Page 76 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Yes,” said Griff, “but it keeps going to voicemail.”

After a while, Mia said to Griff, “Text Kayla and tell her to meet us at The Desert Oasis. We want to keep moving to show Lori as many spots as possible.”

“Okay,” said Griff. He helped pay for the drinks and the snacks and stood.

He held the chair for Lori while she got to her feet, and they headed out the door.

On the street, they walked with the others toward another new bar.

Griff’s cell rang. “It’s Kayla. Hold on.”

Lori watched Griff’s expression change. His cheeks drained of color. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“What’s wrong?” Lori asked.

“Kayla and Rosie were in an accident,” said Griff. “The police and EMT’s are there now. Her car has been totaled. She wants me to come to the scene.”

Ahead of them, Mia stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Griff told her and the others what had happened and faced Lori. “You can stay…”

“No,” she said. “I want to be available to help.”

“Let’s go,” said Griff.

CHAPTER FORTY

LORI

Lori and Griff arrived at a crossroads outside of town, where the accident had taken place. The flashing red lights, the uniformed police, and the EMTs filled her stomach with acid.

Kayla was standing by an ambulance, talking to one of the first responders as Rosie sat on the back step of their emergency vehicle, being checked by another.

An older model tan Volvo with one side badly damaged sat on the verge of the road. A red truck was parked on the other side, where a policeman was talking to a young man. Lori suspected he was the other driver.

Griff pulled his car to a stop beside the road and got out.

Lori quickly followed.

When Kayla saw them, she hurried over. “Thank God you’re here. I’m okay, but Rosie has injured her shoulder. They’re also checking the injuries to her face from the airbag.” She held out her hands. “I’m still shaking.”

“What happened?” asked Griff, putting an arm around Kayla.

“We were driving to town when that young kid in his truck went right through the stop sign and hit us. He tried to stop, but it was too late.” Kayla lowered her voice. “I think he’s high on something. A policeman is talking to him now.”

“How about you?” Lori asked Kayla. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Kayla’s eyes filled. She shook her head. “I’m shaken and probably a little bruised, but I’m not badly hurt. It’s Rosie whom I’m worried about. The truck hit her side of the car.” She gripped her hands and looked at the damage to her automobile. “I think they’ll total it.”

“As long as you both will be okay, don’t worry about anything else,” said Griff. “You can use one of the vineyard’s trucks until you have the situation with your car settled. The important thing is to make sure both of you are all right.”

“Come see Rosie,” said Kayla. “Lori, I’m glad you’re here. Rosie wants to talk to you.”

When they approached the ambulance, the EMT workers turned to them. “We’ve given Rosie something for the pain so we could put the dislocated shoulder back in place. Rosie will need to wear a sling for a couple of days. She’ll be able to resume most activities within a couple of weeks. However, it takes about 12-16 weeks to completely recover.”

Lori felt sick looking at the bruising and scraping on Rosie’s beautiful face.

“Rosie’s face will be fine. No broken bones,” commented one of the EMTs.