Once Mercer has retreated into the doorway, Noah turns back to the hole.
Ty is exceptional at hiding his discomfort, but I grimace every time he grunts. Finally, Noah pulls him up by his forearms, sliding backward on his belly to more evenly distribute their combined weight.
And then he’s out. They’re safe.
But they’re all on the opposite side of the hole, and I’m alone.
They’re together, on the other side, while I’m out here, by myself.
I’ll have to go around.
My heart gallops in my chest, my breaths going shallow, my head suddenly spinning.
“Sawyer. Come over here,” Noah instructs, waving me to the far side of the porch.
I hear his voice, but his words don’t register.
I’m frozen.
I’m stuck and I’m alone and I’m frozen.
“Mon ange,” Tytus says from the doorway. “We’re okay. Listen to Noah, baby.”
We’re okay.
I’m not alone.
They’re right there—all of them. I’m not alone.
I just have to hold tight to that truth and take a few steps forward. I steel my spine and force myself to suck in a slow, steady breath. Then I step toward the side of the porch where Noah is waiting.
Just as I grip the handrail, two strong hands slot beneath my arms, and then my feet are leaving the ground.
Noah sets me on the porch gingerly, then guides me toward the house. We inch along, as close to the siding as we can get, until we reach the front door.
Inside, I promptly tackle Tytus, then reach out one arm for Mercer.
“You’re okay,” I breathe out, tears still streaming down my cheeks.
“Shh. Sweetheart. We’re safe now,” Mercer assures me.
“You’re okay, you’re okay, you’reokay.” I hiccup, my chest heaving painfully.
Ty grinds his forehead against mine, his eyes closed, and sucks in a shaky breath. “We’re okay, baby. We’re safe. Mercer and I are fine. But he’s not.”
My heart stumbles.He’s not? Who’s not?Holding my breath, I turn toward Noah.
He’s on the floor in the foyer, staring blankly, legs-crossed and hands in his lap.
“Mercer needs to go to the hospital,” Ty says softly. “I’ll help him change out of his muddy clothes first. You take care of Noah.”
Solemnly, I inspect Mercer. His face is screwed up in agony. Shit. Yeah, he needs to be checked out.
“Okay. You two get changed and ready. I’ve got him.”
Chapter fifty-seven
Noah
