by Linda Warren
“Yeah,” Walt mused. “He’s kind of stubborn. Don’t know where he gets that from.”
Henry coughed behind him and Walt decided not to respond.
Doug walked up to the doctor. “I’m Abby’s husband. Could I see her, please?”
Dr. Grayson frowned. “Husband? She didn’t mention a husband.”
“They’re divorced,” Everett told him.
“But we’re reconciling.”
“That’s news to me,” Everett fired back.
The doctor held up a hand. “I’ll ask her. If she agrees, you can see her for five minutes.”
“Thanks.” The man preened like a satisfied cat.
They thanked the doctor and he walked out of the room. Walt and Everett shook hands and then hugged.
Everett wiped away a tear. “I thought I’d lost my daughter. This is a great day.”
“Yep,” Walt agreed. “I’ve been doing a lot of praying. Something I hadn’t done in a long time.”
“I prayed, too,” Kelsey said beside him.
Walt put his arm around her shoulder. “Yes, you did.”
Chloe handed Kelsey the doll once again. “Wanna hold my dolly?”
“Okay, okay.” Kelsey jerked the doll from her.
Chloe’s bottom lip trembled. “I want my doll back. You’re mean.”
Kelsey shoved it at her.
Walt shook his head. “Everett, we have a little tension between our families.”
“Don’t worry about it, Walt. Kids will be kids.”
Walt caught a glimpse of Everett’s wife sitting by herself, looking lonely. He knew without anyone telling him that the woman wasn’t Abby’s mother. If she were, she’d be jumping for joy.
Everett followed his gaze and went to his wife. “Honey, did you hear? Abby’s going to be okay.”
“I heard, Everett.”
Oh, yeah. Lots of tension.
* * *
ETHAN LAY ON his stomach, his head turned to the left. He lay on a mat with a lighter one draped over his backside. It felt cool and comfortable and it took away the burning sting. Of course, the stuff they put in his IV had something to do with that, too.
Everything seemed surreal, but he knew with certainty they’d made it out of that inferno without being burned or scarred for life. And the doctor had assured him Abby was okay—only had first-degree burns. That was unbelievable and more than he’d hoped for. He’d done everything to protect her and now she could get on with her life. That was important to him.
The door opened and he waited for a nurse to come in. Then someone kissed his head. The scent of sweat, Old Spice and coffee reached him.
“Hey, Dad. You haven’t done that since I was about ten.” His throat was sore from the smoke.
“Thought it was about time.” His dad’s voice was husky.
“I’m fine, Dad.”
“You gave this old heart a scare.”
“Sorry.” He tried to see beyond his dad, but couldn’t. “Where’s Kelsey?”
Walt made a motion with his hand and Kelsey came into his line of vision. “I’m here.”
“Hi, Kel. I’m sorry about Saturday morning. We’ll do it real soon.”
“It’s okay,” she mumbled.
Was she crying? He hadn’t seen her cry. Maybe it was his imagination. He wished he could turn over and see her properly, but he was anchored to the bed and moving would be painful. But he did see new jeans and white T-shirt with all kinds of sparkly stuff on the front. No black. No earrings.
“Where did you get the new clothes?”
“Grandpa bought them for me.”
“Grandpa, huh?”
Where was the defiant attitude? His daughter seemed to be a completely different person than the one he’d last seen on Friday.
“We’re getting along just fine, son. You don’t have to worry about Kelsey.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Are you in pain?” Kelsey asked.
“Nah.” For now he wasn’t lying, but other times his body felt on fire. But he would never tell her that.
“Son, the doctor said for us to go home and let you recuperate.”
“That’s good. I don’t want you sitting up here. There’s nothing you can do and I’ll be home in a few days.”
“Now you listen to those doctors and stay as long as they want you to.”
“Dad.”
“I can stay and hand you stuff when you need it. I can take care of you, Daddy.”
Daddy.
At the sound, his heart pitter-pattered all the way to heaven and back. Had he heard correctly? She usually called him Hey. What had happened since he’d been gone?
He reached for her hand and she clasped it. “I appreciate the thought, Kel, but I want you to go home with Grandpa and clean my room. Have him buy some really soft sheets. My skin’s gonna be a little sensitive for a while.” He had no idea why he was telling her that. He just wanted her to feel needed.
“I will, Daddy. I’ll clean it real good.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” He’d been waiting for two years to call her that and it seemed ironic that he had to go through hell to accomplish it.
“Bye, son.” His dad kissed his head again. “I’ll check with the hospital for updates and call home if you can.”
“Bye, Daddy.”
“Bye.” He let go of Kelsey’s hand even though he didn’t want to, but they’d taken a big step forward in their relationship, and he had an even bigger reason to get out of this place as fast as he could.
The nurse came in and put an injection into his IV and he grew drowsy. The last thing he heard as he drifted off to sleep was Daddy.
Then the nightmare started. Fire blazed all around them, hot and ferocious. He covered Abby’s body with mud, making sure no skin was vulnerable. Afterward, he quickly pulled mud on top of him. The soaring heat was intense and he buried his face against Abby’s to protect her face from the fire.
“Ethan.”
“Shh.”
“I love you.”
He twisted his head, trying to shake the memory from his mind. She didn’t love him. It was only gratitude.
And he had to remember that.
Even in his dreams.
* * *
ABBY LAY IN a hospital bed with the head raised slightly, feeling weak and disoriented, but she was alive and she was grateful for that. Ethan had saved them. Unbelievable. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel those moments of terror, the heat and the smoke. Her hand went to her cheek. She could also feel Ethan’s muddy cheek pressed against hers, trying to protect her. He had risked his life to save hers and they’d been spared. They would survive the burns, but she didn’t know if she’d survive knowing a man like Ethan. He’d changed her way of thinking, of looking at life, and she knew she would never be the same again.
Oxygen tubing was fitted into her nostrils and she lay on a cooling pad with a topical burn ointment covering her body. The pain wasn’t bad. The doctor had said Ethan’s burns were more severe and she wondered if he was in a lot of pain. She wanted to go to him, but she didn’t have the strength to move. Tomorrow she would be better and she’d see for herself.
The door opened and her father came in carrying Chloe. She tried to smile, but even her face hurt. Chloe eyed her suspiciously.
“It’s Mommy,” she said to reassure her child, realizing she looked a mess with her red skin covered in gook and her hair plastered against her head.
Even though Abby’s voice was hoarse from the smoke, it did the trick. Chloe held out her arms. “Mommy.”
Her dad gently sat her on the bed. “Be careful,” he told her. “Mommy’s skin hurts.”
Everett kissed Abby’s hair. “Thank God
, you’re alive, my precious.”
“Thanks to Ethan. He’s an amazing man.”
“I’ve heard.”
“Mommy got boo-boos?”
“Yes, baby.”
Chloe laid her head on Abby’s chest and Abby stroked her hair. It felt so good to touch her child.
“We can’t stay long,” her dad said.
“I know. I’m so tired.”
“Then we better go.”
Abby couldn’t help but notice her stepmom’s absence. “Gayle didn’t come?”
“Yes. She’s outside, but the doctor said only Chloe and me.”
“That’s ridiculous. I said my family. Go get her.” Ethan had said she needed to make an effort and she needed to start to include Gayle in her life. Strange how surviving a bank robbery and a fire could change one’s attitude. Three days ago she wouldn’t have cared that Gayle was left out because Gayle had made her feel left out so many times. The battle ended today.
“I’ll get her.” Her dad’s eyes lit up. Why couldn’t she have seen years ago that her defiance only hurt her father? “Do you want me to take Chloe?”
“No, she’s fine right here.”
“Mommy?”
“Hmm?”
Chloe lifted her head, her face scrunched up. “That girl was mean to me.”
“What girl?”
Chloe pointed toward the door. “Out there. She had funny hair.”
Abby put two and two together. There could only be one girl in the waiting area with funny hair.
“Was her name Kelsey?”
“Yeah, and she called me a twerp.”
“Why would she do that?”
Chloe shrugged.
“You know Kelsey’s dad is hurt, too, and she was probably worried.”
“That’s why I wanted her to hold Baby. It would make her feel better, but she was mean.”
“You remember how we talked about being nice to people.”
“Yeah, but I’m not talking to her anymore.”
“Oh, baby.” She gave her daughter a hug, trying not to get gook on her. “I’m so glad to see your pretty face.”
Chloe picked at the hem of her shorts. “Can you come home?”
Abby’s heart lurched. All this had disrupted Chloe’s life and she wanted reassurance her little life was the same.
“Soon, baby.” She kissed her cheek with dry, cracked lips. “Mommy’s boo-boos have to heal first.”
The door opened and her father came in again followed by Gayle, who was holding Chloe’s doll. Abby wanted to laugh because that seemed so out of character for the stern straight-laced woman she knew.
“I’m sorry, Gayle, the doctor must have misunderstood me. I said my family, and you are part of my family.”
Gayle looked as if someone had hit her in the face with a dead chicken. Ethan was right. A lot of the tension was Abby’s fault.
“Don’t worry about it, dear,” Gayle replied in her usual stiff tone. Then her stiff demeanor changed drastically. Gayle’s eyes watered and filled with concern. “Oh, Abby, look at you. Are you in pain?”
“Discomfort mostly.”
“We better go,” her dad said. “Abby needs to rest.”
“I’m staying with Mommy,” Chloe declared.
“No, baby.” Abby stroked her child’s cheek. “You have to go with Grandpa and Grandma.” As soon as the word left her mouth, she wanted to jerk it back. Why had she said that? And how did she take it back without appearing like an utter ass?
“Is Gayle my grandma?” Chloe asked with curiosity.
Abby took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to handle her faux pas. She had no idea how Gayle felt about being called Grandma. Doug’s mother didn’t like it so her grandkids called her CeCe because her name was Celeste.
She swallowed, her throat as dry as ash, and went with her gut instinct. “Yes, Gayle is your grandma.”
Chloe smiled as if she’d discovered something neat.
“We have to go,” Everett said and reached for Chloe, but Chloe held out her arms for Gayle.
Abby held her breath. Gayle lifted Chloe into her embrace as if she’d been doing it forever, which Abby knew she hadn’t.
Chloe took her doll from Gayle. “Grandma and me played Barbies.”
“Did you?”
Chloe bobbed her head.
“Do you mind if we pick up some of her toys from your apartment?” Gayle asked.
“No, of course not.”
“And we might buy more.”
“Oh, boy.” Chloe was all for that.
Abby wanted to say Chloe didn’t need any more toys and that Gayle didn’t need to buy Chloe’s love. But suddenly it was obvious. Gayle had somehow earned it in the two days Abby had been in hell.
“Tell Mommy bye,” Gayle instructed.
“Bye, Mommy.” Chloe held up a hand, her face sad. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, baby.”
Gayle and Chloe walked out and Abby grew misty-eyed.
Her dad kissed her hair. “Thank you, my precious. Thank you. I’ll check on you every day and come and get you as soon as the doctor says you’re ready to come home.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He walked out with a spring in his step. It was amazing how a little kindness went a long way. How she wished she’d made the effort sooner. How she wished she’d met Ethan sooner.
She closed her eyes, and in her mind his face was so close she could breathe his scent. Ethan.
She wanted to see him so badly that tears welled in her eyes.
Maybe tomorrow.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE CREAK OF a chair woke Ethan. He lay on his stomach, sore, tired and hot. He wanted to turn over, but his back was too tender. Opening one eye, he saw Levi sitting and watching him.
“Hey, buddy,” Levi said. “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you. You got a nice red going there.”
“It feels as bad as it looks.”
“Man—” Levi scooted forward “—when I saw you walk out of that smoke, charred beyond recognition, I almost lost it.”
“You? Big, tough Levi?”
“Yeah. It’s not easy seeing a friend like that. I thought no way in hell could you survive.”
“Me, neither. It looked worse than it was. The ash and soot falling from the trees stuck to the wet mud.”
“Thank God. You should be resting, but the doc said you wanted to see me.”
“Yeah. Is Ross here?”
“He had to go back to Austin.”
“In the chopper you said y’all caught the robbers.”
“Don’t worry. They’re locked up tight.”
“What about the third person?”
“What third person?” Levi looked confused.
“They talked about how the boss was going to be pissed that they didn’t follow the plan. Rudy said to screw the plan. He was taking over. He intended to take Abby with him wherever they were going. They stashed us in a rat-infested deer cabin. I could hear them talking and I knew I had to get her out of there as fast as possible.”
“How’d you do that?”
“The windows were broken out and even though our hands were duct-taped, we managed to crawl out and run into the woods. They followed. We hid under a fallen tree. Devon said he was leaving and taking the money. Rudy changed his mind then, but he fired a few rounds into the woods. Luckily none of the shots hit us.”
Levi stood. “They just keep lying to us. To avoid a murder charge being tacked onto their other crimes, they finally cracked and admitted...”
“Murder?”
“Mr. Harmon died from a massive heart attack.”
“Oh,
no. The man was scared to death and white as a sheet. I’d thought he’d fainted.”
“It was much more serious. They operated, but he didn’t last long.”
“Does Abby know?” He hoped they hadn’t told her. It would be too much right now.
“I don’t think so. The doctor’s orders were to be brief, which means I have to go.”
“I just wanted Ross to know about the third person.”
“I’ll let Ross know and he’ll be on it ASAP. And since the good ol’ boys lied, I’m sure the D.A. will upgrade their charges again. As soon as you’re better you can give Ross and the boys in Robbery a full statement.”
“Good deal. My throat’s dry and...”
“And you need to rest.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll catch you later.”
“Okay.” Ethan closed his eyes, welcoming much-needed sleep. But the door didn’t open and he still sensed Levi’s presence. Lifting an eyelid, he saw Levi standing there as if he didn’t know what to do, which seemed at odds with his confident can-do personality. “You’re not going to hug me, are you?”
“Nah. Not today, but when you’re better, I might hug the crap out of you.”
“Now that would destroy our macho images.”
“It’s just good to see you alive, man.”
“Yep. I know the feeling,” he murmured.
“Get better, buddy.” Levi walked out and Ethan heard the door quietly close.
He, Levi and Carson had been friends since they were boys growing up in Willow Creek. They’d suffered through each other’s hardships and he knew they were hurting for him now. He’d truly been through the fires of hell. No one could say he didn’t know what hell felt like. But then, he always knew what heaven felt like.
Abby.
He slowly drifted into sleep with her name on his lips.
* * *
ABBY WAS HALF-ASLEEP when Doug walked into the room. He rushed to her bedside. “Abby, honey, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Three days ago she’d have torn into him like a wolverine. Today she just wanted peace.
