Promise Canyon (Virgin River #13)(58)

He picked up the cordless and dialed. All he said was, "Aiden."

"Aw, Luke, he augured in. They were in exercises at Fort Hood when some crazy civilian airplane crossed protected airspace, flew right into a crop of Black Hawks and Cobras. Ran right into the tail-boom of Colin's helicopter..."

"How the hell did a civilian aircraft--"

"I don't have any details, but the sergeant who called me said the plane was erratic and flying out of control. Maybe the pilot had a stroke or coronary."

"And Colin?"

"Critical. Broken bones, possible internal injuries, burns. All messed up. Unconscious."

"Aw, Jesus!"

"Sean is closest to him in Alabama and he's on active duty. He's already on his way to Fort Hood. The rest of us are going to sit tight till they stabilize him. He could stay at Fort Hood, end up back at Fort Benning or even be airlifted to Fort Sam in San Antonio, depending on the extent and type of his injuries. If they airlift him out of Fort Hood, chances are Sean can catch a ride on a military aircraft. So... Go ahead and throw a few things in a bag and when I know more, I'll call you."

"Aiden," Luke said. "When you say critical... Is he gonna make it?"

"No one knows yet, Luke. He's in real bad shape, headed for surgery."

"Did you get a hold of Mom and George?" Luke's mother and her boyfriend were traveling the country in their RV.

"I did. They're in Florida visiting one of George's stepgrandsons, so I was able to convince her to stay where they are for now. I had to promise to call her first when I have more news, but..."

"But call Sean, since I assume he has his cell and is headed that way. Then me so I can get going. Then call her and tell her she was first. Listen, maybe I should just head for Florida right now, drive Mom and George in that bus of theirs. I don't like two old people driving somewhere all upset."

"I doubt you could get there fast enough to chauffeur them. Sean should be at Fort Hood by early morning," Aiden said. "Let's get more information before we react."

"I just don't want Colin alone if--I want one of us to be there if--"

"Luke, he's in surgery and no one's going to be with him but the doctors. Don't worry about things it's too early to worry about."

"Was he unconscious or in a coma?" Luke asked. "Did he have head injuries?"

"He was conscious when they pulled him out of the wreckage, but they put him under because of the pain. He went into surgery right away for serious fractures--and no, I don't know which bones--and to assess him for internal bleeding. We're going to have to wait, Luke. The crash was only a few hours ago. Just hang on. I'll get back to you."

"Yeah," Luke said, running a hand over his head. "Yeah. Thanks. I'll get ready to travel."

When he hung up the phone and turned toward his wife, all he could do was shrug helplessly.

"It wasn't a car accident," Shelby said.

"Helicopter crash. He's in rotten shape, baby. I won't even know where to go to him until he's assessed and stabilized. Broken, bleeding and burned. Critical, Aiden said. In surgery. And not very many details."

"Do you have to go now?" she asked.

"I'm going to pack now, but there's no going anywhere till I know more. They could airlift him to a different post, depending on his injuries and what he needs. Baby, I do some things real well, but I don't wait real well."

She smiled with affection. "I know, Luke."

"Maybe I should just drive to Aiden in Chico, then we can go wherever we're going together. I'm probably going to have to head for Sacramento for a flight anyway and Chico is on the way. It's turning night. Sacramento doesn't have so many flights at night."

"There's always San Francisco," she said. "If you want to just get started, I understand. If Aiden calls while you're driving, you have that cell phone that works everywhere but here. Charge it in the car."

He stepped toward her. "Shelby, I want to," he said. "I want to get to him. The thing I'm most afraid of--" Again he couldn't finish.

"He's not going to die, Luke," she said. "I really think it helps if you believe that. If you envision that."

"I can't lose him," Luke said emotionally. "Colin has always been the one brother hardest to pull into the fold, the hardest to get close to. He was always the wildest one."

"Wilder than you?"

"Oh, God, yes!" He pulled her into his arms, baby and all. "If I throw some stuff in a bag and start driving south to Aiden, will you be okay?"

She nodded. "I'll call Uncle Walt to help Art around the cabins. Uncle Walt will babysit if I ask him to, but I can take the baby with me to class. And if I have to skip a class or two, not that big a deal. Brand-new mommies get slack." She touched his face. "Luke, please try to believe he'll be all right."

"I'm trying, Shell. I'm trying."

Twelve

Preacher had explained to Kelly that the Closed sign would be lit at the bar, but the door would be unlocked until they arrived. When they pulled up, Kelly driving this time, she took a moment to look at the building. It appeared to be a refurbished log cabin with a wide porch with several chairs. She could see the two-story house built onto the back. It was rustic, yet in perfect condition.