Page 78 of Last Chance Christmas

Eddie rapped on the door. “Sir, I’m here with the rescue squad and medics. We’re going to get you all out of there.”

“How many?” Trace came up next to Kianna with the stretcher. He set the brakes on the wheels and wedged it into some rocks on the ground to keep it from sliding.

“Four. Two kids are in the back. Including one in a car seat.” Kianna grimaced. None of them could be severely injured. Not at Christmas. This season was one for miracles. At least, she’d pray and believe in one for this family.

The driver rolled down the window and leaned forward. “My door is stuck. And my daughter.” His voice caught. “She’s bleeding on her face.”

“We’re going to help.” Eddie smiled, then tugged on the passenger door. It opened, and he leaned in. Seconds later, he held a black-haired boy’s hand and guided him out onto the pavement.

The kid sported a puffer jacket. Even so, Kianna grabbed a blanket from her bag and walked over to the child. He was tall and lanky, maybe ten years old, and his wide eyes scanned the area.

She bent to match his height. “What’s your name?”

“Benjamin.” He blinked.

“It’s nice to meet you, Benjamin. I’m Miss Kianna, and I’m going to make sure you’re not hurt.” She held out the blanket. “This will keep you extra warm, okay?”

Benjamin nodded.

She wrapped the aluminum thermal blanket around him. “Does anything hurt?”

“No. But my sister.” He scrunched his forehead. “My sister has a bad cut.”

“You’re a good brother, looking out for her. We’ll make sure it gets bandaged up.”

“I’m her big brother. Of course I have to take care of her.” His pupils expanded. “That’s what my mom and dad tell me.” Benjamin turned back to the car.

Eddie hoisted a toddler with curly brown hair onto his hip.

Trace hurried over and held out his arms to take the girl, and she began to cry.

“Posie!” Benjamin dashed off. He made it a few steps before his sneaker slipped on the slush and he fell backward.

Kianna raced forward and grabbed the boy’s arm, putting her hand on his back before he could collide with the pavement.

“Thanks.” Benjamin didn’t even turn around. His focus stayed on his sister, and he reached out to take her hand. “It’s okay, Posie. This is a nice guy. He’s going to help us.”

Posie whimpered but the tears had stopped.

Zack circled around to the front of the car. “The passenger side is snug against the guardrail. Can they climb out the back?” He nodded to Eddie.

Kianna tuned out the rescue crew and signaled to Trace. “Why don’t we go sit on the back of the truck?” She pointed to the ambulance. “We can wait there for your mom and dad to come over.”

Benjamin peered at Kianna, then Trace. “As long as I can hold Posie’s hand the whole time.”

Kianna smiled, and a warmth worked its way up her arms. The compassion and concern this child had toward his sister brought tears to her eyes. Don’t ever grow out of this innocence, kid. Keep protecting your sis. And any girl you meet when you get older. This interaction threatened to whisk her away to memories of a time when her own hopes of being protected and treated with care had been squandered.

“You got it, dude.” Trace’s comment pulled her back to the present.

She blinked away the tears.

Trace gave Benjamin a thumbs-up with his free hand, then the four of them walked over to the back of the ambulance.

She helped Benjamin up into the truck bed, and the kid sat, swinging his legs off the ledge.

Trace worked on cleaning Posie’s wound, and Kianna took Benjamin’s vitals. The entire time, Benjamin kept his hand wrapped around his sister’s fingers.

“There we go.” Trace pressed a bandage on Posie’s cheek. “You’ll be all better soon.”