Free Secrets of a Summer Night (Stone Gap Mountain) by Kay Stockham Page B

long-time friendship.
    Fifteen years’ age difference was a big gap to span—full of baggage, one failed marriage, and more than a little awareness that he wasn’t in his prime and should focus on women his own age. “Frank will come around in time. You make a great EMT.”
    “Thanks. Well, I should go and let you rest. Maybe I’ll stop in again if you’re still here.”
    “Doc said I’ll be released first thing in the morning.” None too soon, either. If not for the painkillers and the fact he lived alone, he could’ve been released, but his doc wasn’t one for taking chances that he’d reinjure himself.“Good for you. Just take it easy, okay? That was quite a fall. You could have broken your neck.”
    She stepped close enough to the bed for him to snag her hand. “You sure you’re okay?”
    She made a sound in her throat.
    “I’m fine. Just a long day.”
    Something about the way she said it made him think it was more, but she wasn’t going to offer up any information. And he didn’t have the right to ask.
    He squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips, brushing his mouth over her knuckles because he might not have the opportunity to touch her again. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
    “Any time. Call the station if you, um, need anything. You know, with the insurance reports or… such.”
    She pulled her hand from his and was out the door before her words had time to really sink in.  
    Or such?
    Minutes later, he still stared at the door where she’d disappeared, wondering if he had imagined Delaney Wyatt’s visit to his room or the emphasis of her or such .  
    He settled himself more deeply into the uncomfortable hospital bed and sighed. Maybe the drugs were better than he’d thought.

    Later that same evening, Laney set her cellphone aside and leaned back in the desk chair at the fire station. That voice mail just proved how quickly things changed.  
    “Well?” Jim asked. “Everything okay with Emma’s service dog?”
    “Yeah. Roxy’s stable.”
    “And your sister? How’s she holding up?”
    Laney picked up a pen and doodled on the edge of a notebook. “She was offered a job today. She didn’t think she would take it, but now she is. The guy’s offering room and board for Emma and the animals.”
    Jim whistled long and low. “Including the horse?”
    His description of Goliath, Emma’s Great Dane, earned a deeper frown from her. “Yeah, even Goli,” she said. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
    “Got that right. Not many people would take that on. What’s the job?”
    “Tutoring and babysitting. Take your pick. Uncle Bruce recommended Emma to a guy who wants her to help his brother cope with recently becoming blind.” And while Emma was staying with her new employer, who was obviously pitching in due to the fire that had destroyed their family home today, Laney couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment.  
    Emma had said one of the reasons she’d accepted the job was so Laney and her father wouldn’t have to worry about her and the animals. But with their father sleeping in his small camper to watch over the contents of the sheds and property that hadn’t burned, that left Laney on her own. Not that her family seemed to notice or ask where she was going to sleep.
    You’re how old? Grow up. You know it’ll be easier for you to fend for yourself.
    It would. But it was the principle of the thing. Since the car accident that had killed her mother and injured Emma, Laney had run herself ragged taking care of the family. Once upon a time, she’d dreamed of a big life, of becoming a doctor, living in Atlanta or some other large city. She’d given up her big dreams to live small, to do all the things expected of her. But having done that, where was their concern for her?
    Emma called and left a message, and you talked to Frank at the site. You want them to hold your hand?
    No. She didn’t need that or want it. But hearing about Emma’s good fortune and knowing