Page 32 of Into the Fire
“Hey.” His voice was tight. Tired already, probably, but there was something else in it too. “I just got a call from the school nurse. June’s not feeling great, said she has a headache and was looking kind of pale. They want someone to come get her.”
Emery’s heart dropped a little, instinct kicking in before she’d even processed his next words.
He blew out a breath. “I feel like hell even saying this, but I’m out here knee-deep in this cattle move. We’ve barely gotten started, and I’m already hours from the house. I won't get to her soon enough.”
“I’ve got it,” she interrupted gently, already slipping her shoes on. “No problem. I’ll go get her.”
He went quiet for a beat, like he wasn’t used to things being that simple. Then exhaled audibly. “Thank you. I hate not being there.”
“She’ll be okay,” Emery said softly, locking the door behind her as she moved to get to June as fast as she could. “We’ll take it easy tonight.”
Levi exhaled like the tension in his shoulders had just eased. “You’re... kind of amazing, you know that?”
The words landed soft and warm. Emery’s cheeks flushed before she could stop them. “You’re just saying that because I’m rescuing you.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.” A pause. “Tell her I love her?”
“Of course.”
Levi’s voice was a little rough when he finally answered. “You sure make it easy to miss home.”
Emery smiled, heart stuttering. “I’ll text you once I’ve got her.”
“Thanks again, Em. Really.”
Emery ended the call and climbed into the driver’s seat, already planning how to make June comfortable and calm. Guilt was probably eating Levi alive out there in the field, but Emerywas more than ready to step up.
Not just because it was her job.
But because she already cared about that little girl like she wasn’t just filling in.
Like she was already part of something more.
She spotted June before she even reached the curb—shoulders slumped, an office aide gently guiding her forward with her backpack slung loosely over one shoulder.
Emery’s chest ached at the sight.
Emery buckled June with a quiet, mumbled “Hi.” Her cheeks were flushed, and she immediately leaned her head against the seat, eyes half-lidded.
“Hey, bug,” Emery said softly, brushing June’s hair back to get a better look. “Let’s get you home.”
Once they were back at the house, June didn’t protest when Emery helped her out of her shoes and guided her to the couch. That alone told Emery just how sick she was. She grabbed the thermometer from the bathroom cabinet and pressed it gently to June’s temple.
The reading blinked red: 102.7
Emery muttered under her breath and pulled her phone from her pocket, thumbing out a quick text to Levi.
EMERY:Just got her home. She’s got a pretty high fever, 102.7. I’ve got her resting, and I’ll keep an eye on it. She asked for you. I told her you love her.
She didn’t expect a response right away, but still watched the screen for a beat before setting the phone on the counter.
She got to work, grabbing popsicles from the freezer, coaxing June into eating half of one while cuddled under her small blanket. Then came a lukewarm bath. June was shivering and sniffling as Emery gently poured water over her hair, humming something soft just to soothe her.
Afterward, Emery helped her into pajamas, her tiny body feeling too warm against Emery’s hands. “Can I sleep in Daddy’s bed?” June asked, voice scratchy.
“Of course you can,” Emery said, swooping her up and carrying her to his room, tucking her in and sitting beside her for a while. It took less than ten minutes for her breathing to settle into a soft, rhythmic pattern.
Emery waited a little longer before slipping out, carefully easing the bedroom door shut. She padded barefoot down the stairs and onto the porch, grabbing Levi’s flannel that she had worn before and hung by the door. The night air was cooler than she expected as she wrapped her arms around herself and finally dialed Levi’s number.
