Road to Peace (9 page)

Cullen smiled. “Okay, big brother. Let’s play.”

* * *

Two weeks later, Hatch sat at his desk well past ten, entering a parts order into the computer when his cell phone pealed.

Sunshine calling.

What the fuck? He ignored the call and went back to his task. However, his phone rang again and it was Maisie again.

He debated on whether or not to answer, but he’d missed her, so he gave in. “Hatch here.” All he could hear was sobbing and his heart stopped in his chest. “Maisie?”

“No. It’s Poppy. I can’t wake Mum.”

He stood and grabbed his keys, heading out to his truck. “Okay, baby girl, where are you?”

“I… I don’t know. The car made this weird noise and then Mum said something was wrong with the brakes and then we were driving through the guardrail. Mummy banged her head on the steering wheel and her arm looks funny. She’s got blood all over her face and I can’t get her to wake up.”

“Did you call 9-1-1?” he asked.

“No.”

“Why the hell not?” he snapped.

She sniffled. “Please don’t yell at me.”

Fuck!
He took a deep breath and dragged a hand through his hair. “Baby girl, I need you to call 9-1-1, okay? But don’t hang up. Do you have your cell phone?”

“Huh-uh. But we have LexusLink. That’s what I was trying to say. The lady said they’re coming and I told her to send an ambulance, but I don’t know if they’ll find us. We’re off the road. I thought because you’re a mechanic you could figure out… I don’t know… something. I don’t really know why I called you. I just thought you could help Mummy.”

She started sobbing again, so Hatch put her on speaker and texted Booker to trace Maisie’s phone and get him to send Ace with a tow truck.

“Are you still there?” she rasped.

“Yeah, baby girl, I’m here,” he said. “Did your airbags go off?”

“No,” she sobbed. “I hit my head too, but I’m okay.”

“I’m gonna come get you, okay? Where were you going?”

“We were coming from Ali’s. We’re near the zoo I think.”

“Okay, were you on 26?”

“I think so. I saw the exit for the zoo. I think. It’s really dark.”

Hatch swore. It was late, and there were a few winding stretches of that freeway with deep embankments, but the only guardrails you could go “through” were on the exits… everything else was concrete. It was doubtful that she could have gone off the road without a single witness.

“Please don’t hang up,” Poppy whispered. “I’m so scared.”

Fuck!

“I’m right here, yeah? I’m coming.”

“Don’t hang up, Hatch. Please don’t hang up.”

He sped out of the driveway and toward Portland. “I’m here, baby girl.”

“I’m really tired.”

“I need you to stay awake, Poppy, can you do that?”

His phone beeped and he glanced at the screen. Booker hacked into the LexusLink system and sent him the exact location of Maisie’s car… right along Highway 26.

“Poppy?” She didn’t respond, so he bellowed, “Poppy!”

“I’m here,” she said.

He heard sirens in the background and his heart calmed a little. “Do you hear that? The ambulance is close now.”

“Yeah,” she whispered.

“Stay awake,” he ordered.

“I’m just resting my eyes like Mum does sometimes.”

He had a feeling if she closed her eyes she’d be out cold in minutes. “The paramedics will have questions about your mom they’ll need you to answer. You have to stay awake so you can help her, okay?”

“Okay, Hatch.”

“I mean it, Poppy. They’ll need to know if she has any allergies or anything. She needs you to talk to them when they get there. I’m close. I’ll be there soon.”

“They’re here now. I’m gonna hang up.”

“No! Don’t hang up, Poppy. You can put the phone down, but don’t hang up.”

“Mummy’s really hurt,” Poppy said to whoever had just arrived. “Please help her. I can’t wake her up. She’s allergic to grass and a couple of trees. I don’t remember their names.”

“Any medicines?” a female voice asked.

“No. Just grass and trees.”

“We’ve got her, honey, but I need you to come with me.”

“Hatch?” Poppy asked.

“Still here, baby girl,” he assured her.

“Can you tell him where you’re taking Mummy, please?” Poppy asked.

“Hello?” the woman said.

“Hey.”

“Sir, this is Mary Walls, we’re taking them to OHSU.”

“Okay. Maisie is the mom and Poppy’s the daughter. Last name’s Mann. Take good care of them, yeah?”

“We’ll take care of your family, sir. You can meet us there.”

He spoke to Poppy one more time and then the line went dead. After checking in with Booker and being assured Ace was on his way, Hatch headed to the crash site, right off the side of 26 before the freeway interchanges to I-5 and I-405, finding the ambulances and police cars had the road blocked off.

Pulling his truck off to the shoulder, he rushed into the chaos, his heart in his throat. He was glad to see that Poppy hadn’t been entirely correct in her assessment of being alone. A couple of cars had pulled off to the side of the road and called 9-1-1, but one lady had her two young kids in the back, the other car was an older woman, so Hatch really couldn’t fault them for not climbing down the embankment.

Before he could get to the ambulance, it took off just as Ace pulled up with a tow truck. He jogged to Hatch. “What’s goin’ on?”

“Not entirely sure yet,” Hatch said. “Looks like she guided her car off Jefferson where it went through a guard rail and down the embankment.”

“Shit,” Ace said. “Who?”

“Maisie.”

“Maisie?” Ace asked. “Kim’s Maisie?”

Hatch shook his head. Cassidy was Ace’s old lady, so even though Hatch didn’t advertise the fact he’d gone out with Maisie, Cassidy and Kim were sisters now, so they’d probably done their woman thing and over-shared. “Shut up, Ace. Just fuckin’ deal with the car, yeah? I wanna get it back to the shop. Her daughter said somethin’ was wrong with the brakes.”

Once Ace was on task to deal with the car, Hatch took off for the hospital. He lied to the admittance desk, claiming to be family until they reluctantly buzzed him back and showed him to a room. Poppy was sitting on the bed alone, crying.

“Poppy?”

She raised her head and relief covered her face. “You came.”

“Yeah, baby girl. Where’s your mom?” He pulled a chair up next to her and frowned. Her head was bandaged and her left eye was starting to purple.

“I don’t know. I’m waiting to find out.” She licked her lips. “I’m thirsty.”

He poured her some water and handed it to her. “Who should we call, Poppy?”

“No one,” she said, and took a sip of water. “Auntie Ali’s here. She just went to get the nurse.” She put her hand to her head with a grimace.

“Are you in pain?”

Poppy nodded.

“Excuse me? Who the hell are you and what are you doing in here?” A petite brunette advanced on him and Hatch raised his hands in surrender.

“It’s okay, Ali. This is Hatch,” Poppy said.

Ali paused and studied him. “
You’re
Hatch?”

Hatch nodded, bolstered by the fact Maisie had obviously mentioned him. Before they could continue introductions, a nurse arrived and squeezed a syringe of morphine into Poppy’s arm. “I can only give you a little, honey, because we need you to stay awake. We’re going to take you for a scan in a little bit.”

“We’ll keep her awake,” Ali promised. “Any word on Maisie Mann?”

“Not yet. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know.” The nurse left the room and Hatch waved Ali to the chair he’d pulled next to Poppy’s bed.

Poppy’s eyes were drooping, so Hatch squeezed her arm gently. She looked up at him, her pupils pinned. “Hmm?”

“Feeling a little better?” he asked.

She nodded.

Hatch smiled. “I need you to tell me everything you remember, okay?”

“It all happened really fast. Mum said something felt weird, then yelled for me to hold on.” She took a deep breath. “There was glass everywhere and my head hurt, but when Mummy didn’t answer me, I got really scared. I pushed the LexusLink button and, since she keeps her cell phone in the console, I called you.” She gasped. “I left her phone in the car.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Ali assured her. “The last thing she’s going to care about is her phone. She’ll get another one.”

Another nurse walked in with a wheelchair and informed Poppy she could see her mother.

“Can we all come?” Alison asked.

“Yes. You can’t stay for long, though. Mrs. Mann’s pretty tired.”

Poppy was shaky as she tried to slide off the bed, so Hatch lifted her and set her in the wheelchair. The nurse handed Alison Poppy’s bag of personal items and then they headed toward the elevator bay.

They arrived at Maisie’s room and Poppy let out a frightened squeak. “Mummy!”

“Don’t get up, Poppet,” Maisie whispered, eyeing Hatch in confusion as a nurse wheeled Poppy into the room.

Hatch hung back and took in Maisie’s appearance. Her right arm was in a sling and a bandage was wrapped around her head. She looked like she’d taken a pretty nasty beating. Hatch saw Poppy’s eyes widen and her face contort in fear as the nurse guided her to the side of Maisie’s bed.

“I’ll be right back,” the nurse said.

Maisie nodded. “Thanks.”

Damn, but Hatch wanted to reach out and touch her. Hold her. Make sure she was really okay.

“Are you…?” Poppy asked, tears streaming down her face. “Are you okay?”

Maisie took her hand. “I’m good, love. I have to have a little surgery on my arm. It’s broken pretty bad. But they’re going to wait until my concussion clears.”

“Poppy has a concussion as well,” Ali said. “They just gave her some pain meds.”

Maisie gave her a watery smile. “Thanks, Ali.”

Poppy moved to stand.

“Don’t get up,” Hatch ordered, and Poppy sat back down.

Maisie’s eyes flew to him and she bit her lip. “How… what are you doing here?”

“I called him,” Poppy said.

Another nurse walked in and smiled at Maisie. “I’m here to take Poppy for her scan.”

“Do I have to go by myself?” Poppy asked.

“I’ll come with you, honey,” Ali offered.

“Thanks, Ali.” Maisie smiled at her daughter. “It’s pretty straight forward, Poppet. Don’t be scared.”

“Can Hatch come with me?”

Hatch shook his head. “I should really head out, baby girl.”

Ali frowned at Hatch, then schooled her features and faced Poppy. “I’ll come with you, sweetie. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

“Okay, Ali. Thanks.”

The nurse wheeled Poppy out and Ali followed.

Maisie

“
I
’LL CHECK IN on you later,” Hatch said, his eyes searching mine.

I swallowed, feeling more than just the pain coursing through my body. God, he looked gorgeous. “I… don’t know what to say.”

“It’s all good, Sunshine. Glad you and Poppy are okay. I’ve got your car back at my place, so give me a call when you’re feelin’ better.”

“Okay,” I said distractedly, but then registered what he said. “Wait. Why do
you
have my car?”

“Maisie, I’m just going to get some vitals,” a nurse said, and walked to my bed.

“Oh, sure,” I mumbled, and Hatch turned to leave. “Hatch, wait. I want to know what’s going on. Will you hang out for a bit?”

He walked further into the room. “Sure.”

I relaxed, but it didn’t stop my head from throbbing. My thoughts were foggy, but my body was on alert having Hatch so close.

The nurse slid her stethoscope around her neck and smiled. “I’m going to get a few supplies then I’ll help you change. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” I was so tired, but Hatch touched my shoulder and my eyes flew to him.

“Don’t fall asleep,” he ordered.

“Right.” I sat up a little straighter, every movement killing me.

He sat on the edge of the bed and I was grateful I didn’t have to look up. “What’s going on?” I asked.

“Poppy called me from your phone and told me you were unconscious.”

“And you answered? Even after I blew you off?”

He gave me a sexy smile. “Thought about ignoring the call, but I like you, Sunshine, so figured I’d see what was up.”

I bit my lip. He liked me.

He tapped my knee. “Don’t sleep.”

“I’m not.” I licked my lips. “I’m just resting my eyes.”

Hatch nodded. “Had Booker hack into the Lexus system, got my guys there to deal with your car, then came here to make sure you were okay.”

God, he was so nice. I blinked back tears and melted when he slid a thumb gently across my cheek.

“I’m gonna find out why your brakes failed and your airbags didn’t go off. You good with that?” he asked.

“You don’t have to do that,” I whispered, the tears flowing freely down my face.

“Why are you cryin’?”

“Because.”

Hatch caught a tear with his thumb. “Don’t cry, baby.”

“I can’t help it. You’re being so nice and I’ve been an absolute tosser.”

He chuckled. “I don’t know what that means, but it sounds pretty bad.”

“It
is
bad,” I confirmed. “It really is okay for you to go, Hatch. If you can keep the car until I can deal with it, I’ll sort it out. Or I can have Ryan do it.”