The Last Riders - First Four Votes by Jamie Begley

me.”
    “How is she?” Razer asked quietly from his position of leaning against the pale yellow wall with Shade, Knox and Rider standing beside him.
    “They won’t tell me.” Ton redoubled his efforts to get out of the wheelchair.
    “Ton, stop.” The soft voice coming from the doorway had everyone turning. Razer thought he was imagining her voice, however as he turned, it was clearly Beth with tear-swollen eyes and trembling lips, clutching her purse in fear. Razer might have felt a surge of joy at seeing Beth was okay, but it was short-lived as the realization sunk in that it had been Lily behind the wheel instead.
    “I am so sorry, Beth. I didn’t think…” Ton’s voice faded off as he immediately stopped his struggles.
    They waited for Beth to let Ton have it. Lily was Beth’s only family and everyone in town knew how Beth protected and worshiped her baby sister.
    As Beth walked forward to face the crying man, no one moved to stop her. She reached out and, instead of the smack everyone expected, cupped his beard-roughened cheek, gently brushing his tears away.
    “You have to calm down. Remember your blood pressure. You don’t want me to be worried about you, too, do you?”
    “No.” Ton tried to gain control under Beth’s steady gaze.
    “Has he been checked out?” Beth asked the nurse.
    “Not yet. He wouldn’t let me.”
    “Go with her, Ton. As soon as I find out Lily’s condition, I’ll find you.” Ton nodded, squeezing her hand.
    The nurse ushered Ton towards a room and, not long after, a door halfway down the hall opened. Everyone froze expectantly as the Sheriff walked out. He looked at the audience waiting for news as Beth instantly moved to his side.
    “How is she?”
    “Lucky. She has a concussion, a sprained ankle and she is going to be sore as hell for a couple of days, but all that research you put into purchasing a safe car paid off.”
    The Sheriff attended their church and Beth had questioned him relentlessly on the best choice of car to purchase when Lily had earned her license. Up until then, she had made due with an older model car, but Beth wasn’t going to take any chances with Lily’s safety. Beth had bought her a newer model car with a five star safety rating.
    “Thank, God," Beth whispered, desperately trying to hang on to her control in front of the group of men.
    The Sheriff nodded. “Someone was definitely looking out for her.”
    Loker spoke up. “Was it Ton’s fault?"
    “No, or Lily’s, either. Lily said her brakes went out, that was why she couldn’t stop. She pulled out in front of Ton. Beth, I’m going to have the car towed to the station and have our mechanic take a look at the brakes.”
    “I just had the car serviced last month. I just don’t know how something like this could have been possible.”
    “I’ll let you know what we find out as soon as possible.”
    “Thanks, Sheriff. Can I go in and see Lily?”
    “The doctor is waiting to talk to you then he’ll show you to Lily’s room.”
    Beth went to go inside the door, but hesitated and turned back to Loker. “I want to see Lily, but I don’t want Ton upset. Would you find him and let him know he wasn’t responsible, along with the news that Lily will be fine?”
    “I’ll handle it.”
    “Bring him in to see Lily. He won’t rest until he does,” Beth commanded.
    “Beth, we won’t intrude,” Loker protested.
    “Bring him back or I will come to get him,” Beth threatened.
    Loker smiled, finally agreeing. He took her by the arm, stopping her before she could leave. “Beth your first concern should have been for Lily, but instead you took the time to comfort a man that could have been responsible for her death. I never give out markers—I pay my debts—but I’m in your debt. If you ever need anything, let me know.”
    Beth just shook her head at him and went to find Lily’s doctor. She wasn’t aware of the incredulity on the faces of the men around her. She was the first person,