The Fire Inside (6 page)

“But she’s a good girl at heart, if you got
to know her, which you didn’t…”

“Dad?” Sara’s voice intruded on his memory.
Looking around, he saw the kids had finished cleaning up. “Where’d
you go?”

“Nowhere. What’s on for today with you
guys?”

“We’re seeing our friends, then tonight we’re
cooking dinner.”

“Great. I might go into work for a little
while.”

Happy his children were in town, in his house
again, he put negative feelings about Tess, and Sara, aside and
drove to the Academy. Not long after, Mitch Malvaso came into the
office—again—to talk about the new recruit class starting in two
weeks. “Hey, Jack. You ready for me?”

“Yep.” Jack pulled out a folder from his
bottom drawer. Before they could begin, Mitch’s phone rang.

He checked the ID and grinned. “My little
girl. Sorry, I have to take this.” He clicked on, said, “Hi, Trish”
and walked out of the office.

Jack called up his email, but he stared
blindly at the screen. Mitch had reminded him again of his earlier
thoughts about Tess and why he’d left her alone after lovemaking
that had blown his mind. Life certainly had a way of biting you in
the ass when you least expected it.

When his buddy returned, Jack asked,
“Everything okay?”

“Couldn’t be better. Trish is pregnant and
she calls to relate all the details.”


“Sounds great to me.”

“Me, too.” He got a goofy smile on his face.
“Especially after all the trouble we had with her. Remember?”

“I do. But she turned out fine.” He smiled.
“Sara will, too, I guess.”

“How is she after her escapade in
February?”

“Sassy about it.”

“Ah, a teenager’s second-best weapon after
silence. Luckily, Sara dodged a bullet.”

Jack ran a hand through his hair. “I know,
but what happens the next time?”

“You hold your breath and hope she comes
through it.” He took a bead on Jack. “As a matter of fact, I think
you gave me that exact advice about Trish
and
Bobby.”

“Probably. Physician heal thyself.”

They exchanged a knowing smile, reminding
Jack that Mitch was pretty much his only friend, the one person he
could share his personal life with. Losing Tess because of that
friendship was worth it. Wasn’t it?

And did it even matter now? She probably
hated him for running out on her without a word and, worse, never
calling.

o0o

Tess wandered around her apartment for a day
and a half. Her female friends had come over last night, bearing
wine and snacks, and talked endlessly to her about the vagaries of
life and why she should stay in the department, even after the
devastating news. But their visit hadn’t clarified anything for
her.

She didn’t want her life upended like this.
She’d already had a close call with John Mason just six weeks ago.
After a night of mind-boggling sex, he’d left her in the early
hours of the morning, without waiting for her to wake. Worse, he’d
never contacted her, never called. Her disappointment had been
grave and she’d had trouble getting back to herself. She’d enjoyed
him, liked him, hoped to see him more than that once. But it wasn’t
in the cards and she’d managed to put the whole experience behind
her. Most of the time, anyway. Now she had more bad news to deal
with.

The front bell rang. She hadn’t showered or
even combed her hair or brushed her teeth this morning. Who cared?
She pulled the door open.

And found her cousin, Zach Malvaso, standing
on the porch stoop. His rakish hair and arrogant stance were
familiar. And his blue eyes were filled with understanding. “Hey,
baby. I heard you’re not doing so good.”

Of course he had. Sabina had sent in the
cavalry. “Your mother shouldn’t have called you.”

“She’s worried about you.” He nodded to her
coffee. “Got any more of that?”

“Yeah, come on in. I’m a mess, though.”

“You’re beautiful to me.” He kissed her
cheek. “And it’s been too long.”

“I know.” She felt her voice crack. “I meant
to come to Hidden Cove sooner.”

She poured him coffee and they sat in the
sunny breakfast nook, which overlooked her small back yard. A
rabbit raced across the grass, and it made her think of the fact
that she wouldn’t ever be racing into any fires again.

“I’m sorry, Tess. I know the final diagnosis
must be hard.”

“Fuck!” She felt her eyes mist. A few tears
trickled down her cheeks. “I don’t know what I’m going to do now.
Being a firefighter was all I had.”

“But it’s not all you are. And anyway, you
don’t have to leave the department.”

“How can I stay, when every day I’ll be faced
with the one thing I want and can’t do?”

Leaning back in his chair, Zach watched her.
“I ever tell you about Ian Woodward?”

“The name sounds familiar.”

“He’s the firefighter who lost the use of his
legs in 9/11. He said almost the same words at a support group for
PTSD survivors several years ago.”

“What happened to him?”

“He teaches response-to-terrorism tactics at
the Anderson County Fire Academy. He’s the most in-demand teacher
there.”

She sighed. She knew this was a good lesson,
and she should listen to it, but it was too soon. She told Zach
so.

“That’s what I figured. So you’re coming home
with me.”

“What?”

“Mama sent me up here to fetch you. Pack up
for a few weeks and take some time in Hidden Cove to decide what to
do.”

It sounded like heaven, being surrounded by
family. But…

“I can’t Zach. I’ll be terrible company. I
don’t want to impose that on your mother. She’s been wonderful to
me all my life.”

“As if all of us haven’t been basket cases
one time or another. Mama works her magic on that, too. She did it
with Casey when we broke up.”


“I remember that. You were stupid.”

“Yep. But I’m wiser now and I’m not taking no
for an answer. Mama would kill me. So go take a shower, get your
things together, and I’ll take care of anything in the house that
needs to be done before we head back.”

“I want to say yes.”

He stood. “Then, as far as I’m concerned,
it’s a fait accompli. We love you Tess and want to help.”

She was too weak to resist. “I love you, too.
Okay, I’ll come.”

He dragged her up. And hugged her. “Great.
Now scoot so we don’t hit too much traffic on the drive back.”

o0o

Two nights after Tess got into town, the
Malvaso sisters and brothers insisted they take her out to dinner.
They’d invited Sabina to come along, but she had a meeting for an
upcoming church bazaar. Megan and Grady were working.

“This is a pretty place,” Tess said when they
entered the Hidden Cove Inn.

“Yeah. It’s quiet, too, so we can talk some
sense into you about staying in the fire department.” This from
Zach. “Later, we’ll go to Taylor’s and let off some steam.”

Jenny, on one side of her, and Connie on the
other, both nudged her. “Don’t let him bully you. Even in his
forties, he’s a brat.”

“I am not.” Zach lifted his chin. “I’m a
fine, upstanding man, now that I’m married and settled.”

Mitch gestured for the waiter. “Let’s get
some drinks before we start fighting.”

“We’re not going to fight.” Paulie, the
second oldest brother, was more soft-spoken than the others. “We’re
going to enjoy having our cousin with us.”

Tess gave a him genuine smile.

After they ordered drinks and a pitcher of
beer, Mitch turned to her. “Honey, I’m sorry about what happened to
you. But this is a chance to have you back with us again—for good.
Why don’t you move down here?”

“
What?”
She hadn’t considered the idea
of living permanently in this town.

“Move to Hidden Cove. You can live at our
house with Mama, Megan, Sabby and me until you want your own
place.”

“I’d never impose on you like that. Besides,
I have roots in Rockland.”

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Connie said, “We talk to you enough to
know your job is your life.”

“I have friends there.”

“And no family.” This from Mitch. “When
things are tough, you need family.”

She glanced at Jenn, who was often more
reasonable than the guys. Jenn held up her hands, arrest-style.
“I’m with them. You could live with us, too, if you want. Get to
know Angel, Bella and Ben.”

All of the family reiterated invitations.

Tess looked around, realizing how much she
missed them: Mitch had taught her how to ride a two-wheeler; Jenn
and Connie had told her about boys; Zach had been her partner in
childhood crime; Paulie had been the first one there when her
parents died. When Joey died, she’d already moved back to Rockland.
Now, the longing to be with these people for more than just a few
weeks poleaxed her.

“She’s weakening.” Zach grinned. “I can tell.
I always could.”

Tess raised her chin. “This is too big a
decision to make spur-of-the-moment.”

Mitch nodded. “If you need help figuring
things out, you should talk to somebody. A professional.”

“You mean a shrink?” She thought immediately
of John Mason, who was a psychologist. But she shouldn’t be wary of
all therapists just because he turned out to be…so shallow.

“Don’t knock it.” Zach emphasized the
statement as he poked her in the side. “Me, Grady and Mitch saw one
routinely when our lives were underwater.”


“I didn’t know whether to go back to the line
again when I had kids,” Jenn added. “I saw the department
psychologist a few times. He really helped.”

“I usually deal with my problems alone.”

“Not this time. Get some help.” Mitch reached
across Jenny and covered her hand with his. “And stay.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Which, getting help or staying?”

“Both.”

Mitch’s gaze strayed over her shoulder. “Hmm,
here’s a sign from the Almighty.” He stood and motioned to whomever
was in back of her. “Good to see you, Jack. We have somebody here
you know.”

Pasting on a smile, despite the pressure
they’d put on her, Tess looked over her shoulder.

The world blurred.

She couldn’t speak.

She could barely breathe.

Because there, dressed in a taupe sports coat
and a brown shirt beneath it, was the man she’d shared more of her
body with than any other lover. Unfortunately, the same had
obviously not been true for him. He’d left her without looking
back, and now on top of everything else, she was going to have to
deal with him.

o0o

Jack’s jaw dropped, and his heartbeat began
to thrum in his chest. All he could see was Teresa Righetti
standing before him—and superimposed over her were images of her,
in a towel when she came out of the bathroom. Her, kneeling between
his legs while he sat on the bed. Her, looking up from under him.
It took him a few seconds to get his vision under control. He was
in a restaurant, with his kids, for God’s sake.

She recovered first. “Hello, John.” Her tone
was neutral, as if she was meeting a stranger.

“No, honey,” Zach said, unaware of what was
between them. “It’s Jack. Jack Harrison.”

“They already met upstate,” Mitch told his
brother. “But Jack was incognito. Right, Tess?”

“Yeah, we met.”

“Dad?”

“Oh, sorry, honey. Tess, this is my daughter,
Sara, and my son, Seth. Guys, Tess Righetti, a woman I worked with
in Rockland when I went upstate.”

Mention of upstate made Sara blush. As it
should. She’d been responsible for a lot more than she knew. Had he
stayed at Tess’s apartment six weeks ago, who knew where the two of
them would be today.

Mitch circled around the table to the kids.
“Hey there, you two.”

“Chief Malvaso.” Seth extended his hand.
“Good to see you again.”

Sara hugged Mitch, then in typical Sara-mode
blurted out, “We had fun at your house last time we were home.
Maybe we can do it again?”

“Mama would love to cook for you two. You
were so appreciative.”

“That’d be cool.” Sara grinned. “How about on
Sunday before we go back to school?”

Jack touched his daughter’s arm. “Baby, don’t
invite yourself to someone’s house. Besides, I have some things I
already set up for us.”

Pivoting, she frowned. “No, not for
Sunday.”

Mitch grinned. “Why don’t you plan on it? We
always have Sunday dinner together unless one of us is working. And
Meg and I are both off this weekend.”

Jack caught Tess’s gaze. Her arms wrapped
around her waist in a classic self-protective gesture, but he
couldn’t read her expression. Then she turned away. “Excuse me,
please. I need to use the ladies’ room.” With that she stood and
took off.

“Is she okay, Daddy?” Sara asked. “She looked
pale.”

“I’m not sure.” He faced Mitch. “We should
let you get back to your party.” He told the kids, “Go to the
table.” Then to his friend, “Mitch, a word.”

They stepped off to the side. “Look, Tess and
I… We didn’t exactly hit it off at the Academy.” They had in bed
but not at work. “I never told her who I was. And I imagine she’s
royally pissed about how I criticized her treatment of the
recruits.”

“No big deal. She’ll get over it.”

He glanced to the restrooms. “I’m not so
sure. Maybe we should wait on dinner at your house.”

“I’ll smooth things over with Tess. See you
Sunday.”

Torn about what to do, Jack made his way to
the kids. They were seated and reading the menu. “I’m going to the
restroom. I’ll be right back.” He couldn’t let this go. He just
couldn’t.

When he arrived at the ladies’ room, Tess had
just come out. He blocked her way and eased her back inside, then
closed and locked the door. When he turned around, those eyes were
blank again. “What are you doing in here?”

“I’ve got to talk to you.
Now,
Teresa.”