by Geri Foster
But that kiss? He didn’t know who it affected more, her or him. The look on her face when he first pulled away was pure bliss but, then, when he was finally done kissing her, her expression was something else. She’d been studying him while his eyes were closed, her face said as much, but what she saw there troubled her. She looked surprised, sad, and guilty all at once. He’d shown his hand more than he’d meant to so, of course, he put on his best charmer eyes and teased her that he’d kiss her any time she liked. He wasn’t ready for her to see how much she’d hurt him, if he’d ever be ready. He just wanted her back. Wanted to start fresh and put all that pain and misunderstanding behind them.
As the quiet settled around him, he thought of how much he missed her. That kiss had sent him back to being twenty-one again and so crazy in love with her he hadn’t known how he’d ever live without her. And he hadn’t thought he’d ever have to, but life had a way of screwing everything up.
A crazy teenager got in his car and his whole life was turned upside down. The woman he loved changed from a loving, caring individual to an accusing know-it-all. It ate at him that she ever thought he would have cheated on her. Felt like she never knew him at all. And that pissed him off, because he had never done anything to give her cause to distrust him.
Boom! It was over in seconds.
How could that happen?
Over the years, as he got older, he realized just how young they were when they were in love. A love so strong, so big that they just couldn’t handle it. Maybe they weren’t ready for a love like that back then. But he was sure as hell ready now. He just had to convince Olivia that love was worth it because, while he was away, she’d been shown not once, but twice, that that just wasn’t the case.
He let out a breath, leaned forward and opened his eyes. Folding his hands, he allowed them to hang between his knees. Since returning to Rainwater he’d thought of a dozen different scenarios he could try to get her back, but none of them were viable.
He’d just have to tough it out and hope eventually she came to her senses. He chuckled. Maybe give her a few more kisses to point her in the right direction. But, he stretched, right now, he was so tired after moving, he could barely think straight.
Getting up, he was walking toward the fridge when the fire alarm in his house went off. As Chief, an official alarm had been installed in his house and vehicle. When a call went out to the fire station, he got it too.
Guess there really was no rest for the weary.
He ran to his car, giving a quick glance to Olivia’s house to make sure it wasn’t her in trouble, and headed for the station. As he drove, he noticed smoke rising in the West. From the direction it was coming, it had to be at a home. The town, the industrial area and the warehouses were on the other side.
Sirens wailed as he picked up speed. He had an extra coat and a hard hat in his vehicle so he would be ready for action as soon as he came up on the scene.
He pulled to a stop a little way from what he recognized as the Hollins’ house and killed the engine. Angry red flames licked the dark sky. If he remembered correctly, Sam and Amanda were on vacation. Their oldest daughter was due to give birth to their third grandchild any day and they’d flown to Colorado to be there.
Hopefully no one was at home.
The fire engine came around the corner, sirens blazing, and pulled to a stop right outside the house. Beck quickly grabbed the hose and ran for the nearest fire hydrant while others pulled down ladders and axes.
The Hollins’ neighbors gathered, in awe of the blaze. He slipped on his jacket and hard hat and ran toward the action. He began shouting orders while every man did his best to save the house. Since the flames were breaching from the roof, that was probably the origin of the fire.
He shouted for the men to be careful as he and Cody donned oxygen masks and kicked in the front door. Inside, smoke filled the small house, along with the roar of the fire. Neither of them could see any further than a foot in front of them.
“Anyone here?” he shouted. “Call out if you’re in the house.” He felt fairly certain the building was empty, but he didn’t want to assume anything. Not during a fire.
It wasn’t uncommon for a homeless person to learn about an unoccupied house and take up residence. Too many times, he’d see where children were in an abandoned house when a fire broke loose.
They moved methodically, eyes overhead, knowing the ceiling could collapse any second and they’d be trapped. They made it to the back of the house and stepped out the door, removing their masks and taking a deep breath as soon as they were clear.
Water showered them from the front of the house, cooling them off a little.
“I don’t think there will be much left of the house by the time the fire is extinguished,” Cody said. “That’s a helluva thing to come home to.”
“Yeah, but no one is inside. We won’t be carrying out dead bodies. That’s what I care about.”
“You’re right, but old man Hollins is going to be pissed.”
“We have to wait and see what the investigator turns up. We’ll know more after he finishes his report.”
“He’s been notified, but he rarely shows until the next day. Doesn’t like the fire to influence his decision making.”
He shook his wet hair, flinging droplets of water around. “I don’t know how that can make a difference, but it’s his business. Ours is to put out fires and save as many people and as much property as we can.”
“True.” Cody looked up. “I think we’ve got this under control.”
Suddenly, a loud boom sounded and smoke and debris poured out of windows and doors as they blew outward. He brought up his arm to protect his face as debris rained down on him and Cody. “Let’s get out front. This thing isn’t over yet.”
They ran to the front to find the men working diligently to put out the fire. Steven was on the ladder and Beck was manning the hoses. Several volunteer firemen were doing all they could to help as well.
He scanned the on lookers briefly and saw Olivia and her dad standing on the sideline. She had a table set up with water and sandwiches, out of the way, for the men. He thought that very kind. Few people realized how hot and hungry firemen got while fighting a fire.
He walked over to Theo. “We might lose the whole structure.”
“Start in the attic?”
“Appears so. I won’t know until I get the official report.”
“Hollins still in Colorado?”
He nodded. “From what I hear.”
“Good. Glad they didn’t have to see this, but they’re going to be mighty upset when they get the news.”
Olivia handed him a bottle of water and a sandwich. He refused the food but accepted the water and downed the bottle in one gulp. “Thanks,” he said. “I appreciate you doing this.”
“It’s part of the Emergency Coordinator’s job. We get here to help take care of injured victims and see that the firemen have everything they need.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Is everyone okay?” she asked. “No injuries?”
“Nothing that’s been reported, but stay on the scene. We’re not done yet.”
“I’ll be here,” she assured him.
It warmed his heart to hear that, even if she hadn’t meant it the way he wanted her to.
Putting his hat back on, he went back into the house, this time with the hose. The fire had engulfed the second floor and was now tearing across the downstairs. He had no way of assessing the damage with all the smoke, soot and flames, but it didn’t look good.
He fought his way through each bedroom and, when he put his foot on the staircase up to the second floor, the entire ceiling collapsed. He was knocked to his knees and struggled to get up.
A strong hand immediately grabbed him by his bicep and pulled him upright. “Let’s get out of here! This place is gone,” Cody said, helping him out the front door.
He was coughing and fighting to catch his breath when Olivia too
k his hand and led him aside to the aid station where she slapped an oxygen mask on him and gave him another bottle of water.
“Are you hurt anywhere?” she asked, checking him over carefully.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Not so fast there.” She took out the first aid kit and dabbed at his forehead.
He winced. “Ouch, that hurt.”
“You have a cut on your head, but it’s not too serious. I doubt you’ll have to go to the hospital.”
“I’m fine.”
Her eyebrows rose, and she looked at him accusingly. “The ceiling fell on you.”
“Part of the ceiling,” he corrected. “I wasn’t in any danger.”
“Cody had to get you out of there.” She raised her voice. “You do know, as Chief, you don’t have to fight fires. You can stand out here and give orders.”
Confused at her sudden anger, their eyes clashed. “I won’t ask my men to do something I won’t.”
“It’s smart for you to direct things away from the fire,” she reiterated.
“That’s not the way I work.”
“Well, maybe it should be!” she ended on a shout.
Looking her over, he swallowed hard, understanding dawning on him, and took her hand. “Olivia,” he said calmly. “You’re shaking.”
She blinked, then, suddenly stilled.
“I’m fine,” he said in a soft voice. “Nothing happened to me but a little scratch.”
Her shoulders drooped, and she dropped her gaze. “Don’t be a hero, Griff. It can get you killed.”
“I know what I’m doing, Olivia. You, of all people, should know that.”
“Knowing and being able to shove it aside aren’t always the same thing,” she admitted quietly.
He removed his glove and pressed his hand against her cheek. “This is my job. I know it’s dangerous and I accept that.”
She glanced away. “I know.”
He took a step closer and bent to look into her eyes. “Thank you for caring about me.”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish for a moment, but then she straightened her spine and pushed her shoulders back, moving out of his reach. “I’ve always done my fair share of helping the fire station. It’s my job as a medical professional to make sure everyone is okay.”
One side of his mouth tilted up in a smile and he chuckled. “Just keep telling yourself that, Olivia.”
Putting his helmet on, he winked at her and turned to walk back into the fray, a smile on his face.
Chapter 9
Olivia had no idea seeing Griff covered with black water, his face grimy with sweat, and blood dripping down his forehead would affect her so much. It really shouldn't. She had seen it many times before. Many times, it had been her dad.
Yet, seeing Griff like that did something to her heart, nearly shattering it at the mere thought that something could have happened to him. How many firemen had she seen dragged from a burning building half alive, half dead, with cuts, bruises and burns covering their body?
Being a fireman wasn't easy and few could stand up under the weight of constantly putting your life in danger. She’d recognized that very young. Growing up a fireman’s daughter wasn’t always easy. Then, when David went into law enforcement, she worried twice as much.
She watched as the fire was finally extinguished and the men began putting away their equipment before she folded the table and put it in the trunk of her car. As she turned, Griff stood behind her with two cases of water and a bag of ice on top.
“You headed home?” he asked. “Tomorrow morning is going to come really early.”
She chuckled lightly. “Yeah, and I’m due in surgery at seven.”
He nodded. “I’m meeting with the investigator tomorrow at dawn, so I guess we’ll both have a rough day. Be careful driving home.” He turned to leave but stopped in his tracks and faced her again. “By the way, Olivia, try to smooth it over between me and your grandma before she puts a hex on me or something.” He pointed to the left and, following his finger, she saw Grandma Mercy standing in her bathrobe shooting daggers in his direction.
She couldn’t help it, she laughed out loud at the look on her grandma’s face. “No promises, Griff. She has a mind of her own and you know it.”
He chuckled as he walked toward his car. “Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, Olivia.”
“Goodnight.”
She watched him walk away, strong and self-confident. No doubt he’d be heading back to the station to write up the report on the fire. Often firemen had as much paperwork as policemen.
He certainly wouldn’t be needing much guidance from her dad. After tonight, she saw that he was born to do this job. It must run in his blood.
Turning to the door of her car, she saw Ann standing on the sidelines, one arm folded across her waist while she nibbled on the nails of her other hand. Knowing how hard it could be to watch someone you loved putting their life in danger, she walked over to the older woman.
“Hey, Ann. How are you doing? You shouldn’t be out here. It’s dark. Come on and I’ll drive you home.”
“I had to see for myself,” she said, meeting her eyes. “I wanted to know.” She glanced back at the smoldering home. “Now I wish I’d stayed home and minded my own business. I never imagined how easily he put his life in danger.”
“All first responders do, Ann. That’s the way it goes.”
“You watched your dad for years. Didn’t it bother you and your mom?”
“Oh, I can’t tell you how many sleepless hours my mom suffered. When Dad was called out, she didn’t sleep until he walked back in the door. No matter how long it took.”
“And you?”
“David and I were always worried when Dad left, but we realized he loved his job, he was good at it, and he never took unnecessary risks.”
She put her arm around Ann and led her to her car.
“That brings little comfort.”
“I know, but it’s all I have.”
Inside the car, Ann looked at her. “Are you still mad Griff moved in next door?”
She started the car then shook her head. “No, not really. I believe him when he said he didn’t know I would be his neighbor. I really shouldn’t have been so upset in the first place. There’s just a lot going on right now.”
“I’m sure of that. He truly doesn’t want to upset you.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll get used to it.”
“Why did you and Griff break up?” Ann asked, quietly. “What on earth happened?’
Surprised at the sudden question, she shook her head. “I thought I knew something, and it turns out I was wrong. Thinking back on it, I realize it wasn’t all that grave to begin with. I jumped to conclusions and I should’ve believed Griff when he told me the truth and let it go.”
“It sure would’ve made things simpler.”
They drove toward Ann’s house in silence. She didn’t want to rehash her and Griff’s relationship with his mom. She’d never explained to her parents why they’d broken up and she didn’t think Griff had explained it to his either. She certainly had never told Ann all the details. As far as she knew, they all just thought it was mutual. Heartbreaking, but mutual somehow.
She dropped Ann off and drove away. Exhausted, emotionally and physically, she stripped and stepped into the shower the second she got home. The warm water felt good coursing over her body. Even though she’d showered and washed her hair that morning, she did it again because she didn’t want to show up in the OR tomorrow with hair smelling like smoke.
Finished, she wrapped herself in a towel and went to the mirror to comb out her hair. As she pulled the brush through her locks, she looked at the person staring back at her. Really looked at her. She was lonely and sad. There was a void nothing seemed to be able to fill in those hollow eyes and lowered brows.
That emptiness was a woman scorned. Fooled and humiliated by a married man. Left at the altar by a royal jerk and humiliated, again, beyond beli
ef. After Clint, she was sure she’d never marry. Not ever. Especially to another fireman. But with Griff back, she wasn’t so sure about that anymore.
Then she thought of her dad. He was a wonderful, loving man who’d taken care of his family and enjoyed his life. He’d never hurt anyone, especially someone he was supposed to love. She couldn’t imagine her dad doing what Clint had done.
But Clint had done that to her and, to this day, she still struggled to live it down.
* * *
By the time Griff arrived home and pulled into his driveway, all the lights were out in Olivia’s place. He’d expected them to be. After all, it was past two in the morning. She was due at work in a few hours.
So was he. Getting out of his Camaro, he groaned.
He’d showered at the station and put on clean clothes before sitting down to write up the report about tonight’s fire. By all outward appearances, the Hollins’ home was a complete loss. There wasn’t anything salvageable. After the roof collapsed, it was pretty much done for.
Lucas, David and Austin had shown up at the scene to offer help, but there wasn’t anything they could do. The Hollins’ oldest son had called his parents and they were very upset and anxious to know what had caused the fire. He’d get in touch with them later, after the examiner checked out the place and he knew more and was at liberty to discuss exactly what happened. Were he to guess, he’d go with electrical wiring in the attic, but all that could be deceiving.
Inside, he headed directly for bed. He didn’t even turn on the lights. He was too tired. In his bedroom, he set his phone alarm and fell across the bed.
He woke a few hours later to the sound of Olivia’s garage opening, quickly followed by his alarm going off. He got up and brushed his teeth, washed his face and combed his hair. He’d grab coffee on the way to the station.