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While he’d turned on the TV and was grazing the channels for the news, Andrea had slipped into the bedroom to phone her mom. To her delight she found out that Rex was taking her to dinner that evening. Then the subject changed to Rick Jenner and the scene with Tessa.
“But I can’t talk about that right now, Mom. I’ll call you later once Dad’s gone.”
After she came out of her bedroom, she saw breaking news flash across the TV screen. “...case you just joined us, we’re in downtown Providence on the scene of a raging nine-alarm fire that is engulfing the old furniture mart.” Nine?
Her father whistled. “That’s one mean fireball. I’d hate to be the firefighter I met last night.”
Andrea was already quaking in her boots over Rick. Today was supposed to be his day off. She’d heard one of the firefighters say they could all stay up late for the party and sleep in. But word of a fire of this magnitude would reach every firefighter in the city. She hadn’t known Rick long, but she knew he wouldn’t stay in bed once he heard the news. Her stomach muscles tensed.
“The recent rash of fires in the downtown area seems to indicate an arsonist might be involved.”
Andrea remembered what Rick had said. I’ve a gut feeling this one loves to light fires for the fun of it. He wants notoriety and is the worst kind.
When her father turned off the television, she wished he hadn’t. Now that she’d seen the fire, she couldn’t think about anything else. “I’d better head home to make things right with Monica.”
Andrea pretended she didn’t know anything about their troubled marriage. “What happened?”
“I told her when I married her I didn’t want to get involved with her kids.”
No. Andrea’s father could hardly handle having one child of his own. What a blow it must have been to her mother when she discovered the kind of man she’d married. The difference between him and someone like Rick Jenner, who adored his daughter and was devoted to her, was too astounding to contemplate. She found his parka and helped him put it on.
“It’s good to see my little girl.” After putting a new can of bear mace on the coffee table as his contribution to her Christmas, he gave her a hug. He’d always had trouble parting with his money unless it was for more ammunition or a new scope for his rifle. She thanked him and hugged him back before going downstairs with him.
“It’s a fine day now that it’s snowed,” he exclaimed after opening the door to the alley. “But I’d rather be up in Alaska.”
That was his mantra. “Drive safely.”
The second he took off, she raced upstairs to grab her things, then ran down and got into her car. Once out on the street she could see the dark plumes of smoke over the downtown area, making her feel sicker as she listened to the radio report. Without conscious thought she drove to the fire station. If she saw Rick’s Toyota there, then she’d know he’d been called in to help fight the blaze.
After turning into the driveway to the station parking lot, she spotted it with several other cars and broke out in perspiration. But maybe he was inside the station. She had to find out, and she went in. To her consternation she discovered there was only a skeleton crew on duty. Captain Jenner had been called to the downtown fire.
It was too late to remember that someone on duty would tell him she’d been by. So much for her avowal that she wasn’t interested in any kind of a relationship with him. She wasn’t, but she feared the danger of a fire of that magnitude. Her thoughts leaped to Tessa. The idea of her daddy not making it back home was too ghastly to contemplate.
She called her mother again. “Have you seen the news about the fire on TV?”
“Yes. I’ve been watching, and I thought immediately of Captain Jenner.”
“I was fixing Dad’s breakfast when he turned on the news.”
“Where’s your father now?”
“He’s gone back home. I’ll come over later, but there are some things I need to do first.”
“All right, darling.”
Andrea headed to the hardware store. When she came out the smoke in the sky wasn’t as black as before. Part of her wanted to drive down by the fire, but another part preferred to stay in denial about him fighting the fire, so she headed for the shop.
While she listened to the news she kept busy placing the dowels and cleaning up after her father. By now the fire was 95 percent contained, but there’d been injuries. A number of firefighters had been taken to Providence general hospital. One had died on the way after a wall had collapsed on him, but no names were being given out yet.
Andrea cried out in anguish. It could be Rick, or one of his friends at the party. She couldn’t breathe until she knew the truth. Without hesitation she drove to the hospital. The main streets en route had been plowed. Andrea parked underground and followed the signs to Emergency.
When she saw Rick’s name on the wall chart, her heart thudded like the striking of an anvil. After inquiring at triage, she was told he was in cubicle eight and she could go back. Behind the blue curtain she found him.
To her everlasting surprise and gratitude, he was sitting on the end of the hospital bed in his uniform, breathing oxygen. As far as she could tell, nothing else was wrong with him. When he saw her walk in, his eyes suddenly gleamed a brighter green. Surrounding him were three of the foulest-smelling, grubby-looking firefighters she’d ever seen.
Arney and Jose she recognized from last night’s party. “Hey, Andrea,” they said in unison with a decided grin. “You’re one sight for sore eyes. How did the boss find you and how come he’s so lucky?”
A smile broke out on her face. “I must say you guys looked a little better last night,” she teased, ignoring their questions.
“Yeah, well, now you’re seeing the real us.”
“Whoa—” the other firefighter exclaimed. “I know I’ve never seen you before.” His blue eyes studied her in a way she found too bold. “Someone introduce me.”
Jose smiled. “Andrea? As you can see, Chase is dying to make your acquaintance. Andrea runs the Hansel and Gretel shop downtown.”
“Is that so? Well, I’m just going to have to drop by, then.”
Andrea hoped he wouldn’t.
“Chase swung in from another station to assist,” Arney explained.
Thankfully the attending physician came in and took Rick’s vital signs, preventing her from having to make a comment. Something about the other firefighter’s attitude was borderline obnoxious to her.
“Can he drive back to the station with us, Doc?”
“I can’t release him for an hour. Just so you know, your captain won’t be going to work tomorrow. For the time being it’s home and total bed rest. Follow my advice and you shouldn’t have any lasting effects.”
The guys didn’t sound happy about it, but Andrea rejoiced that the doctor had taken charge. For the rest of today and tomorrow he’d be safe!
After the doctor left the cubicle, Rick pulled down his mask, still staring at her. “All right, you guys. Get out of here.”
Andrea thought he sounded slightly hoarse but completely like his confident self. She sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving that Tessa’s daddy had been spared to live another day.
“We’re going.” Arney grinned and punched him on the shoulder. One way or another the guys managed to give a physical manifestation of their affection and relief by a nudge or some other gesture.
Their camaraderie revealed they were a close-knit family of which she wasn’t a part. This was Rick’s element, a whole other world, and he was happy in it. She could see that. They belonged to a special club, unconsciously making her feel excluded.
Chase filed out last, not paying attention to Rick. He gave her a look that made her uncomfortable. “I’ll be getting in touch with you.” She wanted to call back, “Please don’t.”
When they were alone she urged Rick to lie back down, but he ignored her. Maybe she was wrong, but something about the other firefighter seemed to have made him tense. His next question was unrelated. “How did you know I was here?”
She told him the sequence of events, starting with her father sleeping over. Through narrowed lids he appeared to digest everything she said. “I thought you didn’t want anything more to do with me.”
“I don’t, but the nine-alarm fire was on every channel.”
“You knew it was my day off.”
“True—however, it was such a huge fire I figured you’d be called in. When I drove to the fire station and saw your car in the parking area, then I knew you’d gone on duty.”
“You actually drove there to see?” A glint of satisfaction entered his eyes.
“Yes. I was concerned when I found out there were injuries...and a death.”
He nodded gravely. “A father of four.”
“I heard. It’s so tragic.” Her voice shook. “Thank heaven it wasn’t you. Tessa wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“I don’t plan to die on her if I can help it.” He bit out the words.
“I realize that.”
“Now that you’re here, would you be willing to wait long enough to drive me to the station for my car when I’m released?”
“I’ll drive you home first,” she said without hesitation. “Doctor’s orders. We’ll arrange for your car later. Don’t talk anymore, Rick. Give your throat and lungs a rest. If you’ll give me your housekeeper’s phone number, I’ll let her know you’ll be home in another hour.”
Andrea knew she shouldn’t be overjoyed that he wanted her help to get home. But if he hadn’t asked her, she would have worried that much more about him.
* * *
When the nurse pushed Rick outside the hospital in the wheelchair, Andrea was waiting right there in her car. The woman was tying him up in knots. He climbed inside and fastened the seat belt before they took off. If it had taken him breathing too much smoke to see her again, he wasn’t complaining.
The doctor had said his heart rate was a little high. What the medic didn’t know was that moments before, Andrea had walked into the cubicle. After figuring he’d never see her again unless he made it happen, he knew the shock of realizing she’d come to see him on her own had played havoc with his vital organ.
A lot could happen in twenty-four hours. He planned to use every one of them wisely.
“Are you feeling terrible?” Andrea sounded anxious.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.”
He looked over at her lovely profile. “I’m sorry that the death of one of my colleagues alarmed you enough to bring you to the hospital. I’m sure it was a reminder of what happened to your husband. I wish you could have been spared. Tell me. What did you do with your day after your father left?”
“Besides worry about you, I bought some dowels and put them in the windows.”
“I’m glad you took my advice.”
“If they’ll act as a deterrent, then I’m indebted to you.” He noticed her hands grip the wheel a little tighter. “Was the furniture mart a set fire?”
“Benton thinks so, but it’ll take a day to find the proof.”
She flashed him a glance. “What’s your opinion?”
“I think this particular pyro is having a field day.”
“Tell me about your friend who died. How old are his children?”
“He has two teenagers and two in their twenties.” Rick saw telltale tears trickle from her eyes. “Becoming a firefighter is a lot like joining the military. Everyone knows there’s going to be risk.”
“I’m sure they do.”
He wanted to get off that subject to talk about something more important. “Is your father going to be in town for the week?”
“No. When he comes two or three times a year, he’s always just passing through.”
“It’s obvious you’re very close to your mother.”
“As opposed to my father, who was never a family man, but I’m sure you already figured that out even before you met him.”
“It’s his great loss for not spending time with you. He told me he doesn’t like you living on your own.”
“He said that because the loft is small and I don’t have a guest room for him.”
“Andrea? Be serious.”
“I am. He hates my couch.”
Rick shuddered to think what kind of father hers had been. All the lost opportunities.
Andrea pulled into his driveway, where she parked to the side to leave room for another car. He gave her a covert glance. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
But he didn’t hear her response because he’d already opened the passenger door and Tessa had come running out of the house without boots or a parka. “Daddy—” She sounded ecstatic and flew into his arms.
After giving him a hard hug, she stared at Andrea. While his mind sought an explanation his daughter could handle, Andrea spoke up. “Hi, Tessa. Your daddy needed a ride home because he was so excited to see you. Now I’m going home.”
His little girl shifted her gaze back to him. “Sharon said you breathed too much smoke, Daddy. I’m going to take care of you because Mommy told me to.” She pulled on his hand to get him out of the car.
His daughter’s sweetness made his heart quake. “You always take perfect care of me.”
“See you,” Andrea called to them before backing out of the driveway. Helpless to do anything else at the moment, Rick had to let her go. The last thing he saw was the sheen of her wet blue eyes before she drove off.
Tessa helped him inside the house. “Sharon says you have to take a shower and go straight to bed.”
His housekeeper met him in the foyer. “We’re glad you’re home. I’ll bring you dinner when you’re ready.”
Rick was so drowsy from whatever had been put into his IV, he barely made it to his bedroom. After he collapsed on the bed to get his second wind, he knew nothing more until thirst brought him out of a deep sleep. He reached for his water and drank until he’d emptied the glass.
When he opened his eyes, he discovered it was quarter after nine. That was the time he’d gone to his room last night. It meant he’d slept twelve hours! The last thing he remembered was being ordered to bed.
He rolled off the mattress, aware he was breathing more easily. He didn’t feel he needed the inhaler. But once on his feet, he still felt weak. Some breakfast would make all the difference.
After a visit to the bathroom, he left for the kitchen in his sweats and T-shirt, expecting to see Sharon and Tessa, but they weren’t there. He checked the note on the fridge under the magnet.
Nancy came over this morning and took Tessa home with her so you could sleep. She’ll bring her back this afternoon. I’ll be home from the grocery store shortly. Your friends brought your car home from the station, so don’t worry about a thing.
He drank a quart of milk and munched on a banana and a couple of peanut butter sandwiches before checking his phone messages. There were half a dozen, but of course nothing from Andrea. She didn’t have his cell phone number, but he had given her the land line number so she could call Sharon. But when he checked those messages, there still wasn’t one from her.
Remembering the tears in her eyes before she’d backed down the drive, he realized she’d heard Tessa and didn’t want to say or do anything to upset his daughter more. Though touched by her sensitivity, he didn’t want Andrea distancing herself because of it. He’d find a middle ground for them no matter how long it took.
