Austin squeezed his eyes shut. “Christ. I can’t imagine.”
“Vicki’s pregnant.” Lexi wasn’t sure why this was relevant, but it was.
So much had been at stake today.
Austin let out a breath. “Thank God he’s alive. I’d have had to kick his ass otherwise.”
Lexi squeezed Austin’s hand. “That’s big talk for a guy who can’t stay awake.”
“What about Camp Mato Sapa?”
“Nothing new there.”
“Shit.”
Lexi didn’t want Austin to worry about things he couldn’t change, not when he was still recovering. She changed the subject. “You said Bear was safe. Where did you find him?”
“He found me. My truck was burned out, the radio melted. I started to walk back to town, but I lost consciousness. The next thing I knew, Bear was there, looking down at me. He helped me up and told me he’d take me to Winona.”
Lexi smiled. “Like all the injured animals he finds?”
“Exactly like that.” Austin told her how Bear had half carried and half dragged him down the road until the helicopter arrived. “He was scared of the helicopter, but I talked him into get onboard with me. I’ve never seen a bigger smile on anyone’s face than when he looked down at the ground.”
“Where is he?”
“I’m not sure. When I opened my eyes again, I was here.”
They talked for a while, Lexi telling Austin how hard it had been to evacuate and leave their home and everything in it behind.
“Where’s Emily? Where’s Mack?”
“They’re with my dad and Kendra. They took them both to a park. I didn’t want Emily in the ER with sick people, and they wouldn’t let Mack in anyway.”
Austin’s gaze met hers. “Let’s have another baby—a brother or sister for Emily.”
His words surprised Lexi, made her laugh. “Where did that come from?”
They had talked about having another child, but life had kept them busy. It had never seemed like the right time.
“There was a moment in the lake when I thought I was going to die. There was so much smoke. I thought of you and Emily and how I’d always believed we’d have more children.”
Tears blurred her vision again.
She cupped his cheek with her palm. “Oh, Austin. If I had lost you …”
But she hadn’t lost him. He was going to be okay.
She smiled. “I would love to make another baby with you.”
They kissed, his lips cool against hers.
He drew back. “I almost forgot. I’ve got something to show you. Can you grab my pack? I think it’s in a plastic bag under the bed.”
She bent down, saw a large plastic bag with his name on it, and tugged it off the shelf under his bed. “This is heavy.”
Inside were his boots and his backpack, both reeking of smoke. The sight of both made her stomach knot. His boots were covered with ash and soaking wet. The fabric of his backpack had been burned through in places, and some of the nylon straps had begun to melt.
Good God.