The Promise

The group had been en route to a church camp along the river; they’d come from the north part of the state. There were young camp counselors among the group, and one young lady with a bandage on her forehead was interviewed. “We were skidding and spinning and hitting other cars, and then all of a sudden the bus just flipped over. All the kids were tossed everywhere, and we landed on top of each other in a big pile. No one knows what happened.”

The newscaster said that while it was as yet unconfirmed, it was possible the accident was caused by the driver suffering a medical episode.

Indeed, news film showed two cars and a truck that looked damaged, and it was reported that area hospitals were preparing for injured. And, typical of a small town, curious about everything, the police were now managing crowd control.

“Looks like pizza for dinner,” she muttered to herself.

* * *

Scott called Mac’s cell from the car. “I got the call. I’m going to come by the scene to help first responders with triage before continuing on to the hospital.”

“Can’t hurt. They’re calling F.D. from Douglas County and Coast Guard is en route.”

“Any details on injuries or fatalities?”

“A lot of kids have evacuated the bus already, some helped out by motorists. Watch the road and park behind emergency vehicles.”

Scott approached cautiously and pulled off the road behind the tow truck. As he was jogging with medical bag in hand, he passed Eric Gentry, who waited just outside his tow truck. Right beyond Eric and the wrecker was a paramedic rescue unit and behind that, an ambulance. Fortunately, he knew the fire captain. No pleasantries were exchanged. “I want you on that medic unit over there and treat who you can. We’ll transport the ones who can’t be treated here,” the captain said.

“Gotcha,” Scott replied.

It was sheer pandemonium, but Scott could see a gathering of young children standing around the medical unit, some of them holding compresses to their heads or limbs. Mac was setting out flares along the road ahead, closing it off. It was an ominous sight, a blue church bus on its side, glass all over the road.

“What have we got?” Scott asked the medic.

“So far it looks like a lot of minor injuries in need of follow-up like X-rays, head CTs, stitches. A couple of fractures we’ll have Coast Guard transport via airlift, and the ambulance can transport our worst casualties, the worst lacerations or contusions. Most of these kids exited the bus on their own, but there are a couple coming out on backboards.”

“The driver?” Scott asked.

“Deceased. The coroner is on his way.”

“Let’s get patching and transporting,” Scott said.

A second and third fire department showed up, and working together, they began lowering the population of injured at the scene of the accident. The accident was upgraded to a fatal, given the driver, and the state police fatal team was soon collecting data, measuring, taking pictures. There was only one adult supervisor for this large group, a youth pastor, but she was only slightly banged up and held the master list of all the children’s names and contact information. She worked with emergency personnel to keep track of the kids being transported and their destinations. Luckily, there were enough teenage camp counselors present to accompany groups of younger children to various area hospitals. It took close to two hours to send ambulances with four, five or even six kids to local hospitals. Scott followed the third group to the Bandon ER It was going to take hours for parents and guardians to fetch them since they were all from out of town. It looked as if only a few had to be hospitalized overnight for fractures, and they were taken to Eugene’s county hospital.

The ER was so chaotic, Scott didn’t have time to call Peyton, but he took a moment to text her that he was tied up and asked if she was doing all right. She texted back immediately. At your house, pizza for dinner, all is well. He spoke to a number of parents, frantically en route to Coos County, and tried to allay their fears as well as he could.

“That could’ve been horrible,” he said to one of the RNs he knew well. “There could’ve been dozens of little bodies all over the road and down the hill.”

She shuddered. “I know. Even though it was mostly cuts and bruises, I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight,” she said.

“Me, either,” he agreed.

* * *

Throughout the evening, between pizza, games of Candy Land, baths and getting ready for bed, Peyton flipped on the news from time to time just to catch any updates on the accident. They were still showing the original footage, and the reports remained the same. The authorities hadn’t confirmed it, but it seemed that the bus driver, a fifty-seven-year-old woman, had suffered a stroke or heart attack, causing her to lose control of the bus. And the children, some thirty-seven of them, all survived.

But what a terrible, tragic mess.

Here at Scott’s home, doing the one thing she swore she would not be coerced into doing ever again, Peyton was babysitting for the boss. She wasn’t going to tell him she didn’t really mind. In fact, had Ted’s kids been even half as polite and well behaved as these two little ones, she might still be in Portland. There were so many simple chores that went so smoothly with Jenny and Will. Like brushing out Jenny’s long hair. “Use that,” Jenny said, pointing to the anti-tangle spray in Scott’s bathroom. And then she sat still and quiet, even sighing from time to time. This had never happened with Ted’s kids; his girls wouldn’t let her help them with anything. She had so wanted to brush their hair, take them shopping, cook with them, help decorate their bedrooms, watch girl movies with them, but they’d held her at arm’s length. She’d soon learned never to compliment their clothing or hairstyles or she’d never see them look that nice again.

Scott’s kids ate their pizza slices at the table and carried their dishes to the sink. Really? At four and five? Peyton wasn’t sure what came next. “Should I get your bath ready?” she asked.

Jenny nodded, but Will said, “I take a shower in Dad’s shower.” Ah, so manly.

“Try not to make a big mess, please,” Peyton asked nicely. And he didn’t. He even hung up his towel and put his dirty clothes in the hamper.

Oh, I was so arrogant, she thought. She had known Ted’s trio of kids were tough, but she thought she could manage them, whip them into shape. It was not as though she was without experience, both personally and professionally. And she had failed completely. Not only couldn’t she keep her relationship with Ted alive, but to her horror, the kids had seemed to deteriorate, growing ever worse in their behavior. Their scrapes with their teachers increased, their sass to her became worse than ever, even their grades dropped as if she’d done more harm than good. They weren’t going to turn out well. In fact, she feared what kind of people they might become.

“One last game of Candy Land?” she asked the squeaky clean kids.

“Yay! One more!”

And then it was quiet time. They wanted to “camp” with their Kindles and crawled under the table. “Peyton, you can come in, too, if you want.”

“Think I can fit?”

“You have to make yourself small. And be careful about your head,” Jenny said.

“What the heck,” she said. Down on all fours, she crawled into the tent, ducking her head for the wooden braces where the leaf fit. “Just for a little while. I should put the tent away before your daddy gets home.”

“It’s okay. It doesn’t make Daddy mad,” Will said.

“He’s a very good daddy,” Peyton said, once inside. Will and Jenny slid apart, putting her in the middle. “Very nice,” she said. “You can live in here.”

“We have a real tent,” Will informed her.

“For camping?” she asked.

“Uh-huh. We camp in the backyard, but pretty soon we’re going to camp on the beach before it gets too cold. You can come, too, if you want to.”

“That is so sweet,” she said, carefully lying down on her back between the two of them, her feet sticking out of the tent. “Sadly, I will be busy that day. So, now what do we do?”

“We watch,” Jenny said.

She held up her small screen to share with Peyton while Will was not so charitable. He rolled on to his side, his back curled against Peyton, watching his screen privately. She snuck a peak to make sure it wasn’t inappropriate; he was into dragons, it appeared. “Well, I guess I’ll watch with you. What’s this?”

“Up,” Jenny said. “It’s about balloons.”

Indeed. A balloon salesman who had a very satisfactory life selling them, married to a happy wife, growing older gracefully if not completely fulfilled since he missed out on some adventures. But he was mostly content. And then his wife died!

“He’s going to cry now,” Jenny pointed out.

“I think I’m going to cry,” Peyton said.

Jenny turned toward her and gently stroked her cheek with her small hand, turning her beautiful big brown eyes up at Peyton. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

Oh, God! Did she really hear right? She’s four!

Stop, Peyton, stop! Do not fall in love with these children! They belong to the boss! Another package deal that didn’t work out, that would hurt way too much. She didn’t even have a whole heart left after what Ted and his children put her through.

“Now he’ll make his house fly and be happy and fun.”

“That Disney,” Peyton said. “They take no prisoners.” And she sniffed.

* * *

Scott felt terrible about imposing on Peyton. It was criminal! She was new in town, had come in to the clinic ahead of schedule just to help out and try to cover for Devon, and what had he done? Not only worked her to a full-time schedule, but gone off on an emergency that sucked up over eight hours. It was after midnight, and there was still confusion and commotion at the hospital, banged-up children sleeping on cots, couches, chairs and gurneys.

Of course, had he not thoroughly checked out her résumé, talked to former employers and observed her with children in the clinic, he might not have dared. He absolutely believed he could trust her with his children.

He crept quietly into the house; the kitchen light was on as well as a living-room light. The TV was off, and there was no one on the couch, but there was a fort in the dining room. And out of the fort stuck two grown-up feet.

He laughed to himself.

He crouched down and shook her foot. “Peyton,” he whispered.

She sat up with a start and bashed her head into the dining room table. She went back down with a thud.

“Shit. Peyton. Peyton. Are you knocked out?” Scott said. And then, for lack of a better idea, he grabbed her ankles and pulled her out from under the dining room table. Her eyes were open, her black hair streaming out behind her, and she was glaring at him. “Damn, I’m sorry! It’s that table-leaf insert, it hangs down a—” He squinted at her. “Um, we might need a little ice there.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said tartly.

“You fell asleep in the fort. Happens to me all the time.” He rubbed a spot on his forehead. “So does that.”

“What time is it?” she asked.

“It’s almost one. I’m so sorry, this never should have happened. I don’t take advantage of people like that, I swear. I extended babysitting to Devon long before I asked her to help me. But then I had Gabby’s help. And, man, all in one week, Gabby has to leave, Devon gets married, you start working for the clinic and a church camp bus holding thirty-seven kids wrecks.” He shook his head. “If that ever happens again, I’m moving....”

She started to get up. He held out a hand to help. “I want to hear about it. All of it...” she said.

“It’s so late.”

“I know. And you’re so tired. But seriously, I saw little snippets of news, and I want to know what it was like. What you found when you got there, what you did, how you helped...because I was thinking, if you had had a babysitter, I could’ve gone. I’ve only been involved in a couple of emergencies like that, but it really got my motor running.”

He grinned at her. “I should’ve known. An excitement junkie. I’ve had too much coffee to sleep right away, anyway,” he said, heading for the kitchen table. “Was there any video?”

“The same one, over and over—bus on its side, a couple of banged-up cars, enough kids to start a small school.”

“It was a miracle there were no serious injuries. Only two broken bones and they were transported to Eugene. Cuts and scrapes and bruises.” He got out his cell phone and brought up the pictures. It was common practice since his residency, taking pictures of injuries to refer to afterward. “That’s going to need a plastic surgeon referral, but I did the best I could on the stitches. That wicked hematoma earned a head CT and overnight in the hospital. Go ahead, look through them. All parents were notified, and by the time I left, most of the kids had been united with their parents. That’s a wide-awake nightmare—send your kids off to camp and get that kind of phone call.” He shook his head. “How were mine?”

“Perfect,” she said. “Very well behaved.”

“I probably owe most of that to Gabriella. Such a gentle soul, but she’s firm.”

“They’re almost abnormally good,” Peyton said.

He just laughed. “Oh, they have their moments. Especially Will. I didn’t know when we named him that it was short for Willful.”

“He was a little prince.”

“I told him he wouldn’t get to camp on the beach if I heard one complaint.”

“He is very excited about that. He invited me to join you.”

“Oh?” Scott asked.

She yawned. “Unfortunately, I’m busy.”

“We haven’t picked a day yet.”

“Whatever day you pick, I’m busy.” She stood. “I’m heading out.”

Scott stood, too. “You can have Jenny’s bed. The sheets are clean. She’s been in my bed every night since clean sheet day.”

“That’s generous, but, no. I have a date with my toothbrush.”

“I have a new toothbrush, Peyton. It’s late.”

“Going home, Scott. I’m not friendly in the morning.”

He pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to her. “Take my car. Bring it to the clinic sometime tomorrow. And don’t feel obligated to show up to work if you can use the rest—this is bonus time, anyway.”

“I’ll be there,” she said. “I’ll drive your car to the clinic and take mine home from there. You have an extra car key, don’t you?”

He nodded. He couldn’t help but smile at her. Damn she was beautiful. Too bad about that not-interested-in-men thing because she really rocked a pair of jeans. Her legs were long, her ass so round and firm. He suddenly knew how women felt, the women who asked why were all the really good ones gay?

“Your car will be safe parked at the clinic, next to the sheriff’s office.”

“I’m not worried about the car, Peyton. And thanks a million, really. I promise that isn’t going to be a habit—it’s not in your job description to babysit for me. Devon will be home day after tomorrow.”

“Babysitting isn’t a commitment I can make, but this was an emergency. A rare emergency. And your kids are enjoyable. I don’t feel taken advantage of.”

* * *

Scott wasn’t surprised that Peyton was a trouper. She was at the clinic at eight in the morning, and she seemed to be in a cheerier mood.

“Well, good morning,” she said to him. “Where are the kids today? In the break room?”

He shook his head. “Ashley has the whole day free for me. She’s not working at the diner or the deli today. I think she gave me one of her few free days, but she’s hungry for money and happy about the work. She might walk them down to the beach later. If she does, I’m sure she’ll drop by to let me know. Some of her friends might be down there. They all work, but when they’re done, they gather, and it’s usually at the diner or the beach.”

“Have you heard from your sitter?”

“She called, yes,” he said. “Her mom is doing well—no lymph involvement. Still, they’re waiting for a chemo decision and schedule. She’s going to stay with her mom until they have more information. I expected that. Thank God it’s summer. Between Devon, Ashley and Mac’s daughter Eve, I should be covered.”

“I bet you’re tired today,” she said, tossing her purse under the counter.

“I’m okay. I’m used to catching sleep when I can. But I’ll tell you what I didn’t catch—breakfast. Cover for me here while I run across the street? There aren’t any appointments until nine.”

“Sure,” she said.

“The kids were lazy this morning. They were just waking up when Ashley got to the house. I was just about to call Gina and ask her to meet me in the middle of the street with an omelet to go.”

She laughed at him. “Take your time. I’ve got it.”

“You seem pretty well rested,” he observed.

“I had a nap in the fort,” she said with a shrug.

He grinned at her. “And a slight concussion.”

“I should’ve negotiated for hazardous duty pay,” she said, smiling gently.

“Can I bring you back anything?”

“Yeah. If they have something kind of glazed, a sticky bun or donut or something not healthy. I have a little bit of a sweet tooth.”

“I’ll see what I can round up,” he said.

There was still a small breakfast crowd at the diner, though the majority of their clientele was very early, and the rush was usually completely exhausted by nine. Scott took the stool that had become his and asked Gina for his usual.

“Let’s see—three-egg omelet with cheddar and bacon and some potatoes?”

“And coffee.”

She slid the ticket through the serving window to Stu and poured Scott some coffee. “Late night?” she asked.

Of course, Gina would know what went on since Mac was her husband. “It was a mess of people, but we got real lucky. Only a couple of serious injuries. I have to find out what church that is—thirty-seven kids, bounced around a bus, and they not only survived, we didn’t have any critical injuries.”

“Well, except the driver,” she said.

“Poor woman. My money is on a heart attack.”

“And Peyton had your kids?”

He nodded. “I feel terrible about that. We hardly know each other. There was no one to call. If it hadn’t been an emergency of that magnitude, I would never have done that. I wouldn’t have asked. But...”

“I doubt that’ll happen again, Scott. You’ve been here a year—when was the last time we had something that big?”

“I was called out one night when a bunch of drunk teenagers had a brawl and split some lips and skulls. But there were seven of them, and that was madness enough.”

“She must be a very good sport,” Gina said. A bell dinged, and she reached behind her to deliver Scott’s breakfast.

“She is that,” he said. “And she has a very sassy wit—easy to get used to, although Peyton and Devon in the same office could be overwhelming.” He put a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

“And she’s beautiful,” Gina said.

He nodded, swallowed. “No kidding,” he said.

“Maybe your luck is changing.”

“How so?” he asked.

“Scott, you’ve been ready for years now. But the right woman hasn’t appeared. Now you have, right under your nose, a beautiful, funny, talented, single woman. Maybe this one will work out.”

“Not likely,” he said. Not since she’s playing for the girl’s team. “She made it very clear, she’s not interested in men. And she’d only give me a three-month commitment. That’s understandable—a little clinic like mine doesn’t pay well, and she can use this time to find her next position for more than twice the salary. Nah, my luck is the same. Don’t you have a pretty cousin somewhere you can introduce me to?”

“No,” she said with a laugh. “Listen, lots of women say that they don’t want to date. Could be anything—just coming off a breakup, frustration with the way things haven’t worked out in the dating world, some reason we’d never think of....”

That’s for sure, he thought.

“When I was frustrated with Mac not noticing me as a datable woman, a romantic partner, I was so furious I swore off men. Be patient. The right opportunity might present itself.”

“Um-hmm,” he muttered, eating his breakfast. “I think I took you out to dinner a couple of times during your moratorium on men. Timing is everything.”

She smiled at him. “Sorry that didn’t work out, Scott.”

“No, you’re not,” he said.

“No, I’m not. I say we give Peyton time to settle in and then reevaluate.”

“Gina, I say we face facts.” And too bad about the jeans, he thought. But, damn!

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