“No. You have therapy this morning. I’m capable of doing this by myself. I’ll probably take a nap later. If you want to help, can you grab all my stuff from my room and take it down to the cabin? I planned to move down today, and it’ll give them an empty bed for someone else,” Scarlett asked, knowing Sledge needed to feel useful.
“I’ll stay with her and then take her to Leo. When she’s finished, I’ll bring her to the cabin. Do you have food?”
“I’ll run to the grocery store. They stocked us up on some casseroles and fresh-baked goods,” Sledge offered.
Scarlett smiled and gently hugged him. “Thanks, Sledge. I’ll see you later.”
A nurse came out and retrieved her, leading them to the empty bed. Ty helped her onto it, and she leaned back on the pillows. Ice moved to the other side with Ty, who sat beside her in a chair. Her chest heaved as the reality sunk in at her losing her friend. She shifted uncomfortably in the bed and Ty touched her shoulder.
“I’m not going anywhere. If you need help getting comfortable, tell me,” he gently told her.
Kassie entered and placed a hand on her leg. “Scarlett. I asked Chase to come in and peek at your wounds,” she said sadly. “I wanted you to know how grateful we feel for you getting the grans and kids out. If we can ever return the favor, you need only to ask.”
“I wish I could’ve done more,” she whispered.
“You did everything possible in a bad situation. We can always think back and see how we might’ve handled it, but it won’t change the reality. Miss Debbie reunited with her daughter, and she knows her grandchildren and best friends are safe and cared for,” Kassie sniffed. “If Debbie were here, she’d do it all over again to save those children.”
Ty handed each woman a tissue from the bedside table. “You showed courage under fire, Scarlett. Don’t take it away by second-guessing yourself.”
Chase entered and pulled his wife to his side, kissing her forehead. “The babies and Tori arrived in the nursery. I’ll check Scarlett and come down when I’m finished. We decided the kids needed the day off from schooluntil we tell them about Debbie. We didn’t want them to hear about it from their friends. Of course, Lizzy and Michael will tell Caleb and Tyler. They’re dropping the kids off to speak to the coroner and start the funeral arrangements.”
“I already instructed Randy to make room for Bryanna. She can bake in our kitchen until they figure out what they want to do. We’ll talk about it this afternoon,” Kassie told Chase. “I’ll stop by the cabin later this afternoon, Scarlett.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, amazed at how the community pulled together in times of crisis.
“I’ll listen to your lungs, then we’ll see to those burns,” Chase said, turning his attention to Scarlett. “My stethoscope might be a tad cold.” He placed it on her chest and then on her back. “They sound clear. Let’s do a chest X-ray to be sure.”
She raised her hand to remove the makeshift bandages and winced.
“Scarlett hurt her arm, too,” Ty recalled.
Chase unwrapped her hand and removed the bandage from her arm. “You have second-degree burns on the left hand and your arm. I’ll repeat washing them, reapply an antibiotic ointment to keep them moist, and wrap them. I’ll order you shower covers and wound seals to cover them for bathing. I’m afraid you won’t be handling Ice for a few days. We have a leash you can put over your head and attach to him until this heals. It’s not perfect, but we want you to continue bonding. You can still meet Dr. Meyers, and I’ll talk to Allie about training. Take a few days to rest and heal. When you’re ready, let us know.”
“Thanks,” she said, “Although I didn’t know her as well as you, Debbie was my friend. Do you mind if I attend her funeral?”
Chase placed a hand on her shoulder. “Of course, you’rewelcome to attend. When Lizzy and Michael have the arrangements made, I’ll ensure you have the information. It may take some time before they have a date, depending on what the coroner tells them this morning. Let me have Allie bring up the leash for you. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded numbly. Her brain seemed foggy, yet she knew sleep would never come.
“Do you feel up to meeting with Leo? Chase can make a call, and you can go over later, or they can come to you,” Ty informed her.
“No. If I go to my room, I’ll keep replaying everything. If you still have time to take me, I’ll meet them.”
A few minutes later, Chase returned with the leash. After showing her how it worked, he gave her permission to meet Leo. Ty assisted her off the bed and lightly held her arm while he escorted them to radiology and then to his truck. It only took a minute or two to reach the facility she heard Sledge talk about.
When they arrived, Ty escorted her to the entrance and rang the doorbell. A voice came over a speaker, “Hey, Ty, Scarlett. Shadow will be there in a moment.”
Shadow opened the door, allowing them to enter. Ty’s hand went to the small of her back, leading her down the hallway. The room opened up, smelling like bacon and eggs, and she assumed they sat in the kitchen.
“May I get you a cup of coffee?” Shadow asked as Ty brought her to a chair.
“No, thank you. If I drink any more, I won’t be able to sleep,” she said.
“I’ll take one. Do you have any herbal tea and Bear’s honey?” Ty asked. “It won’t have the caffeine, and the warmth will do you good.”
“Tess made us bacon and eggs withhomemade muffins. She put two plates in the oven to keep warm. Doc called and told us you were headed over. I have chamomile or peppermint,” Shadow informed her as the rest of the men drifted in.
“I’ll take peppermint, please.”
