“Baby, you did great. You’re so brave,” she assured him. “Can you bring her to me? I can’t see.”
Tyler turned and dragged Faith closer. Scarlett wrapped the little girl in the towels and huddled the boys together. “It’s hot and smoky out there. We have to stay on our hands and knees. Don’t let go of my shirt, hold the edge of the towel to your face, and we’ll meet Gran Debbie.”
The two boys clung to her sides while she carried Faith, who felt limp. She didn’t have time to do anything but get them out. Her heart pounded, and her shoulder slid along the wall, retracing her steps. The scorchingheat hissed as if chasing them. The scent of smoldering furniture filled the room, making them cough and gag. She pulled Faith closer to her chest, protecting her from the fiery inferno.
“Scarlett, where are you?” Ty called. His strong voice cut through the roar of the flames, sucking the oxygen from the air.
“We’re over here,” she yelled. “I have the boys and Faith.”
It seemed like forever, but only a couple of minutes later, Ty touched her shoulder. “We have to get out. It’s spreading fast.”
He grabbed the boys and helped herd them all to the window. A loud crack came from where she rescued the children, as the fire forced its way into the apartment. Two firemen helped evacuate the boys. Ty took Faith, turned, and handed her to someone. “We can’t use the fire escape. We’re using the fireman’s ladder. The fire has spread through the building. I’ll climb out and help you down.”
Ty went next, holding onto her while he guided her down the ladder. The temperature outside felt like summer, not fall. Her arms throbbed, as if she suffered from sunburn. When they got to the truck, Ty swung her up in his arms and took her to the ambulance to get checked out. She coughed into his shoulder as he set her down on the back of the truck, away from the fire. The air already felt lighter, but it reeked of burning siding and burnt wood. Ice barked until whoever held his harness let him run to her side.
Kassie immediately took over, checked her vitals, and placed an oxygen mask on her face. “Don’t worry about me. Get the kids,” she choked.
“Chase and Catherine have them,” Kassie told her.
“She’s got burns on her arm,” Ty said, lifting her sleeve. “Her hand, too.”
“They don’t hurt too badly. Please check Debbie. She wascoughing when she handed me Beth,” Scarlett said as Kassie handed her water and examined her wounds.
She felt Ty take off at a run, and Kassie turned. “What do you mean? Debbie’s not here. When I arrived, Edie held the baby while the ambulance requested the helo,” Kassie informed her.
Scarlett stood, took off the mask, and reached for Ice. Kassie took her by the arm and led her to the fire truck. “Ty already informed them about Debbie’s disappearance.”
“Caleb, Tyler, Faith,” Lizzy called, running toward the children. Scarlett heard their cries as their mother reached them.
“How’s Faith? She didn’t move when I got to her,” Scarlett asked Kassie as they waited for word of Debbie.
“We’re flying her out to the children’s hospital with Beth for observation. The helicopter’s landing in Jake’s backyard and Michael’s going with them,” Kassie informed her.
Glass broke above them. Debbie called out weakly. “Did you get my grandchildren?”
The firemen rushed to pull a ladder over to the window.
“Yes, they’re all safe,” Ty called up to her. “Stay there. We’re coming to get you.”
“Tell Lizzy and Michael I love them. Thank them for everything. Scarlett, thank you,” Debbie cried out desperately. She coughed and choked. Scarlett recalled the temperature in the apartment when she and the kids got out and imagined it must’ve grown unbearable since then.
“We’re coming, ma’am,” one of the firemen assured her.
Lizzy ran to Kassie’s side. “I’m here, Debbie. The kids are safe. They’re coming for you. We love you, too.”
A loud hiss filled the air. Pop, pop, pop and then another explosion shook the ground under them. Cries filled the air, mingled with a series of small booms, overwhelming Scarlett. The noise sent her reeling back to the battlethat blinded her. Panic filled her. Where did Ty go? What about Debbie? Kassie let go of her, pulling Lizzie back as she screeched Debbie’s name, running toward the building and people shouted around them.
The fireman shouted orders as Catherine and Tess appeared, holding Lizzy, who sobbed uncontrollably. Scarlett heard Barb and Edie cry out in pain. Chaos surrounded them. People she didn’t recognize comforted one another as they shed tears.
“What happened?” Scarlett said, terrified.
Kassie turned to Scarlett. “The explosion caved in the apartment. Debbie’s…gone.”
CHAPTER 20
Scarlett sat on the curb,wrapped in a blanket. Ice lay beside her, sensing his mistress’ sorrow. The firemen continued to work diligently to put out the flames. After Kassie and Chase checked them out, Saint took Edie and Barb to his home, a block away. Still in disbelief about the loss of Debbie, the two distraught women clung to one another.
On top of losing Debbie, the community center and Bryanna’s bakery were nothing more than rubble. Ty’s side stood but suffered smoke damage and broken windows. As the community woke up to the news of the tragedy, they pulled together, bringing food and coffee to the workers.
