I motion to her destroyed room. “What do you need?”
“Um.” She tugs down the hem of her t-shirt, which barely covers her flat stomach. “Everything?”
I studiously ignore her nipples poking through the damp fabric. Though I really fucking wanna look.
Averting my eyes again, I duck under the tree and make sure her dresser is accessible. “How ’bout we start with shoes and socks? Get what you need here, and I’ll find your shoes and get you a bag.”
“Nick?” I turn and see her holding her ribs. “I don’t think I can get under that limb. It hurt when I sat up and stood, but bending forward hurts more.”
She’s worse off than I thought. “Hold tight. I’ll get your things.” I head to the closet and grab her backpack. “It’s handy that our houses are almost identical.” Then I return to the dresser. “I’m just gonna grab a handful of frilly stuff—underwear, bras, socks. Unless you have any special requests?”
I peek at her over my shoulder and almost laugh at the blush creeping up her pale neck.
“Abby?” When she looks at me, I smile. “You’re alive. That’s all that matters. Don’t be embarrassed, okay?”
She lets out a breath and nods.
“Where’s your phone?” I decide to distract her while I pack her clothes. “Is it over by you? Be sure to grab that and your charger.”
I find some sweats in the bottom dresser drawer and grab her two bottoms, tuck one into her backpack and hand her the other.
“Paige?” I shout. “Can you pack some toiletries for Abby?”
“No prob. Listen, the fire department is here. I’m going to send them to your side of the house.”
“Great. Thanks.” I yank a blanket out of the closet and grab Abby’s tennis shoes. I duck back under the tree and wrap the blanket around her shoulders and help her pull up her sweats. “You can change into something better after we get you out of here. Let’s get your shoes on, though, or you might hurt your feet.”
I kneel down, grab some socks from her backpack, and pat my thigh. “Up here, buttercup.”
Her brows lift. “You’re going to put on my shoes for me?”
“You can’t bend over, so yes.” I smile when she lifts her dainty little foot. “I like the pink polish.” Reaching onto the bed, I grab a sweatshirt and dry her off. “Wet skin is how you get athlete’s foot.” After I tug on her sock, I help her slip on her shoe. We repeat the process with her other foot.
“Fire Department,” a male shouts through the hole in the wall. “Anyone injured in there?”
“Yes, my friend got trapped by a tree,” I call out as I tie Abby’s shoelaces. “It’s also blocking the bedroom door. I got her out, but she’s banged up, and we need assistance evacuating her.”
When I’m done, I turn and spot the fireman, who’s surveying the damage through the hole. “Is she stable? Think she has any broken bones?”
“I think she’s just banged up. She can stand, but she doesn’t have the strength to climb. What if I hand her to you?”
“That works. We’re ready out here when you are.”
I turn to Abby. “Come on. I’ll give you a boost through the wall.” She pales, and I hope her fear is from needing to go through the hole and not from me. “I promise I won’t bite.” Then I wink at her. “Unless you want me to.”
An embarrassed smile lifts her lips as she looks down. Hesitantly, she moves closer, and I hug her, because, my God, she could’ve died. “Glad you’re okay, buttercup.”
Her eyes meet mine, and my heart beats erratically. “Thanks for helping me.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s get you out of this crazy treehouse. I’m going to pick you up. I want you to reach through that hole where my jacket is so you don’t get cut up more than you already are. Ready?”
When she nods, I help her through what’s left of the window frame.
“I got her,” the fireman yells from the other side.
Once she’s out, I grab her bag and hand it to one of the other firefighters before I make my way over the wall. They’ve put Abby on a stretcher and are taking her vitals.
On the street, an ambulance parks behind the fire truck.
