37

The following morning, Amy was sitting on the bed, fully clothed and anxious to leave, when Jonah popped in the door and jumped on the bed beside her.

“I’ve got a plan,” he said.

“Careful there, buddy,” Brett gently admonished him. “Don’t bounce your aunt. She might go flying to the ceiling and bump her head.”

“That’s not gonna happen.” His expression clearly read, “Dads are so embarrassing.”

Amy laughed, her spirits light for the first time since this ordeal had begun. “I’ve missed you,” she said.

“You’ve only been gone a couple of days.”

“Do you always have to be so practical?” She tousled his hair, then squeezed his shoulder. “I’m glad you came. Especially when I know how much you hate hospitals.”

“That’s why I made my plan.”

“What plan?”

“No more hospitals. We’ll make a pact to never go to a hospital again.”

“I’m all for that.” She pulled him close and rested her chin on his head. “What do you say we get out of here?”

He jumped from the bed. “And fast.”

When they reached the cottage, Amy allowed Brett and Jonah to settle her on the couch with the TV remote, a glass of juice, and her Kindle within easy reach.

“Dani picked up a few groceries,” Brett said, “but if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

“I’m not an invalid.”

“Maybe not. But you’ve been through a horrific experience, and you need to take care of yourself.”

“I don’t see you lying on the couch being waited on hand and foot.”

“I didn’t breathe in as much smoke as you.” He handed her a knitted throw, and she tossed it to the other end of the couch. “Do you need anything else?”

“Only to thank you both for your gallantry and to bid you farewell. I’m tired.”

“Maybe we should stay. Just to keep watch.”

“Jonah, would you please do something for me?”

“Sure.”

“Take your dad to his car and let the door smack him on the way out.”

“You heard her, Daddy.” Jonah pulled Brett to his feet and gave him a push. “Can we come back later, Aunt Amy?”

She wanted to say no, but how could she resist the quiet plea in those crystal blue eyes? Eyes just like hers. Just like Brett’s.

Just like Dad’s.

“Come here,” she said.

“Are you going to hug me?”

“You bet I am.”

He hesitated only a moment before flinging himself into her open arms. She hugged him tight, grateful that he was still young enough to accept an embrace. She glanced up to see Brett’s gaze—love mingled with pride—upon them.

“You’re a blessing, Jonah,” she whispered. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

As she released him, he gave a sheepish shrug. “I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too, buddy. Me too.”

“See ya later, gator,” he chimed.

“After while, ’dile,” she answered.

As soon as the gate closed behind them, Amy took a quick shower, dressed, and sank to the bed to regain her strength. She’d felt fine at the hospital, restless and eager to get home. But the drive had wearied her more than she’d expected.

After taking several deep breaths, she pushed herself from the mattress and slipped on a pair of sandals. The burns on her feet ached, but she didn’t care.

All she wanted was to see Gabe.

Amy pressed her hands against the window separating her from Gabe’s room. The drive to the burn center had been excruciating, and she had stopped a few times on the way to catch her breath and renew her resolve. Only sheer willpower, intense concentration, and perhaps a well-timed prayer or two had gotten her here safely. But the ordeal had been worth it just to see him.

If only she could hold his hand, talk to him so he would know he wasn’t alone. But she wasn’t allowed inside his room. Hospital policy.

She hated rules.

“Excuse me,” said a voice behind her. The man wore a military uniform, and his distinguished gray hair was cut short. “Colonel Steve Kendall. Are you a friend of Gabe’s?”

She studied him, then extended her hand. “I’m Amy Somers.”

“Amy?” He looked her over, concern—not appraisal—in his eyes. “Should you be here? I thought you were in the hospital.”

“Who have you been talking to?”

“I’ve spent a few anxious hours with Shelby. If I have the family relations straight, her husband is your cousin.”

“It sounds like Shelby has told you all about us.”

“I think we both needed someone to talk to.” He sighed heavily and peered through the window. “Is it true what they’re saying? Gabe ran into the stables to save Tess?”

Amy nodded, afraid to trust her voice. Once again the guilt assailed her.

“It was a foolhardy thing for him to do,” Colonel Kendall said gently. “But I’m not surprised. Tess filled a void in his life. Rusty too.”

“Does he know about Tess?”

“Not yet. He’s heavily sedated.”

“Would you mind?” She paused, closing her eyes to garner the strength she needed. “Will you let me tell him?”

The colonel gazed at her, studying her as she had studied him. “Would I be right in assuming you and my son are more than just friends?”

“I don’t know the answer to that.”

“I see.” He locked his hands behind his back and stared through the glass again. After a few moments, he strode to the door and held it open. “Are you coming?”

“They said I couldn’t. I’m not family.”

A slight smile lifted his lips. “I’ll vouch for you.”

“Thank you,” she gushed while resisting the urge to hug him. “Thank you with all my heart.”

Gabe’s eyes fluttered in a dim world. His arms and legs were leaden weights holding him against a hard surface. His mind drifted from one nebulous dream-like place to another without rhyme or reason. Screams echoed from far away, and tendrils of smoke crept around him.

He blinked a couple of times and opened his eyes. The screams and the smoke disappeared, and his mind cleared. But he wasn’t sure where he was or why he couldn’t move his limbs. He focused first on the window, a rectangle of soft light from a distant sun. It was a fairly new day, or one that would end in a few hours. He couldn’t tell which.

Either way, he shouldn’t be in bed.

He never slept past 5:45. Never went to bed before 11:00.

“Gabe.”

The sweet voice of an angel caressed his ear, and he turned his head despite the pain.

“You’re awake,” she said.

“Amy.” The effort to speak scratched his clogged throat.

“Don’t talk.” She put her fingers on his lips, and he hoped she’d hold them there forever.

Can’t move. He tried again to say something, but the words were only thoughts caught inside his head.

“I’ll call the nurse.”

Stay with me.

He strained to lift his hand, to move his fingers so he could catch hers when she touched him again. Distant voices faded in and out as he drifted between worlds.

When he woke again, the room was filled with sunlight. He blinked a couple of times and shook away the drowsiness. His limbs still felt heavy, but his fingers moved and he could raise his hand. White gauze surrounded each one of his fingers.

He could do this.

“Hello, Gabe.”

He smiled at the angel’s voice and forced his head to turn her way. “Amy.” His voice was hoarse and it hurt to talk, but her name felt good on his lips.

“How are you?” she asked. “I’ve been so worried.”

The memories came back again. The burning stable. Taking Daisy and Casper from their stalls then going back in again. His mind stopped.

“Are you . . .” The hoarseness forced him to pause.

“Drink this,” Amy said. She held a straw to his lips. The cool liquid, flavored like lemons, soothed his mouth and throat.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“Not really,” she said. “Not like you.”

“The horses?”

“You rescued Casper and Daisy, remember?”

“I meant Abner and Knight Starr. All the others. Did they get out?”

“We can talk about that later. For now, you need to rest. To get better.”

He strained to reach for her hand. She must have noticed, because her fingers gently touched his arm. The touch gave him strength to press on.

“Tell me,” he said.

“Only Daisy and Casper survived. I’m sorry, Gabe. I know it hurts, but if you hadn’t gone in, they’d have died too. The news media are calling you a hero.”

He didn’t want to be a hero. He only wanted to wake up from this nightmare.

Another memory floated into his consciousness, and he closed his eyes. He dreaded this one most of all, but he had to face it. He had to know the worst.

Heat forced him back, smoke filled his lungs. But he had to push his way into the barn. He had to find . . .

“Tess? Did I get her out in time?”

“You tried, Gabe. You tried so hard.” Amy’s voice caught. “But she didn’t make it.”

No, God. Please no. He had only one escape from the crushing pain. When the darkness came, he didn’t fight it.