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Before he could answer, the door swung open and Anderson strode in, wearing a white coat, stethoscope, and worry lines. “Morning. Feeling dizzy? Short of breath? Chest tightness?”

“No, no, and nope.” What was it with my brothers and these questions? “How is Presley?”

“Fortune favored him, too. He’ll need to stay here a little longer with a worse case than yours, but he’ll be fine.” It relieved me to know my efforts hadn’t been in vain. Doc continued.“Now, we’ll need to run a few more tests on you, then see if we can get you out of here today.”

“Doc, are these tests really necessary?” I complained.

“Merely precautionary. Need to be thorough,” he explained, flipping through my chart.

I yanked the pulse-ox off my finger. “Then I’m done. Let me out of here, Anderson.”

He sighed like one of those whiny little-brother noises. “Hud, smoke inhalation can take time to?—”

I caught Carson’s eye. “Where’s Lacey?”

“Mama took her to the lake this morning.” He grabbed his keys off my bedside table, already a step ahead of me.

“Perfect. Take me there.” I got out of the bed against Doc’s protests. “The fresh air at the lake is better than recycled clinic air, wouldn’t you agree? If I cough up a lung or something, I’ll come back.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, as Carson tossed me a set of clothes no doubt Mama had sent for me.

“Come on, hero. Your ride awaits. See ya, Doc,” Carson headed out the door. Anderson had no defense against our tag team.

At the lake,I spotted Lacey in one of the Adirondack chairs by the fire ring, wrapped in a sweatshirt that dwarfed her. She stared sadly at the water like she hoped for answers to all of her problems.

I had the answer for her: Me. But would she ask the right question?

“Brought you someone,” Carson called.

I held up two Java Co. cups. “Someone, and caffeine.” My ribs ached and lungs burned a little, but nothing that could keep me down. Not today.

Surprise brightened her eyes, then worry clouded over. She got up and hugged Carson first—quick and grateful—then turned to me. Her arms slid around my waist, bringing her body fully against mine, and rested her head on my chest. She stayed there, and I planted kisses on top of her head.

“I’ve been so worried.” She whispered into my chest.

“I’m here and better now, with you,” I murmured into her hair, breathing in the lingering fragrance of minty shampoo. This was much better than that hospital air.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Lungs sting some, but Doc gave me a clean bill of health.”

“Good.” She parted from me and slapped my chest. “You scared the hell out of me running into the fire like you did,” her voice shook, scolding.

Carson took the cups out of my hands and set them on the armrests. “Welp. This is where I should leave you two to figure things out. I gotta get back to the shop and to Emme. You two behave. Or not.” He winked and slapped me on the back like he wished me luck, then ducked back to his car.

“Lace, let me explain—” I tried, but she paced away from me, out of my reach facing the lake, hands holding her sides.

“No, Hudson. Last night was awful. But thanks to Mama, I got through it.”

“Mama’s the best.”

“I never wanted to be a fireman’s girl, Hudson.”

I dropped my shoulders. So she’s not going to give me a chance? “I understand.”

“But I will try. For you.”

Wait. Did I hear that right? I went up to her and wrapped my arms around her, holding her in my embrace. My head rested on her shoulder.