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.
Chase and Kassie took Lizzy and the boys home, where Maddie, Joe, Carol, and Jake waited to care for them, allowing Lizzy to go to the children’s hospital.
Scarlett refused to leave. It felt like a punch to the gut.
Her whole body remained frozen as she went over every step she took, trying to figure out what she might have done differently to save her friend.
Ty sat beside her, pulling the blanket tighter around her and pushing a cup of coffee into her hand. “Why don’t you let me take you back to the hospital? There’s nothing more we can do here,” he said quietly. “Kassie temporarily wrapped your hand and arm. She’ll want to recheck them.”
“I don’t understand. I gave her the baby and told her I’d get the kids. When did she come back inside? I never heard her,” she murmured.
“Barb told the firemen Debbie handed Beth to her and raced back upstairs to help you. We think she got turned around with all the smoke,” he told her gently.
“Or she didn’t think I’d reach them. It’s not like I could see where I was going,” she choked back.
“Hey. You saved four kids. You have nothing to feel guilty about,” he said, rubbing her back. “Everyone heard her last words thanking you for getting her grandchildren out of here. If you hadn’t noticed the smoke, we might be having funerals for Edie, Barb, and all those babies.”
“Poor Barb and Edie. They’re a mess,” she said, wincing when she moved her arm. Blisters covered her hand from holding on to the hot railing. Funny how she didn’t notice how close the fire must’ve raged to cause the metal to grow so hot.
“Saint and Bryanna will ensure they’re cared for,” he assured her. “Bryanna will have to rebuild again. My heart goes out to all of them.”
“Again?” she asked, turning her face toward him.
“Yeah. When she moved here, Saint’s ex-wife broke in and vandalized the place.
He surprised her and invested in new booths and tables for the place.
Kassie covered the display cases. Everyone loved coming there for their morning coffee and a pastry.
The school moms stopped in once they dropped their kids off, and the seniors gathered for something to do. ”
“We’re talking about their losses, what about yours?” she asked.
“The wall between the community center and mine sustained some damage and there’s a ton of smoke damage. We won’t know how bad until they inspect it. I’ll be closed for a bit,” he informed her.
“I’m sorry, Ty,” she said, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
“Don’t cry,” he murmured. “Debbie can’t be replaced. Material things can always be replaced. Right now, I bet Saint and Bryanna haven’t given the bakery much thought. They’re thanking their lucky stars Edie and Barb made it out.”
“She was nice to me,” Scarlett whispered.
“Debbie never gave my blindness a second thought. Yesterday morning, I felt a bit sorry for myself and grabbed a donut from the bakery before heading over to the community center to help them with the inventory. She told me about her daughter, Diana. How can someone who suffered such a tragedy die in such horrific circumstances?”
Ty sighed. “We’ll never know the answers. Debbie made an impact on everyone she met. Yes, Caleb and Faith were her grandchildren by Diana. But she meant something to all the kids on the mountain and loved Lizzy and Michael’s two adopted kids like her own.”
Scarlett sniffed.
“Let’s take you home. They’ll contact Chase when they find her. One of Leo’s men stayed behind to help in case someone got injured. It may take a day or two, and if Debbie were here, she’d scold me something good for leaving you cold and in pain, sitting on the curb.”
Scarlett reached for Ice, and Ty helped her to stand. “Thank you, I’m sure one of the veterans can take me back.”
“Unless you have an aversion to riding with me, I prefer to take you and get those burns examined,” Ty said firmly.
Knowing he didn’t plan on letting it go, she nodded and gave Ice a command.
The stench of smoke and charred furniture filled the air, making her miss the fresh, clean scent from the mountain.
Yet, it matched her heart. Debbie did nothing to deserve this, and Scarlett refused to let her killer stay on the loose while the community mourned their grandmother and their friend.
When they arrived at the ER, Sledge nearly knocked her over as he embraced her.
“Be careful,” Ty growled. “She suffered some burns.”
Sledge immediately pulled Scarlett back from him, assessing her.
“I’m all right,” she assured him. “I didn’t feel it until a little bit ago.”
“Kim and I slept in, and we didn’t hear the news until we went to the hospital for breakfast before she left. If I knew you were involved, I would’ve come down immediately,” Sledge said, stressing about her.
“You didn’t need to. Ice hasn’t left my side, and Kassie already saw me,” she explained. “Plus, there’s nothing you could do.”
“What can I do for you?” Sledge asked.
“I’m letting someone examine my hand and arm, and then Leo asked to speak with me. I already told the officer what happened, but the team seems upset. I’m sure he wants to go over it again,” Scarlett said, yawning.
“I’ll stay with you,” Sledge offered.
“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 school until 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?”