Page 121 of Badges
Oh shit.
Without pausing, I take off in a sprint, oblivious of my bare feet on the frozen ground.
“What happened?” I’m yelling before I even reach her.
“I—I—I fell,” she sobs.
That’s when I see her cradling her left arm against her chest, her wrist at an odd angle.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” I run my hands quickly up her shoulders, but I don’t see anything that’s glaring.
“No. Don’t touch. I just wanna sit down.” Her shuddering breathing chops her words.
My heart races as I walk with her, helping her inside to perch on one of the kitchen chairs.
Grabbing a plastic bag, I fill it quickly with ice and wrap it with a small towel. “Here, put this on it. We’re gonna have to get you to the hospital.”
She winces when the cold pack touches her, but bites her lip.
“Can you tell me exactly how you fell?” I squat in front of her so she can see me easily.
“Um, I was up on the fence. Trixie was standing there eating and I thought I could just sit on her back for a minute while she stood there.”
“‘Thia,” I groan. “You know better than to try and ride her alone.”
She sits up a little straighter. “I’ve done it tons of times. It wasn’t her fault, I swear. My sweatshirt snagged a nail.” She holds up her right arm to show the torn hole. “And she just kinda took a step sideways.”
Her good hand flies up to stop my reply. “She didn’t spook, Elena. She was so perfect. She just stood there.”
“I’m not upset at your horse. That’s good she behaved. Just imagine how much worse it could have been if she freaked out?” There’s a teeny, tiny, silver lining.
I have to call Wade.
Her red eyes water as she rocks herself, watching me bring up his number.
Come on, pick up.
Voicemail.
“Wade, I think Cynthia broke her wrist. You need to call me back.” I end the call, and immediately hit redial.
Again no answer.
“Fuck.”
“Where’s Dad?” Her chin trembles in a stoic effort to calm herself.
“He’s on an accident scene. He said he was going to be late getting home.” I hate this.
She needs to be seen by a doctor.
Her brows work into a knot. “Should we wait until he gets back?”
That’s the big question.
I’m supposed to get this monitor off on Monday. It’s the only thing making me hesitate.
Can I see her suffer?
