AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was another crack somewhere, then a bang. One of the stalls had collapsed.
Everything felt like crawling through Jell-O, and her chest burned so bad. Megan had never known what it felt like to be on fire, but now that was the only way she could describe it.
She couldn’t see where she was going. Had waited too long. This was what Buzz had warned her about. Pushed too far, gone too deep. Her breath was short now, like a gasp. She couldn’t see where she was. Thought she was pointing toward the exit, but wasn’t sure.
Disoriented and exhausted, all she wanted to do was rest her head and close her eyes. Just for a moment against the ground. Take a moment. She had done her best, and this was it. She was too far away. Couldn’t do it.
Buzz was going to be pissed. Had her family felt like this? Was it the same when you were asleep? Would Laura’s hands have healed her? What would that have felt like? What would Ash have said when she found out about this. If Buzz was a dressing-down, Ash would be a total ass-kicking. Maybe she would understand.
Troy. God, Troy.
She tried to think of him grabbing all of the horses on the other side and got a burst of energy to step up and push forward, moving another foot before collapsing again.
He had lost so many people. They had so many plans. She wanted peace for him. No pain. Just peace, and she couldn’t give that to him anymore. He was right there, paralyzed with terror, and she couldn’t get to him.
Megan looked up and could almost hear him now. Calling her name from somewhere outside the barn.
She tried to drag in another breath and call out “I’m here,” but it was a whisper she could barely hear.
Megan would’ve cried, but whatever water might have come would have evaporated or turned right to steam. She closed her eyes and felt someone around her. Arms, gentle and strong, encircled her. They were warm to the touch, lifting her up. Toward where she didn’t know.
She tried to open her eyes and couldn’t, giving in to the sensations around her as something carried her soul away.
But then it stopped. She was going down now. There was something cold, hard, and rough under her back. Nothing like before.
Her eyes fluttered open, and there above her, she saw Troy’s terrified eyes. Why was he crying? His shirt was over her nose and mouth. He pressed his mouth to her head with trembling lips and turned her on her side, covering her with something. She didn’t know what. His hand stayed on her hair, combing it away from her face.
That’s when she heard the sirens. Boots where everywhere, and she could hear shouting and running. Familiar voices mixed with unfamiliar ones.
Someone was running toward her, then an oxygen mask was fitted to her face with sweet cold air pushing into her more than the night air could do naturally.
Megan’s eyes opened to see Laura looking down at her, pressing one ungloved hand to her throat.
Through the mask, Megan tried to smile and nod, giving permission, but drifted to sleep when a warm tingle soothed the burning like a balm.
CHAPTER52
Four weeks later, Megan pulled out another tray of Troy’s baked brie from the oven and looked out from the new kitchen at everyone in the living room enjoying the grand opening party for the brand new Mountain View Ranch Bed and Breakfast.
“Looks like we’re a hit,” Troy said from behind her with another case of drinks.
Megan smiled and leaned back against him. He ran his fingers down her sides of her silky green dress she’d saved for just such a special occasion. He loved the dress and how sexy she looked in it, even if he couldn’t fully appreciate the green color on her.
“You doing okay?”
There was genuine concern in his eyes as he scanned over her to make sure it wasn’t too much, and he didn’t stop until she smiled and nodded.
So much had happened in the last month. First, she had to heal from the smoke inhalation. Mr. Chapman, Laura, Ash, Buzz, and everyone at Station Three had all been checking in and offering to help, so much so that she wondered how she ever felt alone.
Troy had stayed with her, taking her to all of the follow-up appointments, asking questions and taking notes in his phone on what the doctors said about her recovery. He had pampered her with teas, soups, and made the most delicious mashed potatoes with roast gravy when the doctors had expressed concern about her iron being low after routine bloodwork. Once she was in the hospital, it had popped the lid on the doctor’s appointments and tests she had been avoiding for years. Through it all, Troy had done everything she could’ve asked and then some.
With Laura’s healing help, and Megan’s natural ability, she’d had a “miraculous” recovery from the smoke inhalation and now had full lung capacity even during a stress test her doctor insisted on before clearing her for work.
Megan had returned to Station Three a week ago, to a surprise party with a cake and everything. Troy, despite being worried, had only texted once to check in and let her know she could update him at any time, but otherwise gave her the space to do her job without interference. Buzz had called her into his office, no doubt planning a long talk, but much to his surprise, Megan had already had a few therapy sessions and reported she was doing much better. She also gave him permission to call her out if her bullshit started up again, which he gladly accepted.
She was enjoying her new confidence. Felt like she had found her voice, found her purpose, and was truly living for the first time in a long time. She still had work to do with her anxiety, grief, and pressure to be perfect from her childhood, but she had come a long way from where she was. Now her stutter only showed up when she was tired or surprised. She knew her purpose was to be a firefighter, but her joy was at home with her friends and family. And, thanks to Troy, she still got to care for animals by watching over Braxton and his five minions, as Troy had taken to calling them.
Troy had been busy hanging out with his dad and Ms. Sherry, who was an absolute doll and had accepted a position working at the bed and breakfast. Mr. Chapman had settled into the little house and turned it into a home, improving it here and there. Now it was quite nice, and almost ADA compliant with Troy’s insistence. His dad had agreed and wanted to keep his independence as long as possible. They all got together a few times a week, and Troy was always down to check on him in the morning and again beforeWheelcame on.
