Tuesday Tales: From the Word FALL

Welcome to October. This week, things are heating up in Miami, and not in a good way. We are once again in Rudy’s POV as I set my scene to the word FALL. Enjoy this exerpt from Naughty Rudolph, my Christmas Romance Comedy with a soupçon of suspense, because what’s a story without some drama?

“Mara,” I screamed, running out of the bar faster than I ever had before, yanking her back, and knocking her to the ground under me seconds before the large truck would’ve hit her.

The truck didn’t stop. Instead, it increased its speed, disappearing into the darkness.

By now, the last of Dick’s patrons had joined Jerry on the edge of the sidewalk. He rushed over to us.

“My God, are you alright?” He helped me stand, and then we both turned to help Mara.

“I’m fine. I skinned my palm in the fall, that’s all. I’m more worried about her. She hit the pavement hard.”

I turned to the woman sitting up on the road beside me. She was pale, trembling, with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her left knee was bleeding through her torn leggings, and Aunt Nell’s coat was covered in mud. Luckily, she’d donned her gloves and spared her hands, but one of her cheeks and her forehead had mud on them, too.

Should I move her? She could have a spinal injury or worse.

“Don’t move her,” Susie ordered as she ran over to us. “Let me have a look at her first. We were just around the corner when I heard you shout. What happened?” She squatted to examine Mara who hadn’t yet said a word.

Amos joined us.

“Some damn fool almost ran her over,” the elderly man said, his voice full of emotion, clearly showing how upset he was. “I don’t know what that asshole was thinking. There’s plenty of light here. He was sitting there idling. I thought he was waiting for someone, and then he started moving slowly. Suddenly, with the light still red, he stepped on the gas. Either he’s drunk or he stopped for a nap by the side of the road, woke up, and didn’t know where he was. He must’ve panicked. Now, the son of a bitch is still on the road and dangerous as hell.” He shook his head. “I didn’t get the plate number, he was moving too fast, but it looked like an older model semi to me. There aren’t many of those around here. I’ll call the RCMP and report it.” He pulled out his phone. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t think anything is broken, but she’s going to be bruised for sure. She may have a slight concussion, too. You’ll have to watch her for a few hours. Concussion protocol. You know the deal. After all, you went through it yourself last spring.”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.