Riverbend Road Read Free Page A

whispered a quick prayer for help and courage then rapidly picked her way over rubble and debris as she followed the song to its source, which turned out to be two white-faced, terrified boys she knew.
    Caleb and Lucas Keegan were crouched together just below a ladder up to the loft, where the flames sizzled and popped overhead.
    Caleb, the older of the two, was stretched out on the ground, his leg bent at an unnatural angle.
    â€œHey, Caleb. Hey, Luke.”
    They both sobbed when they spotted her. “Officer Bailey. We didn’t mean to start the fire! We didn’t mean to!” Luke, the younger one, was close to hysteria but she didn’t have time to calm him.
    â€œWe can worry about that later. Right now, we need to get out of here.”
    â€œWe tried, but Caleb broked his leg! He fell and he can’t walk. I was trying to pull him out but I’m not strong enough.”
    â€œI told him to go without me,” the older boy, no more than ten, said through tears. “I screamed and screamed at him but he wouldn’t go.”
    â€œWe’re all getting out of here.” She ripped the wet cloth in half and handed a section to each boy.
    Yeah, she knew the whole adage—taught by the airline industry, anyway—about taking care of yourself before turning your attention to helping others but this case was worth an exception.
    â€œCaleb, I’m going to pick you up. It’s going to hurt, especially if I bump that broken leg of yours, but I don’t have time to give you first aid.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Do what you have to do. We have to get Luke out of here!”
    Her eyes burned from the smoke and her throat felt tight and achy. If she had time to spare, she would have wept at the boy’s quiet courage. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She scooped him up into a fireman’s carry, finally appreciating the efficiency of the hold. He probably weighed close to eighty pounds but adrenaline gave her strength.
    Over the crackles and crashes overhead, she heard him swallow a scream as his ankle bumped against her.
    â€œLuke, grab hold of my belt buckle, right there in the back. That’s it. Do not let go, no matter what. You hear me?”
    â€œYes,” the boy whispered.
    â€œI can’t carry you both. I wish I could. You ready?”
    â€œI’m scared,” Luke whimpered through the wet T-shirt wrapped around his mouth.
    So am I, kiddo. She forced a confident smile she was far from feeling. “Stay close to me. We’re tough. We can do this.”
    The pep talk was meant for herself, more than the boys. Flames had finally begun crawling down the side of the barn and it didn’t take long for the fire to slither its way through the old hay and debris scattered through the place.
    She did not want to run through those flames but her dad’s voice seemed to ring again in her ears.
    You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you’ve got.
    Okay, okay. She got it, already.
    She ran toward the door, keeping Caleb on her shoulder with one hand while she wrapped her other around Luke’s neck.
    They were just feet from the door when the younger boy stumbled and went down. She could hear the flames growling louder and knew the dry, rotten barn wood was going to combust any second.
    With no time to spare, she half lifted him with her other arm and dragged them all through the door and into the sunshine while the fire licked and growled at their heels.

CHAPTER TWO
    S HE MADE IT only a few steps out of the burning structure into the blessedly sweet air and blinding sunlight before strong hands reached to take both boys.
    â€œCareful of Caleb’s leg. I think it’s broken,” she mumbled, not even sure who was helping her and very much afraid she was going to be sick now from a combination of the smoke choking her lungs, the exertion and delayed