Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 29

Twenty-Nine

Talia

T he part of Harwicke where Hope House sits is usually all but abandoned this time of night. There was a 911 call reporting a fire at Hope House and Aunt Minnie called me, as her name is on the building lease.

Of course I said I would be right over. And I dragged Dare along, figuring that his name and connections could be of use.

As we race through the streets, we can see the faint hazy light of a fire rising against the black night sky. I clutch Dare's arm, my eyes searching for any sign of Aunt Minnie and the others who live at Hope House. My heart pounds in my chest, fear and worry for their safety taking over me.

When we reach the scene, the fire truck and police car have already arrived. The firefighters are rushing in and out of the building, while the police officers are trying to keep the crowd that has started to gather at a safe distance.

"Go find out what you can," Dare orders, pointing towards the fireman. "I'll go talk to the police."

I nod and hurry over toward the fireman, my eyes drawn to the devastation only a hundred yards away. Flames lick at the night sky, devouring wood and brick. The inferno roars, muting the sirens from approaching emergency vehicles.

A huge chunk of the top of the building breaks off and falls, landing with a crash on the lawn. I swear, during that moment, everyone moves away from the fire and holds their collective breath. Hope House is crumbling before my eyes.

When I look up, the fireman I was heading towards is now running toward the burning house.

"The children..." I murmur, my hands coming up to my lips.

God, where is Solana? And what about Aunt Minnie?

My gaze darts around, searching.There is so much going on that for a moment, I'm overwhelmed.

A little girl's piercing scream pierces the night sky. A fireman appears in the doorway of Hope House, holding a tiny body and running as fast as he can. "That's it! The fire has taken the house! Everybody out!"

Oh my god. My mouth goes dry. I swing my gaze around, trying to fix on where I can be of the most help.

There is an ambulance pulled up on the curb just to my right. One of the paramedics is helping an adult Hope House volunteer limp toward the ambulance. A little girl struggles in the other paramedic's arms as he carries her away from the burning house. Dark hair swings wildly around her soot-stained face.

Solana.

I break into a run, heart pounding. "Solana!"

She sees me. Arms outstretched, she shrieks, "Talia!"

The paramedic rushes to strap an oxygen mask over her face but she bats it away, coughing and gasping.

I grab her from him, swinging her around to avoid my pregnant stomach, and clutch her close. She's shaking, a blistered red burn on both her arms, but she's alive . Thank God, she's alive.

"Ma'am, could I check her out?" the paramedic asks.

Solana screams so loud that the paramedic backs away and puts his hands up. I wrap my arm around her, pushing her face against my shoulder with gentle force.

"Shh, I've got you honey, it's okay. No one is going to touch you." I rock her gently, smoothing her hair. She clings to me, face buried in my neck, sobs wracking her small body.

I glance up at the EMT and make an apologetic face. "Sorry."

"Make sure she goes to the hospital. She needs to be checked out thoroughly. She could have inhalation damage ." He drops his voice to a stage whisper for the last two words.

"I will. I promise." I bounce Solana around, mimicking a mother soothing a fussy baby. It seems to work on Solana because her sobs grow quiet.

Dare appears out of the inky black night, putting his soot-covered hands on my shoulders. "Is that Solana?"

I grip one of his hands briefly. "It is. She seems fine, but I need to get her to the ER. Have you seen the other kids?"

Dare nods, looking behind him. "Most of the kids are already on their way to the hospital. They are okay, maybe some smoke inhalation--"

As if on cue, Solana starts coughing terribly. The cough wracks her little body and hurts my soul.

"Aunt Minnie?" I ask. "And what about the adult volunteers?"

"Everyone made it out alive. Your aunt went with the first ambulance full of kids."

My throat tightens. Tears burn in my eyes.

"So everyone will be okay?"

Dare squeezes my shoulder. "Yes. They were lucky. I heard that the whole house went up really quickly."

"It did," Solana whimpers.

I put my hand on her head, gently stroking her hair. Then I cover her ears and whisper.

"She's traumatized."

"You should go, then. There are plenty of ambulances waiting."

I nod but hesitate. "What about you?"

"I'm going to stay and help out here. I won't be in any danger. After you guys get all checked out at the emergency room, I'll meet you there."

I nod again, grateful for his reassurance and the comfort he's offering. "A kiss for good luck?"

"Absolutely." His lips just brush mine for a second, but I can feel my spirits lift.

"I'll see you soon," I promise.

Lifting Solana up and cradling her in my arms, I make my way to the ambulance.

The ride to the hospital is a blur. My mind is consumed with worry for Solana and the other children. Dare's words replay in my mind, "everyone made it out alive," but the fear of what could have happened is still overwhelming. I hold Solana close to me, trying to soothe her. Her little body trembles with each cough and I feel helpless. Finally, we arrive at the hospital and I carry Solana inside, following the medical staff to the pediatric ward. She's admitted immediately and given an oxygen mask while they run tests.

I sit by her bedside, holding her hand and watching her sleep. The minutes tick by slowly until finally, Dare arrives.

He looks tired, his suit wrinkled and his hair disheveled, but he still manages to look breathtakingly handsome. I feel a pang in my chest as I take him in, realizing how much he means to me now. I never thought I could fall for the man who forced me into marriage, but here we are.

"Is she okay?" he asks, his voice low and hoarse.

I nod, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. "She's stable for now. They're still running tests to see if there's any damage to her lungs."

Dare takes a deep breath and sits down beside me, his hand finding mine and holding it tightly. He kisses my knuckles. "Thank God. I was so worried."

I can see the genuine concern in his eyes. I reach my arms out to him and he responds by beckoning me closer, wrapping me in a warm embrace. I don't resist and bury my face in his chest, inhaling his scent and feeling his arms wrap around me protectively. We sit like that for a while, holding each other.

Doctors and nurses rush past the door of the room, their hushed voices blending into a chorus of anxiety.

Eventually, Solana falls asleep in her room. I pace the floor, hands clenched around my swollen belly as if I can shield our baby from the anguish ripping me apart. Dare sits with his head in his hands, elbows propped on knees.

"Have you seen Aunt Minnie?" I ask.

"She's here. I saw her. She's caring for another kid."

I nod. "That sounds like the Minnie I know."

He reaches for my hand and I cling to his fingers, drawing strength from his touch.

The memory of Solana's blistered skin and rasping cries haunts me.

The door swings open. A doctor in blue scrubs searches the room, concern etching lines in her forehead. "Are you Solana's family?"

Dare and I stand up, as if that makes us more official. "Yes, we're here for Solana." My heart jackhammers against my ribs.

"Solana suffered severe smoke inhalation and minor burns, but she's stable now."

Tears blur my vision. Thank God.

The doctor smiles gently. "She's a fighter. She's going to be here for about twenty four hours, then I'll release her to you. If you want to come with me, I will walk you to her room. You can stay with her if you want."

Dare is on his feet and already ushering me into the hallway. “We’re ready.”

Dare squeezes my hand and I breathe again. Solana is like family to us; it just took this act of God for us to realize it, I think.

"Thank you," I say, trying not to cry.

Dare refuses to leave Solana's side so I bring him coffee and sandwiches, coaxing him to rest when I can.She has nightmares and Dare sits beside her in the bed, stroking her hair.

At one point, she wakes up from a bad dream, her fingers clutching at Dare's chest. She is in the space between sleep and wakefulness and seems to be in the grip of utter terror.

"I'm going to be alone!" she shouts.

I move to shush her but Dare kisses the top of her head.

"You'll never be alone, Solana," he swears. "Never."

She looks up at him, half blind from sleep. "Am I coming home with you? Are you going to be my new parents?"

There is a long beat before he answers. I close my eyes, already knowing that he's going to say what's in his heart. He's not going to stop and think about what's best for Solana's future.

"I want you to come live with us," Dare says. "I want us to be a family."

His words slay me, because I was an orphan in Solana's position not all that many years ago. I know I would have given anything at that age for someone to say that they wanted me and cherished me. If someone had told me that they wanted me to come be part of their family, I would have followed them to the ends of the fucking earth.

I swallow hard and cup my belly.

But Solana's reaction is cut off by a nurse sweeping in to take Solana's vitals. "Hello! How are we feeling, Miss Solana?"

Solana frowns but starts talking to the nurse instead. And by the time that the nurse gets ready to leave, Solana is sagging back against the bed, her eyelids growing heavy.

Dawn peeks through the windows as a nurse chases us from Solana's room. "She needs to rest. Come back this afternoon."

Dare runs a hand through his hair, bleary-eyed. "I should check on the rebuilding efforts at Hope House."

"I'll stay here and check on all the kids." I kiss his cheek. "Get some sleep first before you do anything else. Please?"

He pulls me close, the warmth of his embrace calming my frayed nerves. "Thank you. For everything."

I cling to him, breathing in his familiar scent. "We're in this together. Always."

After he leaves, I curl up on the hard waiting room chairs, exhaustion dragging me under. The faces of children lost and found swirl through my dreams, a reminder of how much work is left to be done.

My heart aches for the children who will be released into temporary foster care until more permanent solutions can be found. If only we had room...

What the hell are we going to do about Hope House?

* * *

I wake with a start, disoriented until I see the clock. Only an hour has passed. My back protests as I stand, stretching to work out the kinks.

The nurse smiles when I peek into Solana's room. "She's awake and asking for you."

Solana's eyes light up when she sees me. "You came back!"

"Of course I did." I perch on the edge of her bed, taking her small hand in mine. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." She frowns. "Are the other kids okay too? And when can I go home?"

Home. The word pierces my heart. I wish I had an answer for her.

"The other children will heal, thank goodness." I choose my words carefully. "As for going home. I know this is difficult to understand, but Hope House was destroyed in the fire. We haven't figured out where exactly you are going to go. Somewhere safe, that part I know for sure."

Her lip trembles. "But I want to stay with you and Dare. You're my family now."

Oh, sweet girl. If only we could give you the home you deserve. I swallow the lump in my throat even though I know better than anybody how impractical the desire to take Solana home is.

"Dare and I care about you very much, Solana, and we'll do everything we can to make sure you have a good life. I promise."

I shouldn't be promising her anything. But how can I refuse?

She throws her arms around me, and I cling to her just as tightly. We've only known each other a short while, but I would move heaven and earth to help this child.

When she pulls back, I ask, "Do you need anything? Are you hungry?"

She shakes her head. "Will you read to me?"

"Of course." I summon a smile, hoping to lighten the mood. "What would you like to hear?"

"Anything." She scoots over, patting the space beside her. "I just like listening to your voice."

My heart melts. I climb onto the bed, gather Solana close, and begin to read.