Page 35 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

Logan ran to her. “Where?” When she didn’t immediately answer because her breath was coming in short puffs, he grabbed her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Take a deep breath and let it out.”

She did as he said, all the while staring into his calming eyes. “Over at Mabel’s house.”

As he ran outside, he called out, “Is she in there?”

Brooke was hot on his heels. “I… I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since this morning.”

“Call 9-1-1. Tell them it’s a structure fire, fully engulfed, with a potential victim inside.” And then he took off, running toward the fire.

“You can’t go in there.” It wasn’t until the words crossed her lips that she realized he could indeed go in there. He was a trained firefighter with years of experience. He knew what he was doing. Although he didn’t have any of his protective gear or any backup.

Call 9-1-1 echoed in her mind. Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone in her back pocket. Please let Mabel be all right.

She pressed the numbers. As she waited for someone to come on the line, she started toward the fire. “Hurry. Please, hurry.”

The operator came on the line. “Nine one one. What’s your emergency?”

All of Logan’s words slipped from her mind. “You have to hurry! There’s a fire.”

In a calm voice, the woman asked, “What’s your name?”

“You don’t understand.” Brooke’s words were rushed. “There are people in the house.”

“Ma’am…”

“Logan…” Brooke kept talking in a nervous rush of words. “He went in to find Mabel.” Tears pricked the back of her eyes. “And the smoke, it’s getting worse.”

“I promise to get help to you as quickly as possible. I just need information to get you that help.”

Brooke’s heart raced as her hands trembled. She couldn’t take her eyes off the flames. The fire crackled as it ripped through the structure. The acidic scent of smoke hung heavy in the air.

The calm operator’s voice helped her focus on the questions. She did her best to answer them. The fire department was dispatched. She hoped they’d arrive in time to help Logan and Mabel.

Please, hurry. Please, let them be okay. She didn’t see any sign of either of them.

Panic threatened to engulf her once more. She couldn’t just stand around doing nothing. “I have to go help them.”

“No.” The operator’s voice was firm. “Stay outside. Help is on the way.”

She lowered the phone; all the while her gaze searched for a sighting of either of them. “Logan!”

She didn’t care what the voice on the line said, she had to help Logan and Mabel. She stuffed the phone in her pocket as she rushed toward the house. The closer she got, the more intense the heat became.

An explosion knocked her back. The front windows blew out. Glass rained down on the ground.

A bone-chilling fear coursed through her. Even in the heat of the blaze, she rubbed her arms as goosebumps cascaded down them. This can’t be happening.

Her cheeks burned as the fire escalated. She couldn’t take her gaze off the monstrous sight. There was a wall of smoke where the windows had once been. How was anyone supposed to survive that? Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks.

She rushed forward once more. She had to find a way to help them. She climbed onto the porch. The heat was so intense it was hard to breathe.

She reached for the doorknob, grasping it. Searing pain shot through her fingertips. She yanked her hand away. A fresh wave of tears pricked her eyes. The excruciating pain spread through her palm and raced up her arm.

Another smaller explosion pushed her back into the yard. Tears of frustration and fear for their lives overtook her, and she sank down to her knees. Sobs racked her body. She’d never felt such intense anguish.

In the background, sirens wailed, but they were too late. There was no saving this home…

It had all happened so quickly. One moment they were having a good time in the chapel. They were so close to having the project completed in time for the wedding. And then in the next moment, Logan was rushing into a fire. And now…now she feared for his life and Mabel’s. Please, let them be okay.

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