Twisted Up (Taking Chances #1) - Erin Nicholas Page 0,104
houses with only minor damage from the tornado. Now the fire had finished off what the storm had started.
“Okay.” Avery sighed. She hated to give this news.
She pulled off her gloves and tossed her helmet to the side as the crew began packing up their equipment. She welcomed the cool rain against her hot skin as she headed for the family that was huddled on the porch across the street.
The little girl, Sami, came running toward her, ignoring the rain. “Did you get my pillow?”
Avery squatted in front of her. “I’m sorry, Sami. We couldn’t get anything out of your bedroom.”
The little girl’s eyes filled with tears. “My gramma gave me that pillow.”
Avery put her hand on the girl’s head. “I know. I’m sorry, sweetie. But you did the right thing leaving it behind. We can get you a new pillow, but we can’t get another Sami.”
Sami’s bottom lip was still protruding.
“I mean it, Sami.” Avery said it firmly, holding the girl’s gaze. “That was the right thing to do. Every time. I know you’ll miss your pillow, but if this ever happens again, you have to do the same thing.”
It turned Avery’s stomach to think that having lost her prized possession, Sami might put herself at risk next time there was a threat to one of her belongings.
“Sami, promise me.”
Finally, the girl nodded. “Okay.”
“Thank you.”
Avery looked up to see Sami’s mom, Rachel, running toward her. “Sami, you’re soaked!”
Now her mother was, too.
Thunder boomed overhead and Avery glanced up. “Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?”
Rachel looked at their house, her expression heartbreaking. She nodded.
“Let me know if you need anything,” Avery said. “We’ve got resources. Don’t be shy.”
Lightning ripped through the sky, and Avery felt the angry rumble of the thunder vibrate through her.
“Now inside, ladies,” Avery ordered.
Lightning flashed overhead again, and then a sharp streak arched toward the ground.
Avery heard the crack a split second before she reacted. She lunged forward, hit Rachel in the back with her palms, and sent her to the grass just as the tree branch hit the ground where she’d been standing. The branch clipped Avery’s shoulder as it went down, knocking her to her knees. Avery caught herself with her outstretched arm.
Pain knifed into her shoulder, and she rolled to her side, her arm failing to hold her up.
She grabbed her shoulder and tried to catch her breath.
“Avery!” she heard Rachel shout, but she’d closed her eyes against the pain and the pouring rain.
“Get inside!” The harsh order came from a very familiar deep voice.
Avery gasped and rolled to her noninjured side, looking for Jake.
“Jesus, A, lie still.” Then he was over her, glowering down at her.
“My shoulder.”
“I know.” He crouched and scooped her up in his arms. “Dammit, girl.”
“Are they—” She craned her neck, trying to locate Rachel and Sami.
“They’re inside. Dean’s got them.”
She sagged in his arms, resting her head against his chest. The pain in her shoulder was radiating out like claws sinking into her skin and pulling more and more of her flesh toward the wound. She felt a little sick and was suddenly really, really tired. Shock, she knew, but knowing what it was didn’t keep it from threatening to take her over.
“Why are you here?” she mumbled, feeling lightheaded.
“I’ve been here the entire time.”
She tried to blink her eyes open to look up at him. She didn’t know if it was the injury or what, but that didn’t make any sense. She’d told him not to come.
Jake took a deep, shuddering breath she could feel through her whole body. “I’ve got her,” he said, and it took a second for her to realize he was talking to someone else. “I’m taking her up to city hall. Dillon’s there.”
Then they were at his truck. “I’ve got to put you down for a sec,” he said gently, swinging her legs to the ground.
Her own arm bumped her injured one, and she sucked in a breath as pain seemed to stab from her shoulder through her heart.
“Dammit,” he muttered, fumbling with the slick door. Finally, he got it open and helped her up onto the seat.
“I’ve still got my gear on.”
“I’m not going to be yanking that coat off you until we’re somewhere Dillon can look at you.” Jake slammed the door and headed to the driver’s side.
He sounded pissed, and she frowned as he climbed up behind the wheel.
“What’s your problem?” It was her damned arm that felt like it was on fire.