Page 83 of The Santa Rules
“You still shouldn’t be here. We’ve got this.”
“Isaac,” I pant, still trying to get my breathing under control.
His warm arms wrap around me and I’m being lifted as heplaces me onto a stretcher. “Bells, I need you to breathe. Can you take a breath and hold it for me? Breathe in through your nose for five seconds. One, two, three, four, five. And out through your mouth.”
I follow his instructions, but I only last for three seconds before the breath comes rushing back out.
“I—I can’t—Isaac.”
“Where is he? Do you need me to get him?” he says, his voice laced with concern as I open my eyes and study his face. Does he not know? Did he not hear the call on the radio? Maybe they didn’t say Isaac by name?
“In—In the building.”
He blinks at me in confusion, and I see the moment it clicks for him. “Isaac’s in the building?”
I nod, and suddenly my head feels woozy.
“Take it easy. Breathe.”
“He went in for—for Avery.”
“Avery’s out front. She’s safe. Delilah has her.”
I nod as tears spill down my face. He grips my cheeks and swipes at my tears. It’s so cold outside, I’m surprised his fingers aren’t frozen to my face.
“I’m not supposed to be here for the fire call since it’s Avery’s school, but I was already headed this way when the call came in. Even though Avery’s out and safe, they’re not going to let me in the building. But I need you to understand that Isaac is safe, okay?
“You—you don’t—don’t know that.” I gulp for air.
“You’re right, I can’t promise with one hundred percent certainty. But I can tell you that the fire is isolated to only the gym. I doubt Isaac went in there. And this is a great crew. They’re going to find him.”
There’s chirping on his radio, and I catch the words. “Civilian located. Medical units are needed. Patient is unconscious. Meet on the east side of the building near the gym.”
My breathing picks up, and we lock eyes. His head shakesalmost imperceptibly as if he’s trying to convince himself that they’re not talking about Isaac.
“Can you stand? I need to load this up so they can go to the gym. I can get another unit on the way for you.”
“I’m fine,” I rasp as he helps me off the stretcher and loads it into the back of the ambulance. He swings the doors shut and taps on the window, and it takes off to the other side of the building.
He walks back over to me, and I collapse into his arms. I should be embarrassed; my students are probably watching and I’m melting into his arms over here like a hot mess.
“Can—Can you hide me?”
He leans down like he’s confused about what I’m asking. I’m not even sure I understand myself.
“I don’t want my st–students to see—see me like this.”
“Oh. I got you,” he says, turning me so his body is shielding me as he rubs my arms like he’s trying to keep me warm. “Now they just think you’re cold, and I’m warming you up.” His face is so full of love, and I want to revel in this moment, this public declaration, but I can’t stop worrying about Isaac.
“They should’ve found him by now, right? Why haven’t they found him?”
There’s a commotion at the door and Mike walks out with Isaac behind him.
“Mom!” He runs over to me and throws his arms around me.
“Isaac! Oh, thank God. I was so worried about you.” My face burns as hot tears spill down my frozen cheeks.
“I’m sorry, I had to find her. I looked in all the bathrooms before a firefighter told me she was safe and walked me out.” His voice is wobbly, and I can hear the fear in it as he shakes in my arms. It could just be the cold, but I know it’s not. He’s grown to love Avery like she’s his sister.
