Luke's Recovery Read online

  “Okay, for them.” Lindy said reaching up to take his hand.

  When her skin touched his, he felt a tingle. He hadn’t touched the wagon, so he couldn’t figure out what it was. Once they got to the dance floor the DJ started the music. It was a slow song of course, so he pulled Lindy in close and they began to dance. She was stiff at first and he understood, she didn’t want to be out here and defiantly not with him. After about a minute, she began to relax in his arms and he pulled her closer as they moved around the dance floor. He looked down and as if sensing his gaze, she looked up and smiled at him. He smiled back and pulled her all the way against him and she laid her head against his chest. She was a tiny little thing against him. He was six-foot-tall and she was only about five foot four inches.

  As the song continued, she placed her hands on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her waist and held on tight. She sighed and for the first time today, he didn’t feel like he was so alone. Of its own accord one of his hands wondered up to play with her dirty blonde hair. It was up earlier, but at some point, she had taken it down and it fell in soft waves around her shoulders now. He was so wrapped up in the feel of her against him, he didn’t realize the song had ended until someone bumped into him dancing to the much faster song that had started playing.

  “Are you alright?” He asked as he gripped her tight to keep her from falling as they were pushed off balance.

  “Yes of course, thank you for the dance.” Lindy said and smiled up at him, then quickly pulled away and left him standing alone.

  Luke went to the bar they had set up and got a beer before going back to the table. He was feeling odd after that dance. When he got back to the table Lindy wasn’t there, but he didn’t really think she would be. That dance had knocked him off balance and he could only imagine it had done the same to her. Looking up he saw that Chase had taken the seat that Lindy hadn’t returned too.

  “You doin’ okay?” Chase asked him quietly.

  “Of course, why wouldn’t I be.” Luke said giving his best fake smile.

  “Don’t pretend, not with me. You have been off for a while now.” Chase said giving him a hard look.

  “You’re imagining things.” Luke said shrugging off his concern.

  “The closest I have seen you to your old self is when you were dancing just now. You smiled.” Chase told him.

  “I always smile.” Luke said giving him the smile.

  “No, it was real. Not that fake, my face may break, smile you have been flashing everyone. What is going on?” Chase asked Luke again.

  “I’m good man. Don’t worry about me. Go back to your bride she looks too good to leave alone.” Luke told him knowing his weakness.

  “Fine, but we will talk soon.” Chase said as he stood. Luke just nodded at him before Chase went in search of his bride.

  Luke stood around and watched the crowd the rest of the night, but Lindy made sure to keep her distance. That was probably for the best. He had been feeling lonely and may even be stupid enough to go for meaningless sex just to feel something for a few minutes. He definitely needed to get back to the fire house, the adrenalin would take away this feeling.

  Chapter 2

  It had been a few weeks since the wedding and everything was back to normal. Tonight, Luke had the night shift at the firehouse. He usually worked days, but one of the guys was out sick. He was playing on the computer thinking of joining a dating site when the alarm went off. Luke was out of his seat and on the move to the fire truck as soon as he heard it. While he was dressing in his turn out gear the dispatcher started to give the information. When the address came across his heart stopped. No fire was ever good, and in a town this small he knew everyone, but this one was a report of smoke at Lindy’s boutique. Lindy lived in the apartment above it.

  It was a short drive to the boutique, but Luke’s heart was in his throat the whole time. Maybe it was a false alarm. Those happened a lot, but as they got close he could see the smoke too and knew that wasn’t the case. Maybe Lindsey was the one who made the call and she was outside. When they pulled up Luke jumped out and looked around not seeing her.

  “Has anyone seen Lindy?” Luke asked the people standing around watching. It was after one in the morning and he knew she didn’t stay out late.

  “No, we can’t find her and she didn’t answer when we tried to call her.” The sheriff said.

  “I’m going in.” Luke called to the crew.

  “Luke, don’t be stupid. We don’t know how bad it is yet.” Jacob told him.

  “Jacob, she’s in there. I can’t explain it, but I know she is and she needs me. Can you just have the guys ready if I need them to help, and get an ambulance. She has probably inhaled a lot of smoke.

  “Luke. Luke! Luke, dammit!” He could hear Jacob yelling, but he put his mask on and ran in.

  It was worse than he thought. There were flames on the left side and the fire was hot. Not wasting any time, he went straight for the stairs to her apartment. He knew this was dangerous, but he couldn’t wait and let her die in here waiting for them to come. He kicked the door open and went up the steps, knowing the oxygen from here would feed the flames. He had to hurry. This was an old building and would go fast.

  “Lindsey! Lindsey, sweetheart, answer me please!” Luke yelled as he pushed through the door at the top of the stairs.

  “Luke!” She called back from another room. He followed the sound of her voice and pushed the door open. She was huddled in the bath tub.

  “Come on baby. We gotta get out of here.” Luke said reaching for her.

  “Luke, it hurts to breath, and I’m getting dizzy.” Lindy told him swaying as she tried to stand. The smoke was really thick up here and he knew she had inhaled a lot.

  “I know. I’m gonna get you out of here, just stay with me okay?” Luke told her as he picked her up and started back out of the bathroom. “Lindy, there are flames on the lower floor. I need you to be brave and not panic when you see them, okay?”

  “Okay, just please be careful Luke.” Lindy told him. Her voice was getting faint.

  He walked carefully down the steps knowing there was always a chance they were unstable. He couldn’t take any chances with her. When he walked back into the boutique, he could see flames all around, and a couple beams had fallen. He turned to look at the back door, but the door was engulfed in flames and a beam had fallen across it. He had to go out the front. He walked carefully always aware of his surroundings. Fires were unpredictable and there was no way of knowing what would collapse or fall next.

  “We’re almost there Lindy, you are doing great. Just hang on a little longer. I will make sure you get out safe, I promise.” Luke told her and she nodded.

  As he got close to the door, he had a bad feeling. He looked around as he continued to move, but couldn’t see anything. When he was within fifteen feet of the door he heard a noise, and made a dive for the door. He felt something hit his legs and knew it wasn’t good.

  “Run Lindy!” Luke yelled as he threw her toward the door.

  “Luke!” Lindy screamed and turned his way.

  “Just go!” Luke yelled back. He could feel the heat of the flames that were burning through his protective wear. He tried to pull his legs, but they wouldn’t move. He looked up to see her stumbling out the front door and other fire fighters grabbing her.

  “Help him.” She yelled and the firefighters turned toward him. She turned like she was going to run back to him, but the others stopped her and he saw one of them drag her away. Thank God, he had gotten her out.

  “Luke!” He heard Jacob yell. “Damn.” He knew Jacob was there, but the fire had gone through the protective gear on his hands and was starting to burn skin. “Guys, we got to get this off his legs.” He faintly heard him yell. Luke felt himself fading, the pain was excruciating.

  “Jacob, keep her safe.” Luke told him before the blackness took over.

  *****

  Lindy was on her knees as close as the fire
fighters would let her, while the EMS workers kept an oxygen mask on her. They had rushed to her as she had been pulled away. She watched as Jacob and Tray along with others she didn’t know went in the building. God please let him be okay, she prayed as she watched them gathered around him. She knew when he threw her something was wrong. Luke might not be her best friend, but he wouldn’t take the risk of hurting her if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.

  It seemed like she had been watching for hours when she finally saw them start back out. All she could see was a huddle of men, but she wasn’t sure which one was Luke. She saw Jacob look up, but couldn’t make out his expression.

  “I need a stretcher!” Jacob yelled. Before she knew what she was doing, she was on her feet running his way.

  “No, Lindsey, you can’t go over there now.” The paramedic with her said as he grabbed her pulling, her back.

  “I have to. He needs me.” Lindy told him as tears began to stream down her face.

  “I promise he will have the best of care possible, but you need to stay back and let them work.” He told her.

  “Please let me go.” Lindy said fighting with all her might to get free.

  “Lindy, stop.” Tray commanded coming toward her.

  “Tray, please, I need to help him.” Lindy called reaching for Tray.

  “I know you want to, but while you use to be a CNA I don’t think you ever went and got your doctorate.” Tray said trying to joke, but she could hear the strain in his voice.

  “It should have been me. Luke never should have come in that building, then he would be fine.” Lindy said leaning into Tray as the tears came faster.

  “Lindy, nothing could keep him from going in after you. Jacob ordered him not to, but that didn’t work. Come on, I will drive you to the hospital and wait with you.” Tray told her holding her close. She peeped over his shoulder and could see them rushing the stretcher to the ambulance, but Tray jerked her head down.

  “Tray, it’s bad, isn’t it?” Lindy asked as she started to cough.

  “He is strong, let’s go.” Tray said and pulled her along behind him to his truck.

  As he started the truck, she watched the ambulance pull off with sirens blaring and all the lights on. Tray stayed right with it until they got to the hospital then he pulled up to the visitors parking, while the ambulance went to the bay doors. Lindy’s heart was in her throat as she ran into the building. She got to the nurse’s station and asked to see Luke, but no one was allowed back right now, and she wasn’t family so they couldn’t give her any information.

  “Tray, we have to call Chase, they won’t tell me anything.” Lindy said as she went back over to him.

  “Oh God, I have never had to do this. I need to call Jacob and see if he has already called him.” Tray said turning from her as he pressed numbers into his phone.

  Lindy sat and waited watching Tray’s body language for any clue as to what was happening right now. He gave nothing away and she could feel the panic setting in. She was trying to be strong, but not being told anything wasn’t giving her any hope. This was all her fault.

  “Hey, Jacob has already called and Chase and Callie are on their way. Chasity is going to come pick up the babies and keep them.” Tray told her as he put his arm around her shoulders.

  “Can you tell me anything? I need to know if he is okay.” Lindy pleaded with him.

  “I wish I could, but I honestly don’t know how he is or what is happening. Jacob is with him, but that is all I know.” Tray told her as he tried to comfort her.

  “Can’t you just call and ask Jacob how he is? If you let me borrow your phone, I will call him myself.” Lindy said hopeful she would be able to get answers.

  “Sorry, he was turning his phone off after I talked to him. He told me to wait here for Chase. They won’t tell him much either since he isn’t family.” Tray told her quietly.

  “But he is family. He married Callie’s sister.” Lindy told him.

  “I know that he is family, but the HIPPA laws don’t see it that way. It has to be blood relative or a spouse.” Tray said squeezing her close.

  “I could tell them I’m his fiancé, then they would have to tell me, right?” Lindy said as she started to get up so she could go talk to the attendant.

  “Lindsey, I know you want answers, but that won’t work. This is a small town and if you were engaged everyone would know, not to mention y’all can’t seem to be in the same room for more than a minute without arguing.” Tray told her pulling her back down to the seat beside him.

  “It doesn’t make sense, why would he risk himself to save me. Everyone knows he hates me.” Lindy said as the tears started to fall.

  “He doesn’t hate you. I have no idea what the problem is with you two, but he could never hate you.” Tray said rubbing her back.

  “You can’t know that. He has to be okay, so I can kill him for being so stupid.” Lindy said as she stood to pace the waiting room.

  She knew she wasn’t making any sense, but her mind wasn’t very rational right now. They argued a lot, but she didn’t want him hurt. She didn’t know why they seemed to be at odds all the time, but she wanted him safe. She wanted to argue with him right now, because that would mean he was there with her and he was okay.

  “Lindy, oh my God, are you okay?” Callie asked running over to her.

  “Chase, you have to see if they will tell you anything. I need to know how he is, please.” Lindy bypassed her friend going to him and begging for the answers she needed.

  “Calm down, I will go see if I can find out anything. Go sit with Callie, I will be there in a second.” Chase told her pushing her toward where Callie and Tray were sitting.

  “Lindy, come sit down. It’s been a rough night. Shouldn’t you be getting checked out?” Callie asked looking her over.

  Lindy looked down and noticed she was in her pajamas, a pair of shorts and a tank top. Thank God, she still had her bra on. She had black crap all over her, and her feet were bare. She must look like a mess, but she couldn’t be bothered to care.

  “I’m fine, they gave me oxygen while they were inside trying to get Luke out.” Lindy told Callie as she watched Chase, trying to gage his reaction to what he was being told.

  “Okay, they really can’t tell us much right now. He is unconscious right now, and they are going to take him and do x-rays on his legs where the beam fell. His hands have severe burns, but they are trying to get them cleaned so they can get him ready for x-ray.” Chase said as he sat down beside Callie.

  “No, this can’t be happening. He is fine and trying to start something with me, he has to be fine.” Lindy said shaking her head, her face had lost all color.

  “Can one of y’all tell me what happened? I thought everything had to be stable before y’all went in.” Chase said turning to Tray.

  “Well, you are right, but when I pulled up I heard Jacob yelling for him to stop. Luke went in anyways. I don’t know what happened after that.” Tray said looking at Lindy.

  “He found me in the bath tub. He picked me up to carry me down the stairs and out of the building because I was dizzy. When we got close to the door he threw me toward it and I turned back to see him fall. I turned to go back to him, but he told me to run and get out. I told the guys by the door he was there, but Tray pulled me to an EMT to get treated. They had him surrounded when they brought him out, but Tray wouldn’t let me get close, or tell me what was going on.” Lindy said as tears began streaming down her cheeks again.

  “Just breath, we will know more soon.” Tray said rubbing her back.

  “He should have never came after me. If he had stayed and waited for the okay to go in, he would have been fussing at me now.” Lindy said shaking her head.

  “Lindsey, look at me.” Chase ordered her and she straightened to do as he said. “There was no way Luke would have stood back and waited knowing you were inside. No one could have stopped him from getting you out. This isn’t your fault, he did what he thought was rig
ht. He saved you.”

  “He shouldn’t have. He has all of you, and he saves people and fights fires. I…” Lindy couldn’t finish her thought. The truth was she was nothing and no one. She had no family and while she had her CNA’s, she didn’t make a difference in anyone’s life. She would be missed by her friends, but his family and the community needed him.

  “Don’t you even think it!” Jacob said as he came over to them. Her head snapped up to look at him. “His only concern was making sure you were safe. Even after we pulled him out, he was making sure you were safe.”

  Lindy couldn’t take anymore. She stood and paced away to the window. It made no sense why Luke would risk everything for her. If only she could talk to him. Maybe if she had updated the building and at least put a fire escape outside the window Luke wouldn’t have had to be put in that position. The others left her alone to pace as they sat and waited for more information on what was going on. About an hour later someone came out to talk to Chase.

  “Family of Luke Collins?” The doctor said as he walked out.

  “I’m his brother.” Chase said walking over to him.

  “Come on back to the conference room.” The doctor said walking toward the door.

  “Jacob, Callie come with me.” Chase said as he walked behind the doctor.

  *****

  Chase followed the doctor into the small conference room. He had no idea what to expect, but being pulled back here made him think it wasn’t good. Callie took the seat beside him, and slipped her hand into his. He knew she was worried too. He looked over as Jacob took the seat on the other side of him, he couldn’t read the look on his face which meant he was in fire chief mode.

  “Before we get started, I need to be sure everyone here is allowed to hear this based on the HIPPA laws.” The doctor said looking at Chase as he was his brother.

  “This is my wife, Callie, and this is Jacob, he is our brother-in-law, and the fire chief.” Chase told the doctor anxious to hear how his brother was.