Where There's Smoke

“We managed to save it, but at this point I can’t tell you how much use it will be to her. Full circulation has been r

estored, but there might have been nerve and muscle damage that won’t show up until later. Dr. Callahan, the orthopedic surgeon, will be out shortly to speak with you. He’ll talk to you about physical therapy. The important thing now is that she’s alive and her vital signs are good.”

“When can I see her?” Marion asked.

“She’ll be kept in an ICU for several days, but you can see her at intervals. The nursing staff will let you know. Dr. Callahan’ll be right out.”

When their relatives swarmed forward to embrace Jack and Marion, the surgeon turned to Key. “Dr. Mallory?”

“Not me.”

“I’m Dr. Mallory.” Lara extended her hand. “I’m a GP in Eden Pass.”

“You did some fine work considering what you were dealing with. Got her here in the nick of time.”

“I’m glad,” she said with a weary smile. Lowering her voice, she asked, “Any professional guesses on how much use she’ll have of her arm?”

“If I were a betting man, I’d say better than fifty percent recovery. She’s young enough to learn to compensate for any disability. If use is fully restored, she won’t remember when this happened.” He smiled wanly, the strain of the grueling surgery showing in his face. “But I bet she won’t be poking her arm through any more open car windows.”

They shook hands again. After exchanging a few final words with the Leonards, he retreated down the hallway. The Leonards hugged Lara, then left to phone other relatives and friends with the good news that the crisis had passed.

Awkwardly Lara looked over at Key. “I guess I’m finished here.”

“Ready when you are, Doc.”

Once they were airborne, Lara’s stress evolved into profound fatigue. The day’s events had taken their toll. Her body ached from muscle strain. She rolled her head, trying to work out the knots in her neck.

Viewed from above, the deepening twilight was beautiful, but she couldn’t enjoy it for thinking about how close she had come to losing Letty Leonard.

Life’s fragility was fully realized when a child died. Any death affected her, but a child’s death made a shattering impact because she always equated it with the tragic way in which Ashley had been snatched from her. One moment her sweet daughter had been cooing and gurgling happy baby sounds, the next she lay bloody and limp.

Tears filled Lara’s eyes. Her throat felt achy and tight. Had it not been for Key Tackett sitting beside her in the close confines of the cockpit, she would have wept bitterly.

Instead she forced herself to retain control. She remained stoic until he set the helicopter down at the Dabbert County landing field. The mechanic greeted them.

“How’s the little girl?” he asked as Lara alighted.

“She’s alive, and they saved her arm.”

“Praise be. I’d’ve thought she was a goner. Hey, Key. It’s a beauty of a chopper, ain’t it?”

“First class, Balky,” he conceded, passing the mechanic the keys.

Lara pointed at the Leonards’ station wagon. “Would you please see that their car is cleaned up before they come to retrieve it?”

“Already did,” the mechanic told her. “Bo done sent a boy from his garage to wash out the blood.”

“That was very kind of you, uh… Balky, is it?”

He nodded. “Balky Willis. Pleasure, ma’am.” He extended his hand to Lara.

She shook it. “Dr. Lara Mallory.”

“Yes, ma’am, I figured you was her.”

“I’m sure the Leonards will appreciate your thoughtfulness about their car.”

“Weren’t my idea. Key called from Tyler and suggested it.”