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.
Jessica was also crying. She had Caleb cuddled in her arms and was so
relieved and thankful her baby was unharmed she kept kissing him and
hugging him. Fully recovered from his adventure, Caleb squirmed and
wanted to get down and play.
Rebecca found the two of them in the crowd. My God, Jessica, you could
have been killed, ' she cried out as she lifted the baby. 'Are you all
right? ' Jessica forced herself to stop crying long enough to answer
her friend.
'Yes, I'm fine, but Grace is hurt. A beam must have fallen on her
head, ' she explained.
'The doctor's looking at her now, ' Rebecca said. 'She doesn't
remember anything? ' 'I don't know, ' Jessica answered. 'Will you
watch Caleb? Don't let him out of your sight. I have to find
someone.
' 'Jessica, we need to cover you first. Where's your robe? ' 'It
caught on fire, ' Jessica said as she turned to search the crowd for
Cole.
'I'll find something for you to put on, ' Rebecca promised.
Jessica didn't hear her. She had finally spotted Cole and hurried
toward him. He stood well away from the crowd and was watching the
house being devoured by the fire. He looked exhausted and was covered
from head to toe in soot.
She thought he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. 'Cole? '
She stopped and simply stared at him. Suddenly he seemed bigger than
life to her. The fire blazing in the background enhanced the fantasy,
for Cole was silhouetted in a hazy, burnished gold glow. It was as
though God had blessed him because of the courage he had shown in the
