by Cindy Kirk
“Uh-oh, sounds like it hasn’t warmed up much.”
“It’s not too bad.” Lauren settled her gaze on Stacie’s fur-trimmed parka. “You won’t be cold. Not in that coat.”
“What about you?” Stacie’s brow furrowed. “Yours doesn’t look very warm.”
“I’ll be fine.” Lauren waved a dismissive hand. “I can’t wait to hear all about your Christmas with Josh. Was it as wonderful as you’d hoped?”
“It was fabulous.” Stacie’s face glowed, just as Anna’s did when she talked about her new husband. “Josh made it special for me.”
“I’m sure you made it special for him, too.” Lauren realized with a sudden start that she didn’t envy Stacie her “fabulous” Christmas. Not one bit.
She’d had her own memorable holiday with Seth and Ivy.
Al jumped up from his checkerboard to open the door, and as they ambled down the sidewalk, Stacie recounted every last detail of her Christmas, including the sumptuous meal she and Josh had made for his mom and dad.
“They’d barely left when my family called,” Stacie continued. “I was able to speak with my brother and sisters and all my nieces and nephews. My parents too, of course. Did I tell you they’re planning to come here next Christmas?”
“That’s great news, Stacie.” Lauren tried to summon up some enthusiasm, but all she could think was that her parents hadn’t even bothered to call this year.
As if she could read Lauren’s thoughts, Stacie turned, her eyes dark with sympathy. “By the look on your face, I take it you didn’t hear from Edmund and Margaret.”
“Not a peep.” Lauren tightened her gloved hands around the box. “They were probably having so much fun in Paris that I didn’t even cross their minds.”
“That must hurt.”
The caring in her friend’s voice brought a lump to Lauren’s throat. She shrugged and continued walking.
“Forget the parents. We have more important things to discuss.” Stacie shot Lauren a sly glance. “Like you and Seth.”
Heat rose up Lauren’s neck. Rather than meet Stacie’s assessing gaze, she focused on the church, now only a half block ahead. “I had a pleasant Christmas with Seth and Ivy, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Hot Christmas, more like.” Stacie laughed aloud. “Anna told me about the kiss.”
Lauren accepted that news traveled quickly in a small town, but Anna had been with her most of the day. “How did you hear? When did you hear?”
“Blame it on the wonders of modern technology.” Stacie chuckled and hopped forward to avoid an errant snowball thrown from a side street. “Anna called me from her cell on her way into town. I need details. The only thing specific I got from Anna was that Seth was wearing a Santa suit.”
Lauren smiled, remembering the softness of the red velour and the intoxicating taste of Seth’s warm, sweet lips. “There’s something about a man in a Santa suit that is incredibly appealing.”
“I agree.” Stacie sighed. “The only thing that trumps it for sexiness is a cowboy wearing nothing but a Stetson.”
“I wouldn’t know about that.” Lauren ignored the twinkle in her friend’s eyes and kept her tone offhand. “We didn’t get naked. We only kissed.”
“Bet you liked it, though.”
“The kiss?” Lauren’s heart picked up speed. “It was okay.”
“Methinks it was more than okay.”
“You’re right,” Lauren admitted, knowing Stacie wouldn’t give up until she told the truth. “On a scale of one to ten, I’d give it a twenty.”
“Wow. Sizzling hot. It really didn’t go further?” Stacie paused and slanted a sideways glance at Lauren.
Lauren shook her head. “Ivy came out of her bedroom and saw me kissing Santa—er, Seth.”
“It’s like something out of a movie.” Stacie’s eyes turned dreamy. “Wouldn’t it be fabulous if you and Seth fell in love, got married, settled in Sweet—”
“Stop right there,” Lauren said, finding the scenario way too appealing. “My plans don’t include Sweet River or handsome cowboys.”
“Oh, so you think Seth is handsome.”
Lauren let a groan be her answer.
“I had plans, remember?” Stacie’s expression was suddenly serious. “But I figured out a way I could have Josh and my dreams, too.”
“It worked for you,” Lauren admitted. “I’m happy it did. But there is no way—”
“Where there’s a will, there’s always a way,” Stacie said, punctuating the cliché with a decisive nod.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Lauren offered a wry smile as she climbed the steps of the church, repositioning the box in her hands so she could open the door.
When Lauren had first heard Sweet River had a homeless shelter, she’d been surprised. She hadn’t thought there would be much of a need in the area. The cots set up in several Sunday-school classrooms and the fifteen or so people waiting for food in the church’s makeshift dining hall challenged that assumption.
Stacie stopped to speak with the minister about an upcoming fund-raiser and Lauren began unpacking the food. She’d started on the second box when Stacie touched her shoulder.
“A volunteer who was supposed to help serve didn’t show,” Stacie said in a low tone. “I’m going to stay for a bit. Shirley should be able to handle the café alone for the next hour or so.”
“I can stay and help, too.”
“That’s sweet of you to offer, but they only need one more body, and you should get back to Anna and the shop.” Stacie touched her arm. “If you’d just tell Shirley I’ll be back in time for the supper rush, I’d appreciate it.”
“Consider it done.”
“Tell her to give you a couple dozen sugar cookies to go with that cider,” Stacie added before turning her attention back to the minister.
Lauren visited with a couple of the shelter residents for several minutes, then strolled back to the café, enjoying the sound of the snow crunching beneath her feet.
Her destination was in sight when a fire truck shot down Main Street, sirens screaming. The door to the community center burst open as a second truck zoomed by. Lauren jumped back as a bunch of cowboys spilled out onto the sidewalk and scattered.
“What’s going on?” she called out to one of Seth’s friends as he raced by.
“Fire on Elmwood,” Wes Danker yelled without breaking stride.
A chill traveled up Lauren’s spine. If she wasn’t mistaken, Elmwood was the next street over from where Mitch and Seth were working. Instead of entering the café, Lauren wrapped her coat more tightly around her and watched each man pile into his truck, put a flashing light on the dash and take off down the street.
When they’d first moved to Sweet River, Anna had mentioned that the town was too small to have professional firefighters. Instead, it depended on trained volunteers. Hadn’t she also said Seth was one of those volunteers?
The apple cider forgotten, Lauren turned and ran down the street to Sew-fisticated. Though she hadn’t been gone all that long, the shop was deserted. Miranda was nowhere to be seen. Anna was missing, too. In fact, the front part of the store was empty save for Marg Millstead, Mitch’s stepmother, manning the cash register.
“Where’s Anna?” Lauren asked, her breath coming in short puffs. “And Miranda?”
“They had to run an errand,” Ivy called out from the back room.
“They took my mom’s car,” Brandon added.
Marg put a finger to her lips. She grabbed Lauren’s arm and propelled her to the very front of the store, far from little ears. “We need to talk.”
Lauren’s heart skipped a beat at the worry furrowing the older woman’s brow. “Tell me.”
“There was a fire at the house Miranda rents.” Marg spoke in a whisper. “The sheriff called not long after you left. Seth and Mitch were the first to respond. They thought the house was empty, but—”
“Trenton was upstairs.” The words spilled from Lauren’s lips
as she remembered what Miranda had said earlier. “He hadn’t been feeling well and stayed home in bed.”
“When Seth and Mitch heard him calling for help, they went in without waiting for backup.” Marg paused and drew a shuddering breath. “Trenton and Mitch got out just as part of the roof collapsed. They were very lucky.”
“What about Seth?” Lauren’s entire body turned to ice. Her heart beat so hard and fast, the room began to spin.
“Seth was trapped by the falling debris.”
Lauren covered her mouth. Only the knowledge that she needed to stay strong for the little girl in the other room kept her from crying out.
“Mitch went back for Seth,” Marg continued. “By that time Josh had arrived. Together, they got him out.”
Lowering her hand, Lauren exhaled a ragged breath. Perhaps it wasn’t as bad as she’d feared. “Trenton is okay?”
Marg nodded. “He was very lucky.”
“And Seth?” Lauren asked. “Is he okay, too?”
The older woman hesitated. “They think so.”
“What do you mean, they think so?” Lauren’s voice started to rise, but she immediately pulled it back down.
“The ambulance is taking him to the medical center in Big Timber.” Marg’s eyes filled with tears. “They’re concerned about how much smoke he inhaled.”
Lauren didn’t realize her own tears were falling until she felt the wetness against her cheeks. “I need to go to him.”
Marg grabbed Lauren’s arm before she reached the door. “Anna called. She’s in the ambulance with her brother. Mitch is following behind in the truck. She wants you to take care of Ivy. She’ll call as soon as she knows anything.”
Though she knew Marg hadn’t meant to be unkind, Lauren felt as if she’d been put in her place. There was no reason for her to rush to Seth’s side. He had his family with him. She was just his daughter’s nanny.
Ivy.
“Does Ivy know about her dad?”
Marg shook her head.
“I think Anna hoped you’d tell her.” There was a pleading look in the woman’s eyes. “What with you being into counseling and all.”
Lauren closed her eyes for a second. To be an effective therapist you needed to be detached. Right now she didn’t feel very detached. In fact, she felt way too connected. But who else was there? And it had to be done with great sensitivity.
“I’ll do it.” Lauren drew a steadying breath. “What about Brandon? Should I take him with me, too?”
“Not necessary,” Marg said. “Alex Darst is on his way to pick up the boy.”
Only then did Lauren remember that Miranda and Alex were dating. “I wonder where they’re going to sleep tonight? Certainly not at Alex’s place. His apartment is teeny-tiny.”
It was ridiculous to be standing here discussing housing options. But anything was better than thinking about Seth in that ambulance.
“I’ll give Miranda some options.” The sympathetic look in Marg’s eyes said she understood Lauren’s need to focus on something besides Seth. “Are you taking Ivy to your house?”
“For now,” Lauren said then stopped. “I don’t have a way to get there. Seth was going to pick us up after he finished...”
Lauren blinked rapidly. She would not cry.
“Henry is bringing over Seth’s truck,” Marg said. “He can drive you and Ivy if you’d like.”
“I’ll be fine....”
“At least let him help you get her into the truck.” Marg’s hand squeezed Lauren’s shoulder in gentle comfort.
“Miss Lauren, I’m getting hungry,” Ivy called out. “When are we going to go home?”
“In a little bit.” Lauren was thankful her voice gave nothing away. “First we’re going to stop by my house.” Ivy chattered nonstop on the short drive. Lauren let her talk, murmuring an encouraging word every now and then.
Ivy pressed her face against the passenger’s-side window when they pulled into the drive. “I can’t wait to tell Daddy about everything I did today.”
Lauren slowed the truck to a stop and shut off the ignition. In the course of her studies and in her counseling sessions, she’d had to discuss many difficult topics, but none more difficult than this. Ivy had already lost one parent. How would she cope if anything happened to her dad?
Think positive.
Lauren took a deep steadying breath and turned in the seat to face the child. “Your daddy did something really brave this afternoon.”
Ivy’s sweet little face brightened. “He did?”
“Yes, he did.” Lauren forced a smile. “There was a fire at Brandon’s house. Your dad and your uncle Mitch went in and helped Brandon’s brother, Trenton, get out of the house safely.”
“Daddy does that a lot,” Ivy said. “He likes to help people.”
“I know he does.” Lauren dug her fingernails into her palms.
“When he comes home for dinner, I’m going to give him a big hug,” Ivy said, a smile lifting her lips. “He likes my hugs.”
Lauren took a breath. Then another. “The thing is, I’m not sure your daddy will be home for dinner.”
Ivy’s blond brows pulled together. “Why not?”
“Well, you know how when fire burns, there’s a lot of smoke?”
Ivy slowly nodded.
“Your daddy breathed in some of that smoke. Before he comes home, he has to get his lungs checked out at the hospital.”
Though Lauren tried to keep all emotion from her voice, she must not have been successful because the child’s big blue eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Lauren hastened to add. “Aunt Anna and Uncle Mitch are with him and they’re going to call and let us know when he’ll be coming home.”
“I want my daddy.” Tears slipped down the child’s face. “I want to talk to my daddy.”
Lauren leaned forward and unbuckled Ivy from her safety belt. She wrapped the child in her arms, holding her as close as the casts would allow. Still, Ivy continued to cry, deep shuddering sobs that racked her body. It seemed she would never stop, but finally, sniffles and ragged breaths replaced the sobs.
Lauren grabbed a tissue from her purse and handed it to the girl. “I’m going to call Aunt Anna and see if you can talk to your daddy. Okay?”
“’Kay.” Ivy hiccupped and swiped at her nose.
Before Lauren could dial Anna’s cell, the phone rang.
“Lauren?” The voice was hoarse and rough as sandpaper, but she recognized it immediately.
“Seth.” Joy sluiced through Lauren’s veins. She tightened her fingers around the phone. “Thank God.”
“Is Ivy with you?”
“She is, and she wants to talk to you.” Knowing Ivy was listening, Lauren kept her tone upbeat. “Are you okay?”
A fit of coughing was the only answer for a long moment. “Sorry ’bout that. Yeah, I’m going to be fine. Look, would it be possible for you to begin watching Ivy right away? I know you weren’t planning to start until after the first, but it will be a while before I’m at full speed.”
By the time he finished the request, his voice was so faint she could barely hear him and the coughing had started up again.
“I want to talk to Daddy,” Ivy demanded, reaching for the phone.
Lauren lifted a finger and shook her head. “Just a second,” she mouthed to the girl.
“Of course.” Lauren slanted a glance at Ivy. “I’ll take her home in a little bit and bring my stuff with me.”
“I owe you,” Seth said, the relief in his voice evident.
“No worries. You can count on me.” As she handed the phone to Ivy, Lauren realized it was true. He could count on her.
Last night had been a mere blip on the radar. Tonight they would start over.
Chapter Nine
“It’s ten feet to the front door.” Seth insisted when the truck stopped in front of his house. “I can make it on my own.”
His bravado must have convinced Josh and Mitch,
because they relaxed their grip on the door handle. He’d told them he didn’t need their help to get from the hospital to the truck, but thankfully they’d ignored his protests. It was nearly impossible for him to take a deep breath. Any exertion seemed to set off a spell of coughing that left his legs weak and shaky.
The doctor in Big Timber had sent him home with an inhaler and told him to take next week off. He had a follow-up appointment in ten days. Hopefully he’d be ready to resume his ranch duties at that time. His foreman would have to pick up the slack until then.
Seth’s hand closed over the door handle but instead of opening it, he paused for a moment calling on his inner reserve. It was important to him that Ivy not worry. Once he got to the front door, he wanted everything to appear as normal as possible. That’s why his sister wasn’t here. Why Josh and Mitch weren’t coming in.
“We don’t mind hanging around for a while to make sure you’re okay.” Two lines of worry etched deep between Mitch’s brows.
“Yeah, you’re not lookin’ so good,” Josh observed.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done.” Seth’s voice shook with pent-up emotion. He owed these guys a debt he’d never be able to repay. Thanks to their courage, his daughter still had a father. And he still had a life. “I’ll be fine. Lauren is here to take care of Ivy—”
“What about you?” Josh’s tone may have been nonchalant but the concern in his eyes gave him away. “Doc Mason said—”
“I’ll be fine,” Seth repeated, more firmly this time. Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw Mitch tilt his head, his gaze sharp and assessing.
“I can’t believe we didn’t see it.” Mitch shook his head. “All the way out here you’ve been trying to tell us but we haven’t been listening.”
“Tell us what?” Josh frowned.
“Lauren is inside. Seth here is eager to soak up some of her TLC.” Mitch’s grin widened. “He doesn’t want us around ’cause we’ll cramp his style.”
“You and Lauren?” Josh whistled. “You’ve been holding out on us.”
