The Accident

"You better get a move on now Sonny, that major league scout is coming to watch you pitch today," Hoot said as he walked Sonny out of their office at the ranch. "I'm real proud of the accounting work you've been doin', you got a damn fine head for numbers." Hoot led the way out to the driveway while saying, "Now show 'em how it's done from the pitchers mound."

"I will Hoot," Sonny said and paused to shake Hoot's hand saying, "It's been a good year thanks to you. Jessa Mae and I are a happy, ol' married couple living here at Paint the Sky ranch while I'm learnin' bookkeeping from the smartest damn millionaire in Colorado, meanin' you of course. Just like you said, a smart fella needs a back up plan, and now I've got one." Getting into the pick up, Sonny added, "And who knows? Maybe after today I'll be promoted to the major's!"

Hoot was on his way back to the office when he heard the familiar sound of a landing helicopter. "God I love that woman," he said aloud and headed out to meet her.

Stepping from the landed copter, Scottie said, "I've been thinking about something since the last time I was here. Let's ride out to the ridge and I'll show you what I mean." She took Hoot's hand as they walked to the stables to saddle up for their ride to the ridge. The four years they had known each other had been hard for Hoot. He fell in love with Scottie the moment he first saw her, and proposed to her several times over the years. She always said he was on her list. He just hoped she meant it.

They arrived on the north facing ridge and Scottie said, "Let's unsaddle the horses and lie out for while. I'd like nothing better than to be here with you, watching the glorious sky change overhead." Hoot reclined against the base of a tree while Scottie laid her head on his chest. He wound a strand of her chestnut colored hair around his finger absentmindedly. The drone of an airplane approaching barely disturbed him.

Scottie, leaning up on her elbow to look into Hoot's eyes said, "Watch that plane up there Hoot. I'm painting the sky over your ranch with words from my heart. The message is for you."

The sky writer spelled out "Marry me Hoot." Hoot held Scottie's face in his hands and said in reply, "In my heart, I already have. I'm glad it's finally mutual, darlin'." They lost track of all time while they kissed.

They were drawn back to reality as Jessa Mae galloped up the ridge shouting, "Miss Scottie, Mr. Hoot! Sonny's in the hospital! We've got to go to him!"

Dr. Gordon met them personally outside of Sonny's room. He explained what happened. "Sonny was driving along route 491, near Cortez, when he saw a truck stuck in a ditch and the driver standing alongside it hailing him down. He figured he had enough time to stop. They decided Sonny would push the truck from the rear while the driver tried to drive out of the ditch. Sonny lost his footing in the gravel and jammed his shoulder hard into the trailer hitch. The impact dislocated his shoulder joint, permanently damaging the ligaments, tendons and muscles of his right shoulder. He'll never pitch again. I gave him a prescription for Morphine. He's going to be out for a while."

Jessa Mae went to his bedside, kissed his sleeping lips and sat beside him. Her tears rolled unstopped down her face while she waited for Sonny to wake up. Hoot and Scottie took seats at the foot of the bed, too sad for words.

The hospital room was silent until a man entered, a very agitated, uncomfortable looking man. He said, "I am Bruce Gilmore. I was on my way to watch a pitcher from our farm team, a kid who we thought we'd promote to the ranks. My truck went off the road and into a ditch, and I tried hailing down a few cars before Sonny stopped to help me."

Almost shouting at this point, Bruce went on to say, "I didn't know who he was at the time - he didn't tell me his name! He started to push my truck out, and then I saw him slip down. I turned off the engine and ran to the back of the truck. Sonny was doubled over in pain. It was horrible! I drove him here in his truck."

Bruce laid his briefcase on the side table and opened it saying, "I have the papers here with me, the ones I was authorized to give Sonny, to promote him." Bruce pulled out the contract from his briefcase and handed it all to Hoot.

Taking the papers Hoot said, "I'll make sure he knows. Everything." Rising from his chair, which somehow made Scottie and Jessa Mae feel safe and everything under control again, Hoot added, "Mr. Gilmore, you better leave. Now."


Catch up with my stories involving Sonny Fuller and Magpie Tales by clicking here: Magpie Tales prompt #77 and my story: Proposal

continuing with Magpie Tales prompt #78 and my story: Paint the Sky Ranch

followed by Magpie Tales prompt #79: Couples 
 
and be sure to visit Magpie Tales  the host site for weekly inspirational picture prompts