Just as they reached Grace and Tilly, the walls of the house and the
roof caved in. The horde of townspeople who were running to and fro
with buckets of water suddenly stopped to watch the dazzling display of
fireworks. Sparks shot up as high as fifty feet and spiraled downward
in a popping, cracking arc that was so impressive some of the townsmen
actually oohed and aahed.
It was a night none of them would ever forget.
The reporter was rushing around trying to find someone he could
interview, while John Cletchem, the photographer, set up his equipment
so that he could capture the destruction before the flames stopped
feeding.
Tilly was sitting on the grass, quietly weeping. Grace was still
unconscious, but Tilly had lifted her up so that her head rested in the
older woman's lap. She was gently stroking Grace's forehead while she
cried. Daniel knelt down beside the two women. He awkwardly patted
Tilly's back in an attempt to comfort her, but his attention was
centered on Grace. He was watching her breathe and thanking God every
time she drew a breath.
She looked so young and innocent and vulnerable. Daniel shouted for
someone to go and get the doctor. The sound of his voice jarred Grace,
and she flinched in reaction. He'd almost had himself convinced that
his heart was safe, then she opened her eyes and looked at him. His
heart started pounding, and his own eyes stung with tears of relief.
What in God's name was the matter with him? He couldn't stop himself
from reaching for her. He gently took her into his arms and stood
up.
"Daniel? Your face is covered with dirt."
"Yeah, I know. How are you feeling? " "My head hurts, " she said.
"I'm not sure why, " she added, a puzzled look on her face. She
reached up and trailed her fingers down the side of his cheek. "How
did you get so dirty? " He turned around so she could see what was
left of the house. She wasn't looking anywhere but at him however, and
so he explained. "There was a fire." She turned her head, grimacing
from the pain the movement caused. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and
she was suddenly clearheaded again.
"Where's Jessica and Caleb and Tilly? " "They're fine, " he assured
her. "Every one got out of the house in time.
No one was hurt . . . except you. Do you remember what happened? "
She put her head down on his shoulder. "No, I don't remember. Please
put me down. I need to . . . " "You need to see a doctor." He looked
over the crowd and was about to shout for the physician once again when
the man suddenly appeared at the head of the townspeople watching the
fire. Rebecca was dragging him toward Tilly and Grace.
"Daniel? " Grace whispered, drawing his attention once again. "How
did I get out of the house? r "Jessica pulled you out. If she hadn't
. . . Cole and I would never have found you in time."
"She saved my life."
"Yes." As Grace began to cry, Daniel tightened his hold and tried to
comfort her.