He bolts out, veering right and following Foxy’s path to freedom. I step out of Noc’s stall and am almost barreled over by Elsa, a sweet, dappled gray pony that used to be a lesson horse but now has gotten fat and happy in retirement. I’ve never seen her move so fast, but that’s three of the four horses out.
My heart slams against my breastbone—Lunar’s stall is at the end on the side where it’s burning the hottest.
I stumble blindly through the smoke. Chunks of burning wood rain down from the rafters, and I’m light-headed from the lack of oxygen.
“Kellen!” I scream and then hear Lunar shrieking.
I rush toward the sound, tears stinging my eyes not only from the smoke but from the horrific possibility that Lunar might be on fire.
“I’ve got him!” Kellen yells back. “He’s free.”
Through the smoke, Lunar thunders toward me, the whites of his eyes stark through the dim air. He races toward the exit where the night air sucks out the smoke. I almost sag to the ground in relief, but Kellen and I need to escape.
And then he’s there, hand gripping my arm and dragging me toward the doors. I’m so grateful to see him. I suck in a lungful of what should be air to exclaim my relief and pull in nothing but smoke.
I gag and hack, the lack of oxygen weakening me. The light-headedness intensifies, and I drop to one knee.
“Oh no you don’t.” Kellen hauls me up with one hand under my armpit and the other around my waist. With his strength pushing me along, we run through the barn. I see it getting lighter amid the smoke, and I want to cry with relief. We can find the horses, and we’ll all be safe.
“Come on,” Kellen urges. I glance over my shoulder, see the flames burning hotter and brighter, and realize this man single-handedly saved all the horses and me.
I wheeze, trying to give my thanks.
We’re almost out when something falls on me… hits the back of my left shoulder, sparks exploding all around.
A chunk of burning rafter.
The weight and velocity knocks me out of Kellen’s grasp, and I sprawl to the concrete floor.
“Abby!” Kellen yells, and it seems so loud, as if he has a bullhorn against my ear. He yells my name again, and I feel him lifting me from the ground, but oddly, he doesn’t sound as close.
Once again, I hear my name, but it’s faint and dull and I wonder where Kellen went.
Then everything goes black, and I don’t wonder anymore.
?
Noise draws me back into the light, and I start coughing. I try to put my hand to my mouth, a polite habit, but knock up against tubes over my face.
Confused, I grab at them and pull, but then soft hands are on mine. “Don’t, Abby. That’s oxygen to help you breathe.”
My eyes flutter open. A woman hovers over me, smiling gently.
A nurse.
“You’re in the emergency room. The oxygen will make you feel better.”
I’m sluggish, but it all comes rushing back. I do know I’m at the hospital. I came by ambulance as I remember waking up the first time here. Bits and pieces float back clearer as I blink away the sleep. A doctor examining me, a CT scan of my head, X-rays of my shoulder. All clear, I remember them telling me.
I take stock of how I feel. My lungs hurt, and there’s a dull ache in my shoulder.
I remember… getting hit, the burning wood knocking me to the ground. It was so heavy. I’m surprised I don’t hurt more.
Kellen lifted me from the ground and—
“Kellen,” I croak, trying to sit up. The nurse puts her hands to my shoulders and gently pushes me back. “Relax. Your friend is out in the hallway making some calls.”
Okay… that’s right. He got me out of the barn.
I’m so relieved he’s okay.
“Can I have some water?”
“Sure,” she says. “Let me get you some with ice.”
“If you see Kellen, can you send him in?”
“You got it.” She looks back at me. “He’s been so worried about you. I think you’ve got a winner there.” Upon exiting, she pulls the curtain closed behind her.
I smile wanly at the statement. She doesn’t need to tell me how lucky I am to have met Kellen McCord. Not just because of our insane chemistry or the happiness he brings. He single-handedly saved me from death—twice tonight—and saved all the horses.
The curtains flutter, and Kellen enters. I bombard him before he can take another step. “The horses.”
He holds up both hands, palms out. “They’re fine. A neighbor and one of the firemen rounded them up, and they’re in the back pasture. The barn isn’t a complete loss, believe it or not, but it’s going to need a lot of work.”
“I need to call Dr. Schoen.”