“Jesus, please, give me a chance,” Linx screamed. “God, forgive me. Give me anotherchance.”
There was no answer. Only the throbbing pulse of fire stinging and consuming her, and yet, somehow, not killing her. Pain, pain, all around her, forever and ever, like the Bible hadpromised.
There would be no second chance, no matter how hard she prayed. There was no redemption from doing good works, no free pass because she’d savedJessie.
She’d died in her sins, and not even the tears bathing her face could cool the everlastingagony.
“God, forgive Grady, please, save him before it’s too late. Forgive me, too, even though I’m too late. I didn’t know what I was doing. I. Didn’t. Know. What. I. Was.Doing.”
“She’s coming out of the anesthesia,” a disembodied voice hovered above her. “Put her in the recovery room, but require all visitors to wear gowns. One visitor at atime.”
“Yes, doctor,” a female voice said. “Her fiancé’s going to be very happy. He hasn’t left thehospital.”
“It’s going to be a long road for her,” the first voice said. “But at least she has family, unlike the otherone.”
“Right, they should lock her up and throw away the key,” the femalesaid.
Linx didn’t know up from down as she lay on a bed of nails, with pain prickling from her everypore.
“Juh…, Jess…, siee,” she mumbled, her heart rate jumpy. All she remembered was the fire andJessie.
A while later, a nurse told her she was in the recovery room and that she had avisitor.
“Linx, it’s me, Grady,” a rough, male voice cleared his throat. “Can you hearme?”
“Juh…” Nothing came out of her dried throat, and everything hurt when she moved hermouth.
“Here, have a sip of water.” A straw appeared at her lips, and she sucked in as cool, refreshing liquid soothed herinsides.
“Where’s Jessie?” she croaked, surprised at how raw her voicesounded.
“She’s safe, thanks to you,” Grady said. “Jessie and Ginger are fine. No burns, minor smoke inhalation. It’s a miracle, but you protectedthem.”
“No burns at all?” She struggled to turn her head, but pain shot through her entireback.
“None, whatsoever. Not even first degree. Pastor and Mrs. Patterson are so grateful. You’re truly Jessie’s Wonder Woman.” His voice came from somewhere aboveher.
“Is she here?” She wondered why all she saw was the white clouds below her. “I can’t seeanything.”
“You’re lying on your stomach,” Grady explained. “Your entire back is covered with burns, second and third degree. The backs of your legs and your feet were also burned badly and need grafts. I’m right here. I can’t touch your skin. Infection risk, but here’s myhand.”
He put his gloved hand below her face so she could see him. She tried to reach for it, but her arms were encased inbandages.
“I’m burned, right? Real bad? I thought I died,” Linx muttered, a little disappointed she hadn’t been transferred to Heaven—although now that she thought about it, Heaven would be much better than a bunch of white pads and a friendlyvoice.
“Then I would have wished to die with you,” Grady said. “I never realized how much I loved you until I almost lostyou.”
“That close, huh?” She felt her face crack in a painful smirk. “I had to almost die for you to say it and meanit.”
He cleared his throat. “I’ve always meant it before, but pretended I didn’t. Too scared to admitit.”
“Same here.” Linx tried to take his hand, but hers was wrapped up like a mummy’s. “Forgive me,Grady.”
“I forgive you, even though you didn’t do anythingwrong.”
“Oh, I did a lot to hurt you, starting with Cedar and then Jessie.” Linx closed her eyes, exhausted by even the effort tospeak.
“I hurt you, too.” Grady’s voice was raspy. “I didn’t believe you, and I ran from my responsibilities. I had no right to play with your heart. I was ajerk.”
“You weren’t. I understand you and forgive you,” Linx barely breathed. “Will we make it? Forreal?”
“Yes. We have our whole lives ahead of us,” Grady said. “I wish I could kiss you, but I’ll have towait.”
“Yes, please, and Grady? I forgive you everything, but please ask God to forgive you before it’s toolate.”
He leaned close and she could feel his breath. “I already have, when I sat by your bedside and prayed for you. I asked Jesus to save both me andyou.”
“I did, too. Thank you, God.” Linx nodded despite the pain radiating from her burns. Her eyelids were heavy and she wasn’t sure if Grady had left herside.
Jessie and Ginger were safe and well. God had forgiven her and let them live. She could relax as the fiery pain receded and she drifted into a cool and soothing beachside cabana, lulled by the smooth sounds of a slow rollingsurf.
