Hopefully, that meant getting back on side and staying there for ever.
CHAPTER SEVEN
VICKI KNEW THE moment Cole returned, and not only because he blocked the light reaching her and the two boys, as well as the fireman who’d stayed in here from the moment the lads had been found. It was the way her skin tightened and her fear of darkness backed off. He’d always made her feel safe, no matter what the circumstances. ‘They’re taking Callum to hospital?’
‘Merv’s boating him across to the other side now. A neighbour’s with Callum, making sure he’s not moving around, and will go through to the hospital as well. An ambulance has got through and is waiting on the main road.’
‘Hope they get another ambulance here ASAP.’ She nodded at the boy sprawled on the floor in front of her. ‘This is Lucas. He’s unconscious, head trauma, BP low, swelling in the abdomen, irregular breathing. And this other little guy is Toby. He’s as brave as his brother, Callum.’ She smiled at the wee fellow. ‘He’s got a headache and a bloody nose, but no other injuries that I can find.’
‘Hi, Toby. Where does your head hurt?’ Cole asked as he did a visual appraisal of the boy.
‘There.’ Toby touched his forehead carefully.
‘He fell out of bed onto his face when the wall crashed into the room. I can’t find any trauma on his skull. His speech is clear and distinct.’
‘Good. Hold out your arms for me, Toby,’ Cole instructed gently. ‘That’s it. Nothing sore?’ When Toby shook his head, Cole said, ‘Stretch your legs in front. They look fine.’
‘He’s got off lightly. Want me to take him out while you attend to Lucas? I’ll be back in a minute. Hopefully with another stretcher.’
‘Do that.’ Cole was already working on the prone boy, listening to his breathing while fingering his skull and on down his body, looking for more injuries. Fast yet careful, he wouldn’t miss a thing. This was a side of Cole she hadn’t got to see in action, yet she wasn’t surprised at how he dealt with urgent trauma.
Lifting Toby to his feet, she took his hand. ‘Come on. Let’s get you out of here. Watch your head on those boards.’ She had to crawl along behind him to avoid banging her skull. Talking nonstop kept her moving, and Toby not looking around at the disaster surrounding them. She was relieved to see Karen had left, probably under protest, though she might’ve been willing to accompany Callum and try to make him relax more.
‘Sis, who’ve you got?’
‘Toby. No serious injuries, though best he goes to hospital for a thorough check-up. His case isn’t urgent; he can wait for his other brother.’
‘What’s happening in there?’
‘Cole needs another ambulance fast. A helicopter would be even better. Also a stretcher. Or a plank if there isn’t one,’ she improvised. ‘Lucas is in a bad way.’
Damon nodded. ‘I figured. I’ve talked to Search and Rescue and they’re doing their damnedest to get transport here for the boys. The helicopters were temporarily grounded but they’re about to fly again. Apparently, the rain’s eased somewhat, though it’s impossible to believe that from where we’re standing.’
‘Right, where do we put Toby while waiting for transportation? I need to get back to Cole and Lucas.’
‘His mother’s in that house down the drive. It’s safe there, far enough away from any further slips, and not likely to be flooded. You take him down while I find something to carry Lucas out on.’
‘Right.’ It wasn’t totally dark. She could manage. If she didn’t think about slithering bodies on the ground. ‘Lift Toby onto my back, will you? It’ll be easier that way than if I have to keep looking out for obstacles for both of us.’
‘Sure. And take this. I’ve got another.’ Damon handed her a torch before swinging the boy onto her back. ‘There you go, young man.’
As she started down the sodden track towards the house her brother stopped her.
‘Stay down there, Vicki. I’ll go in and help Cole with the last boy.’
She shook her head. ‘I’ll be back.’ She wasn’t going far from Cole for any longer than necessary.
‘No, you won’t. In the last few minutes there’s been a couple of minor slips and we’re acting on the side of caution. I don’t want anyone else going into that wreck of a house who isn’t absolutely essential to saving Lucas, and those in there are coming out fast, no matter what state the boy’s in.’
The urgency in his voice made Vicki’s stomach crunch tight. ‘Why are you standing here talking to me then? Get in there now. Warn Cole, the others. No, I don’t want you going in there either. It’s dangerous.’
He wasn’t listening to her, already facing the entrance the men had created.
She stood in the rain, her feet glued in the mud, her heart pounding and her breathing shallow. Hell, her body had been getting an internal workout since Cole had arrived. He and Damon were in danger. So were Toby’s brother and one of the fire crew.
Please be safe. Please. Please. Please.
They couldn’t have got this far with rescuing the family to have it go wrong now.
Please.
The sound of rocks rolling downhill broke into her pleas, sharpening her fear.
Someone scanned the hill side with a spotlight. ‘Another small slip. That whole hill could go any minute.’
‘What? No.’
‘Hey, Vicki, that you? Get down to the house now. The boy needs to be out of the rain and safe. So do you.’ Merv had returned.
‘I’m not going anywhere until I see everyone come out of there.’
‘Yes, you are. Think of your patient and what being out in this is doing to him. I’ll make sure Cole joins you as soon as they’re clear. We’ll need to bring the third boy down there anyway. Now go.’
The thudding behind her ribs increased as she trudged through the water and mud, desperate not to slip, and turning every few steps to see if anyone had made it out yet. She wouldn’t look at the hill, didn’t want to see it come hurtling down on top of the ruin the previous slip had created. This time it would be on top of those she loved.
Banging on the open door of the house, Vicki called out, ‘Hello. I’ve got Toby here. Is Karen about?’ How was the woman managing with contractions and one son on the way to hospital and the other two hopefully following him soon?
‘Come in. You must be the nurse. I’m Ester.’ A middle-aged woman appeared before her. ‘Here, let me take Toby. Hello, my darling, how are you?’ She sent Vicki a questioning look.
‘He’s fine, though we need him to go to hospital for a full check-up.’
‘Toby,’ Karen shrieked from the doorway. ‘My boy, come here.’ She scooped her son out of Ester’s arms and hugged him tight, tears streaming down her face. ‘Thank you, Vicki. I’m so glad you and Cole made it here. Who knows how we’d have managed without you.’
‘Everyone’s been working their butts off to save your family but, Karen, I have to warn you that Lucas has more serious injuries. Damon is working on getting him out of here and into hospital as soon as it’s feasible. Cole also wants Toby to go with him, just to make sure he’s as good as we think.’
Karen’s knees sagged, then she drew a breath and straightened again. ‘Can I go, too?’
‘That will depend on the transport that can be arranged.’ Vicki ached for this brave mother. ‘We’ll get you there ASAP, I promise.’ She changed the subject. ‘How are those contractions coming along?’ Fingers crossed they’d backed off.
‘Picking up the pace.’
So her fingers were no use at all. ‘It might be an idea if I examine you.’
‘Soon. I want to hold Toby for a while.’
Heavy footsteps sounded at the front door, then Damon’s voice called out, ‘Hello, Ester. We’re bringing Lucas inside.’
‘Don’t try and take your boots off. The carpet’s a mess already.’ Ester rushed t
o make room in the lounge for the makeshift stretcher Cole and Damon were carrying in.
Cole looked around, his face tense until his eyes lighted on Vicki. ‘Hey,’ was all he said, but the simple word held a wealth of care.
He loved her. Nothing had changed there. She’d known that all along, even when she’d been trying to justify leaving and heading away while she came to terms with her life and what she’d do next. ‘Hey, yourself.’
His face softened, and his lips turned up into a smile all for her.