54. Trace
TRACE
I 'm elbows-deep helping a baby calf be delivered when I hear my phone start going off. The text messages are almost frantic in intensity, causing my first thought to go to Katie. If the weather has brought our calving season to a beginning, she might also be having issues with our baby. "Can you grab that?" I ask one of the hands we've brought on to help us during this time.
He reaches into my back pocket, pulling the phone out. "What's your code?"
"Thirteen sixty-two," I answer quickly. "Who are they from?"
He chuckles slightly. "Babe."
"That's my wife. How many has she sent?"
"Looks like a few at least."
There's a part of me that immediately gets worried. She's at work, hopefully she hasn't decided to drive herself. Since she told me she felt safe with me, I've been getting up early and taking her to work. Leaving early to go get her, and then working more in the afternoon. It's worth it for me just to know she's safe. I'll be tired if it means I know where she is and what she's doing.
But today? I didn’t do that. I’ve been out here all night.
Grasping the chains I'm using to help me pull the calf, I put my all into it. Once, twice, three times I use my body weight to help her. Eventually the calf comes out into the world screaming.
Kyle takes over for me while I wipe my hands off as best I can. Reaching for my phone, I immediately thumb through the messages. "What the fuck is my Dad doing there?"
"What?" Kyle questions. "He took out of here a little while ago. Who is he with?"
"Katie."
We look at one another. A whole conversation passes between us, which is how it works with best friends. Sighing, I reach down and text her.
T: What? I didn't send him to come and get you. I'm working it out right now with Kyle where I can come and get you. Don't get in the truck with him, Katie.
"Go," Kyle gestures toward the doors. "Go get her. Whatever your Dad might be doing isn't going to end well. We both know him. I'll hold down the fort here. I've been doing this just as long as you, and I promise I won't do anything you wouldn't do. You need me to make decisions for you, I'm here. That's what best friends do."
I'm already running toward the door, grabbing the jacket I need to ward off the cold wind and blinding snow. Boots are already on my feet, and I put a beanie on top of my head. Holding my breath, I open the door and head out into the storm.
I've never been so fucking scared in my life. I know what he's capable of. I grew up with it. If there were ever something he didn't like, he wouldn't hesitate to use his belt, or his fist, depending on how old Ward and I were. He's never wanted us to be happy, and now that I am, he's determined to destroy it.
Thumbing through the messages, my chest is tightening with fear.
K: I love you, he’s going to wreck the truck. He’s going to try and hurt us, maybe kill us. Know he planned this.
K: He’s doing this on purpose. It’s no accident. I love you, never forget that.
The messages cause my heart to flutter, and I wonder what I'm going to find when I get to them. I don't know if she can even see this, but I have to try.
T: Love you too, be safe. I'm on my way.
The message isn't read by the time I get to the end of the driveway, but I try to push the horrible thoughts out of my head. All of this is completely out of my control, and it kills me. If it were, none of us would even be in this situation. The road is slick as I ease out onto it, and press the gas as far as I dare. In my mind I'm trying to figure out how far they would've been able to come from town, and where I might be able to meet them. How long I have to worry because she's not answering, and there's nothing I can see. It's almost white-out conditions as I take it fast as I dare.
It's one of those things where people tell you certain things run through your head. I'm having that experience right now.
The first night I saw her at the bar, thinking it was going to be my away party. That I'd be leaving here and starting my entire life away from here. I had this whole plan worked out in my head. Until I'd seen her at the bar. I had to have a taste of her, had to know what it would be like to kiss her lips. Little did we know then, that even if we hadn't been forced to marry one another, we would still be in each other's lives, thanks to our soon-to-be daughter or son.
I think of the day we got married and how beautiful she was walking down the aisle. I wish I had paid more attention and realized the type of gift I was being given that day. Instead I was so encased in the bitterness of Ward dying, and doing all the things I felt like I was being forced to do. I didn't take the time I should have to appreciate what life was giving me. I guess that's why they say hindsight is twenty/twenty.
My eyes are watching out on the side of the road, looking for the red dash of color that signifies it's my Dad's truck. It's almost hard to even see that far with the way the snow is blowing. As I continue driving, I see something in the corner of my eye. I slam on the brakes, and struggle to keep control of the truck in these conditions.
There's no one coming in either direction, so I hook a U-Turn and head toward where I think the truck is. I don't know how long they've been there, but it's almost covered with snow.
Taking my phone out, I call Cain, filling him on what the fuck has happened. He assures me he's on his way, and then I run toward the wrecked truck. The front end is smashed into a tree, the front smoking. Going over to the passenger side, I glance in, and that's when this all hits me.
Katie is slumped against the window, her hand on her stomach. At least she was wearing her seatbelt, but there's blood coming from a cut on her head. Looking across the seat at my Dad, I see he's collapsed against the steering wheel. He's also got blood pouring from his head.
Fuck him. Doing my best to open the passenger door, I push my shoulder against it, hoping it will budge. "Son of a bitch," I growl as I try to punch the glass out. Everything I do. doesn't move the needle at all. In frustration, I press my palm against the glass.
Katie stirs, her eyes meeting mine.
"I'm right here," I yell at her. "Right here! I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."
"Trace," she yells back at me. "We're in trouble., My water broke!"