Page 43 of A Soldier's Destiny
“Good. When I tell you to turn right, don’t think just do it.”
“Okay.” Her hands gripped the wheel so hard they started to cramp. It’s when she realized she was almost standing on the brake pedal.
“Now. Turn now, Angel.” Doing as he said, she turned the wheel. The tires squealed on the pavement as the van took the turn much faster than it should have and slammed head-on into a huge steel dumpster.
The airbag deployed and her head slammed into the side window. Everything seemed fuzzy and she couldn’t move but she was still alive.
“Jasper?”
“I’m here, Angel.” His voice sounded far away, and her head throbbed like it was being pounded with a sledgehammer. “I’m here. Can you turn your head away from the window?”
She shifted over just enough to move away from the door allowing Jasper to pull it open. But she was pinned by the airbag and couldn’t move much. “Is the cake okay?”
“Don’t worry about the cake. We need to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, but Mrs. Evanston…”
“Shh, Angel. Let me get you out of there, then we’ll worry about the cake.” Carefully he slid his arms behind her back and gently pulled her from the seat. She didn’t think she was injured except her head, where the drums were still pounding loud and clear. The impact against the window had been hard enough to shatter it.
“I hear sirens. Are they real?”
“They’re real. I’d bet you have a concussion. I’m so sorry, Angel.”
“Why are you sorry? I’m fine.” He grunted but didn’t put her down. Instead, he walked over to the curb and sat with her in his lap. Then he turned her face so he could look more closely at her head.
“You’ve got a nasty bruise forming already.”
“Yeah, well you should see the other guy.”
“I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor. Does anything else hurt?”
“I don’t think so. Maybe my chest a little, but it’s probably from the airbag.”
“Maybe. We’ll get you checked out to make sure.”
The sirens were closer and then they finally stopped. If they’d gotten any louder, her head would have imploded. The pain was excruciating, and her left eye refused to stay open.
“Are you okay?” Steele bent down to get a look at her. She’d seen him more in the last week than she had since she’d gotten back to Willow Haven. She should get up to explain what happened, but it was too comfortable in Jasper’s arms, and with her head against his chest it didn’t pound as much. He was warm and safe. Nope, she wasn’t moving unless they made her.
* * *
“I’m fine, but Rori got banged up pretty bad. She needs to be checked out.”
“The ambulance is on the way. They’ll take her to Willow Haven Hospital.”
Before he could say anything, Chase showed up. “What the hell happened? I thought you were supposed to be taking care of her?”
“I was. I’d bet a month’s salary someone cut the brake line.”
“We’ll have it towed and look at it,” Ethan said. “I’m shocked you guys are in one piece. It was brilliant turning into the alley.”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t keep Rori from being hurt.”
“I’m fine, I keep telling you. But you can’t take the cake,” Rori mumbled.
“What is she talking about?” Chase asked, looking at Jasper for an explanation.
“We were delivering a wedding cake to Ruby’s for the Evanston’s vow renewal. She’s more worried about the damn cake than herself.”
