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hospital.”
    Tilting his head to the side, he studies me. “I thought you didn’t know her?”
    “I don’t. However, I do know what happened here tonight—after I found her, at least. I don’t want her to wake up alone. I’ll stay until her family arrives.” I give him the details of what I just decided only minutes before.
    Understanding crosses his face. “I’ll meet you there.”
    I give him a quick wave and hustle across the road to my truck. Cranking the heater, I pull out my cell phone. Several missed calls and one text from Stephanie.
     
Stephanie: I can’t believe you stood me up.
     
    Really? Does she not know me any better than that?
     
Me: Drove up on an accident. Stopped to help. Headed to hospital now.
I’ll make it up to you.
     
    After I hit send, I drop the phone in the cup holder and reach for my seat belt, securely fastening it. I wait for the ambulance to pull out, because I’m going to follow them, not knowing for sure where they’re taking her. I don’t have to wait long before the siren sounds and they’re moving. The sheriff pulls out behind them, sticking his hand out the window for me to follow.
    Thankful for the escort, I put the truck in drive and follow close behind. The entire way, I pray she’s okay. I’m not really a praying man; I’ve done it, but don’t make it a habit. But something inside me needs her to be okay.
     

 
    The drive to the hospital is a blur. My grip on the wheel is so tight my fingers start to ache. Thankfully, the rain has started to ease a little; however, it does nothing to calm my nerves. I follow the sheriff into the emergency room parking lot, and he parks behind the ambulance. I find the first available spot, throwing my truck into park. I tear off the poncho and throw it in the backseat of the truck, then grab my phone and keys and head toward the entrance.
    By the time I reach them, they’ve already wheeled her back to an exam room. The sheriff is waiting for me just inside the door.
    “Simpson.” He holds his hand out for me.
    I take it. “Ridge Beckett,” I introduce myself.
    “They have a room we can use. I turned over her belongings, so they’re going to try and contact her family.”
    “Do we know who she is?”
    He gives me a sad look. “She had her ID in her wallet. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge that information.”
    I run my hand through my hair, frustrated at the situation. I understand that she has rights, confidentiality and all that, but I just . . . She needs to be okay. “Yeah,” I finally say, following him to the room he just mentioned.
    “Have a seat.” He points to the row of chairs in what appears to be a private waiting room. “Now, tell me what happened tonight.”
    I spend the next several minutes going over the evening. Hell, I even started with stopping to change Dawn’s tire. He doesn’t say a word, just listens and takes notes.
    “So, you don’t know either of them?” he asks.
    I shake my head, just as my phone vibrates in my pocket. I’m sure it’s Stephanie. I need to explain to her what’s going on. Glancing at the screen, it’s a local number, but one I don’t recognize. I nod toward the phone, letting him know I’m going to answer before swiping the screen and holding it to my ear. “Hello.”
    “Hi, is this Mr. Beckett? Mr. Ridge Beckett?” the lady asks.
    “Yes, who is this?”
    “Mr. Beckett, my name is Alice and I’m calling from Mercy General. Sir, we need for you to come in right away.”
    My heart drops. Something’s wrong. “Who?” I grit out, my mind racing. Mom and Dad are home, or should have been. Reagan, she would have been on her way home from work. One of the guys? Fuck!
    “Mr. Beckett, it would be best if you come on in. Come to the emergency department and ask for me, Alice. I’ll be at the reception desk.”
    Swallowing the lump in my throat and taking a deep breath, I answer her. “I’m already here. I was . . . I’ll be right there.” I hit end and grip