Page 14 of The Mountain Man's Flame

He chuckles. “Britney Spears. She made me damn glad to be a man. How about favorite TV show from when you were a teenager?” He grunts and I hear more rubble shifting.

“Is everything OK?” I swallow, worried that he might get more hurt in an effort to free himself.

“Everything is fine,” Aiden’s voice is calm. “But I could really use the distraction right now. So, keep telling me things about yourself. Can you do that for me?”

I nod then realize he’s probably not looking in my direction. I start telling him everything I can think of about my life. Mainly, it’s silly things like the fact that I like the brownies from the middle of the pan and that I won’t drink hot cocoa unless it has those mini marshmallows in it.

“You’re about to hear a loud noise, but everything is fine. I’m just moving a few more things,” he warns.

It sounds like metal is scraping against something, and I close my eyes. I will myself to think of being somewhere pleasant. But I can’t do that. Even if I’m cold and scared, there’s still nowhere I’d rather be than with Aiden.

Then suddenly, he’s beside me. He’s breathing hard and he looks exhausted. He puts a hand to my face. “I’m here, sweetheart.”

“Is it bad? Can you see how to get me out?” I try to take a deep breath but end up choking on debris in the air.

“So, what I’m going to do first is lift up the drywall that’s on you right now. It’ll make it easier for you to breathe.”

He stands and walks around, surveying the damage. Then he disappears from my line of sight.

“Where are you?” I ask, a note of panic that I can’t disguise in my voice. I don’t want to be left alone. It’s cold and I can see the sky darkening through the hole in the ceiling.

Immediately, he moves closer to me again. “Listen, there’s a joist over there. I can use it for some leverage. You won’t see me but I’m still right here.”

“You’re not going to leave me?”

His expression softens. “No, sweet angel. I’ll never leave you.”

I sniff and take a shaky breath. “Do you see any spiders on me?”

“There are no spiders. Let me get the joist. Count out loud. By the time you hit a hundred, I’ll be back where you can see me.”

I do what he says, but I don’t even make it to fifty before he’s by my side with the long piece of wood. He positions it quickly, gaining me just enough leverage to take a deep breath without struggling against the drywall.

“That feel better?” He asks, watching me. I can read the worry and concern in his gaze. But there’s something else there too. He looks away from me before I can tell what it is.

I give him a nod. I’m still cold and wet. My toes are growing numb. My body is in pain but I’m counting that as a good sign. It has to mean I’m not paralyzed, right?

“Can you get me out now?” I ask.

“Yes. It’s going to take me a few hours and I need you to stay very still while I work. I don’t want to risk the rubble shifting and injuring you. Keep talking to me, OK? I could use the company.”

I don’t think I could move even if I wanted to. I’m pretty much pinned to the ground. “I’ve told you everything about me at this point.”

“Then tell me about the future. Where do you want to go on our first date?” He says as he lifts two heavy books off the pile.

“This is Nova?”A female voice asks, waking me from a deep sleep. I want to open my eyes, but my eyelids are so heavy right now.

“My future wife,” Aiden’s voice is strong and confident. My heart warms at the words. He didn’t leave me. He stayed with me until his friend Ben showed up and they could both dig me out.

“She’s pretty,” the female says again. “You have good taste.”

He practically hums. “I know I do.”

“Did they say when she would wake up?” A male voice asks.

Aiden rubs his thumb along the back of my hand. Just that simple touch is reassuring. I love that he’s comforting me even if I’m barely awake. “They don’t know. They’re hopeful it’ll be soon.”

“You should take some pain meds,” the female encourages.

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