Page 61 of Love Story
Cody put his hand on the boy’s forehead. “I trained as a firefighter when I was in the Army. So kind of.” Cody smiled, but there was no hiding the alarm in his eyes. “We’re going to get you something to drink, okay?”
“I’m not thirsty.” The boy’s words were slightly slurred.
With a gentleness that belied his soldierly strength, Cody checked the boy’s wrist. Then he checked it again and Andi could see the muscles in his jaw clench. “Dehydrated,” Cody mouthed his assessment to Andi. Then he looked at the emergency kit. “Is there anything rehydrating in there?”
Andi let go of Cara’s hand and reached for the bag. “I think so.” She sifted through the items and found a few packets of mineral replenishment. They needed to work quickly. With steady fingers, Andi opened one.
“Here. Let me.” Cody gently took both from her. He poured the packet into a water bottle from the kit and shook it up.
Andi felt dizzy as she moved to the boy and took his temperature. This was why she had fallen in love with Cody in the first place. He was calm and completely focused, stronger than any guy she knew and completely in control. No wonder she felt protected around him.
She read the thermometer. The boy’s fever was high. Nearly 103 degrees. A quick look at Cody. “He’s hot.”
Cody knelt down in front of the child and handed him the mixed water. “Here, buddy. Drink this.”
“I’m still not thirsty.” The boy remained with his head against his mother.
“You know what this is, right?” Cody held the bottle out to the child. “This is a superhero drink. It’ll make you really strong, okay?”
Andi watched, mesmerized. Cody was brilliant with the boy. The superhero bit seemed to make the difference. The boy took the bottle and drank a few sips. “It’s salty.”
“Superheroes need salt.” Cody sat beside the child. “What’s your name?”
“Edward.” The boy took another few sips.
In the distance, Andi heard sirens. The ambulance would be here soon. Then the family would be taken to the hospital and examined more thoroughly. Andi stayed next to Cara Grace while Cody continued talking to the kids.
Emma was the chattiest. “I wanna be a superhero, too.”
“You are a superhero, Emma.” Cody smiled at her. “I can tell.”
Minutes later two paramedics hurried through the bedroom door and began working with the family. Once they could see the situation was stable, they directed Andi and Cody to help move the family to the ambulance down the street.
“We’ll have to take two trips.” One of the paramedics took Edward in his arms and the other carried Esther.
Cody lifted Emma, then he turned to Andi. “You got Cara Grace?”
“Yes.” Andi helped the woman to her feet and the two followed the others. “We’ll be right behind you.”
One of the paramedics took Cara Grace and the kids, and then the rowboat returned for Cody and Andi and the second paramedic. After they were all safely in the boat, Cody sat beside Andi on the quick trip to dry ground. Their bodies were so close Andi could hear him breathing. They arrived just as little Emma was being helped into the waiting ambulance.
Cody gave the young girl a thumbs-up as the child was loaded into the back. “Superhero, okay? Don’t forget?”
An innocent smile lit up her eyes. “Okay.”
Andi stood beside Cody and they watched as Cara Grace and her other children were placed in the ambulance, and the vehicle pulled away. After several seconds Andi turned to him. “You were amazing back there. With the children.” She searched his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He watched her for a long moment and then he pulled her into his arms. “And you... you were beautiful with that woman, Andi. You have this... peace. A strength. You helped her be brave.”
“You, too.” Andi pressed against Cody. Wrapped in his arms and still wearing his sweatshirt, she didn’t want the moment to end. If this was a dream, she would have to wake up sometime. Just not yet. She closed her eyes and rested her head on Cody’s chest.
Once, a long time ago, Cody’s mother had shown Andi a few photos from his time at war. Pictures of Cody with several Middle Eastern children. They clambered around him, hanging on to his neck and grinning at him.
Was that how he would be with his own children one day? He would make an amazing father. He had proven that much over the past hour.
Andi took a quick breath and stepped back. What was she doing? Standing here with Cody and dreaming about his ability to be a father? Andi blinked. She needed to get out of here, had to find her way back to reality. She crossed her arms and looked at the ruins around them. “Cara Grace and her kids will be okay.”
“They will.” Cody looked bewildered. Like he wasn’t sure why she had pulled away.
