“Love you, too,” I said, and hung up.
Once I read through the instructions, I felt like it wasn’t going to be that hard and set out to make my own dinner.
* * *
Shadow
“Probee!” my captain bellowed.
I dragged my hands through my hair as I swept it into a tight bun on top of my head, and rushed into the firehouse kitchen. I was a probationary firefighter for the Savannah Fire Department, and I was taking my lumps. Much like when I was as a prospect for the Dogs of Fire Motorcycle Club. I don’t know why I was taking this double barrel of abuse to the face, but I’d found my dreams colliding and I decided I’d take whatever they dished out.
Thankfully, I was now a fully patched member of the club and didn’t have long before I’d earn my stripes as a new firefighter.
“Yes, sir?” I asked, as I walked into the room, and stalled.
I glanced around and found my crew sitting at the large dining table.
“Goddammit, probee, it’s your night to cook, we’re all sitting here starving to death.”
“I’m sorry, Cap, I thought it was Rondle’s night.” I rubbed the back of my neck as my stomach churned. The cardinal sin of any firehouse was to miss a chow shift, and I was exhausted, so it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that I forgot. I was working my twenty-four hour shifts, forty-eight off, but I was coming up on the max I was able to work in a month, which meant I had a week off starting the day after tomorrow. “I must have got my days mixed up. It won’t happen again.”
“You’re goddamn right it’s not going to happen again. ’Cause this is your last screw up as a probee...”
Shit, I couldn’t lose this job.
“...and your first as what I’m sure will be many as a member of SFD.”
The room erupted into cheers as everyone gathered around me, slapping me on my back, then the rescue team walked in, our head EMT Marney, holding a cake complete with sparklers in it, and I grinned. I fuckin’ loved cake.
Rondle handed me a can of whipped cream. “Time to put out your first official fire.”
I laughed and used the can like a fire extinguisher, smothering the fireworks.
“Since tonight is a celebration night, we’ve ordered from Boon’s,” Sarge said, and I grinned.
“I fuckin’ love Boon’s.”
“Yeah, we know,” Rondle said with a laugh, punching my shoulder.
Boon’s was a local, hole in the wall, barbeque joint and it was a favorite among pretty much anyone who loved food.
“Have a seat,” my captain ordered and a plate of ribs was set in front of me.
I rubbed my hands together, lifted a rib to my mouth and took a bite... just as the alarm sounded.
“Engine Twelve, residential fire, 5-1-5 Montgomery Street,” our dispatcher said over the intercom.
Shit. The Bowery could mean multiple apartments could be at risk. We all pushed back from the table and made a run for our boots. We suited up and then it was go-time. I climbed into the truck after Rondle and tried to stamp down the excitement as we hauled ass to the site of the fire.
* * *
Posey
I stood outside my apartment building and covered my face with my hands.
“It’s okay, darlin’,” my elderly neighbor, Sharon, crooned, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
The flashing red lights of the fire truck lit up the exterior brick and a small crowd of residents gathered around me. I was mortified.
“This wasn’t a 9-1-1 level emergency,” I breathed out.
“Your kitchen was on fire, dearheart,” Sharon reminded me.
“I was putting it out!” I cried, my face flaming.
“Better safe than sorry.”
Hailey Calloway waltzed into the crowd and gave me a scowl before turning to her friend and shaking her head. Hailey was twenty-two years old and her father owned the building. He’d given her the top floor apartment, four times the size of mine, and she was the epitome of what you’d call a rich bitch.
“I heard she tried to cook the box,” Hailey said nastily.
I turned away with a quiet groan. I didn’t try to cook the box, the instructions just didn’t mention you were supposed to take the food out of the box before putting it in the oven. I was never going to let my mother try to talk me into anything cooking related again.
“Who’s the resident?” a very severe fireman bellowed.
“Um...” I raised my hand. “I am.”
He walked over to me, another firefighter following. “Ma’am, you have some minor smoke damage to your wall, but nothing structural that I can see. You will need to replace your range, but otherwise, you were very lucky.”
I nodded, my gaze drawn to the young firefighter next to him. He was beautiful, but he was also smirking. Obviously judging me and judging me harshly. I scrunched up my nose and focused back on the man in charge.
“Next time, make sure you don’t cook the box,” he suggested.
“I didn’t mean—never mind. It doesn’t matter,” I grumbled, my face blazing again.
“Everything’s clear, folks. It’s safe to go back to your homes,” the young, ridiculously gorgeous, and Judgy McJudgerson, firefighter called out.
With my head hung down in shame, I escaped to my apartment and closed and locked the door. Just as my phone rang.
“Shit,” I breathed out, then answered the call. “Hi Mr. Calloway.”
“What’s this about a fire?”
“It was a small accident in my kitchen,” I said. “Everything’s fine.”
“Hailey said it was much, much worse.”
“It really wasn’t,” I rushed out.
“Do I need to come down and look at the damage?”
“No,” I stressed. “It’s fine. It’s all fine.”
“Well, I’m going to be in town at the end of month. I’d like to see for myself.”
“I’m fine with that, Mr. Calloway. I’m sorry anyone bothered you.”
“I’ll see you then, Posey.”
“Okay,” I said, and hung up. Then I called my mom.
* * *
“Honey,” Mom spat out on a laugh. “You didn’t really put the box in the oven, did you?”
“Guilty.”
“I really have failed you as a mother.”
“Focus, Mama. I’m going to lose my apartment if I can’t figure out how to fix this damage. I have three weeks to get this kitchen back to status-quo.”
“Isn’t that something your landlord will take care of?”
I frowned. “I’m the one who nearly burned down his building, Mom, he shouldn’t have to take care of it.”
“Okay, okay. Maybe I didn’t raise you all that wrong. At least you take responsibility for your mistakes.”
I rolled my eyes. “I would think that was more important than being able to cook.”
“Well...”
“Okay, okay, you’ve made your point.”
“I’ll give Sterling a call.”
“Who’s Sterling?”
“My friend from high school. He a contractor. He’ll know how to fix it.”
I sighed. “And how much will this cost me?”
“He’ll take care of you, honey. I promise. He won’t rip you off.”
“Okay. Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too, Mama,” I said, and hung up.
I glanced around my kitchen and tried not to cry. A little smoke damage was an understatement and I felt like I might throw up. Instead, I turned off the light and walked out of the room.
* * *
If you like the sneak peek of Fanning the Biker’s Flame, you can order it HERE!
Welcome to the Family
Davenport Family Band
The Guardians Series
Witness
Justice
Spotlight
Dogs of Fire MC Series
Road to Desire
Road to Redemption
Road to Absolution
Road to Passion
Road to Victory
Road to Peace
Road to Forever
Road to Hope
Road to Grace
Road to Freedom
Dogs of Fire Spin-Off Stories
Ryder
Reese
Hatch
Jake
Kissing the Biker’s Boo-Boo
(Children’s Book)
The Davenport Christmas Chronicles
Dogs of Fire MC: Savannah Chapter
Saving the Preacher's Daughter
Stealing the Biker's Heart
Redeeming the Biker's Past
Quieting the Biker’s Rage
Keeping the Biker’s Oath
Hacking the Biker’s Code
Calling the Biker’s Bluff
Fanning the Biker’s Flame
Primal Howlers MC
Primal Howl
Primal Need
Primal Heat
Primal Hunger
Cauld Ane Series
Bound by Blood
Bound by Fire
Bound by Secrets
Bound by Song
Bound by Dreams
Bound by Tears
Bound by Light
Bound by Joy
Bound by Sight
Bound by Fate
Limelight Series
Broken Road
The Road Back
Civil War Brides Series
The Bride Price
The Bride Found
The Bride Spy
The Bride Ransom
The Rebel Bride
The Bride Star
The Bride Pursued
The Bride Accused
The Brides United
Connecting Books
Witness
Justice
Road to Desire
Road to Redemption
Road to Absolution
Road to Passion
Road to Victory
Road to Peace
Spotlight
Ryder
Minus
Road to Forever
Reese
Saving the Preacher's Daughter
Road to Hope
Stealing the Biker's Heart
*Bound by Sight
Clutch
Road to Grace
Hatch
Road to Freedom
Redeeming the Biker's Past
Ropes
Quieting the Biker’s Rage
Sweet Pea
Keeping the Biker’s Oath
Primal Howl
Primal Need
Hacking the Biker’s Code
Primal Heat
Calling the Biker’s Bluff
Primal Hunger
The Davenport Christmas Chronicles
Fanning the Biker’s Flame
Doozer
*Dalton’s book Bound by Sight can be read after Stealing the Biker’s Heart, but I recommend reading Bound by Blood first.
**DUKE is a prequel novella for the Burning Saints (prefer to read after Minus)
***Primal Howl ties in with Keeping the Biker's Oath
Piper Davenport is the alter-ego of New York Times Bestselling Author, Tracey Jane Jackson. She writes from a place of passion and intrigue, combining elements of romance and suspense with strong modern-day heroes and heroines.
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Jack Davenport is a true romantic at heart, but he has a rebel’s soul. His writing is passionate, energetic, and often fueled by his true life, fiery romance with author wife, Piper Davenport. A musician by day, his unique perspective into the world of rock stars provides an exciting backdrop for his new romance series.
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Jack and Piper currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with their two kids.
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The Davenport Christmas Chronicles Page 21