* * *
The red digital numbers pierced his vision and Devon closed his eyelids again. A three-hour nap was all he’d had and even that had been restless. Each time he woke, he relived hearing Joey’s cries earlier in the day and finding Ashley under the tree. Too often, the images intruded. He wasn’t alone. Every firefighter dealt with the same horrible recollections.
At least he’d done as he promised. When he’d pulled into his driveway from the hospital, he’d checked Ashley’s window. As Mr. Wells had promised, he’d patched it with pieces of plywood that had seen better days, but it worked. Still the window required repairing, and the tree needed to be cut and removed. When Ashley came home, he didn’t want those problems hanging over her.
He slipped his arm beneath his head and gazed at the ceiling. Even there he could see Ashley beneath the tree. At the hospital when he saw her after the surgery, he’d been blown away by her beautiful eyes, wide-set and as brown as dark chocolate, and arched by brows as sculpted as a bird’s wings.
Knowing sleep evaded him, he slipped his legs over the edge of the bed, stretched his arms to the ceiling and dragged air into his aching chest. The short nap would suffice. Dusk hung outside the window. He glanced at the clock. Eight-thirty. Daylight savings time had given him an extra hour of light.
He ambled into the kitchen, filled the coffeemaker and stared into space. Though needing to eat, he wasn’t interested in food. Instead, he wondered how Joey was faring and if Ashley had rested after they’d said goodbye earlier. She needed rest since they would have her up soon for physical therapy. She would learn to use crutches, to walk up the stairs and move around on her own. When she mastered the undertakings and healed to the physician’s satisfaction, the reward would be to return home. That was what she wanted, and her drive guaranteed Ashley would do all she could to make it happen. He’d already recognized her staunch character, her determination.
Grateful for the day, he wanted to see what he could do to help with Ashley’s house. His own place needed dusting and vacuuming, maybe a load of laundry, but Ashley’s home needed more. His own tasks could wait.
The coffee’s gurgle roused him. He filled a mug with the pungent brew and pulled out his cell phone before settling at the kitchen table. He searched the call log, spotted Neely’s number and hit it. As it rang, he reviewed what he could do to help. After three rings, he raised his finger to end the call. Instead, a man answered. Question sounded in his voice.
“Hi, I’m the firefighter who found Ashley this morning. Is this her sister’s number?”
“Devon. That’s your name, right?” His tone became friendly. “Thanks for your help. We’re grateful.”
He assumed the voice belonged to Neely’s fiancé. “No need to thank me. I was at the right place at the right time.” He paused. “I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m a bit forgetful.” He chuckled. “I’m Fred Andrews, Neely’s dad. I’m glad you called. You were a hit with Joey.”
“He made a hit with me.” Devon chuckled. “He’s an amazing kid. So smart.”
“He is. You can tell I’m a proud grandpa.” His voice muffled a moment. “Hang on. Neely wants to say something.”
A rustle of noise was broken by Neely’s greeting. “I’ve talked to Ash, and I thought you’d want to know she’s doing okay. She slept after we left, and she’s a fighter. She’ll get out of there as fast as she can. Meanwhile, we’ll be with Joey. My dad’s available to help, and if he’s busy, I can take time off work. Jon, my fiancé, would take a day, too.”
His disappointment surprised him. “No other problems then?”
“Well...” She drew out the word. “Now that you ask, the house is another issue, and—”
“That’s why I called.” His disappointment faded. “I’ll be happy to pitch in where I can. I don’t have a key, but if you trust me, maybe—”
“Trust you.” She sputtered the words with a chuckle. “Goodness, you’re more than trustworthy. But I don’t want to take advantage—”
“I’m volunteering. I have a couple of days off, so I can help. I know a guy who cuts trees—unless you have someone in mind—and I know another guy who can replace the window. I can give him a call about the situation if you’d like.”
“Like? It’s perfect, and by the way, I called the insurance company so they know what happened. So, if you’re willing...” She covered the mouthpiece a moment and then returned. “How about this? Jon just arrived. He can meet you at the house in ten minutes and give you the key. Will that work?”
“Sure does. I’ll watch for his car.”
“It’s light beige.”
“Got it.” When he hung up, he rose and dug into the refrigerator. He pulled out bread and slapped salami and pepper jack cheese between the slices. Dinner with no fuss. With a refill on coffee, he walked to the living room window and waited.
His interest in the project boggled him. Dealing with injured people and property damage was a daily event, and he tried to harden himself to it. Otherwise it would eat him raw.
But today he’d experienced a sense of mission, almost as if he had been called to serve in a special way. It had to be the boy. Kids could twist hearts around their tiny fingers. He’d been twisted already when he’d looked at the little boy’s face.
His daughter, Kaylee, filled his thoughts again. He should have picked her up today, but her mother had called and asked him to skip the visitation this week. She’d sounded different—slow and calculated. He shouldn’t have agreed, but she riled easily. To keep peace, he’d agreed to the change. He’d do anything to avoid arguing. He would see Kaylee on his next days off, but he still didn’t like it.
When headlights reflected on the road, he chomped down the final hunk of sandwich. Though the night darkened by the minute, he could make out a light-colored SUV. He swallowed the last of the coffee, set the mug on the lamp table and stepped outside.
The vehicle pulled in front of Ashley’s house, and as Devon neared, Jon slipped from the driver’s seat. The man stood tall with broad shoulders and a shock of dark hair.
Devon crossed the street and greeted him in the driveway.
Jon dug into his pocket and dangled a single key from a key ring. “This is kind of you.”
“I’m happy to help. I know Ashley is a single mom, and—”
Jon dropped his gaze. “She’s been through too much. This kind of thing doesn’t help.”
Not seeing Kaylee today arose in his thoughts. “It doesn’t.” But he’d admired Ashley’s bravery from the moment they’d met. Questions filled Devon’s mind, but he resisted and he hadn’t needed to.
Jon released a long sigh. “Adam was a great guy. Kind, loving, faith-filled. He would have been a model dad.” Sadness filled his eyes. “He never had a chance. I know that made it more difficult for Ashley. But she only grew stronger. Instead of falling apart, she threw her energy into raising Joey.” Pride replaced his sorrow. “The boy’s bright like his daddy—not to say Ashley isn’t smart—but Adam had something special. I think his son has it, too.”
Devon coughed to cover his unexpected emotion and changed the subject. “I’ll make those calls I mentioned to Neely, or if you—”
“Yes, thanks. If you’ll get estimates, I’ll call her insurance company for approval to proceed.” Jon extended his hand.
Devon grasped it. “Good plan. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
Jon clasped his shoulder. “Thanks again.” Jon shook his hand again and turned down the