45
Nora opened her eyes to find herself being lifted into an ambulance. She was wearing an oxygen mask, and she looked up in absolute panic at the paramedic standing over her.
“You’re going to be fine,” the woman said.
And Henrik? Nora wanted to ask, but she couldn’t get the words out. Her lungs and throat felt as if they were on fire.
She was admitted to the hospital and put in a private room, where she fell asleep.
When a nurse came in to check on her, Nora woke up. She took a deep breath, removed the mask.
“How is he?” she croaked.
The nurse smiled. “He’s going to be okay.”
Nora leaned back against the pillow as the tears began to flow. She wanted to believe the nurse, but she couldn’t, not until she’d seen him for herself.
“Try to get some rest—we’ll let you know when he wakes up.”
After a while the nurse came back. “He’s awake—you can see him if you like.”
Nora needed help to get out of bed, but she managed to make her own way into Henrik’s room, which was next door to hers. He was lying there with his eyes open, still wearing an oxygen mask. He had a dressing on his head, and his shoulders were bandaged. She could hardly believe what she was seeing, and she hurried over to him.
“You’re okay.” She was grinning. “You’re okay!”
He laboriously removed the mask and smiled back at her. “I am.”
“I thought I’d lost you.”
He reached for her and gently pulled her close. She felt the tears pouring down her cheeks as he held her tight. “I’m here.”
She shook her head, her voice shaking. “I was afraid it was too late. When I saw you lying there, I was terrified it was too late.”
“Nothing is too late.” He lifted her chin and looked at her with those eyes that made the whole world tilt on its axis. “And you saved me.”
She kissed him gently.
“Why did you go into a burning building?” he asked her. “You went to get the sourdough starter, didn’t you?”
She nodded slowly. “Stupid idea.”
“And did you get it?”
“I dropped it when I ran to you, so I think it’s charcoal now.” She gave a weary smile. She hadn’t even thought about it until that moment. Her entire focus had been on Henrik, and nothing was more important.