Hypocrite. She’d been a wimp, screaming at Cole that he should be with her and not running around playing soldiers. But she’d meant it, had been hurting, had wanted no one but Cole with her at the time. Just as Karen wanted her husband here, and not on the other side of the country.
‘Go to my boys, please. I want them to have all the help they can get.’
She nodded. ‘I understand.’
‘It’s going to be darker in there,’ Cole said softly. ‘And a lot more crowded.’
‘I’ll deal with it.’ She wasn’t about to let Karen down. The boys needed her to step in for their mum.
‘Agh...!’
Vicki spun around, whacked her head on the leaning wall, and swore under her breath. ‘Karen?’
The woman was panting, gripping her stomach. ‘A contraction. More like the real thing this time.’
‘I’ll stay with you. In fact, let’s get you out of here.’
‘No. Leave me. Go to the boys. It’s been a while since the last pain. There’s still a way to go. I hope.’
Spoken like a woman who’d already had three babies. ‘If you’re sure?’ When Karen nodded, she added, ‘Yell if you need me.’ Then she followed Cole on hands and knees through to the remains of the boys’ bedroom, and tried to ignore his sexy derriere. Like that was possible, even in the crazy situation they found themselves.
* * *
Cole’s stomach dropped as he took in the sight before him. How could anyone—especially three little boys—survive the disaster that had only hours ago been a normal room? The walls resembled a mix of wood chips and wooden spears. The ceiling beams had crashed to the floor, one flattening a bed in its way. Under that beam lay the distorted body of a young boy. His eyes were wide open, filled with fear. His hands were clenched together over his chest. At least he was alive.
Where were the other two lads? Were they in a better or worse state? Karen had a point. The boys’ father should be here, and yet he understood the man’s reasons for being away. Which was more important? Giving his family a good start financially, or always being around, handing out love and joining in when things were to be celebrated or fixed? It gave him more to think about concerning him and Vicki. Not that he’d joined the army to get a better life. Far from it.
Vicki bumped into his butt, reminding him why he was there, and that he needed to forget about anything but saving these lads. He said to the boy lying in front of him, ‘Hello. My name’s Cole. I’ve come to help you. What’s your name?’
No reply.
Cole waved his hand in front of the boy’s face and got a blink in return. So he was aware, but too shocked to speak. ‘I’m a doctor, and this is Vicki. She’s a nurse.’
Nothing.
‘Hello, young man. I’m going to hold your hand.’ Vicki had moved up and now took one cold, tiny hand in hers and carefully laid a finger on the pulse in his wrist. ‘You’re a very brave boy, being so quiet.’
Blink.
Cole reached for the boy’s legs and began carefully running his hands along the areas not held down by that beam. Judging by the odd angles, there’d be fractures below the knees. Looking over his shoulder at Damon, he said quietly, ‘I’m going to administer morphine before your men attempt to lift that beam.’ Checking for bleeding, he sighed with relief when he found none. Digging in the pack, he removed the drug and a needle, saw the fear grow in the boy’s eyes. ‘It’s all right. Your legs are sore, so I’m going to make them feel better. That’s good, isn’t it?’
No reply.
Vicki took the vial he held out and read the date out before handing it back. Then she leaned closer to their patient. ‘Okay, young man, how old are you?’ When no answer was forthcoming, she continued, ‘I think you must be seven.’ Silence. ‘Or are you eight?’
Blink.
‘Ah—told you. Eight. Now, what’s your name? What’s a cool boy’s name...?’ She scratched her chin and stared at the floor. ‘I’m thinking... Jack.’
A slight shake of his head.
Vicki pushed the sleeve of the boy’s shirt up to expose his arm for the injection. ‘Mickey.’
She was good. But then Cole knew that. He tapped the boy’s vein.
Another shake of the small head. ‘Callum.’
Bingo. She’d done it.
‘Callum, eh? That’s a great name for a brave boy.’
Cole slid the needle in and pressed down on the syringe.
‘Ow!’ Callum cried.
‘Sorry, mate. But I’ve finished.’ Cole pulled the needle clear. ‘Vicki’s right. You’re very brave. Can you tell me where you hurt?’
‘My legs don’t move.’
‘That’s because there’s a hunk of wood on them. The firemen are going to shift it away very soon and then we’ll be able to take you out and have a good look at you. Okay?’
Callum nodded, then bit his lip, tears threatening.
‘What’s up?’ Vicki asked. ‘You hurting?’
‘Where’s Mum? She hasn’t come to see if we’re all right.’
‘That’s because she can’t get through here with her baby tummy. It won’t fit through the gap in the wall. She’s all right, okay? You’ll be able to see her soon.’
‘I want her now.’
Cole’s heart clenched for this brave wee man. ‘You’ll see her when the firemen carry you out of here. That all right?’
‘I suppose.’ Callum yawned as the drug took effect.
Cole glanced over his shoulder. ‘Not long now,’ he told Damon.
‘The men are ready.’
Cole nodded. He wanted to ask Callum if he’d heard anything from either of his brothers, but that might add to the lad’s distress so he turned back to Damon, said quietly, ‘Where are the others?’
‘Beside the wardrobe that looks like something out of a demolition site.’
Vicki crawled toward where Damon indicated, glancing left and right and sucking in a breath at the shadows darkening the corners. Nothing slithering and dangerous. She didn’t relax.
Cole thought of the day he’d taken her to a snake sanctuary with the brainless idea that if she got to touch one, maybe hold it with a zoo keeper watching over things, she’d get past her paranoia, but that’d earned him a blasting and hadn’t solved her problem. Once they returned to Sydney—he wasn’t thinking if—there was less likelihood of her coming across her least favourite creature compared to up here in Queensland.
Two burly firemen squeezed into the small space. ‘Hey, Callum. We’re going to get this board off you and take you somewhere dry. Okay?’
r /> The boy nodded. ‘Is it going to hurt?’
Cole took his wee hand in his large one. ‘You can’t feel your legs now, can you?’
‘No.’
‘Then you won’t notice the board moving away. I’ll keep holding your hand, okay?’ The little fingers were gripping his tight.
With a lot of straining the roofing beam was lifted enough for Damon and Cole to pull Callum free; they slid him onto the stretcher ready on the other side of the narrow opening.
Cole asked, ‘Are there any leg splints in the fire truck emergency gear?’
‘Yes. Want them now or when we’re out?’
‘Out. Callum’s not feeling anything at the moment and it’s best to move him somewhere safer.’ It felt like an age since he and Vicki had arrived, but a glance at his watch showed it had only been ten minutes. One almost safe, two to go. ‘We’ll stop by Karen on the way and get her to agree to going outside with us. She’s more help to her lads if she’s out and safe.’ His mind went to Vicki. He didn’t want her in here either. Especially if that hill came down some more. But trying to talk her out of being with the lads was a waste of time they didn’t have to spare. He called to her, ‘I’ll be back in a moment. You all right in there?’ Not that she’d tell him, however afraid she was.
‘Sure. Got more fractures here.’
Great. ‘I’ll hurry.’ He had to make sure Callum didn’t have any other, more serious injuries he might’ve missed in the semi-dark.
‘No worries.’
He’d always worry when Vicki was in danger. No one had actually said that more of the hillside could come down on them. There was no need. With the torrential rain still persisting it was a given that anything was possible, so they had to work fast, yet carefully, to extricate this family. And get Vicki the hell away from here.
No matter where they were in their relationship, nothing mattered more to him than keeping her safe. Nothing. Not even this family he was helping.
Sorry, guys, but that’s how it is. I love her and will do anything for her.