Page 178 of We Drank the Dawn

Hollie said “It’s volunteer run. They’re sending a truck, but…”

It might be too late.

Sarah’s hand slipped into the crook of my arm, and I placed my hand over hers. My chest was suddenly so tight I couldn’t breathe.

Bea softly cried.

Hollie’s voice shook as she spoke up. “Is everyone okay? Anybody hurt?” Once Hollie was satisfied that we were all safe, she attempted to lift the morale. “We got the heartbeats out—that’s what matters. Tag has good insurance. It’s going to be okay, guys.”

Tag.

I didn’t want to think about him.

Or the fact that his grandfather’s barn was turning into a pile of char.

Sarah broke the silence. “Cooper needs to go to the emergency room.”

“What?” Rocks skittered as Cooper rushed to stand. “No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. Smoke inhalation is the main reason people die from fires.”

“I’m not going,” Cooper’s voice rumbled with sudden rage. “And no one is making me.”

My head reared back in surprise at his tone.

Sarah protested. “You could seem fine for up to two days before respiratory distress starts⁠—”

“I don’t care, Sarah.”

Hollie said Cooper’s name, but he stalked off toward the bunkhouse and slammed the door behind him. A frown pulled into my brow—why the hell was he being so touchy?

Hollie’s voice softened, talking to us now. “Dispatch is sending an ambulance. I’ll go talk to him.” Her footsteps trailed after Cooper.

Harlan instructed everyone to watch the perimeter of the barn. Even though the hose wouldn’t save the barn, it would be useful if the fire tried to spread. Sarah, Hollie, and Bea stood watch while the cowboys disappeared to pasture the horses. When they returned to take over, Bea called Tag, tearfully filling him in as she paced the driveway. The rodeo had just ended, and Jesse and Tag were scheduled to leave early tomorrow and arrive home late morning, but Tag promised to head back tonight—as soon as they got the horses loaded up.

Sarah and I waited awkwardly, hand-in-hand, wanting to support somehow. Even from a distance, the flames warmed my face.

“Peter, this is so sad.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“Honestly, Bea and Hollie are pretty upset. Maybe we can check on the kids for them.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Sarah and I walked down to the cabins, starting at the Holmes’. A quick peek down their hallway proved the girls were blissfully unaware of the commotion outside the cabin. But the moment we stepped onto Bea’s porch, we heard tiny wails coming from inside the house.

“Oh no!” Sarah rushed down the hall and pushed open the nursery door. “You poor baby!”

But Wren cried louder. “Uh Pee! Uh Pee!”

“She wants you.”

I reached for her. “Hey, Wren. It’s okay.”

She threw herself into my arms, immediately curling into my shoulder, her cries quieting a little. “Mama?”