“You heard her. We need all the help we can get!” Sheriff Manning shouts. “Buckets are by the river. Strong winds could blow the flames toward town. Keep the grass wet, watch for drifting ash and sparks.”
Sterling watches Abbie and turns back to look at what’s left of the Mill. His eyes glisten with unshed tears and his jaw clenches. They are in for a long night. He sighs and walks to grab a bucket.
Chapter 3
A shout goes up from the side of the Mill. Two men carry a body forward and place him gently on the ground.
Abbie stops moving and holds the empty bucket in her trembling hands. Her stomach drops and bile fills her throat.
“Oh, God,” she whispers.
“Jimmy!” A female voice shouts, and she starts screaming. Family members hold her back, “My baby!” she sobs and falls to her knees at his side. Half his body is badly burned. It looks as if he was thrown clear of the building.
“Don’t touch him!” Doctor Flanders shouts. He rushes over and drops to his side with his bag.
Half his body is melted, and his clothes have become fused with the skin. His face is rippled and black and the scent of burning flesh is ripe on the air. His Mother is despondent as the women pull her away.
No one says what they are all thinking. This will be the first of the bodies recovered. The Doctor checks him for a pulse and shakes his head no.
“Give us some space,” Sheriff Manning urges the crowd to move back and accepts a blanket to cover the body with.
Abbie drops to her knees with Stephanie and Sterling beside her.
“Please, Abbie, let me take you home. Burton would not want you to see him like this,” Sterling pleads.
Abbie looks up and stares at him with haunted eyes. “I won’t leave him.” Tears stain her face washing through the soot on her cheeks, leaving little rivers of clean skin.
“I promise, Ozwald will come get you if they find, Burton. Let me take you home,” Stephanie begs and helps her stand.
“No!” Abbie jerks away to walk over to a log.
Sheriff Tucker shouts orders, and they begin searching the woods for signs of any more survivors or bodies.
Father Jacobs consoles Jimmy’s mother and urges them to go home. He promises to care for her son. Before she leaves, she rushes over to Abbie and shouts at her.
“You have no right to be here with us! This is all your fault! Now my son is dead!” Spittle flies from her lips, and she raises a hand to strike Abbie, but Sheriff Manning steps in front of her.
“No!” he shouts.
“That’s enough!” Sterling hisses. “All of the Mill workers knew the risks! They signed papers stating that very fact. I’m sorry for your loss, but you should be thanking Mrs. Gilbert. If it weren’t for this Mill, you’d be long gone from this town.”
“You’re disgusting! My son is dead!” Sobs rip from her soul, and she deflates, all anger gone and Minnie hurries to help her to the wagon.
Abbie trembles and glances around at the faces of those staring at her. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers hoarsely.
Stephanie sits beside her and offers her a cup of water. “Drink this,” she urges.
Abbie accepts the cup and stares down into it. When the second shout sounds out, everyone runs to see who it will be.
“Abbie, let me go,” Sterling offers, and she accepts.
“Thank you,” she murmurs and sits back down, afraid that if she doesn’t, her legs will give out.
Stephanie clasps her hand, and they sit together. When the screams start, Abbie covers her face with both hands, relieved that it isn’t Burton but ashamed to feel that way. Sobs wrack her body as she wonders how she will be strong enough to endure this.
Abbie closes her eyes and prays for help. Sterling returns and sits beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “It’s not him, Abbeline.”
“Thank you,” Abbie stands up and moves away from his touch. She stops to speak to Pastor Jacobs.
Stephanie frowns at Sterling and looks to her husband. Ozwald is talking to her brother and nods before hurrying to her side.
“Stephanie, there’s nothing more we can do. It’s time to go home before things turn ugly.”
“I’m not leaving Abbilene,” Stephanie snaps.
Tucker stomps to his sister. “Yes, you are.”
“Stephanie, go home,” Abbie insists from behind her. “I’ll be fine.”
“Abbs, please…” Stephanie starts to say, but Sterling has pushed his way into the conversation once again.
“Abbilene will be safe with me. I will make sure she gets home,” Sterling declares.
“No. As of this moment, Mrs. Gilbert is under my protection for her safety.” Sheriff Manning states stepping into the group.
Before Sterling can object, Abbie moves closer to Tucker, thankful for his assistance. “Sterling, I will need you to handle the business in the morning,” Abbie says to placate him, and her strategy works.
Sterling visibly puffs up in pride, pushing his chest out he squeezes her arm, “Of course, you don’t worry about a thing. I will handle everything.” He rushes to his carriage and snaps at his driver to leave.
Abbie sighs in relief and turns back to Stephanie. “Now, I want you to go home.” She steps closer to her best friend and swipes away a tear from Stephanie’s cheek. “I will need you in the next few days, please go home and rest.”
Ozwald waits for his wife to make her decision. “If you’re sure.”
“I promise to take care of her Stephanie,” Tucker says, and Abbie nods in agreement.
“Go home,” Abbie hugs Stephanie and turns away before she can see her fear.
Ozwald
