Whitney in Charge by Diane Craver

Blossom Lake Resort. The address is 555 Mulberry Lane. I’ll have the owners meet you to guide the paramedics to the trail.”
    The male dispatcher asked, “When did she fall?”
    “Just now. I’m trying to stop the bleeding as we speak.”
    After a few more questions about Whitney’s injuries and the location, the dispatcher said Air Care had been contacted. Ben took a deep breath after hearing the paramedics were on the way, and even better that they were on their way by air. They’d be able to reach him and Whitney much faster, and get her the help she needed. Hanging up, he searched his call history and found the resort main number. Susan answered with a bright “Hello. Wild Blossom Lake Resort. How can I help you?”
    “Susan, it’s Ben.”
    “Are you back down already?”
    “No, please listen. Whitney has been hurt. I’ve called 9-1-1 and they’re sending air rescue. I wanted you to know in case they come to the resort instead of directly to us. We’re about two and half miles up the trail.”
    “Oh no, that’s terrible,” Susan said, with a gasp. “We’ll watch for the helicopter and direct it. I hope Whitney’s going to be okay.”
    “Me too.” He hung up and clipped the phone back on his pants. In a gentle voice, he said, “Whitney, I’m so sorry.”
    No response came from her lips to ease his concern. No flicker of her eyes, no movement of any kind except for the slight motion as she breathed. How could this have happened? He’d wanted to spend time with Whitney, enjoying the outdoors. He’d never slipped on a rock before and had hiked on the trail several times. With such a small stretch of rocks, he never thought of it being a particularly treacherous trail. Why had the rock been so slick? In his wildest dreams, he’d by no means thought something like this could happen. But today it had with awful consequences. He wished he hadn’t suggested hiking.
    He murmured a prayer she’d be okay with no severe injuries, and she’d regain consciousness soon. Where was the helicopter? Although he tried to be patient, he called Susan within minutes of his first call to her. “How long do you think it’ll take the paramedics to get here?”
    “I’m guessing any minute now. We aren’t far from their base. Is Whitney still unconscious?”
    “Yes.” He exhaled a deep breath and kept his gaze on Whitney. “It’s scary seeing her so motionless.”
    “I’m sure it looks worse than it is. She’ll pull through okay. Did you want me to call her family?” Susan asked.
    “I should have thought of that. I better call. I’ve met Whitney’s sister, Regan.”
    Regan had given him her number so they could arrange times for Lily and Adam to play together. He hadn’t expected to use it to tell Regan for an emergency like this. He hated to tell her he was responsible for Whitney falling ten feet. After locating Regan’s number, he pushed speed dial and took a deep breath as he waited for Regan to answer. She might have a lot to say about Whitney getting hurt while with him. The sad thing was Regan would be right in blaming him.
    After Regan answered, she said immediately, “I bet you changed your mind and want me to pick up Adam.”
    “No, Regan. I’m afraid it’s something else. Whitney fell while we were hiking, and I’m waiting for the paramedics. She hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”
    “On my God, I can’t believe it. How did it happen?”
    He heard the fear in her voice as he held Whitney’s cool hand. He explained what happened to cause her fall. “I feel so terrible about it, Regan.”
    “It’s not your fault. Accidents happen. I live in fear all the time I’ll get a call about Casey, but never expected to get one about Whitney.”
    “I know. I can’t believe it either. They’re sending Air Care to get her instead of an ambulance.”
    “I’ll get my mother-in-law to watch Lily. Call me as soon as you know anything and I’ll call Shannon.”
    He heard the rhythmic whir