“Hello?” she asked, not recognizing the number.
“Lock your door.” Nate’s deep baritone curled around her like a warm, comfortable blanket.
“I already did.”
“You don’t know how good you looked standing in the doorway watching me leave.”
Mary laughed in spite of the sickening feeling growing inside her. Her hair was a tangled, damp mess and her oversized nightshirt clung to the perspiration drying on her body. “I look like shit, but thanks.”
“No, you don’t.” He sounded amused. “You look very well fucked. And I made you look that way. I’m rather proud of my work.”
“I’m rather proud of your work, too.” She leaned on the counter, resting her chin on her hand, and drew invisible circles with her finger as she listened to him breathing on the other end of the line. “It was wonderful, Nate,” she admitted.
“Do you want me to come back tonight?”
His question lifted the churning in her gut, although the trepidation still hung heavily inside her. “I would love that.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be out.”
“I know.” It crossed her mind to call Patty. She would have taken the initial call before dispatching it and might know more details than what Mary already knew. “I’m sorry you didn’t get a shower before you left.”
Nate snorted. “I’ll be ten times as dirty when I’m done.”
“It sounds like one hell of a fire.”
“I can see the smoke already and it’s dark.”
The trepidation grew to fear. “Please be careful.”
“This is what I do, Mary.” Something changed in his tone.
Mary understood. Firefighters needed women by their side who were as strong as they were. Their work was incredibly dangerous, possibly the most dangerous of all emergency jobs. They walked into the blaze, confronted the flames, and were very well trained to do so. Her thoughts lingered to John and a sick feeling rose to her throat.
“Even the best-trained firefighters risk danger,” she whispered.
“Yes, we do.”
She sighed. “I know you’ll be careful.”
“I always am. It can be a very dangerous job, sweetheart.”
Something in his tone lingered between them. He was pulling back, unsure. Mary was, too. Entering into a relationship with Nate was what she’d always wanted. Why had she never given thought to the worry and panic she would endure every time there was a fire. Her life was good, busy, and fulfilling. She had her own home. She did well at her job. Her place in the town was secure and she was well liked.
But then, so was Nate, on all the same aspects. No one would cringe or bat an eye if they suddenly announced they were a couple. The fear existed only between Nate and her. As they’d made love she’d seen into his eyes. They had never been darker or deeper. And while he and Mary had fucked, taking each other in so many different positions, learning every intimate detail about each other, she hadn’t doubted the feelings between them.
It was normal to have doubt afterward, right?
“I know how dangerous your job is. I dispatch the calls to you, remember?” She hoped her tone sounded light. Then deciding changing the subject might be a good idea, she added, “I’m trying to remember if I know anyone who lives alongside the grade school.”
Meredith Curve had one grade school and one high school. Their town was small but strong in community. It wouldn’t surprise her if quite a few volunteers showed up to help put out the fire.
The sound of Nate’s car engine faded in the background as a car door opened and closed. He sounded winded, as if he was sprinting to his apartment, then hurrying around inside gathering his clothes.
“They’re all families with kids.” Nate didn’t elaborate or comment on whether he knew anyone over there by the school.
Maybe he didn’t focus on whose house it was or who might be in serious danger but simply focused on the fire. “I wonder how the school exploded. That doesn’t sound right.”
“I don’t know.”
“If it was a bomb, or intentionally started by someone, it could be a fire burning with chemicals.” She knew a bit about the different types of fires and different methods used to put them out.
“I’ll find out when I get there.” He grunted, mumbled something about her holding on a second; then there were background sounds, probably as he changed into uniform. “I’m heading back out now,” he informed her a minute later.
Mary continued leaning against her counter, tapping her finger against her lips. “Would you know if there was going to be another explosion?”
“I’m backup on this. I won’t know anything until Holden briefs me.”
Mike Holden had always been a creep. He thought he was God’s gift to all women and more than once had asked Mary out, refusing to accept she wouldn’t be interested in dating a man like him. Just the thought of Nate’s life being in that jerk’s hands turned her stomach even more.
“Is he a good firefighter?” she asked.
“Seems to be.” Nate didn’t elaborate, and once again she heard his car engine gun to life.
Mary was bothering him. Nate couldn’t think about her right now and focus on his work. It was imperative he do his job perfectly, not just for his safety but also to protect all others in danger from the fire.
“I guess I should let you go. Please be safe.”
“Mary, this is what I do.”
“I know that, Nate. Just promise you won’t try and be a hero.”
“Yup.”
She’d lost him, for now. Nate was in firefighter mode. Her father and grandfather were firemen and Mary understood when they put everything out of their heads other than dealing with the crisis at hand.
There wasn’t any way she could soak in a long, hot bath and she didn’t have an appetite at all. Mary opted for a quick, steamy shower, then got dressed afterward and pulled her hair back into a ponytail at her nape. Pacing the house all night wouldn’t do her any good. Mary knew her town and she knew her people. In a crisis situation everyone got out and helped. Granted, they would have to stay back while the firefighters did their job. But as soon as people were rendered homeless, someone in town was right there to take them in, make sure they had clothes and food, and see to all their needs.
Her man was fighting this fire. Mary didn’t want to stay home and wait for him to return. Mary’s mother hadn’t paced a path into the living room floor. When Mary’s dad was called out on a really bad fire, Mary stayed home alone, safe and sound, while her mother went out with her man, standing by if he needed her and there the moment he was out of danger. Mary would do the same.
Nate parked his car two blocks away. Heading down the street toward the fire, he breathed in thick black smoke that grew eye-watering dangerous before he’d neared the scene. Holden held a two-way as he stood beside the larger of their firehouse’s two trucks. Already Nate saw the fire had damn near surpassed their equipment’s ability to put it out. With the right skills and a bit of luck, they possibly would be able to control it so it wouldn’t spread farther. Nate scanned the two houses next to the school. The house closer to the school yard was already on fire. Smoke billowed out of windows of the second house. They needed to drench that house to prevent spreading.
Campbell was on the other truck, bellowing orders as he gestured wildly and held a cell phone to one ear and a two-way to his other. Nate bypassed Holden and headed over to Campbell.
“We’ve got one hell of a goddamn mess. That’s what we got!” Campbell yelled into his phone. “Hell yes, I’m running this show. We’ve got backup here.” Campbell turned his head when Nate approached. “Armstrong is here now. You hold out a bit longer and we’ll send in reinforcements. Keep your head straight.”
Nate glanced over his shoulder at Mike Holden and understood. Holden ran the night shift. Nate had guessed he’d show up and take orders from Holden, which didn’t appeal to him. The guy was a prick. But Nate knew how to follo
w the chain of command. His personal feelings didn’t get in the way with dealing with a fire. All the way here he’d lectured himself about following Holden’s command and to not think about Mary.
But Holden wasn’t running this show. Campbell had shown up, which forced Holden to step down. So how was Holden handling it? He was standing over by his truck and sulking, instead of jumping into the pits of hell and bringing the fire under control. Nate shook his head and returned his attention to Campbell as he moved closer to hear what the older man wanted him to do.
Campbell looked at Nate as he moved closer but didn’t hang up his cell phone until Nate stood in front of him.
“You look worn-out,” Campbell snapped, giving Nate a quick once-over before returning his attention to the fire.
“I’m good. Where do you want me?”
Campbell glanced at Nate again but pulled out his two-way when it began chirping, and listened to the broken comments in between bouts of eruptive static.
“I think we’ve got the school stable for now.” Campbell spoke to Nate but kept his attention on the two houses.
Nate had known Fire Chief Campbell since his father and Mary’s father were volunteer firemen on this force. The man was better at paying attention to two or more situations than anyone else Nate had ever known.
“Who is in the first house?” Nate asked, stepping closer to Campbell.
“Rivers and Montgomery.”
“You’ve got two probies bringing that fire under control?” Nate complained, ignoring the tilt of Campbell’s eyebrow as he shot Nate a side-glance. “I’m going in, make sure they’ve got everything under control.”
“You’ll stand by.” Campbell didn’t bark his order. He spoke calmly and with the cool authority of someone who already knew he was respected and that no one would dare challenge his decision.
Nate stared at the dark, ominous windowpanes on the first floor of the house. They reminded him of black eyes, of a soulless creature who was burned alive inside. A creature all too capable of taking human life without blinking an eye, and contemplating whether or not to do just that. It suddenly looked just like the old house on Maple, which was now an empty lot. It was gone and so was John.
They wouldn’t lose another firefighter tonight.
“Chief, I’m fine,” Nate stressed, moving closer to the older man. He could ignore Campbell’s order to stand by and march into the house and take over. Rivers and Montgomery were both in their early twenties, and although Nate had never worked with them before since they worked the opposite shift, both men would respect his rank and follow his instruction. Nate respected the chief too much, though, to go against his orders. “I’ve got this one. I promise. Let me go in.”
“Armstrong,” Campbell said, giving Nate his full attention. “You’ve just come off shift. Two reliable witnesses reported your car has been parked at Mary Hamilton’s house. I’m guessing you haven’t slept in a good twenty-four hours.”
Nate looked at Campbell. Word was already around town that he’d been at Mary’s?
“I’m fine,” he stressed.
Campbell didn’t say anything but looked past Nate. He followed the chief’s gaze and squinted at the two vehicles coming down the street, their bright paint jobs visible even through the smoke as they drove along the school yard and parked on the street a block away when they couldn’t get any closer.
“Well hell,” Campbell muttered.
It was no secret the chief hated dealing with the press. Something collapsed inside the house and Nate jumped. Campbell cursed and started yelling into his two-way radio. Nate studied the structure, ignoring the reporters who were probably running around the school, anxious to get the latest story and report it to everyone in Meredith Curve who wasn’t already there.
Nate glanced over his shoulder, staring at all the people lining the edge of the school yard and standing silently in the night, watching and waiting for whatever might break into flames next. His father used to tell him people loved drama. Even something as horrific and deadly as a fire, where people might die and those who lived scarred forever, sometimes homeless, and too often robbed or irreplaceable personal items that meant so much only to them. There were those who would stand around and gawk, utter their words of sympathy, while others returned to their safe and comfortable homes to make a casserole. All these people had one thing in common: They all believed the firefighters on the scene would soon have the fire out.
Nate thought of John and wondered if he might be nearby, waiting, watching to make sure everyone would be okay. There wasn’t any doubt in Nate’s mind John wouldn’t want any deaths.
“I’m going in,” Nate decided, turning to the truck to pull off necessary supplies.
Campbell was barking into his two-way, but Nate knew the chief heard him. Nate could have whispered his intention to disobey a direct order and Campbell would hear it.
Nate pulled out a helmet, tested the radio inside, then strapped it to his head. He flipped on the speaker, fully ready for Campbell to start yelling at him. When Nate was ready, he marched past Campbell, then broke into a run and entered the house.
“Rivers is in the far back bedroom on the left side of the hall.” Campbell wasn’t yelling. He quietly explained to Nate where the other men were. “Montgomery should be visible.”
“Negative,” Nate said, squinting and flipping the switch to the large flashlight he’d carried in with him. “Montgomery!” he yelled through the thick, rolling smoke. “Chief!” he continued yelling. “That sound we heard was the ceiling falling in on the right front corner of the living room.”
A spew of profanity filled Nate’s head. Campbell was known for his colorful words. Nate let the man rant without trying to communicate; instead he searched the living room, scanning it with the beam of his flashlight.
“Montgomery!” he yelled again, running the circular beam over the ceiling.
Drywall hung in torn clumps and long wooden beams had split, their splintered black ends looking like bones protruding out of a deadly wound. The house was going to collapse, just as the one he’d been in last month had done. Montgomery wouldn’t go with it, though.
“Don’t worry, John,” Nate whispered.
His thoughts went to Mary as he repeated his scan over the fallen ceiling, this time training the beam on the floor and squatting, his breathing coming hard and rough in his mask. He’d heard the tension in her voice over the phone. Her father and grandfather had both worked for the volunteer fire department. Mary knew the dangers involved in his line of work. Knowing and living with it firsthand were two very different things, though. She wanted him. Their feelings had evolved way past those of casual friends during the first couple of times they’d made love. That didn’t mean Mary would be able to carry through with her emotions knowing Nate’s life would be put in danger occasionally, when fires like this broke out.
An incredibly loud crackling sound split through the air. Nate ducked to the ground, rolling to his side as his hands went to protect his head. Another beam split through the ceiling, this time in the hallway.
“Campbell!” he yelled into his mouthpiece. “Get Rivers out of here, now! Secure the other house. I’ll find Montgomery.”
“Armstrong!” Campbell bellowed.
“Do it!” Nate yelled, staring hard at the new beam, which was now on the floor.
The smoke around him was damn near black as coal. Seeing through it was hard to do. As he rolled again, tender muscles in his legs from an evening that had started out so perfectly screamed in protest when he sprang to his feet. In the next moment, he broke out the front window, giving the smoke an outlet.
“Montgomery? Can you hear me? It’s Armstrong. I’m getting you out of here, so hang tight.” He should be able to see the man if he was in the living room. Smoke rolled out of the window, but it was still damn hard to see.
“Nate, I’m giving you five minutes; then we’re pulling you out of there.” Campbell sounded oddly calm. “God
might be on your side, though. It’s pouring again.”
Nate glanced at the broken window. Through slow rolling black smoke, he couldn’t tell if it was raining outside or not. “Thanks, John,” he whispered.
“What was that?” Campbell asked.
“Someone’s on our side,” Nate said, returning his attention to the room as he started crawling through the fallen beams and Sheetrock. Nate reached inside his helmet, breathing in a gulpful of nauseating smoke. He coughed until his eyes burned and watered, but managed to flip off his microphone. “Okay, John,” he whispered, adjusting his helmet after his coughing fit subsided. “Where’s Montgomery? Do you see him?”
Nate grabbed one of the beams and pulled it off another beam. More smoke wrapped around him, and the temperature in the room reached dangerous levels. He swore his uniform started melting to his skin. His muscles burned throughout his entire body, which kept Mary on his mind. Had she gone to bed? Was she waiting up for him? Or had she decided falling in love with a firefighter wasn’t what she’d thought it would be? It sucked they hadn’t been able to spend more time together, bond, and establish a relationship with roots deep enough that a fire like this wouldn’t destroy them. He planned on building that foundation right away.
One night of lovemaking, followed by one of the worst fires he’d ever endured, for the second time in just over a month, wasn’t enough time to secure him in her heart. Mary might easily decide he wasn’t worth the pain and fear of losing him. He would return to her house when this was over. He made that decision and it encouraged him to dig deeper, tossing drywall and broken beams out of the way as he searched for Montgomery.
“A boot!” he yelled. “John! We found him!”
Nate started laughing, which spurred on another coughing fit. Frantically scraping debris off the downed firefighter, he finally had everything cleared off Montgomery and yanked off his glove to search for a pulse.
“He’s alive!” Nate hurried to turn on his mic and got an earful immediately from Campbell, who’d apparently been screaming at him ever since he’d turned it off.
Feel the Heat Page 8