Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)(16)

What was that?

E’s barking commands from above brought her back to the situation at hand. Whatever she just imagined? Dreamed? She’d have to figure out later. Keeley reached up to grab a hold. There wasn’t enough to wrap around her waist, so she wound it around her wrist and tugged. With her other hand, she reached above and used the makeshift rope to aid her climb up. She had just made it to the ledge Lacey was on earlier when the rope gave way. She lost her footing but was able to grab onto a tree root. Lacey was panicked and reached too far over. E barely caught her, pulling her back to safety. He grabbed her face and kissed her hard and furious. “If you do that again, I’ll, I’ll…” God, he couldn’t even speak, she’d scared him that much. Her tears were on his lips as he pulled away and retied the clothing minus branches.

Lacey couldn’t believe she was still alive. She was fully aware she should’ve gone over that edge. Then again, she shouldn’t be up there at all. How any of them were still alive was a miracle. Once more, she eased on her stomach to the edge but felt strong hands on her waist. “Uh-huh, not again.” Before she could argue, her husband assumed the position. She suddenly felt the panic he must have had only a few minutes ago and wrapped her hands tightly around his ankles.

Keeley was able to wrap the clothing rope around her waist and held E’s determined gaze as she climbed and he pulled. Absently she noticed the rain was soft and the thunder was distant. There were still flashes of lightning, but intermittent. Just as Keeley was within reach, the rope gave way. E lunged forward to grab her. Lacey pulled back to hold onto him. Her grip was giving way as she yanked hard enough to hit the ground behind her. It was just enough to give E a chance to pull back with Keeley now on the edge. “One more time, Lacey,” he called. But there was no response, verbal or physical.

What the fuck now?

E couldn’t worry about it as he and Keeley worked as a team to get her back to safety. She scrambled past her brother-in-law toward Lacey, who was sprawled in an awkward position. Keeley screamed when she saw the blood from behind her sister’s head. Even crawled over and began talking to his wife. “Sweetness, come back to me.”

Keeley sat there staring, helpless.

“Lacey, I need you to wake up,” E said more forcefully. “Keeley,” he barked out, “go get help.”

She got up, wincing from the pain in her ribs, but ignoring them, as she ran back to the house. Meanwhile, E kept trying to revive his beloved wife. “Don’t you leave me,” he ordered, checking her pulse and searching for the wound. He laid his head against her heart, “Keep beating. For me. For us,” he pleaded.

A loud gasp brought his head up. Lacey’s frightened gaze locked on his. She tried to speak but only squeaks were coming out. He put his ear by her mouth. “Keeley?”

“Is getting help for you now,” he reassured. Lacey’s fingers went to his cheeks wiping the tears. He stilled them. “I thought I lost you,” came the emotional confession as more tears spilled.

Her voice almost didn’t exist, yet she had to tell him, “Never.” She swallowed past the pain. E’s finger went to her lips, but Lacey wasn’t going to let him silence her. “Forever,” she managed.

He shook his head and leaned forward. “Always,” he whispered against her mouth before worshipping her lips, silently thanking God.

By the time Keeley called 911 and went back with blankets, E and Lacey met her along the way. She hugged her sister so tight that both found it hard to breathe. E chuckled and wrapped his arms around them. “One for all and all for one.” Keeley couldn’t fight the giggle even though it hurt. Only E could pull that off. And she realized that this was worth living for. When you were able to savor the victory of a hard fought battle. Those tiny, precious moments of pure happiness.





Chapter Six





She sat out in the waiting room of the silent hospital and sipped from a straw, looking out at the night sky. Lacey had a decent concussion and E refused to leave her side. The lights were low and Keeley could actually hear herself think. She’d grown used to the cacophony that was her companion. Noise was all she’d known for years. But something changed. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Thoughts of finding Tar, once she was released from the mental facility, gave her something to look forward to. She was determined to check herself in and do what was necessary to heal completely. But darker images began creeping in, along with the voice, “He’ll never truly love all of you. Tar will demand you change for him.”