Page 54 of Rumors in Bayberry
It wasn’t until she reached him that she heard frantic meows.Binx?He’d saved Binx.They were both safe.
Reed was continuing to cough as he held the howling ball out to her.She gladly took Binx into her arms, but she was really worried about Reed.
He was covered in soot.He still hadn’t spoken to her.As she turned to call out for the medics, they rushed past her.
She was pushed out of the way as they worked on him.They put an oxygen mask over his face as they checked his vitals.Then they rolled up a gurney.Oh no.How serious was it?
All the while, she clung to the blanket that held Binx.She had to get the cat out of there before he hurt himself.He also needed fresh air.She was afraid if she peeled back the cover, in his panicked state Binx would run away.
Kate rushed up to her.“Are you okay?”
“I wasn’t in there.Reed was.”
Kate’s brows scrunched up.“Why was he in your apartment?”
“Saving Binx.”The cat let out an angry yowl.“I need to get him out of this blanket.”She glanced over to see them load Reed into the back of the ambulance.
“I’ll take Binx home,” Kate said.“I promise he won’t escape this time.You go check on Reed, and we’ll see you whenever.I’ll set up the guest room.”
It was only then that the devastation of the evening began to sink in.She couldn’t go home again.It and everything she owned had just gone up in flames.
Kate gave her a one-arm hug so as not to squash the cat.And then Sadie handed over Binx, knowing Kate would take good care of him.
“Are you okay to drive?”Wesley asked.“I can take you to the hospital.”
It was the first time she noticed Wesley standing next to Kate.She must not have had it all together at that moment.And then recalling how close she’d come to an accident on her way here, she said, “I would appreciate it.”
“I can walk,” Kate said.
“That’s not necessary,” Sadie said.“My car is over there.”
Wesley gave Kate a quick kiss before handing her the car keys.And then they ran to her car.She was really worried about Reed.
The closest hospital was the next town over.As Wesley drove, she wondered why Reed was still in town.Why hadn’t he told her he’d changed his mind about leaving?Maybe that was what he’d been intending to do when the fire happened.
Had he stayed because of work or because of the thing happening between them?She really wanted it to be the latter.She had so many questions.But right now, the most important question on her mind was if he was okay?
Sadie wrung her hands together as the ride seemed to go on and on.Every time Wesley stopped for a red light or a stop sign, she internally groaned.It was a really good thing he was the one driving because she didn’t have the patience for any of these delays.
Wesley tried to talk to her, but he must have realized she wasn’t in any mood to talk.The only thing she wanted was to see Reed and know that he was going to be okay.
She couldn’t believe he’d run into a burning building to save her.He was a hero.He was her hero.
Did his actions mean that he had feelings for her—real feelings?Maybe she wasn’t the only one who had been falling in love.
The thought caught her off guard.It was the first time she’d been willing to so much as think that four-letter word.But now that the thought had come to her, she knew it was true.
Buzz.
Maybe it was Reed.She yanked her phone from her purse.She looked at the caller ID.It was her editor.Now wasn’t a good time.Now was the worst time.
And yet she was a professional.She had to take the call.She had to tell her editor—wait—what was she going to tell her editor?That her apartment was destroyed—that she might as well leave town since she no longer had a home.Or did she tell her editor that something devastating had happened, and she couldn’t leave now?That she didn’t know when she’d be able to leave—that she didn’t know if the man she loved, loved her back…
Did she truly love Reed?Immediately, her heart beat out the answer.Yes.Yes, she did love him.
Before the call switched to voicemail, she accepted it and pressed the phone to her ear.This conversation couldn’t take long, because they were nearing the hospital.
“Helen, I really can’t talk now.I’m on the way to the hospital.”The words came rushing out of Sadie’s mouth.Usually, she was known for her coolness under pressure, but she’d never faced having the man she loved being injured.
