
“You’re the best. Thank you!”
We hang up.
"Colt!" I call out, looking under the counter for my purse. "Have you seen my purse?"
The door to the backroom opens, and my purse comes flying out. It lands in a thud in front of the counter.
“You know you could have just said it was back there!” I yell at him.
I'd say, thankfully, there are no customers in the store, but that doesn't say much for my business. Things should pick up later when school lets out. My store is the closest thing to a coffee shop this town has, and I can always count on kids coming in for an overpriced fancy caffeine fix. Especially since Hal from Hal’s Diner refuses to serve anything but regular and decaf coffee.
“Are you leaving?” Colt asks, carrying a box of fresh pastries from theSparks and Sprinklesbakery next door.
“I have to run out and do a favor for Hazel. Can you handle everything here?”
He looks around at the empty store. “I’ll try my best.”
I roll my eyes. “Have I fired you yet today?”
"Twice, but I'm sure that the third time will be the charm."
“You’re fired, smart mouth.”
Colt looks down at himself, then around him, and then back at me. “Nope, doesn’t seem to have worked.”
I chuckle and turn towards the front door.
“There’s always tomorrow!” I call out over my shoulder.
Chapter 2
RACHEL
I hate the sterile smell of the hospital. It always makes me feel uneasy. It reminds me of when I was little, and we came to visit with my Grammy before she passed.
I make my way across the lobby to the information desk. The scent of Ethan's burger from Hal's Diner, fighting with the sterile smell to be crowned the dominant aroma. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to bring in outside food or not, so I hold the bag behind me as I reach the desk.
An older woman with silver hair pulled into a bun high on her head clicks away at the keyboard in front of her. At first, she doesn’t acknowledge me standing there.
“Excuse me?” I ask quietly.
