Page 63 of Built of Flames

“You should have waited until tomorrow. They’re not going to allow anyone else in to see her until morning.”

Tansy waved that away. “Jim and Carl connected us with a B&B here. We’ll see her tomorrow before we head home.”

These people. Mitch had to swallow again. He was running on empty with all the emotions of the day.

It was over an hour later when the Midnight Lake crowd headed to the B&B and Mitch headed back to Bella’s room. He wanted to be part of that crowd in the future. He’d planned to speak with the Chief on shift that day, but their world had gone sideways. Soon, though.

When he walked in, Bella was awake and smiling. Her shiny eyes spoke to tears lurking near the surface, but he could see they were happy tears.

He walked over and kissed her hair and took her hand.

“Just in time, Robinson. This old man’s got to find a bed for the night. I’ll see you tomorrow, Bella. You can talk my ear off then.”

Roberto kissed her cheek and squeezed her hand before he left.

Mitch took the vacated seat and smiled. “Not sure if Roberto told you or not, but everyone from Midnight Lake was here. Troy and Ginny too. They couldn’t come in because visiting hours are over, but they’re staying in a B&B and will be back tomorrow.”

Tears filled her eyes again, but she closed them and scrunched up her face until she swallowed them.

Mitch laughed and brought her hand to his lips. “Tears aren’t a bad thing, Bella. We’ve all been blinking them back today. Some better than others.”

For a moment, they simply smiled at each other. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he wanted it to be a moment where they could talk. Where she could say it back.

She had to feel it, too. He was sure he could see it in her eyes. But he wanted the words.

The same nurse walked into the room and smiled at Bella. “You’ve got more friends than this hospital has cotton balls.”

When her eyes filled with tears again, Duncan grinned at her. “Waterworks? Over good news? Suck them back, darling. Now, I’ve got some meds to help you sleep. Hospitals aren’t the best places for rest. Then Dr. Iminez will evaluate tomorrow and see where you’re at. I don’t know any more than that, so don’t ask.”

Duncan grinned at Mitch. “I assume you’re staying?”

Mitch nodded.

“I’ll show you how to fold out that chair into a bed. It’s not the absolute worst. Close, but the floor would be worse.”

Duncan brought a pillow and blanket, administered Bella’s meds, warned them another nurse would be checking vitals through the night, and then closed the door behind him.

Mitch squeezed her hand. “Sleep well, Bella. I’ll be here if you need me.”

Even while the meds had her eyes drooping, her smile was bright enough to fill his heart.

Great Bawls Of Fire

Bella was relieved that Aisling had thought to bring her a bag of clothes. She was still hooked up to an IV, but at least she’d been able to put on underwear and leggings under the gown.

As soon as visiting hours had started, a steady parade of friends had walked through the door.

Sam and Tansy. Aisling and Graham. Tess. Troy and Ginny.

Faisal and Carla, the paramedics, had popped in to check on her. Apparently they’d been the ones on scene at Mitch’s house.

She wasn’t ready to think of it as a fire scene. Not quite yet.

And then the firefighters had arrived. Paul had been first. Steady Paul, who never made hasty decisions and who ensured rookies were teamed with partners with compatible personalities.

He’d brought her a single daisy and made her smile and tear up at the same time. “Thanks for digging for answers. I’m glad you’re going to be okay, and I’m sorry for what happened years ago. If you ever need anything at all, I want you to call me. I mean that.”

Then he’d squeezed her hand and gone.