Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3)

by Kahlen Aymes

  I could barely breathe as I scrambled away, glancing at my own little car so close to the fiery building. Knowing my cell phone was inside, I looked at it longingly, but there would be no retrieving it so I could call 911. My car and the others in the yard would likely explode, too, and within seconds. I had to get as far away as possible before that happened.

  Ignoring the blood gushing from my knees and the palms of my hands, I got up and ran. I ran for my life as more explosions sounded behind me. When I was about a quarter of a mile away, I turned, panting, to look at the fire ball that was once my Uncle Leonard’s shop. Two of the three cars in front were on fire. For a moment I watched until my Mini Cooper exploded, shocking me back to reality. I turned and ran the last distance to the farmhouse, finding the hidden key and quickly letting myself inside. My puppy cried from her kennel and though I longed to get her out, I had to call the fire department. Thankfully, my uncle was old school, and we still had a landline. I picked it up, but my fingers trembled as I dialed 911.

  “Nine-one-one. What’s your emergency?” A woman’s voice asked almost immediately.

  I was out of breath, but I somehow got the words out. “The Auto Shop is on fire,” I gasped. “I need help. There’s someone inside!” Tears started down my face as the gravity of the situation settled. Carter was dead and it was all my fault.

  “Which auto shop, ma’am?”

  “It’s called The Auto Shop! That’s the name of the business. It’s out on Old Calloway Road!” I cried.

  “Who’s inside?”

  “Carter Stanton. He is a mechanic who worked there.”

  “Are you a safe distance away?”

  “Yes, about a half-mile,” I answered breathlessly, my voice cracking. “Oh, my God! Hurry!” I knew it was already too late to save him or the building. It had been too late before I’d even gotten outside.

  “What’s the address?”

  I told her the address and she affirmed the fire department and EMTs were on their way. “There are no hydrants, correct?”

  “No, but we have a lake on the property if they can siphon the water.” The suggestion was no doubt ridiculous, but it was all I could think of to help.

  “Who am I speaking with?”

  “Marin Landry. I own the shop.”

  “Isn’t that Leonard Landry’s place?”

  “Yes. He was my uncle.”

  The sirens and flashing lights were already showing up on the horizon. “Okay. They’re on the way.” I glanced out the kitchen window above the sink of the ranch house. Two fire trucks, an EMT ambulance vehicle, and two sheriff’s cars all with sirens screaming and a bevy of flashing lights were coming over the foothills toward me at a breakneck pace.

  Honk! Honk! One of the firetrucks blew their horn as they reached the last intersection before the property line. Honk! Honk!

  “They’re already here,” I said into the phone, thankful the ranch was so close to the city limits.

  “Okay, ma’am. Please be available in case the sheriff or firemen have questions, but make sure to stay a safe distance away.”

  “I will. Thank you.” I was sobbing as I hung up the phone, shoving my bloody feet into an old pair of Vans without laces that I used when working around the ranch. I grabbed one of my uncle’s old work shirts off a hook by the door and flung it on as I pushed through the door and started running back toward the commotion. It was painful, but I tried to ignore it.

  I could see firemen scrambling to get the hoses out and hooked up to the tankers, and two others in heavy gear rushed into the building as the orange and red flames raged up the sides of the building and set the roof ablaze.

  Another group of men were hosing down the two remaining vehicles on the edge of the yard down with some sort of foam I could only assume was some sort of anti-inflammatory agent. I could hear them yelling as I got closer, the one in charge using a megaphone to bark orders to the others.

  For the first time, I felt the cold night air and breeze in my hair. I felt a throbbing ache in my knees and elbows, and the burning in my hands and feet where the gravel had ground in and ripped my flesh. I wrapped my arms around myself and slowed to a fast walk as I ran out of breath, keeping my pace quick despite the pain, after seeing the two men rush into the flames, risking their own lives in an attempt to rescue a man who was surely dead.

  As I approached two of the EMTs ran up to me with a gurney. “Let us help you,” one middle-aged man said, his eyes kind, and no doubt taking in my tear-stained face and assessing the extent of my injuries. “Can you lay down for us?”

  I shook my head. “No, please get those men out of there! It’s too late to save Carter,” I begged. “I saw him die. Get them out! Please!” I begged, almost screaming. “Get them out!” My hand flew to my mouth as I started to sob again.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said softly. The man who spoke to me nodded, indicating that the other should go tell the fire chief what I’d just said. I sank onto the gurney that they had lowered to make it easier to sit down; the remaining EMT steadying me with his hands. Once I was laying down and covered with a cotton blanket, he ran and got an equipment case, flipping it open and taking out a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff, and then using a pen light to look into my eyes. I started to shiver.

  “You might be in shock. I just want to get your vitals, okay?”

  “Brady, Danson…. Get out of there!” I heard the voice on the megaphone shout. “Witness says it’s a DOA!”

  I closed my eyes, silently praying that no one else would be hurt.

  BEN

  “Brady, Danson…. Get out of there!” I barely heard the captain through the fire’s roaring, me and my partner lifting and moving large chunks of metal looking for the victim. Our Turnout gear; the protective gloves, coat, boots, and fireproof pants kept us from getting burned but it was hot as fuck. “Witness says it’s a DOA!”

  It was an inferno by the time we’d arrived, but if there was a person inside, we had to attempt a rescue, no matter how hopeless. We were probably insane because I knew no one could survive this. My mask was fogging over and mixed with the thick black clouds of smoke, I could barely see a thing. I was used to the weight of the O2 tank on my back and that of my gear. The flames were licking up the walls and over the ceiling, blistering the paint. Soon the roof would probably cave in overhead. No question, we had to get the fuck out, but I didn’t want to leave the poor bastard in here. The walls were made of concrete blocks with wooden buildout on the inside, but one had been blown apart by the initial explosion.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Davis shouted. “There could be more explosions! We don’t know what else is in here and the roof is about to go!”

  The flames were already raging across the ceiling and it could flash in any second. I glanced around and saw the charred form of a man on the floor. He was charred beyond recognition; his features melted, and his hands only stumps on his frozen arms, the fingers completely gone. “I found him!” I shouted, pointing so Davis could see where I was looking.

  “The structure was already weakened by the explosions, man!” he yelled back, taking hold of my jacket. “Let’s go!”

  I shook my head, yelling. “You go ahead. I can’t leave him in here. The family deserves something to bury! I’m right behind you!”

  I used one gloved hand to pull on the dead man’s arm and then bent, to hoist him over my back. It was gross, like a hundred and fifty pounds of charred meat, but all I was thinking of was getting this guy and myself out before the roof caved in on us. The heat was intense; I was sweating profusely inside my gear and my helmet was starting to itch as I carried him toward the opening in the wall closest to me.

  Water was already raining down into the guts of the fire on the side that had been blown away by the initial explosion, and the teams from two of the six stations on the scene were getting it under control. I could hear the drops hit my helmet and my coat, but I couldn’t feel any temperature difference.

  Davis
had gone out in advance and there was a black body bag laying on the ground waiting to receive the poor bastard I was carrying. He held it open until the body was inside, then zipped it up. I peeled off my mask, as he had already done, removed a glove and wiped my hand down my face to clear the sweat.

  “Cap says it’s a total loss. They’re just going to control the burn.”

  “Do they know what happened to start it?” I asked, unbuckling my jacket.

  “No. That’s the fire commissioner and the sheriff’s job to investigate.”

  I was annoyed that my friend pointed that out because I already knew it, but I was curious if anything had been discovered from questioning the person who called in, though it didn’t take a genius to know a place like this was full of flammable substances.

  I nodded, looking around. The EMTs were working on someone about a hundred yards away, and instinctively I knew this must be someone close to the deceased. “Be right back,” I tossed over my shoulder and began walking toward the open back of the ambulance.

  Mitch, one of my team’s younger emergency medical techs, was jumping out of the back.

  “What’s the story?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “She was inside and saw the dude light up, from what I gather. She has some injuries on her hands and knees, a concussion from being thrown in the explosion, and her feet are injured from running a half-mile on white rock. We’re giving her IV fluids to stave off shock. She lives alone at the ranch house in the distance over there,” he pointed. “…so, we’re taking her to the hospital for overnight observation.”

  “Can I talk to her for just a minute?” I asked, taking off my helmet and pushing the hair that was plastered to my forehead back with a clawed hand.

  “Sure. Just a minute while we load up the rest of the gear.”

  “Okay.” I climbed in the back and sat down next to the slight young woman under the white cotton blanket. It was up to her neck, and one dirty hand that had an IV line attached to it was resting on her stomach on top of the covers. I could see she was beautiful, despite her smudged, tear-stained face and her tangled, soot-covered hair. Her eyes were closed when I sat down next to her.

  “Miss?” I said softly, trying to rouse her.

  Her eyes flew open and in the bright light of the ambulance, her light grey eyes were stark against her dirty face and hair. Something inside me stirred. She was so fragile, so sad; her soul seemed to be injured more than her body. My heart broke for her.

  When I was sure she could see me clearly, I spoke again. “I just wanted to say… we tried to save the man. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t.”

  “He’s dead,” she said. Her voice was weak, and I wasn’t sure if she was asking or telling.

  I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’m so sorry.” I wanted to ask who he was to her but knew that I shouldn’t.

  Her face crumpled and she started to sob. Her other hand came out from beneath the blanket to cover her mouth.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said again, helpless to know what to do for her, or how to ease her suffering. “We did get him out so the family can…” my words dropped off.

  She shook her head. “It’s not your fault.” She swallowed hard and tried to stop crying. “I already knew. I saw it happen.”

  “Is there anyone I can call for you?” I hesitated to ask after such a harrowing experience. Was the man who had perished related to her? Was he her husband or lover? I didn’t want to do or say anything to make her more upset, so I held my tongue. It would be difficult enough to come to terms with his death; she didn’t need any extra reminders.

  “Not really. My uncle died six months ago. I have no family.” She didn’t mention the dead man or what he was to her.

  “I’m sure there is someone. A friend?”

  She cried hard again. “I have a few, but I don’t have anyone’s number. My cell phone was in my car when it exploded.”

  My heart fell as silent tears rained from her eyes. I knew what it was like to have no family around. Since my little sister and her son had moved to Atlanta a year and a half ago, so I’d been on my own, too. Sure, I had friends, as this young woman must have, but friends weren’t the same as family. Even some of the guys who I worked with had become like brothers back in Billings, but I was new here and it wasn’t quite the same. Davis was my only close friend.

  “What happens now?” She wiped at her eyes to clear away the tears, but it only served to smear the soot on her face around leaving wet smudges.

  “They’re going to take you to the hospital to check you out. I’m not sure if they’ll keep you overnight, but it looks like you could use the rest.”

  She began to shake her head adamantly. “I can’t!” She was panicked. “Who will take care of the horses and my puppy?” she asked. “I need to feed them and let my dog out. I have to take care of them!”

  So, the man who died must have been close to her if she was alone. I cleared my throat, wanting, in fact needing, to help this poor woman in some way. It may have been forward, but I covered her hand with my own in order to calm her. Something passed between us; like an electric charge or connection making a circuit. Instantly, her eyes locked with mine and she calmed down.

  “I get off shift in a couple of hours. I know it will be kind of late, but I can do it if you’ll tell me what to do. It’ll be okay.”

  She sucked in a shaky breath. “Really? You’d do that? My puppy was crying when I ran from the house.”

  I smiled. “Sure, if you’ll tell me where to find the food. Were your keys in the car, too?” My mind raced, wondering why she’d leave her purse, phone and keys inside the car when she went inside the now burned down shop.

  “They were, but there is an extra house key in the blue flowerpot by the back door at the ranch. Just up the road from the shop. I can’t remember if I locked the house after I called you guys from the landline.”

  “Ben, we’re rolling up the hoses. Can you help us?” One of the others shouted from twenty feet away.

  “I have to go, but don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” I smiled and patted her hand again.

  “My-uh-my dog; Gem; she’s just a puppy. She cries if she’s left alone at night.” Her face crumpled again, and she began to cry again. It was heartbreaking to watch.

  “What breed is she?”

  “A black lab. She’s just ten weeks old.”

  I nodded, happy to help out. I knew that I’d be taking the pup home for the night.

  “Don’t worry, miss…?”

  “Oh, my name is Marin. Marin Landry.”

  “Bennett Barry, at your service.” I wanted to say it was nice to meet her, but considering the circumstances, it would make me seem insensitive. “I’ll pick up your puppy and feed and water your horses. Don’t worry about them, tonight. Just concentrate on getting some rest.”

  For the first time, the hint of a smile graced her mouth and I found myself anxious to see her without soot, blood or sadness covering her face.

  “How will I find you?” she asked.

  “Mitch and Stan, the EMTs who worked on you, know me. One of them can give you my number. I gotta go help pack up the equipment.”

  Marin’s hand reached out and grabbed the sleeve of my coat. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

  I paused to meet her eyes again. I wasn’t tonight, I thought regretfully. But I was glad that I could help her, if only in some small way. “No need for that, ma’am. Happy to help.”

  BEN

  The puppy was crying pitifully from her kennel and had been since I’d brought her back to my house. She didn’t eat when I tried to feed her some of the canned puppy food that I’d found in a cupboard in the utility room of the young woman’s farmhouse.

  I wondered if she had to go to the bathroom.

  Dogs didn’t shit where they live.

  That’s what my grandad used to say, and why we’d always used kennels to house train our pets. I could still hear him say it
like it was yesterday. Knowing there was nothing left to do but take her out again, I pushed back the covers and padded into the adjacent bathroom where I was keeping the small kennel I found her in at the farm, after I’d fed and watered the horses three hours earlier.

  I crouched down and carefully unlatched the metal door.

  Bowww, bowww, bowwww! she wailed. Booooowwwwww!

  “It’s okay, honey.” I swung open the door to the kennel. “Come on! Come on out,” I said in something akin to baby talk. “Do you have to go outside?”

  I wanted to reach in to get her, but she was scared, and I wanted her to trust me. She was in a strange place and missing her people. There was a white T-shirt inside the kennel that I hoped she’d snuggle into, but there was no such luck.

  The pup peered at me and wailed again. “It’s okay. You’re okay,” I said in a soft voice, reaching in one hand and letting her get my scent again. “Come on, baby,” I cooed at her. “You’ll be back with your mom soon enough.”

  If the guys at the firehouse heard me babbling like this to a dog, I’d probably never hear the end of it. She was a baby, I reminded myself, but still. I had a reputation at the station for being a tough guy and this scene would certainly kill that notion, but I smiled when it occurred to me that I couldn’t care less if it did. If only my nephew Dylan and my sister, Missy, were still living with me, taking care of the puppy would have been a piece of cake. Dylan would no doubt have already won the dog’s trust, and Missy was such a loving person she would have jumped right in to care for my temporary little orphan.

  “You’re okay, Gemmy.” I tried using her name. She had such a sweet face. Her sparkling black eyes peered at me cautiously and she whined. “Come on. Let’s go outside, and then I’ll get you some warm milk. Would you like that?”

  I tried to use one index finger to pet her small, but very silky head. “You’re okay.” I probably should have gotten her something to eat before I’d opened the kennel, but her sad cries made food a second thought.

  “That’s it,” I soothed as the little puppy inched her way to the open door. By now I was sitting with my legs crossed on the floor, starting to rub behind her ears. Her tail started to wag and soon she was on my lap. I stood up holding the puppy close to my chest, then bent and kissed her head. “You’re okay. We’ll go outside and then we’ll get you something to eat.”