Chasing the Fire (Backdraft, Fully Involved, Flashover) (19 page)

Stacey grinned. “We managed.”

Huh. “We?”

“Yeah, Jimmy Curtis came with me.”

Shit, was she dating a firefighter? Well,
maybe that could stop this stupid attraction he felt in her
company.

“Do you know him, Nick? He works at House
3.”

“Yeah, I pretty much know all the
firefighters in town.”

“He’s a great guy.”

Damn it, he had to ask. “So, is it
uncomfortable dating your husband’s best friend?”

She laughed again. “We’re not dating. We’re
friends.”

Friends with benefits? But, thankfully, he
didn’t blurt out that question. He was having trouble controlling
his words, his thoughts around her. For a man who kept strict rein
over his emotions, his lack of willpower was disconcerting. “Sure
you don’t want a ride to your car?

“Nah, I feel like a slow easy jog.” Dropping
her backpack on a patch of green grass and raising her arms, she
stretched by arching her back. The action revealed a small patch of
skin on her tummy. “Man, I’m tight. I really need exercise.”

Nick swallowed hard. The pose wasn’t
suggestive, but he experienced the sharp zing of desire. So he
said, “Mind if I join you. I can jog there and back and get in my
exercise today, too.”

“Sure.” Her eyes narrowed. “Think you can you
keep up with me?”

“I’ll try real hard.” He looked to the
ground. “Want me to carry the backpack?”

“What, and give you an excuse for why I beat
you? No way.”

Nick changed into sneakers he kept in the
car. Luckily he’d worn loose jeans and he shucked his jacket before
he locked the trunk. They started down the hill at a slow pace. “I
like fall,” he said.

“Me, too. The air is warm still, with a hint
of cool air. And hear those birds. Love that.” She smiled. “I was
married in October.”

“I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

“No, no, fall is great for me. I’ve learned
to live with only good memories.”

“Man, give me some of that fairy dust.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

“You aren’t an optimist. You see the glass
half empty.”

“I see the glass broken most of the time.”
Fuck, he hadn’t meant to say that.

She stopped jogging. Her pretty eyes were
filled with concern. “I’m sorry. Does this have to do with your
sister? With why you work at the shelter?”

Jesus, was she psychic? “Nah. All
firefighters know the dangers that lurk everywhere.”

Her brow furrowed and her nose was slightly
pink from the sun. “Jess didn’t think that way.”

“I’m sure he was a better man than me.” He
nodded up the road. “Race you to the crosswalk, Stacey.”

“What…?”

But he’d already taken off. He was mad as
hell at himself for blurting out his feelings to her. He needed to
be more careful around this woman. It was okay to be attracted to
her—hell, he couldn’t help that—but no way was he going to confide
in her or any other human being. He was right before. He should be
staying away from her and find some other woman as jaded and
pessimistic as he was.

oOo

STACEY WAS WASHING
the big
plate-glass windows in the front of the store, when she heard a
crash at the end of the block. Rushing inside, she grabbed her
phone, went back out and headed down the street. As the scene came
into view, she dialed 911. The dispatcher answered.

Stacey told the woman, “Two cars collided on
Main Street. I’m getting to the scene now.”

“We’ll send trucks. But stay on the line and
tell us what’s happening so we can relay the information as they’re
en route.”

When she was at the crash site, she
continued, “A Miata was rear-ended by a Bronco. The driver is out
of the SUV, but I can’t see any movement inside the smaller
car.”

“Get close enough to determine the condition
of the driver of the Miata. Don’t endanger yourself, and don’t try
to help. Rescue should be there in minutes.”

Stacey wended through the small group of
onlookers, some of whom were shouting, some calling out to others,
some on cell phones. A burning smell hovered in the air and one of
the cars was smoking. When she got a good view, she said, “The
driver is alone inside, slumped over the wheel. He isn’t
moving.”

Sirens sounded in the distance, then closer.
Soon, two rigs pulled up to entwined cars. Nick’s truck. And a
small one marked Medical. They’d just come to a halt when Nick
bounded out. He rushed to the cars and caught sight of her.
“Stacey?”

“I called it in.”

“They said a woman did. Stand back.”

From being married to a firefighter, she knew
crowds often hindered a rescue and the guys hated that. So she
faced the onlookers. “All right, everybody, get back and let the
firefighters do their work.”

The crowd receded from the vehicles and
Stacey joined them. Nick barked orders, then walked around the
small car assessing the damage. He yanked on the door handle, but
it was jammed. “Get the pry tools,” he told the men behind him.

Another firefighter already had; he stepped
in front of Nick and tried to pop the door. “It’s stuck, Cap.”

“Check the other door.”

It wouldn’t open.

“Okay, let’s get him out through the front
window.”

Yet another firefighter climbed on the hood,
taped up, then broke the glass; it fell backward in one piece. Once
they removed it, Nick jumped on up and ducked his head inside. “We
have to get rid of the wheel.” The same firefighter handed him
another tool and he did something inside. She saw him hand the
steering wheel out. Then he climbed in the passenger side and
disappeared. “We need a backboard.”

She was close enough to hear him talking to
the man, who must have regained consciousness. A male firefighter
and Lisa Beth Duncan brought the board, and Nick took a collar from
them. Then she watched as they maneuvered and twisted, maneuvered
and twisted, until half in, half out of the car, Nick helped slide
the man on the board, facedown. The medics took them both to the
ground.

Lisa Beth said, “On three, we’ll turn him
over.”

Two other firefighters and Nick assisted. The
man was gently flipped, then secured to the board. He was bloody
but talking.

The other medic said, “We’ll take him to the
hospital, Cap.”

“Roger that. Then go back to the house. The
rest of us will meet you there.”

The little truck, which had been idling, sped
off. Stacey was so intent on the rescue that she didn’t notice the
police had shown up and were directing traffic.

Nick approached her. “Hey, thanks for the
help and the heads-up.” He had smudges on his face and his eyes
were bright with adrenaline. His helmet was pushed back. Could he
possibly look any sexier?

“No problem. How’s the guy?”

“No way to tell. He’ll get good care on the
way over to the hospital. Both of those firefighters are also
paramedics.”

“I know Lisa Beth.” Sweat beaded on his brow
as he removed his headgear. His hair was damp and he ran a hand
through it. She asked, “Can I get you something? Water?”

“You guys want a drink?” he shouted to his
men. The four members of his crew were taking a breather after the
rescue. They all said yes to water.

Nick turned to her and hesitated for about
ten seconds. “I’ll go back with you to get it.”

They fell into step and headed to the
store.

“You look like Cinderella,” he said
teasingly.

She touched the kerchief she wore with an old
smock. She was a mess, damn it. “I was cleaning the windows when I
heard the crash.”

As they walked, she became acutely aware of
his body, seeming bigger in the clunky boots, pants and turnout
coat. Before they reached the store, he unbuttoned and yanked off
the heavy coat. “It’s cool today, but I’m hot.”

She almost giggled. “That you are,
Captain.”

He stopped. “Are you flirting with me,
Stacey?”

“Nah. I don’t know how.”

“Don’t kid yourself. You just gotta look at a
man; it’s enough.”

“That’s a nice thing to say.” They went
inside The Book Nook and Stacey headed to the kitchenette. “I’ll
get the water.”

She hustled to the rear of the store, hoping
Cora had restocked the fridge. She had, and Stacey grabbed a bag
and put in five bottles. She also whipped off her smock and the
kerchief, sending her hair everywhere. She noticed her hands
shaking. “Geez.”

Well, she couldn’t help it if Nick Evans
bothered her. Actually, she liked what he made her feel. He looked
so incredibly delicious all sweaty and rumpled, in the damp, navy
T-shirt, bisected by the suspenders.

Ordering herself to calm down, she returned
to the main area. Nick stood before a display of a brand new
romance novel by a wildly popular author. When she reached him, he
picked a copy up. “So, how do romance novels sell?”

“This one is making me gobs of money. You
might like her
Death
series. They appeal to men.”

“Are you saying, Ms. Sterling, that men
aren’t romantic?”

Her heart started to beat fast. “Are you,
Captain?”

He moved in closer. Tucked a tendril of hair
behind her ear. “Am I what?” His voice was husky. Intimate.

She didn’t move back. “Romantic?”

“Would you like to find out, Stace?”

“I—”

The door opened and in walked one of his
crew. “Hey, Cap, where’s the—” The guy stopped. “Oops, sorry, I
don’t want to…interrupt.” The last was said with humor.

Stacey blushed.

Taking the bag from her, Nick handed it to
the guy without looking at him. Or moving away. “Bring the water
out, Maloney. I’ll be ready to go in a sec.”

“Anything you say.” Maloney uttered under his
breath, “Romeo.”

When he left, she laughed gently. “You’ll get
teased now.”

“No one dares to tease me. I’m too old and
too ugly. Besides I control the chores my groups gets assigned.
They wanna stay on my good side.”

The bell tinkled again. A customer walked in.
Shit.

He sighed, hopefully at the interruption,
though the woman walked to the stacks. “Would you, um, would you
want to go out sometime, maybe to dinner and a movie?”

Yes!
“I’d like that, Nick.” She kept
her tone as even as she could, given she was bursting inside.

“Today’s my last day shift. I’m off for a
tour, starting tomorrow.”

“I’m free tomorrow night.”

“Great. Dinner at the Lakeside Restaurant?”
She nodded. “Shall I pick you up or meet you there?”

“I’m working till six. I can walk over after
work. Say seven?”

“Seven, it is.” Reaching up, he brushed his
thumb over her lips, turned and left the store.

Stacey wilted. She leaned against the counter
and sighed. Then she caught sight of the romance novel on the
table. “No need to answer my question,
Cap
. You are one
romantic guy.”

oOo

NICK SAT AT
a table in the dining
area of the Lakeside Restaurant, a tasteful, swank place with
tables bearing maroon cloths and deep red, fall mums in a vase. He
stared out the front window as he sipped a scotch. Man, he hoped
this was a good move. Yesterday, he’d made the spontaneous offer to
Stacey for a date, but tonight, he wasn’t so sure.

Okay, so he admitted he was lonely and wanted
someone in his life. Why couldn’t it be one of those slick,
glamorous women at the bar, who knew the score and wanted to play
the game?

But they didn’t appeal to him anymore.

The sight of Stacey when she walked in
exactly at seven calmed his doubts somewhat. From the reception
desk, she could see the dining room, and Nick watched as she
scanned the area. Her dress—he’d never seen her in one—was grass
green and wrapped around her like a glove, tying in front. Though
that made his body tighten, it was a better kind of tension than
doubt and worry. He stood so she’d see him. She gave him a
full-fledged smile that soothed his heart as she headed toward him.
She wore heels—thank you, God—that made her legs look stellar. “Hi,
there.”

Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “Hi. You
look lovely in that dress.” He glanced down. “But I’m surprised you
walked over in those shoes.”

“They’re more comfortable than they look.”
She gave him a frank perusal. She did seem innocent, but sometimes,
she was a sexy siren. “You look fantastic.”

He’d bought the doe-colored jacket today, and
put it over a deeper brown, silk shirt and dress pants. “I’m not
much for suits and ties.”

“Fine by me.”

He held the chair out for her. “What would
you like to drink?”

“I’ll have white zinfandel wine.”

After the waiter took her order, she smiled
at him again. “This is nice. I’m glad you asked me.”

He was. And he wasn’t.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Reaching out, she covered his hand on the
table. “You don’t have to lie, Nick. Simply say you don’t want to
discuss whatever put the frown on your face.”

“Are you always this honest?”

She seemed shocked. “Yes, of course. I have
no reason to put up a front.”

That was true—for her.

“Did you ever hear about the man in the
Miata?” She gave him a break by changing the subject.

“Yeah, Lisa Beth and McCabe followed up. He’s
going to be okay.”

“I’m glad.” She eyed his chest and her eyes
danced. “It was…fun watching you work. I think firefighters are
so…masculine.”

“That’s why you married one.”

“Nah, I dated Jess before he joined the
department. But there’s something about those blue T-shirts…”

He grinned, again feeling better by her frank
appreciation.

They both ordered steak, baked potato and
Caesar salad. Stacey ate hers with relish, much as she’d devoured
the hamburger on their first meeting. She sipped her wine between
bites. “This is so good. I don’t eat too much red meat, but I’m
splurging.”