by Gail Haris
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead are entirely coincidental.
© 2021 KB WORLDS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2021 Gail Haris, LLC
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
Published by KB Worlds LLC.
Cover Design by: Tugboat Designs https://www.tugboatdesign.net/
Cover Image by: Jane Ashley Converse, J. Ashley Converse Photography and Images
Model: Austin Loes
Editing by: Elaine York, https://allusionpublishing.com
Proofreading: Amy Briggs, Briggs Consulting, LLC
Formatting by: Allusion Publishing, https://allusionpublishing.com
Published in the United States of America
Introduction
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Everyday Heroes World
Also Written by Gail Haris
Newsletter
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Connect with Gail
Also Written by K. Bromberg
INTRODUCTION
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the Everyday Heroes World!
I’m so excited you’ve picked up this book! Ashes is a book based on the world I created in my USA Today bestselling Everyday Heroes Series. While I may be finished writing this series (for now), various authors have signed on to keep them going. They will be bringing you all-new stories in the world you know while allowing you to revisit the characters you love.
This book is entirely the work of the author who wrote it. While I allowed them to use the world I created and may have assisted in some of the plotting, I took no part in the writing or editing of the story. All praise can be directed their way.
I truly hope you enjoy Ashes. If you’re interested in finding more authors who have written in the KB Worlds, you can visit www.kbworlds.com.
Thank you for supporting the writers in this project and me.
Happy Reading,
K. Bromberg
DEDICATION
To the nurses and the firefighters everywhere—How? How do you do it every single day? You’re amazing! Thank you for risking your lives. Thank you for your sacrifice to not only your physical health, but mental health as well.
Thank you for being there for us around the clock, every single day.
And especially to all those involved in the medical field in the Kennett and Senath area, and to the Kennett and Senath Fire Departments. Thank you! Thank you for showing me what an everyday hero is—it’s you.
Carter
“You wait until I get my hands on you!”
“And just what do you think you’re going to do?”
Oh, I love her sass. I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch alive. God, she’s beautiful. Her red hair reminds me of the flames of a fire, it practically glows. I know as soon as I catch her, those auburn locks will be soft, her porcelain skin will feel smooth, so delicate beneath my hands. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. “Once I get my hands on you, I don’t plan to ever take them off.” I’m going to spend all night with them covering every inch of your body.
I fake going left as Payton squeals and jumps on top of the bed. I quickly climb up and tackle her into the sheets. My heart swells as she giggles, while my hands roam over her petite, perky breasts that are about to slip out of her black lace bra.
“These seem trapped.” My finger outlines the bra. “Being a firefighter, it is my duty to rescue the girls.”
“Are you always working?”
“Always.” I grin. Unfortunately, those words immediately come back to haunt me. My scanner goes off right as I’ve freed the objects of my desire. Quickly I jump up and pull my jeans on over my boxers. Payton huffs and sits up in the bed. “I guess heroes don’t get a day off.”
Trying to lighten the mood, I give her a crooked smile. “I thought you liked me being a hero.”
“My hero,” she pouts. “I get tired of sharing you every night.”
“Afraid that’s not how it works, sweetheart.” I pull my shirt over my head and give her a chaste kiss on the lips. I rush out of the room to grab my shoes and keys. My gear is already in my truck.
“You sure know how to put out a fire, Collins.” She follows me out, sliding her dress up her hips.
“Don’t do this, Payton. There could be someone’s life on the line.”
“And what about your life? Are you not supposed to have a life?”
“Payton, I’m trained for this.”
“No,” she crosses her arms, “your love life.”
I huff as I slide my shoes on. “Is it in danger if I walk out of this house?”
“It just feels like you always put work before us.”
I walk over and kiss her forehead. “You’re the love of my life. You light a fire within me that I don’t think could ever be put out.”
“I love you, Carter.”
“I love you, too.”
“I need you to be with me. Make time for us.”
“I will. You’ll get me for an entire week in two months.”
“That’s our honeymoon! And then after that you’ll go back to being a firefighter first, and a husband second?”
My scanner beeps again. “I have to go. We’ll discuss this more tonight…or it could get late. Tomorrow morning! I’ll pick you up for breakfast!” I call out as I rush out the door.
It was a long night. I’m exhausted and my body aches all over. I showered at the station, but I need to shower again to unwind my tight muscles. I don’t even care about the smoke smell anymore. Shit, I could shower all night and it would still cling to my hair and skin. I think about what Payton had said. It’s late, around ten at night, but I won’t be able to sleep knowing she’s upset with me. Call me whipped, but she’s been the only one for me for the last three years. The only reason we haven’t gotten married yet is because she wanted to finish her teaching degree before tying the knot, which I can understand. She graduates in May and then in July…she’s Mrs. Payton Collins. She wasn’t too crazy about the idea of leaving the big city to move to Sunnyville, California, but I can’t leave. Working here is in my blood. My ol’ man was a firefighter here, and so was my grandfather. The thrill of it, the team, all of it is a part of who I am.
At first, Payton thought my job was exciting. “A firefighter,” she cooed. Of course, she was just a freshman then. She was busy with parties, classes, and her sorority. Plus, she was always on the move…going between college, her family
, and visiting me in Sunnyville. That’s changed as well. Our small town was cute at first. The thought of living here now doesn’t seem to be as appealing for her. Over the years, a lot has changed, but I’m still crazy about her. But I always feel like I’m choosing between my duty as a fiancé and my duty to protect and save the people of the town. It’s truly a fine line I’m walking on and it’s often really hard to navigate.
I met Payton while visiting my brother Warren in San Francisco. We were out at a bar when a bunch of sorority girls walked through the door. There she was. That red hair calling to me like a siren. I felt the same adrenaline seeing her as I do when I see a burning building. Scared. Excited. Knowing this is what I’m meant for. She is who I’m meant for. Warren smacked me on the back of the head.
“Roll your tongue back in your mouth, jackass.”
“Fuck you.” I elbow him in the side as I watch her make her way into the bar.
“Wow. You look like a fucking creeper. Stalking your prey like a total perv, dude.”
“I’m assessing the situation. How I’m going to approach her.”
Warren chuckles. “You’re about to make an ass of this situation. Come on. Let little brother show you how this is done, alright?”
“You’ve moved to the city and got some fancy job pushing papers, so now you think you’re a big shot, huh? How’d you get that ego through the door?”
Warren shrugs and takes a sip of his beer. He nods his head toward the ladies, and I follow him to introduce ourselves. The rest, as they say, is history. That was three years ago, and I’ve been crazy about her every single day since.
I hop out of the shower, get dressed, and rush out the door to my truck. I make the hour-and-a-half drive to San Francisco to visit her at her sorority house. It’s after eleven by the time I get there. I try calling so I don’t wake up the whole house, but no answer. I remember this is a university sorority house, so most likely people are awake. Knocking on the door, I wait for an answer. It’s not even a minute before it swings open to reveal a sexy little number standing before me wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt. She’s quite the beauty, but she’s not the fiery, auburn-haired angel I’m searching for.
“Hey,” she purrs.
“Hi there. Is Payton here?”
“Nope,” she pops the p. “She left but hasn’t come back.”
“It’s after eleven. Have you heard from her? Is she okay?” My body automatically goes on high alert. I may live in a small town, but I’ve seen it all. She could be hurt somewhere.
“Chill. She’s probably studying. Finals are in two weeks, ya know.”
I do know. Payton’s been stressing trying to plan the wedding and stay on top of her classes. This girl is probably right. She’s probably studying. When I get back into my truck, I call her again and leave a message. If she’s in the library, maybe her phone is on silent. I text her as well. Instead of driving back, I call Warren. When he answers he sounds half asleep.
“Did I wake you?”
“Yeah, dick. Some of us have to be at work early in the morning.”
“I do work.”
“I know but you work crazy hours.”
“Sorry that fires don’t stick to a schedule. It’d be great if we knew when they were going to happen so we could schedule our beauty rest and mani/pedis around them and all. Would help us out a lot.”
“What the fuck do you want?”
“I came to see Payton but can’t get a hold of her.”
“Everything all right?”
“Yeah. I just…I feel like shit. I ran out on her again for work.”
“Again?” His accusing tone has my hair standing up.
“Look—there was a call. I wasn’t on duty, but that’s my team. They needed backup. Anyway, she got upset and I came to make it up to her. I think she’s out studying. I hope so, at least.”
“So, you’re calling the legend seeking dating advice?”
“I now regret calling you.”
We both start laughing and I instantly feel better. My phone dings and it’s a text from Payton. She’s heading back to her room.
“There she is. Looks I like I don’t need you after all, little brother.”
“Wait—before you hang up.”
“Yeah?”
“You still need advice?” He doesn’t give me a chance to answer. “Let go. Are you chasing these fires for you or for him?”
I grit my teeth. What the fuck, Warren? I can’t believe he’s going to bring this up now. “I chase fires for them. My team and the people who are trapped.”
“Think if you pull enough people out of burning buildings it’ll make up for the two you didn’t? We get it. You’re a hero now, Carter. You’ve become our old man and more. And still managed to remain somewhat sane. What are you trying to prove?”
“You listen to me, jackass. There’s been plenty of calls where I didn’t pull the bodies out alive. Until you walk through the fire, until you cut open a car and pull it apart like a fucking tin can, until you step in a house and don’t know if there’s a loose wire or the building is going to collapse, or fuck—walk in on a house call and not know what kind of condition the people are in—until then, keep your damn mouth shut. I’m not out chasing glory.”
“No. You’re right. You’re not.” There’s a moment of silence and then he says, “You’re out chasing ghosts. Which is way worse.”
I end the call with my brother. Fuck him. I need to go make things right with my girl. I just finished putting one fire out tonight, but this one, I’m planning to fuel the love burning between Payton and me.
Natalia
“Patient is bleeding out!”
I rush down the ER hallway to assist. A woman has been brought in, and even from a distance I can see the blood on her face, hands, and chest.
“Stab wound. She’s going to need a blood transfusion. Possible head trauma.”
I shift into high gear as I pull on my gloves and begin gathering everything the doctor will need to save this woman’s life. Quickly, another nurse and I begin attaching our patient to a heart monitor. As I begin hooking her to the IV pump, I hear Doctor McEntire yell. “Stab wound on left shoulder. Axillary vein penetrated!”
Then, I hear it. The beep. The flatline. “No!” Doctor McEntire yells. She applies pressure to the wound as she yells demands for a blood transfusion. I watch as her gloved hands become slick with red. It all happened so fast.
We were too late. Another senseless death. I take in the woman’s features, she’s probably younger than my thirty years. I don’t know what possible situation brought her into the ER with these types of wounds, and my heart is breaking, and my mind won’t shut down knowing the outcome isn’t positive. We attempt electric shock. Her body jolts, but the line remains flat. I hear them calling the time of death, and I’m overcome with grief.
As I’m walking out of the building for fresh air, a man is shouting from the lobby. From the sounds of it, he knew the victim and is now blaming the hospital because she’s gone. Our fault? We did everything we could. We always do, but some days it’s just not enough.
I suck in a lungful of fresh air and take a moment to regain my composure. There are still more patients who need my help, so I need to get it together. They deserve one-hundred percent from me, their lives depend on it. Placing a brave face and forced smile, I re-enter the building, and move on to the next patient.
By the time my shift is over, I’m beat. My feet are killing me, my eyes are strained, and my head is throbbing. I walk into my apartment thinking about a nice hot bubble bath surrounded by candles, but cringe when I hear the television blasting a basketball game. When my boyfriend, Randy, looks over the couch, I quickly mask my disappointment with a smile.
“Hey there, my little señorita! I’ve been waiting on you.” He turns back around to focus on the game.
“Hey.” I internally groan at his lame attempt at an accent while pronouncing señorita. It used to come off as playful and cu
te, now it’s not so cute and leans more toward annoying. Maybe I’m just tired. “A stab wound victim was brought in, and all hands were needed. I’m drained.” I place my purse on the counter and slide my shoes off, leaving them next to the door. He makes a noncommittal grunt.
“Did she make it—Oh! Come on!” I stare wide-eyed at the back of his head and wonder at how he can be so nonchalant about whether a person lived or died. I guess you can’t understand until you’ve watched the light leave a person’s body. He is clearly more passionate about whether a man can throw a little ball through a net twenty feet away, rather than a young woman who was murdered in our city.
“No. She didn’t make it. We were too late and couldn’t save her.”
“Where did they bring her from?” I clamp my lips shut at his question. I already know where he’s going to go with this. What does it matter where she was from? She was a woman, a person, and she died far too young. When I don’t answer, he looks back over the couch and raises his eyebrows at me. “Why don’t you let me get you a job at my dad’s hospital? Aren’t you tired of the gang bangers and drug addicts?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Randy groans. “You always say that.”
“I’m going to go shower.”
I hurry to my bedroom and undress, eager to wash this night from me. Instead of my nice, relaxing bubble bath, I’ll settle for a quick shower and early night to bed. It’s not easy witnessing pain, trauma, and death, but not all nights are like this. The nights I get to save a life, bring new life into the world, or simply help ease someone’s pain, make up for nights like I just witnessed.
The hot water eases the tension in my shoulders. I lean my head back as steam fills the room, relishing in the quietness of only the sound of the water hitting the tile. My eyes fall closed in the bliss of finally finding some peace through the stress of today. It’s short lived though, because my mind goes back to the hospital. A few tears fall, because how can I not cry? A life was lost today. It’s not the first time, and won’t be the last—but that doesn’t make it any less of a loss. The shower door opens, and my eyes pop open. Randy gives me a crooked smile as he stands nude before me.