He was thankful she was here. Oh, he knew Anna would have moved in if he’d asked, but his sister was a newlywed. Her place was with her husband.
His parents would have flown up from Florida in a heartbeat, but they were still recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident in October. Traveling back to Montana for Anna’s wedding had been hard enough on them.
No, Lauren was definitely a lifesaver.
“Are you okay? Can you talk?” She stepped forward, hovering close, her expression anxious.
“I’m fine, really,” he said in a voice he didn’t recognize, one that brought whiskey and cigarettes to mind. “How is Ivy holding up?”
Lauren hesitated. “She’s worried.”
By the concern in her eyes, Seth saw that his daughter wasn’t the only one needing reassurance.
“I was a tad bit concerned myself.” His attempt to joke fell flat. “Doc said I’ll be good as new in a week or two.”
Relief filled Lauren’s gaze. She stepped closer and rested her hand on his arm. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“Me, too.” Seth cleared his throat, embarrassed by the tremor. “I’m glad Trenton made it out.”
“Thanks to you and Mitch.”
When Seth had heard the boy calling for help from the second floor, he’d known there was no time to waste. Mitch had gone in right behind him. It had taken longer than Seth had thought it would to find the boy. The panic on the twelve-year-old’s face when they’d found him stumbling around, disoriented by the smoke, would be forever etched in his brain.
“When the ceiling collapsed, I realized my daughter might end up an orphan,” Seth said, almost to himself. “But I had no choice. I couldn’t let a child die. I had to help.”
“Of course you did,” Lauren said reassuringly. “Now that boy will grow into a man.”
Seth rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to erase the images of the burning house. “Is Ivy in the kitchen?”
Lauren nodded. “Do you need any help walking?”
“Naw.” He shook his head for emphasis. It was a mistake. The room started to spin. As he reached for the wall to steady himself, Seth realized the doctor had been right. He needed to take it slow.
Lauren’s arm slipped around him, providing needed stability. He accepted her support until the room righted itself.
“I’m okay.” He shrugged off her hold.
“I’m helping you whether you like it or not.” Lauren’s tone brooked no argument. “You don’t want to upset Ivy by collapsing at her feet.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re bossy?” he muttered, but didn’t pull away when she took his arm again.
Lauren laughed, encouraged by his spunk. Seth may have gotten knocked down but he was already pushing his way up from the mat. However, the way he leaned on her as they made their way slowly to the kitchen told her he had a ways to go before he’d be at full speed.
He didn’t speak during the short journey. Neither did Lauren. She knew he needed to conserve his strength— and his voice—for when he faced Ivy. Thankfully the child had been so busy playing she hadn’t heard the truck drive up.
Lauren stopped in the doorway to the kitchen to give Seth one last breather. Ivy sat at the table playing intently with the My Little Ponies that had originally belonged to her mother.
“Ivy,” Lauren called out. “Look who’s here.”
The child turned in her seat—as much as her casts would allow—and a breathtaking expression of joy danced across her face. “Daddy, I missed you so much!”
Seth dropped Lauren’s arm and moved to his daughter’s side.
Tears stung Lauren’s eyes as the two embraced. Seth looked strong, which should reassure Ivy. But Lauren knew the strength wouldn’t last. She hurried to the table and pulled out a chair so he could sit next to Ivy, rather than stand.
Seth offered Lauren a grateful smile before turning his attention back to his daughter. “Have you had a good day?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Ivy nodded her head with such emphasis, Lauren had to smile. “I helped Aunt Anna with squares this morning. Tonight, Miss Lauren has been playing ponies with me.”
Seth picked up a soft plastic horse with a cotton-candy-pink tail and body. “That sounds like fun.”
Ivy tilted her head and studied Seth for a moment.
Lauren could see Seth prepare himself for all the questions that were sure to come.
“You’re dirty.” Ivy wrinkled her nose. “And you smell like smoke.”
“Did Miss Lauren tell you what happened?” Seth spoke softly, his voice raspy.
Ivy shrugged and was silent for a second. “She told me you were a hero. That you saved Brandon’s brother from a fire.”
The child lowered her gaze to the pony on the table in front of her. Her lips began to tremble and tears filled her eyes. “She said you breathed in lots and lots of smoke and had to go to the hospital. I was scared.”
It took every ounce of self-control Lauren possessed not to move. Her arms ached to comfort the child. But this was Seth’s time with his daughter, his chance to reassure Ivy that all was still well in their little world.
“I’m sorry I worried you.” Seth reached up and stroked her hair. “But I’m going to be good as new very, very soon. The doctor says I just need to take it easy for a few days.”
Ivy’s face brightened. “You can play ponies with me. It’s super fun. Miss Lauren showed me how to braid hair. I can show you.”
Words tumbled out of the child’s mouth one after the other, and Seth listened with a fond smile on his lips.
“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Lauren asked when Ivy finally paused to take a breath. “Ivy and I had grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches for dinner. I could make you one.”
A sandwich wasn’t much to smile about but Lauren couldn’t keep a goofy grin from her lips. She was just so happy that he was alive.
“I’m not really hungry—”
“Still, you should eat something.” She clamped her mouth shut before she started to
