Rory: Hope City, Book 7 by Maryann Jordan (uplifting books for women txt) 📕

firefighters would have to get the hydraulic rescue tools to cut, spread, or ram the metal so that the victim could even be seen by his team.

Another code came across the radio. “Thank God, Barker Street and Monument Avenue Stations are responding, too,” Shania said, relief in her voice. “Sounds like we’ll need all the help we can get.”

The fire trucks parted the traffic, and he followed as closely as he dared. As they rounded the next corner, he spied the accident. “Oh, shit,” he breathed, seeing black smoke curling into the air from one of the vehicles.

“Damn, it looks like there are at least four vehicles involved,” Shania said. “And that’s just all I can see right now.”

He pulled the ambulance as close as he could, still allowing the firefighters the room to ensure that the fire was out in the burning vehicle and the gasoline on the road was neutralized. Parking to the side, he scanned the area, observing several people with what appeared to be minor injuries being moved away from the vehicles by the firefighters. One of the other ambulances stopped nearby, beginning triage.

Alighting from the ambulance, he, Shania, and Bobby raced to where the firefighters were in the process of cutting open one of the doors. Giving the mangled vehicle a wide berth so the hydraulic rescue tools could open the metal enough to extract the occupant, his heart stuttered at the sight of a woman with long, blonde hair slumped forward against the seatbelt. With blood on one side of her face, he could not discern if it was Sandy or not. She had driven a small SUV when they’d shared the kiss outside the bar, but he had no idea what make or color it was. His mind had been fully on the way her body felt as it rested against his and the feel of her lips on his mouth. It had been a month since Sean’s wedding, and he’d only seen her from a distance a couple of times since then.

He started forward, but Shania grabbed hold of his arm. “Hold on there, cowboy,” she admonished. “Give them a chance to get the door off.”

It only took a few more minutes, but the seconds ticked by. Finally, the screech of metal sounded out as the firefighters pulled the contorted door away from the SUV, and he rushed to the woman’s aid. Air fled from his lungs when he ascertained she was a stranger. Telling himself he had been concerned because of how upset Harper would be, professionalism kicked in so that he could immediately assess the victim’s needs. Checking for a pulse, he called out her heart rate to Bobby.

Even though she appeared unconscious, he still explained what was happening. “Ma’am, my name is Rory, and I’m with the Hope City EMS. My partner, Shania, is in the back seat.” He supported her head until Shania got behind the woman. As Shania placed her hands on either side of the woman’s head, he reached behind him to take the cervical collar from one of the other EMTs. By now, Bobby had managed to crawl in from the passenger side and supported her as well.

The woman’s eyes fluttered open before closing again. “Ma’am, I’m going to fasten this around your neck to support your head.” With Bobby’s assistance, they clicked the collar in place.

Bobby sliced the seatbelt and helped to shift the woman forward slightly. Rory placed the Kendrick Extrication Device behind the woman, and while Shania continued to support her head, he and Bobby fastened the straps around her torso. Once the straps were tightened, they maneuvered the leg straps around her thighs and secured them in place. Lastly, they bound her head into the K.E.D. with tape.

He backed out of the vehicle, allowing two firemen to roll the backboard close to the driver’s seat. Bobby lifted her and Rory slid the board underneath her hips. With all hands helping, they twisted her around and slid her onto the board. Bobby climbed out, rushed around, and he and Rory rolled her directly to the ambulance.

Climbing into the driver’s seat while Bobby and Shania worked on the woman in the back, he flipped on the siren and pulled out onto the road, avoiding the debris from the wreckage, headed to the hospital. Radioing their ETA, he maneuvered past the traffic, cautiously entering the intersections, glad when they pulled up outside the Emergency Room.

After they transferred the woman to the hospital’s care and had the paperwork signed off, they drove back to the station. Cleaning the equipment and reloading their supplies, he realized they’d missed lunch. “Anyone want to check out that new sandwich shop down the street?”

“If you’ll go get it, I’ll give you some money,” Bobby said, looking up from repacking supplies.

“I’m in, too,” Shania agreed.

Finding out what they wanted to eat, he hustled down the street to the far corner, entering the shop. Placing their orders, he stepped to the side to wait while they were being prepared. A tall, dapper man was in line behind him and moved up to order.

“Hey, loves,” the man greeted the women behind the counter with enthusiasm. “Three of your chicken salads on croissants, please. Boss lady loved these last week, and thank God, she doesn’t count calories!”

“Beauty, brains, and great metabolism,” the cashier said, shaking her head. “She’s got it all.”

“Don’t I know it,” he said, bobbing his head in a nod. “I’ve got the job I love and work for the best boss in the city. Plus, she springs for great lunches. Life can’t get any better!”

Rory smiled at the patron’s exuberance, glad to know the food was good enough for return customers. The man looked over his shoulder, his gaze dropping up and down Rory, then offered a smile. He leaned forward and whispered to the cashier. Ignoring him, Rory scrolled through his phone messages. One from Erin. I gotta call her back. Since I moved out, I don’t see her