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“What’s the deal with the goats?”
“Not really sure,” Luke said. “But apparently they’ve always had goats on Harpers’ Berry farm for as long as it’s been here.”
He saw the flames as they passed the long, low homestead.
“At least the barn isn’t close to the house,” Mani said as Luke drove as close as he could.
Four of them were in the truck. Luke jumped out and ran with Mani while the others got the gear ready.
“Oh thank god! Ivan’s in there. Him and Quinn!” Shelly Harper screamed at Luke as he approached. She was crying and wringing her hands.
“In the barn?”
“Yes.” Her word was choked on a sob. “Quinn is home. She went in there when the fire started to find her father.”
Running around the burning building, he noticed the rear hadn’t caught yet but didn’t think the roof would hold for long. He only had minutes.
“Luke!”
He turned to find Mani on his heels.
“I’m going in,” he called. “Get the hoses working!”
“That roof isn’t going to last!”
“Yeah, on it!” Running in through the opening, he yelled, “Quinn!”
The flames were catching fast, especially with the piles of hay and wood stacked in there. Calm settled over him. It was always like this when he walked into a dangerous situation. All his training took over, and he focused on what needed to be done.
“Ivan!”
He heard coughing to the left and headed that way. He found two people. Ivan Harper was lying on his side with a little dog licking his face, and Quinn was trying to pull him to his feet. Both were coughing as the smoke cloaked them.
“Get out!” Luke told her. “I’ve got him.” He grabbed one of Mr. Harper’s hands and bent to lift him, then hoisted him over a shoulder.
“Move it, Quinn!”
She grabbed the dog as Luke heard the creak of the roof and knew he only had seconds.
“Faster!”
She ran with him on her heels. They burst out of the barn just as the roof collapsed.
The noise was loud in the night air as Luke lowered Ivan to the ground. He hauled in a deep breath as he eased the man onto his back.
“I’m okay.” Ivan’s cough was more a ragged exhale. “Sit me up.”
He did as he was asked. It was then he noted the full leg cast.
“You okay, Luke? Ambulance is on its way,” Steph, another of his crew, said.
“Look him over, then get him to the ambulance,” Luke said.
“Quinn?” Ivan rasped. “Help my girl, Luke.”
Luke did as he asked and found Quinn sitting with her head between her knees.
“I got her, Steph, you get Mr. Harper to the house.” Luke dropped down beside Quinn.
