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Devon pulled out his cell phone. “Joey, your mama will be okay, but she has to go to the hospital so doctors can make everything better."
Fear returned to the toddler’s eyes.
Kicking himself, he wished he hadn’t mentioned the hospital, but he had to be honest. “Your aunt Neely will come to get you, okay?”
Joey’s arms tightened around his neck. “’Kay.” Though Joey’s voice was hushed, Devon sensed Ashley heard him.
He punched in the numbers as Ashley struggled to relate them. As the phone rang, he shifted away, hoping what Joey heard next didn’t upset him. The woman’s voice jerked him back to the phone call. “Neely?”
The line was silent a moment. “Yes?”
“This is Lieutenant Murphy from the Ferndale Fire Department.” He heard her intake of breath and wished the call could have begun differently. “Your sister Ashley asked me to call.”
“Is it a fire? The house? What happened?”
He provided the details as best he could with Joey listening. “Would you like to pick up Joey here, or should I meet you at Beaumont emergency?”
“Beaumont. I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”
He stopped to relay his destination to Clint and noticed a neighbor standing at a distance. He waved the man over. “Do you know Ashley?”
“Sure. She’s a good neighbor, and so’s Joey.” He chucked the boy under the chin. “Is she okay?”
“She’ll be fine.”
“Can we keep an eye on Joey for her?” The man opened his arms.
Joey let out a cry. “Mama.” He reached toward her. “I want my mama.”
“His aunt is meeting us at Beaumont. I think Ashley will feel better knowing he’s there, but thanks for the offer.” He turned away but stopped. “Can you secure the house?”
“Sure thing. We have a key.” He motioned to the broken window. “I’ll cover it for her, too. Tell her not to worry.”
Before Devon could thank him, a car careened into the man’s driveway, and a woman with a halo of white hair jumped out, her hand to her mouth and her eyes wide as a basketball as she darted toward the man. “What happened? Where’s Ashley?”
Devon used the distraction to make his exit. House secured. Window covered. Now, Joey. He gave the boy a hug, thinking of his own young daughter and how she might respond in an emergency.
With Kaylee on his mind, he remembered he would need a car seat to transport Joey. He carried him across the street and located the car seat stored in his garage. The plastic he’d used to cover it was dusty, but beneath, the seat looked like new. He grinned, picturing Kaylee strapped in the chair and singing nursery rhymes whenever they went somewhere. Now more than a year older, he’d purchased a larger restraint seat for her.
Once Joey was strapped into the backseat, Devon slid behind the steering wheel and headed toward Beaumont, sending up a prayer for Ashley’s well-being.
* * *
Searing red burned through Ashley’s eyelids. She tried to raise them, but her effort faded in the struggle. Vague memories stirred through her fogged brain. A stormy sky. The wind. Joey’s wagon. The tree. That was it. The haze shifted, and she tried again to pry open her eyes.
A cool hand touched her arm. “You’re fine. Don’t try to move yet.”
She’d heard those words before, but it had been a man’s voice. A kind voice, like the woman’s, but rich and comforting. An image flickered in her mind. Dark windblown hair. Brown tired eyes, but in them, she saw compassion. A bristled jaw. And... And Joey against his chest.
“Joey.” She tried to lift her head, but a headache hammered it to the sheet. “Where’s Joey?”
“Your son is fine, Mrs. Kern.” Ashley felt the woman pat her arm again.
Her chest constricted. “Fine. What does that mean?” She tried to shift her leg to the edge of the mattress, but the weight bound her in place.
“He’s in the waiting room with your sister and a nice-looking gentleman.”
Waiting room. She turned her head sideways and willed her eyes to focus. This wasn’t her bedroom. The railings along her bed. Eggshell-colored walls. Privacy curtains. The blurred memory eased into her mind. The sirens. The tree. The men. The wail of an ambulance. “Where am I? Beaumont Hospital?”
“That’s right. Things will be clearer when the anesthetic wears off.”
Her pulse tore through her arm. “Anesthetic?” Through the fuzz, she watched the nurse adjust an IV.
“The doctor will be in soon and explain what happened.”
Before she could demand answers, the nurse slipped through the curtain. She was alone. Her mind began to clear. Memories one at a time connected. She’d been in the kitchen. Joey had fallen asleep on the sofa as he often did in the late morning, and rather than disturb him, she’d tossed a quilt over him and let him sleep. She’d noticed the May sky, strange clouds that looked threatening. Then she’d remembered her car parked in the driveway with the window down. Why hadn’t she pulled it into the garage?
Before she could act, a powerful wind caught Joey’s wagon. She’d left it outside the door when they came in from their walk. Another dumb thing she’d done. A lawn chair tumbled through her yard, and fearing the wagon would be caught in the squall, she’d dashed outside and grabbed the wagon handle. That was the last she remembered, except for the vague images that followed when she’d awakened on the ground beneath a heavy limb and Joey was in the man’s arms.
Tears edged down her cheeks. She needed to see Joey now. Where was he? Where was the doctor? How long would she have to wait?
* * *
Devon tapped his foot, thinking he should leave but not wanting to. Over an hour had passed, and his earlier exhaustion had returned, leaving his brain fried. The day seemed like a dream, but then so many of those days did. Bad dreams. At least this one had a happy ending.
Joey had become his buddy, and when his aunt Neely had arrived, the boy called her name and opened his arms to her. She scooped him up, her questions to him flying fast.
“Who are you?” she’d asked, her question causing him confusion. Then he remembered he wasn’t in uniform.
“I’m a neighbor a few houses down from your sister’s, but I’m a firefighter. I’d just gotten home from the bad night we’ve had. Everything here was fine until this storm came out of nowhere. The microburst sent everything sailing.”
Joey wiggled free of his aunt’s grasp and raised his arms to him, wanting back on his lap, but he hesitated, wondering if it would upset Ashley’s sister.
Neely’s surprised expression merged with a grin. “You’re his hero...which you truly are. If you hadn’t found Ash, who knows what would have happened.”
“No hero. Just blessed to be there at the right time.” He hesitated before asking his nagging question. “Do you know what’s happening with Ashley?”
She blinked as if surprised. “I thought you knew. They’re setting her leg...with a screw.”
“A screw. That means surgery.”
She nodded. “They’ll let me know when I can see her. She’ll be fine. I know my sister.” She leaned down and kissed Joey’s head. “I am worried about the house, though.” A frown flickered on her face. “Anyone could break in with the window—”
His head hurt. “Sorry. I forgot to tell you the gentleman next door said he had a key and he’d take care of blocking the window. Temporary, but it’ll secure the house.”
“You mean Mr. Wells. Irvin and Peggy. They’re thoughtful neighbors.” A grin stole to her face. “I feel better knowing they’re taking care of it...for now, anyway.”
Gratefulness filled her eyes, and he understood the feeling. Being there to help made him grateful. People helping people. It’s the way God wanted it to be. Again his thoughts snapped back to the scene. How long would she have lain there without help if he hadn’t witnessed the aftermath of the accident?
“Family of Ashley Kern.”
He turned toward the doorway. A surgeon stood in the threshold wearing green scrubs.
Neely bounded from the chair. “Will you hang on to Joey?”
Though she asked the question, she didn’t wait for his response as she rushed to the doorway and followed the surgeon into the hall.
Devon, letting Joey play with his car keys to keep him distracted, prayed everything went well.
In a minute, Neely returned. He waited, expecting to learn the details. Instead, Neely gave a subtle head nod toward Joey. “I can see her now, but I’m not sure if—” she eyed Joey “—they’ll allow him in, so I’ll go alone and see if it’s possible to take him to see her for a minute.” She gave Devon a searching look. “Do you mind staying with Joey?”
First he wanted answers. “I’m happy to, but what’s the diagnosis?”
Her gaze shifted to Joey. “Minor concussion and a closed fracture. The bleeding was a surface wound.”
Devon nodded. “I was afraid it was a compound fracture.”
Her focus shifted to Joey. “I hope they’ll let me take him in for a visit. They’d both feel better.”
He nodded, admitting to himself he’d feel better, too, if he saw her. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.”
She managed a half grin. “Thanks.” Turning her attention again to the child, she patted his head. “I’ll be back in a minute, sweetie. Okay?”
“’Kay.” The response was accompanied with the jingle of Devon’s keys.
Neely hurried away again, and Joey held up the key ring. “Go for a ride to see Mama.”
Devon could barely focus, and he ached everywhere but especially for the boy. “We have to wait, pal. Then maybe you can see her.” He prayed they’d let the toddler into the room even for a moment. The child had been brave throughout the whole mess. He was bright as a star and sweet as sugar—maybe like his mom.
Joey rested his head against his shoulder, and Devon closed his eyes a moment. The feel of the boy in his arms took him back to when his daughter Kaylee was about that size. She loved to cuddle, and he loved snuggling to her, smelling the sweetness of her hair and the scent of innocence. As Joey calmed, stillness settled over Devon. He relaxed his shoulders and took advantage of the silence.
“Devon.”
He jerked his head and stared bleary eyed at Neely. Joey wriggled against him, arising from his sleep. They’d both gone to dreamland, and now he faced Ashley’s sister, embarrassed. “And I’m supposed to be watching this young man.”
She shook her head, a calmer look on her face. “Neither of you needed watching. I didn’t mean to wake you. I know you’ve had a horrible night, but they gave me permission to bring Joey down for a few minutes.” She bent over and hoisted the toddler in her arms. “You’re getting heavy, big boy.”
“I’m a big boy.” He grinned at her, then turned his dimpled smile to Devon.
Devon pressed his back from the chair cushion and roused himself upward. He realized this ended his excuse for sticking around. “I suppose I should go then.”
“Don’t go.” She raised her hand. “Unless you must. Ashley wants to talk with you a minute if you can wait. I won’t be long with him.” She touched Joey’s cheek. “Or if you’re too tired, I can—”
His palm flexed upward to stop her. “No, I’m fine. I’d be happy to stay.”
“Thanks. She’ll appreciate it.” She turned and headed to the door.
He sank into the chair, his heartbeat playing a rhythm against his chest. The sensation threw him. He’d received a thank-you from many people he’d helped during one disaster after another, and he’d never reacted with this kind of anticipation.
He stretched his legs and folded his hands across his empty belly, searching for a logical explanation. The boy. That was it. Joey reminded him of Kaylee. Since she lived with her mother while he had only a few days with her during his off time, he felt cheated. He missed so many firsts and heard about them secondhand.
Divorce was a nightmare, especially when it wasn’t his doing. He’d taken months to sort through his emotions and to understand what happened. No affair. No sensible reason. Gina announced she was depressed and unhappy. She needed a change.
A change. The word ripped through him. Everyone needed a change once in a while, but not one that ended a marriage. He’d been a good husband...he thought. A hard worker. A loving husband and father. He asked what he’d done wrong. She said nothing.
Maybe that was it. He’d done nothing. Perhaps her life wasn’t exciting enough, while his was too exciting fighting fires and saving lives. He even rescued kittens in trees and dogs trapped in sewer pipes. Sleep swooped over him, and he rubbed his eyes. His head spun with weariness, and he needed to forget the past. She’d wanted a divorce, and his crazy forty-eight-hour shifts complicated having physical custody of Kaylee. Instead, regrettably, he settled for visitation.
He drew in air to clear his mind. Going over it again solved nothing. It was the way it was, and he’d learned to enjoy the time he had with his sweet daughter.
Devon rose, smelling the acrid coffee coming from the urn. He took a step toward the pot, but his stomach churned. He dismissed the idea. He needed food. No. He needed sleep.
“She’s ready to see you.”
His pulse skipped hearing Neely’s voice.
She shifted Joey in her arms. “I’m going to take this boy home and give him some food and then off to bed. Thanks so much for all you’ve done. You’ve been more than kind.”
“I’m glad I was there.” Somehow the words meant more to him than they should. He gazed at Joey. “And don’t worry about the house. I’ll check to make sure everything’s safe before I hit the sack.”
She nodded her thanks and gave him directions to Ashley’s room. With another nod, she pivoted, clutching Joey in her arms and heading for the exit.
Devon strode down the hall, his legs pushing him forward, eagerness in his step. Helping a neighbor, anyone, always uplifted him. But the image of her pinned beneath the trunk depleted his breath. Strange. He’d seen those scenarios many times in his career. People hurt, bleeding, dead. Why this reaction? For one thing, he needed sleep. That had to be all it was.
Chapter Two
Ashley longed to throw her legs over the mattress and head home. She missed Joey even though she knew Neely and her dad would wrap their love around him. She worried about other damages that might have happened to the house besides the broken front window. And then, a shattered window meant someone could break in and steal... Steal what? She didn’t have anything worth stealing. Except maybe her computer. That was her most valuable possession.
Well, she could purchase another computer. Photographs, little gifts Adam had given her. Those precious items could never be replaced.
Life was precious. She thanked God her life had been spared. Joey needed her. One parent was better than none. One loving parent was a precious gift to a child. She grinned, recalling while growing up how she had been covered in love by her father.
Footsteps sounded in the hall, a heavier step than the cushioned shoes the nurses wore. Was it him? Neely mentioned his name, but she’d already forgotten. She’d seen him before, mowing his lawn a few houses down the street from hers. She shook her head, recalling that when she’d first opened her foggy eyes, she’d thought he had been an angel. Then she’d focused, noticing the dark bristles on his chin, and calculated angels didn’t have to shave. Before the smile faded, her memory became a reality.
He stood in the doorway, looking hesitant.
“Please, come in.” She motioned to the only chair in the room. “I’m sure you’re tired and want to get out of here.” She lifted her shoulders. “I know I do.”
A grin brightened his face, but as he moved toward the chair, she spotted more than weariness in his eyes. The expression aroused her curiosity. “At least I’m more alert than I was when you found me.” She extended her hand. “Sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”
He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Devon Murphy. I live on Drayton, too, a few—”
“I know. I’ve seen you outside sometimes.” On her walks, she’d admired the neat two-story home of redbrick with muted moss-green trim. She’d envied the second-floor balcony and sometimes imagined what it might be like to sit there on a summer day. She had also admired his toned build and good looks. “Neely told me you’re a firefighter. I couldn’t have had a better person than you to find me.”
He shrugged. “Most anyone would have done the same. I’m grateful I came home later in the morning than usual because of the storm. When I saw Joey crying alone in the yard, I knew something was wrong.”
Her heart gave a kick, envisioning Joey confused and frightened. She shook her head and sent up another prayer of thanksgiving. “I’d left him napping on the sofa...and ran out to save his wagon from being blown down the street and to put my car in the garage. I thought I’d be right back inside.” She motioned toward the chair again. “Please.”
“Things don’t always go as planned.” Finally he dropped onto the vinyl cushion and rested his arms on his knees, his fingers woven together. “I stuck around today for Joey. He’s my new buddy.” He gave her a tired grin. “And to be honest, I wanted to know you were okay.”
