Page 54 of Keeping Happily Ever After

That meant people. Potentially lots of them.

Shit.

The hotel looked to be almost completely consumed in flames when they pulled up in front.

How had it gone up so fast?

Jeremy barked orders, his instincts kicking in as everyone jumped into action.

The hoses were secured to the pumper truck.

Jeremy grabbed an ax and along with Natalie by his side, they headed toward the flames.

A crowd had gathered across the street. Residents had responded with blankets and coats for the displaced hotel guests, some of whom were left standing and shivering in the cold, having escaped with nothing.

At least they’d escaped.

He recognized Lori Anderson, the owner of Big Rock Inn, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she stood and stared at her hotel burning down. “Is there anyone inside?”

She turned and stared blankly at him before nodding. “I think so. I was able to log in to the registration system from my phone, and I’m not sure if everyone is accounted for, but I think…maybe…”

“What room?”

“Second floor. Room twenty-four.”

That was all Jeremy needed to hear.

He was putting his mask on as he moved, single-mindedly, toward the fire. His training kicked in and he moved on autopilot. Going through his checklist.

Tank. Check.

Ax. Check.

Equipment. Check.

He scanned the burning building. Not all of it was consumed by flames. The back staircase would be accessible. If they moved quickly.

Natalie was right behind him.

They got the door down easily, and were greeted by a wall of smoke.

Was that a cry he heard?

Shit.

He moved up the stairs quickly through the thick, black smoke. He’d been in the hotel many times. He knew room twenty-four.

Sure enough, the door was locked when he reached it.

A crash somewhere behind him reminded him that they didn’t have much time. The hotel was burning quickly. They only had moments.

He gestured to Natalie, who moved across the hall to check another room while he swung his ax. The door splintered easily and he pushed the debris out of the way as he stepped in.

He could barely see through the smoke, but there, next to the bed. A woman.

He moved toward her, when he heard the cry again.

Frantic, Jeremy spun in the room.

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