“That’s great. I’d be happy to see if he’s good enough to date you.”
“He’d better be, since I can’t have you.” Bonnie shook her long hair behind her head as she laughed. “But, yeah, he’s good enough. Pat asked me to marry him last night and I said yes.”
Wow. He knew she was dating, but... “I didn’t know it was to that point yet?”
Bonnie shrugged, her prior amusement leaving as she turned serious. “I hope I’m making the right choice. Carl can’t come back, no matter how much I miss him. He trusted your judgment more than anything, so I want your blessing.” She shut the door, leaving Thayne with a lot to mull over.
Then again, there was nothing he could do about Patrick until tomorrow night. Right now, he needed to get to Laura and make sure she forgave him.
Whatever it took.
***
Well, we’re appointment free for an hour. I wonder what lecture I’m getting today.
Laura continued scrubbing down the examination counter and scale in room two as Vicky entered the room. The bad part about finally hiring a receptionist this morning for Sunshine Veterinarian Clinic was that whenever there was a long pause between clients, Vicky had nothing to do with her time now. Except tell Laura how to live her life, of course, including insisting she date that slime, Tony, again.
“I can’t believe you let Thayne talk to you alone after what he called you,” Vicky said.
Laura sighed. She’d heard that statement four times already, and it was only a little past eleven.
“He was drunk and didn’t mean it. You antagonized him, and he blew up.”
Vicky shrugged and sat on the bench against the far wall while Laura sterilized the sink. “I don’t see why you care so much about him. You get panic attacks around him and said you don’t want to date him. You should have sent him away. Tony is a better man.”
Vicky would never see things from Laura’s point of view, so there was no point in arguing about it further. Sure, at first Thayne had hurt her feelings by what he said, but the more she thought about it, the more she knew he was lashing out because she hurt him. Plus, despite everything, he thought she was a ten.
She’d spent all night thinking things over, trying to figure it out. What did it mean? It sounded like he still wanted to date her, but that could have been the alcohol talking. Laura didn’t know what to believe.
When she called Dr. Mason this morning, he encouraged her to contact Thayne and ask him what he wanted. Dr. Mason wanted her to confront her fears and get over them. Maybe even date Thayne again.
Yeah, and even considering that makes me want to piss my pants. How would that work?
“Tony said he’s sorry about last night,” Vicky said, changing tactics when she realized Laura wouldn’t justify her actions again. “He’s the one you should give a second chance to. He wants to see you tonight. This time with no alcohol.”
Throwing the sanitizing wipe into the garbage can, Laura leaned against the counter and shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. Even if he stays sober and not so grabby, I’m simply not attracted to him.”
“He’s a lot better than Thayne.” Vicky’s bottom lip stuck out in an unattractive pout.
“Wait a minute. I thought you liked Thayne and his muscles.” Laura put her hands on her hips. “You’re the one who encouraged me to date him in the first place.”
“That was then, this is now. I think you should date Tony. Hey, it could even turn into something long term. If Tony gets the job with the mayor’s office that he’s trying for, he’ll be moving to Sayle permanently. He’s a nice guy.”
Except when he gets into the bourbon.
But it wasn’t even that, not really. When Laura looked at Thayne, she felt giddy and excited and hot. She wanted to kiss him and have his big, strong arms wrap her in a bear hug. She fantasized about how sex would be between them. Sure, his job might induce panic attacks, but her body wanted him.
In comparison, she didn’t want Tony anywhere near her.
I’m seriously screwed up. I don’t think even therapy can fix me.
A light tap sounded on the door and the new receptionist, Carol, popped her head inside. “Hey, Laura. A delivery just came for you.”
“A delivery?” Laura felt her eyes narrow. “What is it?”
Carol smiled. “Roses. Come see.”
Vicky stood and flashed a bright smile at Laura. “I already know they’re from Tony. He said he’d win you over. See, he’s a nice guy. I wonder what the card says. I bet something romantic.”
Laura held back a groan and followed the other women to the reception area. Sitting on the edge of the counter was a huge arrangement of red roses, and she let her groan out this time.
How traditional. Can’t a man ever give an original present?
Still, Tony probably thought it was sweet. Looking at the size of the arrangement, he’d certainly spent plenty of money on it.
She plucked the small card from its holder in the center of the bouquet and took it out of the envelope to read it out loud. “Sorry you got sick last night. How about we try again? Dinner? Maybe more? (wink, wink) Love, Tony.”
“See? He likes you,” Vicky gushed. “And the flowers are beautiful.”
“Yeah, right, he likes me. What about this note? Maybe more, wink, wink? That’s not sweet.” Laura crumbled the note in her fist. “Tony’s a sleaze, Vicky. I’m not sleeping with him just because he’s your husband’s old buddy.”
She frowned. “You don’t know that’s what he meant. Maybe he meant a movie or something after dinner.”
Carol’s eyes darted between them both.
Vicky turned to her. “You don’t think that’s what he meant, do you?”
“Are you kidding?” Carol bent to pick up the small trashcan below her desk and held it toward Laura. “Of course that’s what he meant. What a jerk.”
Laura chucked the crumpled note into the can and brushed her hands together. “See, Vicky? You don’t know about these things because you’re married to a great guy, but some men are pigs.”
“Tell me about it.” Carol sighed. “I’ve been out with a new man every weekend this month, and they’ve all tried to get into my pants before we hardly even talk.”
“Okay, okay. You win.” Vicky held up her hands in surrender. “I’m not taking the loss too hard, however, since I have Dan. I’m still the winner.”
Laura sighed. “Thayne’s a great man as well. Too bad he wasn’t the one to send the flowers.”
Vicky wrinkled her nose. “I don’t get you. I thought you didn’t want to date him.”
“My therapist thinks it’s because of Brian and not Thayne. I do like Thayne.”
“Who’s Brian?” Carol asked.
Damn it. I shouldn’t have brought him up. I don’t want to explain it yet again.
Luckily, the front door opened and a young man came strolling through, saving her from having to talk about her past.
“I’m looking for Thayne’s beautiful cat woman, Laura.” He smiled and held up what looked to be a plastic food container. “I have a gift.”
Laura’s heart beat quickly as she looked at the man. He was quite young and of Latino descent. A Sayle Fire Department T-shirt that looked just like Thayne’s stretched across his broad chest. Could this be Frankie, Thayne’s new partner?
She cleared her throat and stepped around the counter. “I’m Laura.”
The man winked. “Actually I knew that. We all checked you out when Thayne first started talking about you. And you are a cute one. I understand why he doesn’t want to let you go without a fight.” He handed her the container, gave a small salute, and walked out of the office.
“What is it?” Vicky asked.
“Who’s Thayne?” Carol added.
The container was hot against her skin and Laura placed it on the counter, grabbing the folded sheet of paper from the top.
Laura,
I can’t begin to make things up to you, but I have to try.
I was a drunk and jealous fool last night, and I’m so frustrated about not being able to be with you.
I want to see you again. I want to start over. You are kind and caring, such a great woman. Plus, you love animals, just like me. I know my job scares you, but we can work on that. I feel like we are meant to be together, and I think you felt it too before that fight. I’ll text you all the time while I’m working if that’s what it takes. Just say we can try again.
In case I’ve done the unforgiveable and you’ll never consider being with me again, I decided that shouldn’t stop you from tasting my dad’s fabulous recipes. Enjoy.
If you do reconsider, I’ve been called in to work this afternoon, but I’m off around six. Call me. Please.
The only closing was his phone number. No sickeningly suggestive taunt or a ‘Love Thayne’—just a plea for another chance.
She opened the container and the aroma of fresh chicken filled the office. The reddish brown sauce smothered over it must be the secret recipe he learned from his father. He had promised to make it for her sometime. Looked like he made good on that promise.
There was enough food inside to feed several and Laura glanced at the other women. “More original and practical than roses. Thayne sent lunch.”
Chapter Ten
As they rode the engine back to the firehouse, Thayne grabbed his cell phone from the truck. It was nearly seven and anticipation flooded through him. Hopefully, there would be a message from Laura. Well, assuming she didn’t throw out his phone number and the chicken.
A quick glance at the screen told him all he needed to know. No message. Laura wasn’t going to forgive him.
Frankie sat in rear-facing seat in front of him, quieter than usual.
“What’s wrong, kid?” Thayne asked.
“It’s supposed to be our day off. Why is this happening?” Frankie glanced up, ashes streaked across his sweaty face. “I almost didn’t grab that little girl in time.”
“But you did, and that’s what matters.” Thayne tried to give him an encouraging smile. He wasn’t used to seeing Frankie anything less than cocky and sure of himself.
However, today had been exhausting. Two major fires in the span of a few hours—everyone was working, even the man who’d called in sick and the reason Thayne was covering today in the first place. Sayle had been in crisis all day.
The first fire had broken out in an apartment complex, which thankfully was empty of people by the time they arrived to put out the flames. The second was a cheap hotel downtown, and had been a chaotic mess. Luckily, they managed to get everyone out with only minor injuries.
The little girl Frankie saved had the worst of it. Scared of the alarms, she’d locked herself in the bathroom. The fire had reached the room before Thayne and Frankie did. After forcing the parents outside, they went after her. Frankie pulled her from the bathtub just as the cloth shower curtain burst into flames.
“She’s being treated for smoke inhalation, but she’ll be fine,” Thayne reassured him. “You did good. Today was a victory.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, “but what about all the fires? Both of these started hot and burned quick. We’re never busy like this. Do you think it’s the...”
Thayne knew what he was going to say. Arsonist. But they hadn’t shared their speculations with the rest of the crew. Frankie probably didn’t want to sound like a pansy, scared by his first real building fires.
“We’ll have to see what the fire marshal turns up in his investigation,” Thayne said with a shrug.
Sterling turned his head toward them from his spot buckled in next to Thayne, ashes and soot coating his curly black hair. He grimaced, exhaustion and grime marring his dark complexion. “It’s never been like this before, though, Thayne. How can we keep up at this rate? Captain called in some of the volunteers since we’re supposed to be off the next few days. He’s afraid the regular crew will need more help than they have. The mayor should never have cut down the department, and our damn union should have fought harder for us.”
“I know, but what can we do about it? The union struck the best deal they could, and this was it. Even if it is shitty.”
As tired as Thayne was, he could only imagine how Sterling must feel at twice Thayne’s age. Even if he was still buff and fit, it was exhausting work fighting fires, and the town had never been burning up daily like this before.
Carlos leaned out past Sterling as far as his buckle would let him. “I don’t get it. Until a few months ago, the stations were all full with firefighters for each engine and medics and EMTs for the ambulances. Now, we’re short staffed and having real fires nearly every day.” He furrowed his brow. “Don’t we usually respond to car accidents and shit like that? What’s up with house fires and businesses going up in flames?”
Sterling nodded his agreement. “It seems like someone wants to make troubles for the city. Maybe for us in particular.”
Well, if Sterling agreed with the theory of foul play, Frankie wouldn’t come across as a scared kid.
The truck turned onto the firehouse’s street when the CB speaker clicked on from dispatch. “Engine eighteen, what’s your position?”
Dan Steel sat in the driver’s seat today, controlling the engine.
Captain Smith rode next to him, so picked up the radio receiver. “Just pulling into home and ready to rest.”
“We’ve received reports of a fire at Cascade Heights Apartment Complex on Spruce Drive. Possible civilians inside. You’re nearest. Can you respond?”
Panic froze Thayne in place. Spruce Drive?
Captain Smith leaned over to glance in the back of the truck. “I’m going to let the next crew take over boys, don’t worry. We’re beat and supposed to be off duty today.”
“Captain, wait!” Thayne cleared his throat, trying to ignore the rapid pounding of his heart. “That’s Laura’s apartment.”
Frankie’s eyes widened. “Cat woman’s in danger? With how fast these fires are blazing, we need to get there pronto.”
“We can’t wait for the volunteer team to get ready, sir. Some of them might not even be to the firehouse yet. We’ve got to go now.” Thayne knew it wasn’t fair to his exhausted brothers, but he had to get to Laura.
Smith and Sterling traded a long glance and then the captain nodded. “I’ll call the relief crew and tell them to drive their asses over there to help, but let’s go save your girl.”
Dan flipped the switch to turn on the lights and sounded the truck’s alarm, speeding past the station and toward Laura’s neighborhood.
***
Come on, Snips. Stop being such a pain in the butt.
Laura made another swipe for the kitten, but the fur ball tucked herself into a corner under the bed. Laura couldn’t wedge herself any further, and the kitten was just at the ends of her fingertips when Laura stretched as far as she could.
To top it all off, the fire alarm still hadn’t quit shrieking out in the main hall. She wished the landlord would do something about the problems in this building. The alarm went off at least once or twice a month. What would happen if there were ever a real fire? None of the residents would know because they were so used to the blaring thing.
“Snips, come on baby, it’s okay.” Laura made soothing kisses toward the kitten. “Don’t be scared.”
Snips’s tail was puffed to twice its normal size, and she arched her back and hissed. The kitten definitely didn’t like surprises or loud noises.
Defeated, Laura retracted her hand and tucked it under her chin, staring at the kitten. It wouldn’t do any good to keep reaching for her and frightening her further.
I should go call the landlord and complain about the alarm still going off. Getting that to stop is the only way to calm Snips.
Decision made, Laura wiggled from under the bed, sneezing on the dust bunnies hiding down there with the cat.
I need to clean under here if I’m keeping this cat for myself. She seems to love hiding.
When Laura was
finally able to sit up, the odd smell didn’t register at first. It only took a few moments for her brain to click over and realize her mistake. The alarm wasn’t false. Smoke was coming into the apartment. The building was actually on fire.
“Damn it. Snips, you have to come out now!”
With iciness going into her fingertips and her heart pounding, Laura knew she had to move quickly. She couldn’t leave Snips inside, and she couldn’t give in to a panic attack. She was the only one around to save the cat.
Time to stop being a scared baby and take charge of my life.
“Food is the way to your heart.”
Laura raced from the bedroom to the kitchen, noting with mounting horror the smoke-filled outer apartment. Pulling her shirt up over her mouth to breathe through the fabric, she grabbed a new can of cat food and popped the top off it.
This would work. It had to work. She couldn’t waste time. The alarm had already been going off for several minutes, and Laura had no clue where the fire was or how fast it would spread.
She ran back to the bedroom, the can of food shaking in her hand as she set it on the floor next to the bed. “Come on, Snips. Be a good girl and come out for dinner.”
Chapter Eleven
As the fire engine pulled in front of Laura’s building, Thayne sighed in relief. The fire was on the left side of the building. Laura’s apartment was the last one on the right. She had to be out of there by now and safe. People milled around the area on the lawn and in the street. Laura had to be among them.
“I don’t see your girl,” Captain Smith remarked from the front. “Which apartment is hers?”
“Number eight,” Thayne replied. “Furthest from the visible fire. She has to be out here somewhere.”
“Good,” Smith said. “Let’s get to work, men.”
They piled from the truck, each man doing their assigned task. Thayne and Frankie worked on the hose, unrolling it and taking it to the men working at a nearby fire hydrant while Sterling and Carlos hooked another hose to the water tank in the truck.
“I still don’t see Laura,” Frankie said, looking around.
As the other men took over the hose, Thayne searched the area with Frankie, looking for any glimpse of Laura.
Blazing Love Page 8
