Lexy's Little Matchmaker

Dammit. Drew had hoped the subject wouldn’t arise. “No. Ian, she won’t think that. She’s watching us from heaven right now. She knows what happened.” Weak argument for a six-year-old who believed he’d be closer to his mom at the top of the peak.

“How do you know?” Ian cried.

“Shh, come here.” He held his son closer, smoothing a palm down his back. Somehow, against all odds, he had to make this happen. “We’ll … get the card to the top of the mountain, okay? Maybe not today, but—”

“It has to be today.” Ian’s thin chest rose and fell with adamance.

Drew pressed his lips together. Dilemma.

The younger paramedic strode to the one in charge, exchanged a few quick words, then approached him and Ian. “Mr. Kimball? I don’t mean to interrupt—”

“It’s okay. Name’s Drew. Please.”

“Drew, then.” He pointed to the name tag on his uniform shirt—B. Austin. “I’m Brody. Ian … told me about the hike up to see his mom.” His eyes conveyed an understanding Drew hadn’t expected. Brody indicated the supervisor with his chin. “Boss here says we’re going to chopper you out from the parking lot to get you to High Country Medical Center as quick as possible—”

“Chopper?” Ian shot a wide-eyed glance at Brody.

The paramedic smiled down at him. “You want to fly in a helicopter with your dad, buddy?”

Ian nearly vibrated with excitement, which was a far sight better than his earlier terror and liquid-eyed reproach, if you asked Drew. “Yeah.”

“I assume you’re going to need your vehicle when you get released, Drew,” Brody continued.

“True. Hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

Brody pressed his lips together. “I know it’s not the same for you or Ian—” he shot a quick glance at the boy “—but it just so happens I have something to deliver to the angels for a friend in heaven, too.”

Drew understood the paramedic was making this up on the fly, just to assuage Ian’s distress. He appreciated the kindness more than he could articulate.

“I’d be happy to carry your mom’s card up, too, while you and your dad are in the helicopter. If you’d like.”

“Is that okay, Daddy? Will Mommy still get it?”

Drew held the other man’s gaze. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” Brody said. “And it’ll serve a dual purpose. I’ll keep your keys and drive your SUV down to the hospital so you’re not stranded. My rig can pick me up there.” He glanced toward the gray-haired man. “Already cleared it with the boss.”

Drew rested back on the gurney, suddenly crushed with exhaustion. Or relief. Maybe a combination of the two. After a moment he said, “Ian, go pick some of those flowers, so Mr. Brody can take them with your card. Okay?”

Ian glanced between the two men, then bounded off into the vibrant orange field without a word.

Drew slipped the oxygen mask back in place, grateful for the assistance with his labored breathing. “I don’t know what to say. Except thanks,” he said, his voice muffled through the plastic. “It’s important for him.”

“I understand. Really. I’m glad to help out.”

“I’m still not used to living in a small town.” Drew huffed a wry half laugh. “That’s not the kind of paramedic service we’d get in the city.”

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