Rescue Me (Hayes Brothers Book 4)

by Karen Kelley

  “Good for her.”

  We loaded the cot back into the ambulance, then headed back to the station to restock.

  “Mr. Jenkins is sweet on her,” she said.

  “I think you’re right.”

  Zoey looked up as we came in. “I heard you going code three to the hospital from the nursing home. Who was it?”

  “Abigail Carter,” I told her. “I think she had a mild heart attack. They’re going to admit her to the hospital.”

  Zoey nodded. “Maybe now her family will at least come visit her.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Can you come into my office for a minute,” the captain said as he came through the day room.

  I followed him into his office. “What’s up?” The captain sat in his chair, then motioned for me to have a seat as well. I took the one across from his desk.

  “I spoke with Chad this morning. He said you called him about Ray.”

  “Just like I’d told you I was going to.” I’d already informed the captain that I had sent Ray home before the shift ended. “So what’s up? Chad didn’t have a problem with me sending one of his students home.”

  “He still doesn’t. Chad said Ray was pretty pissed. Mouthing off about him being a better paramedic than anyone here ever thought about being. This isn’t the first complaint he’s had about Ray. This was the icing on the cake. He told Ray that he needed to reevaluate why he wanted to be a paramedic, but for now, they were dropping him from the class.”

  “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

  “You might want to watch your back. Tell the others. I’m not sure how vindictive he could get. Chad said that Ray was jealous of everything you had. He might want revenge.”

  “I’ll warn everyone.”

  He shuffled some papers on his desk. I knew there was more that he wanted to say. He finally looked up, meeting my gaze.

  “How’s Fiera working out?”

  I nodded. “She’s a damned good paramedic. She has good instincts.”

  The captain studied me for a long time. Long enough that I shifted in my chair.

  “She’s a beautiful woman, too.”

  I had a feeling I knew where he was going. “She’s very beautiful. Neither one of us would let our private life interfere with our job. If that’s what you’re asking.”

  He slowly nodded. “You’ve always had good judgment.”

  The captain changed the subject. We spoke about replacing some of the equipment on the ambulances, and then I left his office and went to the day room. Everyone was there, so I figured this was as good a time as any. I relayed what the captain had told me about Ray.

  “If that asshole tries anything, I’ll knock his ass out,” Zoey said.

  I grinned, having had a feeling she would take that route. “When did you get so vicious?”

  She planted her hands on her hips. “What do you mean ‘when’? I’ve always been like this.”

  I was thoughtful for a moment. “Yeah, I guess you have.”

  She threw a sofa pillow at me, hitting me in the face, I threw it back at her and she caught it, laughing.

  I think we were all a little on edge, though. None of us trusted Ray. None of us liked him either. But nothing happened. Our shift was pretty quiet, in fact. We each ran a call after midnight, then crashed in the bunk room.

  After we dropped off a patient at the hospital, I asked how Abigail was doing. She’d been admitted with a mild heart attack, but was doing okay. Better now that her family had come to visit.

  Right before our shift ended, we got a transfer from the hospital back to the nursing home. It was early in the morning, so the residents were already gathering in the day room before they went to breakfast. After we got the resident settled in his room, we gave our report and paperwork to the nurse.

  “You know, Abigail’s family actually came up to see her. Her daughter came out here and told me that Abigail was going to be okay. Abigail had insisted she come out and talk to Mr. Jenkins. They’re expecting her to be released in a few days.”

  “I’m so glad, Fiera said.

  “Maybe now they’ll realize she’s not going to live forever and will come out to see her more often,” I said.

  “From what her daughter told me, I think they will.”

  As we moved through the day room to leave, some of the residents called out to us. We looked at each other. I nodded. We had some time to spare. We spoke a few minutes with Mr. Jenkins. I asked him if he was sure about liking Abigail. I told him she was pretty feisty and might be hard to handle.

  “That’s the way I like them,” Mr. Jenkins said, then grinned.

  As I was speaking to a few residents, I noticed that Fiera stopped to talk to John, kneeling in front of him. He reached out and patted her head, then softly began to cry.

  “It’s okay, John.” She took his hand in hers and held it while she talked to him. The nurse came over while she was still with him.

  “He’s been acting strange lately,” she said with worry in her eyes.

  Fiera smiled at John and told him everything would be okay. She came to her feet and went over to the nurse. As we started moving the cot toward the front door again, Fiera asked in a low voice, “What do you mean, he’s been acting strange?”

  “I don’t know. It’s hard to put my finger on what exactly is going on with him. He’s always been a hard one to figure out. Sometimes your gut tells you something’s going to happen. That’s the way I feel about him. I told the other nurses to watch him. He can’t tell us when he’s hurting or anything. I just don’t want something to happen to him. The doctor’s supposed to be out tomorrow and I’ve left a note for him, so maybe he’ll order some blood work and other tests just to be on the safe side.” She shook her head. “Or I could just be a worrywart. Sometimes they’re like our children. They’re definitely our family.”

  Fiera’s eyes narrowed. “Ray hasn’t bothered him, has he?”

  She looked as if she was about ready to kick some ass if he had, but the nurse shook her head.

  “Nope, management finally got enough sense and fired him. I was here that day and you haven’t seen anyone madder than him.”

  “They dropped him from the paramedic class, too,” I told her.

  She nodded her head. “Good. He’s a bad one. I felt his evil from the very start. I made sure there was someone with him when he went into a resident’s room. I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. I heard someone say he was going to move away. I hope it’s far away.”

  “You and me both. By the way, we’ll bring the shelter animals out this Saturday. Maybe that will perk everyone up,” Layne said.

  “They do like the dogs and cats. I can’t say that I blame them,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ve got four fur babies of my own at home. They rule the roost.”

  “Have I told you that you’re a good person?” Fiera said after we were back in the ambulance and headed toward the station.

  I smiled. “I try. Besides, it gives me a chance to play with the dogs and cats.”

  “Are you planning on getting a pet?”

  “I’d like to have one. Right now, with my job and everything, I’d have to leave the dog by himself while I was on shift. I couldn’t do that.”

  “Have you decided yet when you’re going to move to the country?”

  “They’re delivering my furniture tomorrow. I’ll probably take some stuff out as I go. Want to go with me?”

  “Sure.”

  It was strange how comfortable it felt to be around Fiera. I couldn’t imagine life before I met her. It wasn’t just about the sex. I enjoyed her company. She made me smile. Hell, she made me laugh outright. I liked how she interacted with the nursing home residents, too.

  “What about Saturday? I’ll need help with the cats and dogs when we take them to the nursing home.”

  “I’d like that.”

  By the time we got back to the station, the crew that would relieve us were already there.
We checked out the ambulance with them, then counted the drugs in the narcotic box. Everything was good.

  “What are you going to be doing today?” I asked.

  “I have some errands to run. I’m having lunch with Zoey and Darby this afternoon. What about you?”

  “I’m meeting with my brothers. We’re going over some of our businesses today. I’m not sure when I’ll get home.”

  We were just about to unlock our apartment doors when my phone rang. I figured it was one of my brothers as I reached into my pocket and brought it out. I was surprised to see Jeremy’s face on the screen.

  My gaze met Fiera’s. “What’s going on?” I asked him.

  “One of my leads got back with me. I think I might have located Fiera’s father.”

  Chapter 21

  Fiera

  My pulse began to race. Even though he hadn’t said Jeremy’s name, I had a feeling that’s who he was talking to. He ended the conversation and walked closer to me.

  “What?”

  “Come inside and we’ll talk.” He unlocked his door and we went inside.

  “That was Jeremy, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes. He had a lot of feelers out, but he hadn’t been getting anywhere, so that’s when he told me he’d hit a dead end. This morning, out of the blue, one of his leads contacted him. Jeremy thinks he might have found your father.”

  The room began to spin. I put out my hand. Layne led me over to the sofa and had me sit. As soon as the room stopped spinning, I turned to him. “Do you really think he might have found my father?”

  “He seems to think so.”

  I studied his face. There was more. Something he wasn’t telling me. “What aren’t you saying?”

  “He doesn’t want you to get your hopes up, but this is a pretty strong lead. It still might not be him.”

  “Where is he?”

  "He doesn’t have all the information yet. As soon as he does, he’ll get back with us. He just wanted to let me know that this might be the break he’s been looking for.”

  “When will we know something?”

  “For some reason, the man didn’t want to talk to him over the phone. Jeremy said he seemed nervous.” Layne paused. “All he would say was that your father had a wife and a son.”

  It felt as if my heart exploded into a million pieces. “A son.”

  “I’m sorry. But we don’t know for sure this is your father. It might not be him.”

  I gave a short laugh. “What man doesn’t want a son? I’m sure he’s been happy with his new family all these years.”

  “I wish I hadn’t even told you until we knew more.”

  “No, I’m glad you did.” I drew in a deep, shaky breath. “When will we know something concrete?”

  “He said it would probably be a few days. The guy was going out of town and would get in touch with him again when he returned.”

  “So, I’m still waiting and wondering.”

  “But you’re not alone.”

  “I know.” I came to my feet. “You’re meeting with your brothers today, and I have some errands I need to run.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t have to meet with them. I’ll call and cancel.”

  I put a hand on his arm. “Don’t. I can’t live my life waiting to find out something, and neither can you. Go to your meeting. I have errands, then I’m going to meet with Zoey and Darby for lunch. I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.” I left his apartment and went to mine. I felt as though my insides were all torn up. It made sense. Having another family, having a son, would be enough reason for him not to return to a wife that he didn’t love and who treated him like shit. My mother had never acted as if she loved my father. I would’ve been extra baggage, child support to pay.

  It didn’t matter. What had I expected? To locate him and he’d actually be happy to see me? His new wife and son probably didn’t even know about his other family. That was fine by me. If it turned out this was my father, I didn’t even want to meet him. I didn’t want an explanation why he hadn’t contacted me. I didn’t want a damn thing from him.

  Coldness seeped into my body, spreading over me. I went to my bedroom and stripped out of my uniform, then headed for the shower. Even the hot water didn’t seem to warm me up. After I got out, I dried off, dressing in a pair of shorts, and a t-shirt. I slid my feet into sandals and left my apartment.

  The errands I needed to run weren’t that important. I didn’t want Layne to hover. So I left. I drove aimlessly for half an hour until I pulled into a parking space at the park. The day was already growing warm. It would probably reach the triple digits by this afternoon. Not that unusual for this part of Texas.

  I got out of my car and walked aimlessly through the park. There was a playground with young mothers who’d brought their children to play on the swings and the slide. I watched as two little girls climbed up the ladder, then one by one slid down. Everything looked so normal. I didn’t feel normal, though. I felt as though my world were crashing down around me. I walked over to a tree and sat beneath it. Layne’s words kept repeating over and over in my head.

  “He has a wife and a son.”

  Over and over until I wanted to scream, shut up!

  I drew in a deep breath, then exhaled. I would get through this. I always did. They hadn’t broken me yet. But I knew I was more vulnerable than I had been. I knew the reason. I’d let Layne break down my defenses. Zoey and Darby were almost as bad. They’d invaded my space. They made it difficult for me to hold my emotions in check. I’d always been afraid if I let myself completely feel, my emotions would destroy me.

  I’d learned to accept my mother for what she’d been. The alcohol and the drugs, and all the partying. Ignoring me. Leaving me alone all the time. I drew in a deep breath.

  Not fucking loving me.

  Ah, damn, it still hurt. The hurt was still there. It had only been hiding. I closed my eyes tight against the pain. No, I couldn’t let it in. If I did, it would destroy me. There would be nothing left inside of me. I had to fight the emotions I was feeling. I had to get the fuck out of here.

  My eyes flew open. That was it, I had to leave. If I didn’t, the ones I was starting to like the most, would also be the ones who ended up destroying me. I needed a plan. If they knew I was leaving, they would try to stop me. I didn’t think I would be strong enough to face them.

  As soon as I knew for sure this was my father, I would leave. I wouldn’t meet with him. I’d just pack up my things and go. I came to my feet and walked to my pickup, then drove back to the apartment. I noticed Layne’s pickup wasn’t in his parking place. Good, I didn’t think I wanted to face him.

  I called Zoey when I got back to my apartment and pleaded a headache. I asked if we could go another time. She said that was okay and hoped I felt better soon. I pulled out a box from my closet and began to pack. What I couldn’t get in my truck this time, I would leave. It was just stuff. It had no meaning. Hell, nothing in my life had meaning.

  I moved the boxes that I packed to the back of the closet in case Layne happened to come over. If he suspected I was going to leave, I knew he would try to stop me. I didn’t think I was strong enough to tell him no. I would have to act normal. I could do that, I’d been pretending to be normal most of my life.

  When I packed as much as I could get away with packing, I went to the kitchen and took out a package of meat that had been thawing in the refrigerator. I sliced the steak thin and pulled out a large iron skillet. I cut up onions and peppers, then added it to the skillet that had just a little bit of oil in it. The mixture sizzled when it met the hot oil. I added a few spices as it cooked, along with a splash of Worcestershire sauce.

  Of course I could act normal. When there was a knock on my door, I wiped my hands on my apron and went to answer it. As soon as I opened the door, Layne studied my face.

  I smiled. “Oh good, I was wondering who I was going to share dinner with tonight. Have you
eaten?”

  “Are you okay?” he asked as he came inside.

  I shut the door. “Of course I’m okay. Like I told you this morning, it doesn’t really surprise me that my father has another family. I think I kind of suspected that, but I just wouldn’t admit that he would walk out on my mother and me. It has been fifteen years since I’ve even seen him. It’s not as if he left yesterday. So yes, I’m okay. Quit worrying about me. Now, I make some of the best fajitas, even though I’m not from Texas.” I watched him, wondering if he was going to accept what I told him.

  He finally said. “I don’t know, I’ve tasted some pretty good fajitas in the past.”

  I didn’t really start relaxing until I knew he was taking me at my word. Why wouldn’t he? Layne was the type of guy who believed most people. It wasn’t that he was gullible. More like he was trusting.

  “I have to confess, the flour tortillas came from the grocery store. They make them fresh, though.”

  “I think I know which ones you’re talking about. It’s the only kind I ever buy. You’re right, they are good.”

  “Would you like a glass of wine? Or beer if you’d rather. I have both. I passed on going out with Zoey and Darby, so I think I’ll call them and see if they’d like to come down. Believe me, I have enough food to feed an army. You would think by now I could cook for one person. Nope, not me.”

  He laughed. Yes, I was the consummate actress. Zoey and Darby were my buffers against Layne. Soon Mike and Tommy joined us. We sat around the table eating, drinking, and laughing. I was right when I said I’d cooked enough to feed an army. By the time we finished, there was nothing left. We all joined in to clean the kitchen, then moved to the living room with our drinks.

  Darby and Mike were the first to leave. Next Tommy and Zoey said their goodbyes. Then it was just me and Layne.

  “You’re right,” he said.

  “About what?”

  “Those were the best fajitas I’ve ever had.”