“You’re yelling, which would suggest, from an outsider’s perspective, that you are,” Joe Trainer said. Findlay Hudson nodded.
“There is nothing between Faith and me.” Ryan thumped his chest. “But if there was, that’s our business.”
“What’s wrong with my sister?”
“Nothing. Jesus, will you let this drop,” Ryan said, wondering why he was bothering.
“I hear they have air travel now. You can get about this here fine country of ours with ease,” Tex drawled, making Ryan want to lean over and plant his fist in his face.
“If you like each other, distance will resolve itself,” Patrick McBride said in that calm way he had. Ryan remembered getting advice from him in that tone as a boy.
“What he said.” Noah pointed at Patrick with his beer.
“Look, it’s complicated,” Ryan said to appease them. He hadn’t come right out and said he cared, but he hadn’t denied it either.
“Son, most things that are worth your energy are,” Newman said.
“Be quiet or I’m not going to play or sing tonight like Tex asked me to,” Ryan snarled.
“You going to play for us?” Joe Trainer look excited. “If I apologize on behalf of everyone, will you?”
That broke the tension, and they laughed, but Noah gave him a steady look.
“You’re good together,” he whispered. “And that’s my final word on the matter.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Ryan muttered, wondering how it was that everyone knew how he felt about Faith when they’d never demonstrated that in public.
“Does anyone smell smoke?” Tex got to his feet and moved to the railing.
They all did the same.
“Fire!” Brad roared. “Macy’s cabin.”
“Jesus, I left Faith there!”
He sprinted down the stairs and ran to the trees. Tex passed him.
“I know the trails! Patrick is calling Cubby and the fire department!”
He knew the others were on his heels as he ran but didn’t look back.Was it the cabin? Please, God, tell me I’m wrong and it’s just bush or scrub.
Behind him, he heard the roar of voices and curses as they stumbled on tree roots, but Ryan just kept running, heart pounding, praying with everything he had that Faith was safe.
It wasn’t far, but it seemed to take forever before he reached it. He could smell the smoke now as well as see it. Bursting through the trees, he found the left side of the cottage on fire.
Ryan didn’t stop with the others. He ran for the door and wrenched it open. Inside smoke was steadily filling the room. He had minutes before the entire place would be engulfed.
“Faith!” She wasn’t on the sofa where he’d left her. Had she gone to the bedroom?
“Faith!” Noah roared from behind him.
Ryan tore off his shirt and covered his mouth as he started coughing. Dropping to his knees as the smoke thickened, he crawled in what he hoped was the direction of the bedroom. Reaching the bed, he pulled himself up and felt for her. His fingers touched her leg.
She was unconscious; he only had minutes to get her out. He’d taken the safety classes in school, so he knew that smoke inhalation killed in a short time.
Standing, he lifted her into his arms, dropped his shirt over her head, and ran.
“Noah, I have her! Get out!”