by Geri Foster
He closed his eyes for a second, absorbing those three words, then pushed it aside for later. For now, they needed to get to Theo’s house, stat.
He hung up when he hit the city limits of Rainwater. Still driving as fast as he safely could, he turned the corner in time to see the fire truck pulling up outside Theo’s place. The house was already engulfed in flames.
He parked across the road and jumped out of the car. David and Lucas were already there helping with the hoses. He shouted as he put the oxygen mask on his forehead and slipped into his coat. “Anyone inside?”
“We don’t know yet.”
He motioned for Cody. “Let’s go in.”
He lowered his mask and they moved toward the door. It was locked, and they had to use an ax to get in as quickly as possible. Once the way was clear, he called out, “Theo, you in here? Is anyone in here?”
No reply.
He and Cody moved deeper into the burning blaze. Heat climbed up his back and totally surrounded him, but he kept going. Smoke almost immediately made it impossible for him to see, but he remembered the house well.
“Cody, check upstairs.” He turned and watched the fireman taking the stairs two at a time until he was out of sight. Scanning the ceiling, he held his breath. Since they had no idea where the fire had started, there was the chance the upper floor had already been compromised and could collapse on top of him.
Burning wood crackled and popped as he moved through the bottom floor. A window exploded and flames nearly burned his eyes as he struggled to see where he was going. He’d cleared the living room, the den, and the dining room. Fighting to get to the kitchen, he recognized the back door straight ahead.
“The upstairs is clear,” Cody said through the headphones. “I’m heading out the front door.”
“I’m at the kitchen now and will exit through the back.”
Just as he crossed into the kitchen the cabinets burst off the wall and slammed against him, pinning him to the opposite counter and crimping the oxygen hose strapped on his back. He struggled to stay on his feet as flames licked the floor.
Heaving with all his strength, he shoved at the heavy wood, barely able to budge the weight. He couldn’t get a full breath because the cabinets had caught him across the chest and no oxygen flowed through his hose.
Gritting his teeth, he heaved again.
“Griff, Griff, where are you? We’re at the back door and you’re not here,” Cody called over the mic.
“I’m trapped in the kitchen,” he wheezed. Taking his ax, he wedged the handle between himself and the cabinets and shoved. They slid down his legs as Cody and Beck burst through the back door.
“I’m over here,” he called out, panting. “Next to the fridge and stove.”
Before he knew it, Cody had one of his arms and Beck the other. They carried him out of the house, his boots dragging through the debris.
Outside, he dropped to the ground and yanked off his mask, coughing. Feeling someone drop quickly to his side, he opened his eyes and saw Olivia on her knees, bending over his prone body.
“Are you okay?” she asked, holding his head. Looking up, she shouted, “Bring the oxygen!” Wiping his face, she leaned down. “Are you okay? Can you sit up?”
Before he could answer, an oxygen mask was pressed across his face and he closed his eyes, breathing deeply.
Chapter 13
Olivia’s heart beat sluggishly, making it hard for her to think straight. Not only was the house she grew up in burning to the ground, but the man she cared about laid on the ground struggling to breathe. She glanced up just as her brother hurried over with his arm around their dad.
“Dad? When did you get here? You weren’t inside were you? Are you okay?” The thought of what could have happened almost gave her a heart attack on the spot.
“He’s okay. He and Buck were on their way back when he heard about the fire. Second he got here he jumped into the fray, but his oxygen cylinder malfunctioned.”
Looking at her dad, he was just standing there, staring up at the burning blaze. “That’s everything I own.”
Her heart broke at the lost look on his face. Her strong, immutable father was shaken to the core.
David squeezed his shoulders. “You’re alive. That’s all that matters to us.”
Griff lifted up to balance on his elbows and she put her arm behind his back to assist. “I’m sorry about your house, Theo. We got here as soon as we could but it went up so fast.”
“Hard to believe how fast life changes,” her dad murmured. “Your mother is turning over in her grave.”
She helped Griff to his feet with Lucas’ help, then, went to her dad, clasping his arm. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll stay with me until we get the situation under control.”
“I only have the clothes on my back. It looks like even my pickup is gone.”
“We can replace most of your belongings, Dad.”
“I know how the drill goes, Olivia.” He started to get flustered. “I just guess I never imagined this could happen to me.” He glanced at Griff, who stood guzzling a bottle of cold water. “Do you think this is arson, too?”
Griff shook his head. “I don’t know. When I was in the house, finding you was my only concern. I didn’t care about anything else.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done, Griff. I know the men from the station did their best. It’s just a shame.”
“It is,” Griff said. “But, I swear, I’m going to find out who did this.” He turned and stomped away to help the men clean up.
A little while later, with her dad settled and David looking after him, she went to find Griff. When she found him, he was on his phone. She assumed he’d once again called Goldman. Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned to give him some privacy.
Limbs shaking, she looked at the damage that lay out before her and barely held back a scream. She couldn’t believe her dad’s home was gone and how easily he could’ve been inside. She came close to losing him. What if he’d changed his mind and stayed home?
She shuddered at the thought. As if sensing her distress, her brother walked over and put his arm around her. “Don’t freak out. Dad’s okay. He wasn’t home.”
“But he could’ve been. What if the arsonist doesn’t care about people being home and it’s just been a coincidence that the last two homes were empty? If Dad had overslept, or decided not to go this morning... He very well could have been in his recliner taking a nap when the arsonist came by and he wouldn’t have noticed a thing until it was too late.” She buried her face in David’s chest. “They might’ve killed him.”
“Let’s get him settled at your house while Griff does his job. He’ll find out if this was deliberately set. If so, I’m going to be really pissed at the son of a bitch who destroyed our childhood home.”
“I am too.”
Griff strolled over as the fire truck rolled away. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe anyone would target your dad’s home.”
She crossed her arms. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“Arson isn’t usually a crime with a good reason. They’re just crazy people who like to set fires.”
She nodded silently. “Let’s load up my stuff. I want to get Dad away from here. This is too sad for him to deal with right now.”
“Sure,” Griff said. “I’ll help you.”
They quickly stored the items in her trunk and she slammed it shut as David walked their dad around to the passenger side of her car.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Listen, you know I have a bunch of food at my house. Why don’t I bring something over for you two tonight so you don’t have to worry about cooking?” Griff offered.
She shook her head, laughing despite the stress. “You’re working really hard to get rid of all those casseroles.”
He smiled. “Well, to be honest, I hoped I’d be invited to join you.”
“Sure,” she said. “Come over whenever you want. We’ll be there.�
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* * *
Back at the station, Griff asked where Kelley was, since he hadn’t seen him at the fire.
Beck answered. “It’s his day off.”
“That’s no excuse for not showing up at a fire. Our crew is so small, we need everyone on the scene.”
“He lives closer to Denton.” Beck averted his gaze. “Sometimes he just doesn’t bother.”
He put his hands on his hip. “Are you saying he didn’t know that Theo Anderson’s house was burning?”
“No,” Cody said. “I called him personally. He said he’d try to show.”
“By God, I need a hell of a lot more from him than a flippant answer like that.”
Just as he went into his office, Kelley waltzed into the station, his face a mask of indifference. Anger boiling over, he switched directions and confronted the man directly. “Why weren’t you at the fire? We needed all hands on deck.”
“I was at the dentist. I couldn’t very well jump out of the chair and run here to fight a fire, could I?”
“The hell you couldn’t. You have an obligation to be at every fire. We all do.”
Kelley stepped closer, challenging him. “Well, I wasn’t available.” He turned and went into the living room area and dropped into a nearby recliner.
Jaw ticking, he followed, stopping in front of him “You’re on mandatory leave for ten days. Get your shit and leave.”
Kelley sat up and grabbed the arms of the chair. “You’re crazy, you can’t do that.”
“I just did. I need every fireman I have, but if these men and I can’t count on you, you’re useless to us. Go home. I don’t want to see your face during your suspension.”
“I’ll take this up with the Council,” Kelley threatened before glancing at the other men. Waving his arm out, he shouted, “You can’t come in here and treat us like a piece of garbage! We won’t take it.”
He watched as the other men moved away from Kelley and sat at the kitchen table, clearly not on board with what he was saying. Turning to Kelley, he said, “Do whatever the hell you want. But for now, you’re on suspension.”
Kelley jumped to his feet, his eyes narrowing when he noticed none of the men stood behind him. Grumbling under his breath, he grabbed his ballcap, yanked it on and stormed out.
Griff let out a tense breath. Dropping his head where he stood in the middle of the living room, he second-guessed his decision. Glancing into the kitchen, every man nodded in unison. He’d done the right thing in their opinion. Nodding once, he returned their show of strength, straightening to his full height, and went back to his office.
When the day was finally over, he couldn’t wait to get home for a shower. Lately, it seemed he spent most of his day wishing to be beneath the calming spray of water. When he’d accepted the job in Rainwater, he’d expected the assignment to be a piece of cake.
Was he ever wrong.
After getting dressed, he went into the kitchen and took out two foil-covered dishes, grabbed a container of cornbread and headed for Olivia’s house. Balancing the items in his hands, he rang the bell with his elbow and waited.
Theo answered the door, looking more distraught than earlier. He felt horrible and he didn’t know how to make it better. How could a man lose everything so quickly? As a fireman he knew it happened all the time, but it’d never hit this close to home before.
Theo relieved him of the casseroles and walked to the kitchen.
Before he took a step to enter, Olivia met him at the door and tried to smile. “He’s having a hard time coming to grips with the loss of his home.”
“I can’t even imagine what he must be feeling. I hate it happened, Olivia. Believe me when I say that.”
She took his arm and walked him into the house. “I know, Griff. You did everything you could and so did the other firemen. It just wasn’t meant to be saved.”
The doorbell rang suddenly, and she looked at him. “I wonder who that can be?”
They both looked at the security screen and his brow wrinkled. “Mom?”
Olivia ran to open the door. “Good evening, Ann. I’m glad you stopped by. We’re having casseroles for dinner. Won’t you join us?”
His mom held out a covered pineapple upside down cake. “I brought this for Theo. I know it’s his favorite. Your mother used to make them for him all the time. Mine aren’t as good.” She winked. “But neither is his memory.”
They all went to the table and Theo seemed glad to see his mom. When she mentioned her cake, his eyes lit up. “I haven’t had one of those in a long time.”
“I thought it might help you feel better.”
“I’m sure it will.” His mouth lifted up in one corner. A small smile, but better than nothing.
The casseroles turned out to be a big bowl of beans and a platter of barbecue brisket. With the cornbread it made for a pretty decent meal. Besides, he hadn’t eaten all day and was close to starving, an all too common occurrence these days.
Everyone ate hardily, including Theo. They kept up the comfortable chatter at the table so he didn’t have time to dwell on losing his home.
When they finished, Olivia made a pot of coffee and sliced the cake. It was delicious and one of his favorites, too.
“Well,” his mom said, wiping her hands on a dish towel and putting it aside. “The meal was delicious, the conversation enjoyable, and the dishes are done. I think it’s time I went home.”
“I’ll walk you out, Mom,” he put out his arm to help her.
“No, no. I need some fresh air. I’ll walk Ann home,” Theo insisted.
“I’d love that,” his mom replied. Reaching up, she kissed his cheek and told him, “Call me tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Theo opened the door and waved for Ann to go out before him, then shut it behind them. Olivia and he were officially alone.
“That was rough,” she said. “Poor Dad. He seems so lost.”
“Can’t blame him for that. What a tragedy.”
The doorbell sounded again, and Olivia chuckled. “Does it seem like Grand Central Station to you or is it just me?”
“I’m not sure. It’s probably just your dad.”
“Always forgetting things. Forget some—“ She opened the door and gasped. “What are you doing here, Clint?”
Brows lowered, he looked around Olivia and for the first time saw the man who’d ruined her life. He was as tall as him, but darker, with black eyes and hair.
“I heard your dad’s house caught on fire and thought I’d drop by and give my condolences.” Though his words were kind, the smirk on Clint’s face said otherwise. Noticing he was there, he leaned around Olivia and gave him a once over. “You must be the new Fire Chief.”
“I am,” he replied, shoving his fingers into his back pockets so the bastard would get the hint he had no intentions of shaking hands with him. “You’re sorry. She accepts that. Now, leave.”
Clint leaned back on his heels and chuckled. “Is that right? I think that’s up to Olivia.” Gazing into her eyes, Clint gave her quite the dazzling smile.
Swallowing forcibly, he hoped his supper stayed down.
“Griff’s right,” Olivia said, and his head whipped to her. He couldn’t help the crooked smile that crossed his face. Seeing Clint, he wasn’t sure what her reaction would be. That she wasn’t budging an inch was a great sign for their growing relationship. “Leave now before my dad returns. He’s not going to want to see you and neither do I.”
He stood a little taller and, with an arrogant smirk, reached around her and slammed the door in Butler’s face.
Olivia backed up and leaned against his chest. “That was a shock.”
“It was the last thing I was expecting.” Rubbing her shoulders, he shook his head. “The nerve of the guy, showing up at your house like that.”
“I’m surprised he’s back in town. And how did he find out about my dad’s place and know he was here?”
“Small town, word gets arou
nd fast. He probably had no idea Theo would be here. He was just using it as an excuse to come over.” She turned in his arms and looked into his face, biting her lip.
“I wonder how long he’s been hanging around. And where is Rhonda, his wife?”
“Who knows? I’m sure she wouldn’t like that he came over though.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
He laughed and hugged her to him. “Let’s hope he doesn’t come back. Next time, be sure to check the security camera. If he shows up again, call me and don’t open the door.”
“I’m going to let David know he’s around, too. I thought he was going to take off his gun and badge and beat Clint senseless after what he did to me. I don’t want him losing it if Clint shows up out of the blue.”
“That’s wise.”
She squinted her eyes. “What’s that look?”
Feigning innocence, he shrugged. “What look?”
“The one that says you think it’s funny David wanted to go after Clint and you wish you’d been there to see it?”
Looking her dead in the eye, he said sincerely, “He should’ve. That’s a despicable thing to pull the night before you’re planning to marry someone else. I’m happy he wanted to take up for you. And if I had been here? It wouldn’t have been just a threat.”
She gazed up at him, reading him. For his part, he held her eyes, letting all his love and protection shine through. “I’m glad I found out before I married him,” she said softly, but firmly. “Just think how miserable my life would’ve been with him.”
“I’m sorry it happened to you but, and it might make me a jerk for saying this, but I’m glad that it means there is a second chance for us.”
“Me, too,” she offered, just as quietly, but confidently.
For the longest time he stared at her, his gray eyes soaking up her beautiful face. Then, he leaned down slowly, his eyes still open, and kissed her. Their lips touched in a languid and sexy caress that, if he had his way, would go on forever. He didn’t want to hurry this.
Her arms came up and wrapped around him, slowly stroking his back. He angled his head, kissing her passionately and intensely. The light touch of her fingers excited him in an explosive way, and he encouraged her to join him on this journey of love and tenderness as he wrapped her up in his arms as well.