When they stopped beside a wide shallow creek, he crouched with his back to her. "Hop on my back and I'll take you across."
She regarded his broad back skeptically, instantly reminded of her father. "I can walk," she said tersely.
He threw her a sharp look over his shoulder. "Not in my Mother's boots."
There was no arguing that point. She stared at the stick. It could be a way to get her to put it down. On the other hand, if he wanted to harm her, he might snatch the stick from her and use it as a weapon against her. She dropped the stick and touched his shoulders. His big hands came up, grasping her wrists and pulling her forward until her armpits rested on his shoulders. When he rose, her feet dangled high off the ground. It crossed her mind that he might trip on the mossy rocks, but he crossed the creek with sure steps. By the time he set her down safe and dry on the other side, her hands were going numb and her shoulders were aching.
She rubbed her wrists, not fully appreciating his effort. Chancing a glance at his face, she found him watching her in a strange way. She shrugged. "Thank you?"
His smile was dry, but his eyes twinkled with mirth. "You're welcome . . . I think."
It took them another thirty minutes or so to find the burned out shell of the car. Lisa stared in mute horror. The windows were all broken and the front end was smashed back to the windshield.
Giddon whistled. "Geez. Looks like it's been hit by a locomotive."
Lisa jerked her head around and glared at him, but his attention was fully absorbed by the destruction. His assessment tore through her mind, digging up memories and laying them bare on the surface. The train whistle blasting repeatedly; Nick with his face to the window, calling for her. The agonizing memories ruptured to the surface at last, forcing a long overdue reaction. The grief was so strong that it became a nauseating pain. Clutching her stomach, she sank to her knees. Deep uncontrollable sobs squeezed the breath from her lungs. She rocked back and fourth, tears coursing down her cheeks unchecked. "No-o-o . . ." she moaned with her first breath.
A strong hand gripped her shoulder. "Lisa? It's just a car. What's important is that you're alive. Your parents will realize that."
The stored tears continued to flow and the sobs wracked her body, robbing it of the ability to speak - barely allowing a breath to be drawn.