Page 133 of Lone Star Longing
“No, he was talking through the truck. You know how he does.”
Of course, Lacey did know he used his hands-free device. “Where was he? Did you call the sheriff’s department?”
“He said he was about half an hour away, and I did call the sheriff but they said they had something else happening and they were spread too thin. I don't have a car, you know. Can you go see if you can find him?”
Lacey’s first thought was to resist the idea. She hated being on the road in the rain, and driving was worse. Plus, she hadn’t driven since the babies were born.
But thinking about Beck being hurt out there—she had to do it.
“He was coming to your place anyway, so if everything is okay, you would see him on the road. But if something’s gone wrong....” Her voice trailed off.
“Oh. Yes.” That was true. She looked about for her mother. She was not taking her babies out in this weather. Maybe her mother would have a reasonable solution that wouldn't require her to go out on the road. Maybe if she just waited a couple of minutes....
But if Beck was hurt, she needed to get to him. “I’ll call you when I find something.” But she was going to call the sheriff’s department first.
“Thank you, Lacey. Thank you. I know this is a lot to ask. I didn't know who else to call.”
Lacey disconnected the call and settled her babies before she called Beck. No answer, so she called Javi. He didn't answer, so she called the sheriff’s department and talked to Meredith, the dispatcher.
“Hey, Mrs. Conover is really worried about Beck, and to be honest, I am too. Can you send someone out Highway 277 to see if they see anything.”
“I’m sorry, Lacey, but there was a bad accident south of Kimmel, and all our units are over there.”
“Okay, okay, there’s no one you can send. I just had twins, and I haven't driven yet, but I’m really worried. She said she was on the phone with him and it disconnected and she can't get in touch with him.”
“I’m sorry, Lacey. I don't have anyone to send.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll go.”
“Honey. Your babies.”
“No, ah, my mom’s here. I’m just, ah, worried about driving so soon, and I, you know, hate driving in this. But I’m really worried.”
“Maybe Poppy or someone can go?”
“No, ah. No. It’s probably nothing. He’ll probably be here by the time I get off the phone.”
“Well, okay. Let me know.”
“Yes, sure.” Her throat was already tightening in anticipation, and she disconnected. She checked her battery life and called for her mom.
A few minutes later she was on the road and peering into the distance as she drove slowly. The rain was pounding now, and ponding on the road, and she was so anxious. She hoped against hope to see Beck’s truck coming toward her, but it wasn’t. She made the turn onto the road leading into town, her palms sweaty on the wheel, her knuckles white as she had to adjust her vision to the day road.
God, she was only going thirty miles an hour, so she put on her flashers. She didn't see any other traffic on the road, though, thank God, and she drove as fast as she felt comfortable.
And then she saw it, the headlights off the side of the road, angled against the barbed wire fence. Yes, it was Beck. Beck’s truck was on its side. Her heart did one hard slam against her ribs, then stopped completely.
She swerved across the road and put her car into park, scrambled out the door into the rain. She was drenched by the time she got her door closed, and was sliding down the slight incline, in the sparse vegetation, the wet caliche dirt sticking to her legs below her yoga pants. The slide hurt her stomach, and she had to pause a moment to catch her breath before she screamed Beck’s name.
The truck was sitting on the passenger side, so she ran to the front of the truck and tried to see in through the windshield, but the glass was webbed and hard to see. The glare from the headlights made it even harder. She could only see that the airbag had deployed, but she couldn't see Beck. Couldn't see him at all.
She didn't know what to do. She should have called the sheriff’s department as soon as she got here. She ran back to the car for the phone, falling on her hands and knees hard enough to jar the breath out of her, hard enough to bring tears to her eyes, then she clawed her way up to the car.
She couldn't unlock her phone with her wet thumbprint, so had to waste the time to type in her code and finally got through to Meredith.
“Hey, I found his truck.” She gave him the last mile marker she’d passed. “Can you send someone? It’s on its side. I don't know if I can get him out.”
“No, maybe you shouldn’t try. We’ll send someone as soon as possible.”
