Lon gave her a thumbs-up and moved up to Melissa’s bedside.

“What do you remember about the accident?” he asked.

“I never saw the car, and I didn’t know what had happened until after my car stopped spinning. Who hit me?” she asked.

“Niles Holland,” he said.

Melissa’s lips parted in shock. “Niles—the president of the country club—Holland? What happened?”

“Yes, that Niles.”

Melissa gasped. “You aren’t serious? Was he hurt? Oh my God. I’m sorry to hear this.”

Lon frowned. “You don’t apologize for anything. He got himself out of the wreck, but when the cars exploded, I’m sorry to say he was killed by flying debris.”

“Oh no! Poor Barb. This is terrible,” Melissa said, and started tearing up again. “This whole day has become a reality check on how fast life can change.”

* * *

Sully was still smiling as he drove back to the bed-and-breakfast to change into clean clothes. He couldn’t believe the woman he’d pulled out of that wreck was Missy. She held a special place in his heart, and he couldn’t wait to talk to her again.

But when he walked back into the B and B, his condition caused something of a stir.

“What on earth happened to you? Are you all right?” Rachel asked.

“I witnessed a pretty bad wreck on Main Street and wound up pulling the woman who got hit out of her burning car. I’m okay. Just got cut by some burning debris as I was carrying her away.”

Rachel gasped. “Oh my lord. I heard what sounded like a big explosion about an hour or so ago. Was that it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Who was the woman?”

“Melissa Dean. The weird part of all this is that I know her. We were kids together in Missouri, before she moved away.”

Rachel smiled. She loved stories like this. “What a coincidence!” she said. “But is Melissa okay?”

Sully nodded. “She’s going to be. She got hit pretty hard, and I’m not sure about the extent of her injuries, but nothing appeared to be life-threatening.”

“Oh no! Bless her heart!” Rachel said. “I’ll have to make sure to take her some food tomorrow. Likely she’ll be all sore and laid up for a while. Did you hear who it was who hit her?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then I’m guessing you didn’t make it to Granny’s, did you? You must be starved.”

“Actually, Granny’s is where I took her until the burning debris was no longer an issue. I’m going to get clean clothes and go back.”

“If you don’t feel up to it, I’d be more than happy to make some lunch for you here. I have plenty of roast beef to make you a sandwich, and peach cobbler for dessert. Bud’s on his way home. We’d love to have you eat with us. That way you could rest up and go to Granny’s for supper later.”

Sully hesitated. The offer was tempting. “My back is pretty sore. If you’re sure it’s okay, I will take you up on the offer.”