Page 133 of Noel Secrets

He ran to his pickup, heart racing as he jumped inside and took off after her.

Darby gave thanks when she saw the two-lane highway was not congested. She did her best to stay calm and concentrate on the road ahead. Her knuckles hurt from gripping the steering wheel so tightly, but it kept her from bursting into tears. That wouldn’t do. She didn’t have time for a breakdown—not when David needed her. The GPS showed she was heading for the closest medical center to the camp, and she was still forty-five minutes away.

God, please watch over him until I can reach him.

Her phone rang from its spot in the dashboard cradle. She hoped it was Jason, calling to give her an update on David. It wasn’t, but she was equally glad to hear from Clay. Darby gave him the details about David’s accident. “I’m on my way to the hospital.”

“I saw your text. Why didn’t you wait for me?” His voice sounded terse, angry that she’d left him behind.

“I couldn’t wait. I didn’t know how long you would be.”

“Where are you now?”

She glanced at her GPS and gave him the name of the intersection she’d just passed.

“I’m on my way to you. If I don’t catch up, I’ll meet you at the hospital.” He blew out an audible breath then added more calmly. “He’ll be okay. If he’s anything like his mother, he’s one tough kid.”

Her heart fluttered with worry, but she appreciated his attempt to reassure her. “Kids break bones every day, but after all that’s happened, this just seems like one more blow, you know?”

“I know.”

She barely knew this man, but she appreciated his kindness. She hadn’t received many kind words or actions in the past years. She’d shouldered it all alone. It felt good to have another person to share the load.

She wiped away and errant tear then glanced in the rearview mirror at a car fast approaching behind her. “Slow down, fella.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just a car coming up behind me really fast. Someone’s in a bigger hurry than I am.” Yes, she was rushing to the hospital, but she preferred to make it there in one piece. “I’ll slow down and let him pass.”

She tapped her brakes. Since there was no oncoming traffic, the SUV shouldn’t have trouble going around her.

But it didn’t change lanes. Instead, it slowed down and rode right on her bumper. Darby gripped the steering wheel even tighter as the car continued speeding up and slowing down as if toying with her. The hairs raised on her neck. She spotted a turn coming up and quickly made it. The SUV braked to turn too. “Something’s wrong.”

“What is it?”

“I just made a turn and the SUV behind me turned too. It’s right on my tail.”

“Keep going. I’m on my way.”

Darby pressed her foot on the accelerator to speed up, but it was too late.

The SUV surged, slamming into her rear bumper.

“Clay, hurry!” She fought the wheel, knuckles white, tires skidding. Somehow, she stayed on the road.

The SUV backed off then pulled alongside her as if it would pass her. For a second, she felt a flicker of hope.

Maybe just a reckless driver. Maybe?—

She glanced over. A man stared straight at her—and then he jerked the wheel hard.

Steel slammed into the side of her car. It launched off the road, plunging down a steep embankment.

Her scream fractured the air as trees whipped past. Metal crunched. The car slammed into a trunk. The airbag exploded.

Pain burst through her skull. The world tipped sideways.

Her body sagged against the seat, limbs heavy. Darkness crept in around the edges of her vision. A hissing sound rose from the engine.